Enclosed hot tub room and ventilation?

[myredracer]

I built an 11 'x 14' x 8'H enclosed room around our hot tub and am now finishing the interior. We needed better privacy so my wife decided she wanted it to be totally enclosed. It's got 7 openable windows all around on 3 sides and it would be a nuisance to open & close them all the time and will likely stay closed much of the time plus my wife likes the entire house to be secured like Fort Knox.

With the windows closed, it was going to need ventilation to exhaust the chlorine odors so I installed two 70 cfm fans up near the ceiling, one at each side of the room plus a couple of intake grilles at floor level. If the fans run at full speed, there would be approx. 6 air changes per hour. Even with all the windows open, the chlorine smell is still obnoxious so even if they were left open 24/7, ventilation is still needed.

Question is, how to control the fans? With an on/off switch, a 0-60 minute timer or an interval timer? Maybe run the fans continuous along with a speed control? I can easily wire the fans to the existing switch for the ceiling light but adding a separate switch or timer is a lot more work that I'd rather avoid. Maybe the concentration level would drop quickly enough to a tolerable level after the fans are turned on without having to wait to go into the room?

Maybe the humidity level could be a problem if the ventilation isn't continuous? Don't want to find that moisture ends up condensing on the ceiling & walls in cold weather. Walls & ceiling are insulated with rigid foam. The room is built with treated lumber & plywood so damage to the structure isn't a concern.

From what I can find, the air change rate in an indoor municipal pool is in the 4-6 air change per hour range as "recommended" by ASHRAE, but ventilation would be running continuously.

I just don't know how strong the chlorine/chloramine odor might be and if they they are dangerous to any extent or just irritating to eyes and lungs.

 

[logeshmechtkpt]

If you don't mind open the window for airventilation


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[PoorOwner]

it sounds like chlorine level is too high, even if that water is inside, it should not smell as strong as you describe

 

[glentre]

If you have a strong chlorine odor, something is wrong with your spa chemistry. Suggest you get that under control first. Have you looked into changing to ozone generation instead of chlorine?

Then your next problem will be trying to control the high humidity. Might want to enlist the advice of a competent HVAC engineer to think this through before proceeding. HVAC contractors usually do not have this expertise. Treated lumber construction may not be a problem with condensation but the resulting mold certainly is.

Glen

 

[engineer2]

You might look into those wall switches that sense humidity.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton...-Fan-Control-Light-Almond-IPHS5-1LT/301420127

 

[Lelandwelds]

Can your spa be converted to salt water or the non clorine stuff used in nicer pools? Ozone, bromide, or copper sulphate? I have seen "non clorine shock" on the shelf at the pool supply.

 

[Jeff May]

Your chlorine levels are off if you're smelling it that much....
Still,
Like the others said. You're going to need something for the humidity.
Could you possibly install some type of vents around the upper areas of the room that would not effect your security system?

 

[firebirdparts]

You could put an ozone generator in and stop using the chlorine.

 

[Jackfre]

Hot tub? Privacy? You are looking at it the wrong way. Invite the neighbors over and have a party. Then check the atmosphere.

 

[Texsun]

Is your hot tub covered? If not, that would go a long way towards controlling humidity and odor as well as save on heating costs.

Here's a decent article on the topic.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Hot tub? Privacy? You are looking at it the wrong way. Invite the neighbors over and have a party. Then check the atmosphere.

I would need to see the neighbor first.

Have you looked at a salt cell, ozone, bromine, or copper sulfate?

Maybe something like a ceiling fan or a Fan-tastic?