Hot Spring Freshwater IQ Smart Monitoring System Guide

The Hot Spring FreshWater® IQ System, combines the FreshWater Salt System with the FreshWater Smart Monitoring System. The Salt System automatically generates chlorine from salt for fresher, cleaner, more natural feeling spa water with fewer chemicals required, while the Smart Monitoring System tests water hourly and displays clear instructions when adjustments are needed. This helpful guide will explain how the system works, compatibility, how much it costs (start-up and ongoing), how to start-up the system, how to maintain the water and also some troubleshooting/FAQs.

Looking for information on the Freshwater Salt System WITHOUT the IQ Smart Monitoring System? Click here for our dedicated guide to Freshwater Salt Guide

How Does Freshwater IQ Work?

The FreshWater Smart Monitoring System and the FreshWater Salt System are both components of the FreshWater IQ System – the most intelligent salt water system on the planet.

The FreshWater Salt System automatically generates chlorine from salt to keep water clean. This innovative water care system uses fewer chemicals, so your spa water feels fresh and natural and is gentle on skin and eyes.
The Smart Monitoring System is equipped with a replaceable sensor that regularly tests the water and provides clear instructions to keep your water balanced and ready to enjoy.

Which Hot Tubs Can Have Freshwater IQ Installed?

All Hot Spring Highlife and Limelight Hot Tubs from 2024 onwards come ''Freshwater IQ Ready'', meaning that they can have the system added as an optional extra. Freshwater IQ is NOT available on HotSpot, Freeflow or Happy Hot Tubs.

What are the Benefits of the Freshwater IQ Smart Monitoring System?

Regular built-in testing and guidance. To help make water care easy, intuitive and less stress so that you can prioritise hot tub use over hot tub maintenance.
Naturally-produced Chlorine. Natural chlorine produced from salt is not only a more pure chlorine, it also means less reliance on bottled chemicals, which is better for our planet.
Self-sanitising. The Freshwater Salt System self-sanitises the hot tub by itself 95% of the time. There can still be the need to add manual chlorine from time-to-time but most of the sanitisation is performed by the cartridge and salt in the water!
Fewer chemicals added. Adding fewer chemicals to the water helps to keep your levels more stable. The consistent production of chlorine helps reduce chlorine spikes and troughs, which helps general water quality.
Integrated control system. The Freshwater IQ System is fully controllable through your Hot Spring control panel. You can increase the power output, check your salt level and ensure the system is running well.
Salt Water provides a natural healing benefit to your skin.

Are there any drawbacks?

Cost. The Freshwater IQ System is more expensive than a standard chlorine water care kit. We have broken down the full costing below. In comparison, a user on bottled chlorine granules would likely spend approximatley £200 per year on chemicals (depending on usage, climate and other factors).
The salt system requires manual dosing from time-to-time. The system will require manual dosing on start-up and during periods of heavy usage. The system cannot be 'more powerful', it can simply operate for different lengths of time from 0 to 24 hours per day. During heavy usage, the system can be supported by manual dosing of chlorine.
The salt system it works alongside is not chlorine-free! It is a chlorine-based system and that is the core concept.
It is not set and forget or maintenance-free. The system requires checking, filters still require cleaning and you may have to manual dose at times.
The sensor in the monitoring system limits the chemicals you can use in you water, which does restrict some of the chemicals you can use to adjust your water.

How Much Does It Cost?

