Driving Success: Electricians Tap into the Lucrative Market of Spa Pack Installations to Fuel Growth and Expansion in 2023

June 7, 2023

Spring is when homeowners turn their attention — and budget — to outdoor improvements and home renovations. Recently, Statistics Canada reported that the number of permits for residential swimming pools issued in 2021 increased by a whopping 293 per cent year over year. There’s greater interest in hot tubs, spas, and other outdoor living amenities — and that’s a growth opportunity for electricians and electrical contractors who understand what homeowners want and need.

Installations require wiring for pumps, heaters, filters and sanitizers, lighting systems, and more. These systems also need routine maintenance and occasional repairs to ensure they continue to operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. As well, homeowners often combine a hot tub or pool with other outdoor features needing power, including outdoor kitchens, storage sheds, and gazebos. Backyards have gone from having one or two outdoor receptacles on the house to fully wired living area.

Newer, larger spas often need the extra power of 240V service to heat and circulate a larger volume of water. In the most recent upgrade to the lineup, Schneider Electric is introducing a Square DTM SPA pack with a 60A GFCI breaker and a neutral, four-wire connection for 240 volts. This extra power allows for faster heating times, more robust water circulation, and the capacity to run additional features, including high-powered jet pumps and ozonators for water purification.

“We recognize the significant growth opportunity for electricians in the market for spa and pool installations,” said Eric Nikolaishvili, Offer Marketing Manager, Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric. “By providing reliable and innovative electrical components like our outdoor loadcentre SPA packs, we aim to empower electricians to deliver safe and efficient solutions to homeowners.”

 Eric Nikolaishvili, Offer Marketing Manager, Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric

What homeowners need to know about electrical requirements for pools, hot tubs and spas

Because many homeowners investing in these outdoor amenities prefer working with experts, electricians can upgrade their skills to reach this consumer, through training and certification programs related to recreational outdoor electrical systems. Partnering with contractors, designers, and architects, along with specifically marketing spa and pool services to homeowners, are other ways to tap in.

Electrical contractors often need to educate clients about the electrical requirements of backyard amenities. A SPA pack is an essential electrical component of a hot tub installation — the device that connects household power to the hot tub. Some SPA packs act as the brains of a hot tub, controlling everything from the jets and the heating system to the filtration cycles and the color-shifting LED lights that set the mood. Other packs offer overcurrent protection and ground fault protection.

Homeowners want reliable electrical components from manufacturers they know and trust. Schneider Electric’s outdoor loadcentre SPA packs, sold under the HomelineTM and Square DTM brands, include breakers and housing in one easy-to-install kit. These SPA packs are an essential safety device, protecting the people using the hot tub or spa from dangerous ground faults, while also safeguarding valuable components from overcurrent damage. The housings are rugged, long-lasting enclosures built for Canada’s tough outdoor conditions.

Upgrading with new SPA packs and other components

New installations are not the only growth opportunity for electricians. Older hot tubs can often benefit from an upgrade to newer components, which can offer greater safety and energy efficiency. Smaller hot tubs and spas typically require 120V SPA packs – and a standard household electrical circuit. These three-wire SPA packs don’t require a neutral connection, making them easier to install and less expensive. As part of any hot tub component upgrade or repair, the other wiring and electrical components should also be inspected along with the plumbing and insulation.

Hot tubs, pools and other amenities enhance outdoor living areas — and, as Statistics Canada’s permit data shows, demand for these home improvements is very high. Electricians who understand the technical requirements and the growing market for these features can make them safe and efficient — ultimately enhancing their value.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Remembering a Pillar of the Canadian Electrical Industry: Pierre Desilets

    Remembering a Pillar of the Canadian Electrical Industry: Pierre Desilets

    September 27, 2023 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Pierre Desilets, a committed figure in the electrical industry, who had dedicated a lifetime to advancing safety standards, codes, and regulations. Pierre had been battling cancer with immense resilience for an extended period. His unwavering commitment to his work and his… Read More…

  • Housing Starts Flat in August

    Housing Starts Flat in August

    September 25, 2023 The trend in housing starts was flat in August at 244,507 units, up 0.8% from 242,552 units in July, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend measure is a six-month moving average of the monthly SAAR of total housing starts for all areas in Canada. The monthly seasonally adjusted annual… Read More…

  • Lineman’s Testing Laboratories’ (LTL) Comprehensive Expertise Makes Rexel Aquisition an Ideal Partnership

    Lineman’s Testing Laboratories’ (LTL) Comprehensive Expertise Makes Rexel Aquisition an Ideal Partnership

    September 25, 2023 By Blake Marchand Earlier this year, Rexel announced the acquisition of Lineman’s Testing Laboratories (LTL), which allows Rexel to offer a complementary range of products and services and enhanced opportunities in the value-add market. LTL is a unique company with three comprehensive areas of expertise, Power Technical Services (Electrical Engineering & Substation… Read More…

  • Guillevin Code Series – New Rules Around GCFIs

    Guillevin Code Series – New Rules Around GCFIs

    The 2021 edition of the CE Code, Rule 26-704 – Protection of Receptacles by A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter of The Class A Type, subrule 1, requires that all 15A and 20A receptacles within 2.5 meters of finished grade be protected by Class A type GCFI.   Read More…


Changing Scene

  • HPS Announces Ted Simpson as Vice-President of Marketing

    HPS Announces Ted Simpson as Vice-President of Marketing

    September 27, 2023 HPS is pleased to announce the appointment of Ted Simpson to the position of Vice-President of Marketing. Ted succeeds Michael Frayne as Michael transitions to the role of Senior Vice President of Power Quality and Power Conversion Solutions. Ted is a highly experienced marketing professional with over 20 years of expertise in… Read More…

  • New Funding for Apprenticeship in Alberta will Create 2,000 More Seats

    New Funding for Apprenticeship in Alberta will Create 2,000 More Seats

    September 25, 2023 A $12.4-million investment from Alberta’s government will create almost 2,000 new apprenticeship seats across the province. Alberta’s economy has momentum, and more skilled labourers are needed to support the province’s workforce, especially in the construction industry. To meet growing demand for highly skilled tradespeople across sectors, and in response to feedback from… Read More…

  • ABB Expands its Pointe-Claire Installation Products Facility

    ABB Expands its Pointe-Claire Installation Products Facility

    ABB is investing CA$16 million in its Installation Products Division manufacturing facility in Pointe-Claire, Canada. Read More…

  • Enhanced GST Rental Rebate Bill Proposed for Purpose-Built Rental Housing 

    Enhanced GST Rental Rebate Bill Proposed for Purpose-Built Rental Housing 

    September 22, 2023 On September 14, 2023, the Prime Minister announced that the government will introduce legislation to enhance the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rental Rebate on new purpose-built rental housing, to incentivize construction of much-needed rental homes for Canadians. To build more rental housing, the removal of GST will apply to new purpose-built… Read More…