Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Announces American National Standard Revision

For Immediate Release
January 23, 2020

Andrea Wells
PHTA Director, Marketing & Communications
awells@phta.org

(ALEXANDRIA, VA) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) announced today a revision to American National Standard Institute (ANSI)/APSP/ICC-14 2014 Standard for Portable Electric Spa Energy Efficiency. This revised standard provides guidelines for testing the energy efficiency of factory-built residential portable electric spas. It also defines an evaluation procedure to qualify a test facility for the purpose of testing to the requirements of the standard.

“Improvements to the ANSI/APSP/ICC-14 Standard is a key component of the PHTA-14 Standard Writing Committee’s (SWC) overall commitment to advancing and streamlining portable electric spa energy efficiency,” said PHTA-14 SWC Chair Angelo Pugliese. “While we were not able to have the California Energy Commission accept ANSI/APSP/ICC-14 in its entirety, we were able to have the major portion of it accepted. Manufacturers can use this as a roadmap to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable and green products.”

ANSI/APSP/ICC-14 2019 includes clarified terminology, new test procedures and additional definitions.

Changes include:

• Clarification of the definition of combination spas to better define the test procedure for portable electric spas.
• New test procedures for exercise spas that can maintain spa-like temperatures to be tested the same as spas. Exercise spas that can only reach exercise temperatures will be tested with their own procedure.
• Appendix B is now Normative to clarify that these are the portions of ISO/IEC 17025 that are relevant to ANSI/APSP/ICC-14.
• New definition for inflatable spas
• New test procedures for inflatable spas

"The writing committee worked countless hours on the initial writing of APSP-14. The work that has been done on the update shows our commitment to harmonizing standards nationally and internationally,” said International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) Chair Cindi Magray. “This is a standard that brings highly energy efficient spas and swim spas to the consumer and provides guidance for a manufacturer to have their test lab certified.”

For more information about the Standard, email PHTA Manager of Standards, Genevieve Lynn at glynn@phta.org. To purchase, visit PHTA/Store.

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About PHTA
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance was formed in 2019, combining The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) and the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). With the mission to “Celebrate the Water,” PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit PHTA.org.

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About IHTA
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) have agreed to work as a single entity to unite and strengthen the portable spa industry in North America and abroad. The IHTA of PHTA consists of hot tub manufacturers, suppliers and retailers along with associated companies whose products or services relate to the hot tub industry. It is the mission of the IHTA of PHTA to protect the industry and to promote the benefits of hot tubs in order to increase awareness and sales throughout the world. Manufacturers will seek to only sell products that meet safety and energy standards; suppliers will assure that the products they provide are free of harmful substances; and retailers will provide their customers the support and service necessary to promote the goodwill of the industry. For more information, visit PHTA.org/HotTubs.