Start-Up Costs

Hot Spring Freshwater Starter Kit £399: https://www.happyhottubs.co.uk/hot-spring-freshwater-salt-system-starter-kit
On-The -Go Water Softener (Reccomended for Hard Water Areas) £349: https://www.happyhottubs.co.uk/on-the-go-portable-water-softener
Hot Spring Freshwater IQ Starter Kit £399: https://www.happyhottubs.co.uk/hot-spring-freshwater-iq-smart-monitoring-system-starter-kit
Estimated Total Start-Up Cost £1,147

Ongoing Costs (Annual)

Replacement IQ Sensor (Replace every 12 months) £110: https://www.happyhottubs.co.uk/hot-spring-freshwater-iq-smart-system-replacement-sensor
Replacement Salt Cartridges. Last 4 months each. (3 pack = £270): https://www.happyhottubs.co.uk/hot-spring-freshwater-salt-system-cartridge
Salt, Chlorine, PH Balancers and other sundries (Estimate £100 per year)
Estimated Total Ongoing Annual Cost £480 Annually

How to Start-Up The System

Step 1 - Setup the Freshwater Salt System with IQ SYSTEM TURNED OFF

Follow the Hot Spring Freshwater Salt System Start-Up Process

Step 2 - Turn On IQ

Once the Free Chlorine level is holding at 3ppm and the water is balanced and operational, you can turn on the Freshwater IQ system.

Maintaining Your Water with Freshwater IQ

Due to the IQ sensor, certain chemicals cannot be used with the Freshwater IQ system.

Chemicals you CANNOT use with Freshwater IQ

Silver Ion / Mineral Cartridges
MPS/Non Chlorine Shock
Ozone
Bromine
O-Care / Silk Balance and Other Water Conditioners
Aromatherapy products
Clarifier / Anti-Foam
Spa Sparkle / Clarifier
Spa Flush or Pipe Cleaner (Sensor removal required)

Chemicals you CAN use with Freshwater IQ

Chlorine granules
PH Balancers (Plus and Minus)
Chlorine shock
Phosphate remover (if required)

Ongoing maintenance includes keeping a check on balances, checking the salt system menu on the touchpad and keeping your filter clean. We have broken down each parameter and some advice on how to maintain this.

Salt - Salt level only ever increases over time (with salts taken into the spa and chemicals containing salt being added) so the general advice is to not add salt unless you top up with fresh water. You can manually check salt levels with Hot Spring Salt Test Strips.
Hardness - Hardness will stay set from fill unless you top up (with hard water). If you need to lower hardness then you can use a Hot Spring Vanishing Act.
Alkalinity. Add TA Plus to raise TA. Add PH Minus to lower TA. View our guide on balancing PH and Alkalinity.
PH. Add PH Minus to decrease your PH level. Add PH Plus to increase your PH level. View our guide on balancing PH and Alkalinity.
Chlorine - To increase chlorine level you can increase the power output, use a 'Boost' or manually dose with chlorine granules.

Other tips:

Clean your filter every 2-4 weeks with filter cleaner. See our filter cleaning guide
Setup an Auto Clean Cycle function on your control panel to keep your water well circulated and filtered.

Water Care Schedule

To try and make your hot tub water care nice and easy we have broken down what we would recommend doing in our schedule table. This schedule may not apply to all users but gives a rough guide on required maintenance.

Frequency	Action
Daily (or every 2-3 days with light usage)	Ensure chemicals are balanced. Adjust water with chemicals or amend Salt System settings if required.
Weekly	Rinse filters to remove large debris.
Fortnightly	Clean filters with filter cleaner to de-grease them.
Every 4 Months	Flush, drain and re-fill your hot tub with fresh water. Apply protectant to cover. Freshwater salt cartridge replacement is due every 4 months but it may last slightly longer.
Yearly	Replace IQ Sensor. Consider an Annual Service to check components
Every 2-3 Years	Replace hot tub filters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the replaceable sensor last?

The sensor can last up to 12 months. Many factors affect the life of the sensor, such as how often your spa is used and the chemistry of your water. When these factors are accounted for and the spa is properly maintained, your Smart Monitoring Sensor will continue to automatically test your water and provide recommendations for up to a full year.

Will the Smart Monitoring System work with every water care system?

The Smart Monitoring System is designed to work exclusively with the FreshWater Salt System.

Using other water chemical systems with the Smart Monitoring System will provide inaccurate results. To guarantee the best performance, make sure your Salt System is fully up and running before starting the Smart Monitoring System.

Why can’t I use ozone, silver ion, or MPS with the Smart Monitoring System?

