Starting Your Cold Plunge in Hot WeatherUpdated 24 days ago
In very hot weather, especially in direct sunlight or during the hottest part of the day, your cold plunge may need a little help during the initial startup.
If the starting water temperature is above 80°F, or if the outdoor temperature is very high, the chiller may shut down and display an E3 error code. This does not always mean the chiller is defective. In many cases, the chiller protects itself from overheating during startup.
Why This Happens
When the water is already very warm, the chiller has to work much harder to begin cooling it. If the unit is also sitting in hot outdoor air, direct sun, or an area with limited airflow, the chiller may not be able to release heat fast enough.
When that happens, the system may trigger an E3 protection code and stop cooling.
Think of it like starting a car engine on a very hot day while asking the air conditioner to immediately cool down a hot cabin. The system can do it, but it works best when it is not overloaded all at once.
Before You Start
For best results, we recommend starting the cold plunge when the water temperature is below 80°F.
If your starting water temperature is above 80°F, follow the steps below.
Hot Weather Startup Steps
1. Avoid starting during the hottest part of the day
Do not start the unit for the first time while it is sitting in direct sun during peak afternoon heat.
The best time to start the unit is:
- Early morning
- Evening
- Any time the unit is shaded
- Any time outdoor temperatures are lower
This gives the chiller a much better chance to begin cooling normally.
2. Shade the unit if possible
If the unit is in direct sunlight, provide shade during startup.
This can be done with:
- A patio umbrella
- Shade sail
- Covered patio
- Temporary shade during startup
Avoid fully enclosing the chiller area. The chiller still needs open airflow to release heat.
3. Make sure the chiller has room to breathe
Check that nothing is blocking the chiller vents or fan area.
The chiller needs open space around it so warm air can escape. If hot air is trapped around the unit, the chiller may overheat and shut down.
Do not place the unit where the chiller exhaust is blowing directly into a wall, corner, or enclosed space.
4. Lower the starting water temperature
If the water is above 80°F, add ice to bring the water temperature down before starting the chiller.
In very hot climates, this may require multiple bags of ice.
The goal is not to fully chill the plunge with ice. The goal is only to lower the starting temperature enough so that the chiller can take over safely.
Recommended starting range:
75°F to 80°F before turning the chiller on
5. Start the unit and monitor it
Once the water temperature is below 80°F, turn the cold plunge on and allow it to begin cooling.
During the first startup in hot weather, check the unit after 10–15 minutes to make sure it is still running normally.
6. If E3 appears, let the unit rest
If the unit displays an E3 code, turn the chiller off and allow it to rest.
Then:
- Confirm the water temperature is below 80°F.
- Confirm the unit is shaded if possible.
- Confirm the chiller vents are not blocked.
- Wait until the outdoor temperature drops if conditions are extremely hot.
- Restart the unit.
In many cases, once the water temperature has been brought down and the chiller has had time to recover, the unit will continue cooling normally.
Important Notes
This hot-weather startup process is usually only needed when the water is very warm at the beginning. Once the cold plunge reaches normal operating temperature, the chiller is maintaining cold water instead of trying to remove a large amount of heat all at once.
After the water is cooled down, the unit should be much easier to maintain, even in warmer climates.
Best Practice
For customers in hot climates, we recommend:
- Filling the unit in the evening or early morning
- Starting with water below 80°F
- Keeping the unit shaded when possible
- Making sure the chiller has open airflow
- Using ice as a startup assist when needed
Following these steps will help prevent E3 startup errors and allow the chiller to cool the water more effectively.