Watkins Wellness, the parent company to Caldera Spas, Hot Spring Spas and other well-known brands, has been committed to excellence and innovation since launching the first Hot Spring portable spa in1977. For years, a top priority has been improving the ownership experience with simpler, more effective water care solutions.
Watkins Wellness introduces a new standard in hot tub maintenance with real-time water monitoring and salt system integration
With FreshWater® IQ - a powerful combination of the FreshWater® Salt System and the all-new Smart Monitoring Sensor - Watkins Wellness differentiates its products by providing a worry-free water care experience, with the goal of improving customer confidence and satisfaction. At its core, the Smart Monitoring System is a meticulous caretaker, continuously monitoring a hot tub's water every hour and offering precise recommendations on maintaining its balance. The system tests pH, chlorine and salt levels and is designed specifically to complement Watkins'FreshWater Salt System.
Watkins Wellness spa
"We wanted to focus our innovation efforts on how to make water care - which is the hardest part of spa ownership - easier and less time consuming for the customer," says Steve Stigers, Executive Vice President.
The patented system uses a unique sensor electrode that allows for the combination of many sensors and test parameters in a compact size. The sensor is integrated in to the design of the Hot Spring Spas® Highlife® and Limelight® Collections along with the Caldera Spas® Utopia® and Paradise® Series. It offers real-time chemical readings through the top-side digital control panel. The notification will go away once viewed, but if the condition is not resolved, it will reappear to remind the customer to take action.
App development is underway that will soon allow hot tub owners to have notifications sent directly to their phones to help them manage water care. The sensor has a lifespan of a year, and the salt cartridge, an essential component, is designed to last for four months, packaged in a three-pack bundle to match the lifespan of the sensor. The sensor is fully in-line, helping to protect it from damage. The Freshwater IQ system doesn't need to be kept wet or require calibration.
The development of the Smart Monitoring Sensor was the result of nearly a decade of collaborations between Watkins, the R&D department of its parent company, Masco, and the University of Michigan. Together, the team developed a chip that could act as a sensor while also solving multiple challenges. According to Carl Krumrei, Vice President of Product, the sensor had to be able to function in a hot, humid environment, be durable, be easily installed and replaced, and be able to be submerged in water - all while remaining about 3,8cm in length. In addition, accuracy was crucial, overcoming the unpredictability of traditional test strips.
The Freshwater® iQ has received an enthusiastic reception, and Stigers calls it a "game-changer" for both consumers and dealers. "It's not only about the product; it's also the throughput through the dealer network to educate them," Krumrei says. "They're the ones who have to explain it and set it up for the customer, so the whole team has to be aligned. "Hopefully, this is one more arrow in their quiver to help them sell more spas and make them more competitive," Woelfel says.