The chemistry behind the Smart Monitoring System will only support chlorine and salt-based chlorine systems, like the FreshWater Salt System. All other system types have different chemistries that are not compatible with the Smart Monitoring System.

How will the Smart Monitoring System interact with the current spa mobile apps?

The Hot Spring Spas app does not currently support the Smart Monitoring System; however, you can still use them to operate the current spa function, including the FreshWater Salt System.

Will the readings from the Smart Monitoring System be stored in any way?

History of chemistry levels measured by the Smart Monitoring System is not stored in the system.

How will the spa inform the user that attention is needed?

• Spas equipped with a logo light will flash the logo light to indicate attention is needed.
• The spa control panel will provide notifications to the user to check the water care items.

What if the FreshWater Salt System is not installed and someone installs the Smart Monitoring System?

If the FreshWater Salt System is not properly installed and fully operational, there will be no access to the Smart Monitoring System on the home screen. The home screen will not display the Water Care icon since the Salt System is not installed.

When the sensor life indicator is in the red, what happens?

As soon as the Smart Monitoring System indicator bar moves into the red section of the indicator bar, the system will stop working and will not provide any measurements on the home screen.
Although all status metres will be visible, no status indicators for chlorine, pH, or salt will be present and the detail screens will not be accessible.

Can the Smart Monitoring System be forced to make an immediate reading?

Results will be displayed automatically, each hour. There is no way to generate an instant reading.

How do I disable and remove my sensor?

The IQ Smart sensor can be disabled from the Water Care menu on your hot tub by entering into the “sensor“ menu and clicking on the ''system power button'' in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.

Why do the ranges displayed on the control panel not match what my test strip is showing? Should I be concerned if there is a considerable difference?

The FreshWater 5-way test strips and other commercial test strips can be difficult to read and are not as accurate as the Smart Monitoring System. It is recommended to rely on the Smart Monitoring System for chlorine, pH, and salt values. If any values are significantly off from a reference measurement, first troubleshoot the water. Correct the salt and chlorine levels to the recommended ranges. Incorrect salt and chlorine levels can affect the pH reading. If those values are in line, and the pH is very far off, use a test strip and guidance in your spa’s Owner’s Manual to correct the water. If chorine and/or pH are off after correction, please contact us.

How do we know if the Smart Monitoring System is giving an inaccurate reading?

The Smart Monitoring System can be impacted by many factors. Confirm that silver and MPS have not been added and ozone is not installed. Although the test strip results may vary, they can be used to check the system. Unless the values are extremely off, always rely on the Smart Monitoring System over the test strips.

What can cause my Smart Monitoring System to read incorrectly?

- Use of AG+ and silver nitrate-containing products can permanently offset readings. Remove the silver device, drain and refill the spa, and replace the sensor.
- Use of MPS. The Smart Monitoring System is not calibrated to this type of chemistry. Stop use and allow several days for the MPS to dissipate.
- Installation of ozone. The Smart Monitoring System is not calibrated for ozone use. Remove ozone from the spa.
- Excessive use of dichlor and cyanuric acid build up will dampen chlorine response. Drain and refill the spa.
- Very low alkalinity below 40 ppm will offset pH readings. Increase alkalinity to within the recommended range.
- An incomplete start-up process or fill water that has not been shocked following the Salt System start-up process can cause an incorrect chlorine reading. Shock the water at start-up per FreshWater Salt System best practices.
- Not enough salt in the water can affect all readings. Correct the salt level.

Why do Hot Spring suggest the water can be changed every 12 months, but you suggest every 4 months?

The science behind the suggestion that the water can be kept in a hot tub for 12 months comes from the fact that the salt system is self-sanitising and less chemicals are added directly to the water, which means TDS can stay quite stable and therefore the water does not saturate as fast. However UK regulation states that you must drain hot tub water at least every 3-4 months so this does not apply to us here in the UK.

Hot Spring Freshwater IQ: The Ultimate Guide