Wooden Spa with Polytropic Heat Pump | Storvatt Meta description

Enjoying a Nordic spa for only part of the year used to be the trade-off most owners accepted. Storvatt changes that with its new generation of above-ground Red Cedar spas fitted with a Polytropic heat pump, designed to turn your bathing space into a year-round wellness retreat, 365 days a year, regardless of the weather outside.

Designed and made in the French Alps since 1997, this spa pairs the natural warmth of Red Cedar wood with one of the most advanced Full Inverter heating technologies on the market. The result: fast heat-up even in freezing conditions, tightly controlled electricity consumption, and near-silent operation that won't disturb your garden or your neighbours.

Why fit a Nordic spa with a heat pump

A standard Storvatt spa heats water through a Balboa electric heater, which works well for regular use in spring and autumn. But as outdoor temperatures drop sharply, heating up becomes slower and more expensive. The Polytropic heat pump solves this by drawing heat from the ambient air and transferring it to the water, with a far better efficiency ratio than electric resistance heating alone.

In practice, this technology lets you enjoy your spa all year round: water that heats up quickly even in freezing conditions during winter, and that can be cooled in summer for a more refreshing, revitalising soak during the hottest days. The pump continuously adapts to outdoor conditions, with no manual adjustment required.

Two Polytropic heat pumps, two use cases

The above-ground spa configurator offers two Polytropic heat pump models, selectable at the time of order depending on your climate and how you plan to use the spa.

Polytropic Master Inverter. A smart, self-regulating inverter and the most capable model in the range. Ultra-quiet, it keeps working efficiently down to -15°C, making it the natural choice for mountain regions or harsh winters where the spa needs to stay fully operational whatever the conditions outside. It runs on a proprietary intelligent regulation system that continuously adjusts output in real time based on both water and ambient air temperature, rather than simply switching on and off like a conventional heat pump. Three operating modes are available: BOOST (85 to 100% power) for fast heat-up, ECO-Silence (25 to 60% power) for quiet, energy-efficient operation, and SMART mode, which automatically balances output and noise according to outdoor and water temperatures — the recommended setting for everyday use. Its low noise level has been independently certified by the CTTM laboratory, and in ECO-Silence mode the unit runs at minimum fan speed, making it virtually inaudible even in the evening or in a residential garden.

Polytropic Stepio. More compact, also ultra-quiet, this smart inverter works down to -10°C. It suits owners looking for a strong balance between performance and discretion in milder winters, with a smaller footprint around the spa.

In both cases, Full Inverter technology continuously adjusts heating power to actual demand, reducing energy consumption compared with conventional heating while keeping the water at a stable, comfortable temperature.

A Red Cedar spa built to last

The heat pump is paired with a spa that keeps all of Storvatt's craftsmanship intact. The tank is built from Red Cedar Clear 2 Vertical Grain, a naturally rot-resistant wood that requires no chemical treatment and gradually develops an elegant silver-grey patina over the years. The 38mm-thick staves are held by three stainless steel bar rings, giving the structure a robust build that's guaranteed for 5 years, with a lifetime guarantee against frost, machinery excluded.

Depending on the diameter chosen (150, 180, 210 or 240 cm, for 2 to 10 people), the spa includes 12 to 16 automatically managed massage jets, two venturi settings with stainless steel trim, and a colour-changing LED spotlight for a customisable atmosphere. The technical group includes a two-speed massage pump, a Balboa BP 2.100 G0 3kW heater with TP700 control keypad, and a 4.7m² cartridge filter for consistently clear water. All Storvatt electric above-ground spas come fitted with a built-in bypass for direct connection of the Master Inverter Polytropic, ensuring fast heat-up times and economical temperature maintenance year-round through its dual air/water regulation and high COP.

On delivery, every spa comes with an installation manual, a user and maintenance manual covering water treatment, a complete HTH starter kit to get you going safely, and an additional Pleatco PRB50-IN filtration cartridge.

Simple installation, minimal upkeep

The above-ground spa arrives fully assembled: all that's left to do is position it, connect the jet network, and fit the Red Cedar cladding. No special skills are required, and Storvatt can also handle full delivery and installation through its own technicians, quoted according to your location.

On the maintenance side, only the filtration needs weekly attention: cleaning the cartridge, topping up treatment products, and checking the pH level. A full drain is recommended roughly every three months for private use. The wood itself needs no special upkeep at all, thanks to the natural properties of Red Cedar — no staining, oiling, or chemical treatment required.

Enjoy your Storvatt spa, all year round

With the Polytropic heat pump, the Storvatt above-ground spa becomes a genuine year-round wellness space, free from seasonal limitations. Whether you need the Master Inverter's power to handle the harshest winters or the Stepio's compact footprint for year-round use in a milder climate, our team is on hand to help you choose the right model for your project.

Explore the above-ground spa with heat pump configurator or contact our advisors for a personalised quote.