Canadian winters can be tough on outdoor hot tubs. When temperatures drop below freezing, seeing an ICE or COL message on your Sundance® Spa topside controller can cause immediate panic.
The good news? In many cases, an ICE or COL display isn't a sign of a broken hot tub, it is often your spa's automated Smart Freeze Protection actively working to prevent your plumbing lines from turning into solid ice.
However, if your water stays cold or the pumps aren't circulating, immediate action is required to prevent costly freeze damage. This guide covers how freeze protection works, what to do during an emergency, how to clear post-refill airlocks, and when a heater element needs replacement.
What Do ICE and COL Mean?
Sundance® Spas use precise temperature sensors attached to the circuit board to monitor water conditions 24/7.
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COL(Cool Water Alert): Displayed when the water temperature drops more than 11°F (20°f) below your set temperature, or drops below 13°C (55°F). The heater and low-speed filtration pump will run continuously until the set point is restored. -
ICEorIC(Freeze Protection Mode): Triggered automatically when water temperature inside the heater manifold or plumbing drops below 7°C (45°F). The spa overrides normal programming and turns ON all jet pumps and blowers to circulate water and friction-heat the plumbing lines until the safety threshold is reached.
What to Do When Your Spa Is in Freeze Mode
If your hot tub is flashing ICE or COL, follow these troubleshooting steps immediately:
Lift the spa cover and check if water is circulating. If all pumps are running, the freeze protection system is working as intended. Keep the thermal cover tightly closed and latched to retain heat while the spa warms up.
If the control panel is blank or the pumps are completely silent, check your main outdoor 240V GFCI breaker panel. If tripped, attempt to reset it once. If it trips again instantly, turn power OFF and call a technician.
Low water levels or clogged filter cartridges restrict water flow to the heater tube, causing cold water false alarms. Ensure water reaches the middle of the skimmer intake. Remove and inspect your MicroClean® filters for heavy debris or ice buildup.
If you recently drained and refilled your spa in cold weather, an air bubble trapped in the circulation pump will prevent water from moving across the heater, triggering a cold error code.
How to Clear a Winter Refill Airlock
Refilling a hot tub through the footwell during winter allows trapped air to enter the plumbing. If your pumps are humming or running but no water flows from the jets:
- Power Down: Turn OFF the main GFCI breaker.
- Bleed the Air: Open the front cabinet door, locate the primary jet pump, and loosen the bleed valve screw or pump union nut slightly until you hear trapped air hiss out and water trickles through.
- Tighten & Re-power: Re-tighten the fitting by hand and restore power at the breaker.
- Pro Tip for Next Time: When refilling your spa, always stick your garden hose directly down into the filter canister standpipe. This pushes water through the pump plumbing first and prevents air pockets entirely.
When Is it a Failed Heater Element?
If your pumps are running normally, water flow is strong, and filter cartridges are clean, but the water temperature drops continuously over 12 to 24 hours, your heating element or hi-limit sensor may have failed.
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Heater Failure Signs: Constant
COLdisplay, water temperature reading 60°F-70°F, or recurring breaker trips when the heater engages. - Emergency Freeze Protection Tip: While waiting for a service technician, place a small 1500W ceramic space heater inside the equipment cabinet (away from plastic lines and wiring) and close the cabinet door. This ambient heat will keep the internal plumbing from freezing during severe sub-zero weather.
Keep Your Spa Warm & Energy-Efficient Year-Round
High-efficiency thermal insulation and robust SunStrong® frames are key reasons Sundance® Spas handle cold Canadian winters with ease.
- Looking to Upgrade to Full-Foam Insulation? Explore winter-tested models in our flagship 880 Series, modern 980 Series, or versatile 780 Series and 680 Series. View the full lineup in our Sundance Spas Collection.
- Protect Your Water Chemistry: Cold weather maintenance is made effortless using the Mineraluxe 2-Part Kit, Mineraluxe Cubes, and Mineraluxe Oxygen to prevent mineral scaling and maintain sparkling water quality. Browse our full store of Hot Tub Chemicals.
Book Professional Winter Repair in Uxbridge & Durham Region
If your spa is not heating, displaying persistent error codes, or requires OEM replacement components:
- Order replacement sensors and heating elements directly from our Hot Tub Parts Collection.
- Contact our factory-trained service technicians at Hot Tub Service & Repair for rapid emergency diagnostic and winter service calls.
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