How to Winterize Your Resolute Pro Cold Plunge (Step-by-Step)
Your Resolute Pro is built to run through cold weather. Its automatic freeze protection keeps the water from freezing down to about 24°F (−4°C), as long as the unit is filled, plugged in, turned on and covered. If temperatures where you live will drop below 24°F, you should drain and winterize it. Water left in the pump, heat pump or plumbing can freeze, expand and crack components.
This guide covers when to winterize, what you'll need, the full 10-step process and how to start your cold plunge back up in spring. Prefer a printable version with photos? Download the Resolute Pro Winterization Guide (PDF).
Do You Need to Winterize Your Resolute Pro?
It depends on how cold it gets where your cold plunge lives. Use this as your guide:
| Outdoor temperature | What's happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Above 35.6°F (2°C) | Normal operation | Nothing. Keep the cover closed between sessions. |
| 24–35.6°F (−4 to 2°C) | Freeze protection is active | Leave the unit filled, plugged in, on and covered. It protects itself. |
| Below 24°F (−4°C) | Risk of freeze damage | Drain and winterize using the steps below. |
How Resolute Pro freeze protection works
- It engages automatically when both the water and air drop below 35.6°F (2°C).
- It holds the water at about 37.4°F (3°C) so ice and frost can't form.
- It only works while the unit is filled, plugged in and turned on. A unit that is switched off or unplugged has no freeze protection.
Important: Never leave water in a Resolute Pro that is turned off in freezing weather. If you'll be away or the power could go out during a hard freeze, winterize it.
What You'll Need
- Tools to remove the equipment access panels
- A garden hose
- A wet/dry shop vacuum
- A submersible pump or pool-cover pump (optional, for removing leftover water)
- Masking tape and a marker
- Your phone or a camera
- Towels
- A water-resistant tarp (optional)
Tip: Pick a dry day above freezing so the lines can drain and dry completely. Read through every step once before you start.
How to Winterize Your Resolute Pro: 10 Steps
Step 1: Let any chemicals dissipate
If you add chlorine or bromine to your water, stop adding it and wait 3–5 days before draining. This reduces chemical residue left behind in the lines.
Step 2: Unplug and drain the tub
- Unplug the unit and leave it unplugged for the rest of the process.
- Find the inlet/drain connection on the side of the unit and remove the cap.
- Extend the drain connection, attach a garden hose if you want to direct the water, then turn the fitting ¼ turn clockwise and push it toward the tub to open the valve.
- Leave the filter in place until the water drops below the filter basket so debris stays out of the lines.
- Remove any water left in the bottom of the tub with a submersible pump, pool-cover pump or shop vacuum.
Step 3: Remove the access panels and loosen the pump unions
Remove the three equipment access panels on the side and end of the cabinet. Then loosen the two large gray pump unions on the water lines by turning them counterclockwise by hand. This lets trapped water drain out of the plumbing. Keep towels handy.
Step 4: Disconnect the heat pump wires
Take a photo of the connections first. Then:
- Unscrew the quick-disconnect on the gray communication wire.
- Unscrew the quick-disconnect on the blue communication wire.
- Disconnect the yellow ground wire from the skid.
- If the black heat pump power cord is bundled, unbundle it to give the skid enough slack to slide out.
Important: The blue connector is a 4-pin plug that only fits one way. Mark both halves with tape before you disconnect it so it goes back together correctly.
Step 5: Slide out the heat pump
Press down the two blue levers at the bottom of the heat pump skid to unlock it. The skid should slide out freely.
Step 6: Position the condensate drain hose
Fully unbundle the heat pump's condensate drain hose and route it below the heat pump so water can drain out freely.
Step 7: Open the circulation pump drain
Unscrew the drain plug at the bottom of the circulation pump housing and let the pump drain completely. Put the plug in a small labeled bag and tape it inside the cabinet so it's easy to find in spring.
Step 8: Vacuum out the lines
- Remove the filter cartridge, clean it and let it dry completely. Store it indoors.
- Use a wet/dry shop vacuum on every drain, union, jet, filter cavity and heat pump connection.
- Repeat until no more water comes out.
Step 9: Clean the tub
Wipe the inside of the tub with a soft cloth and mild dish soap and water. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach, ammonia, solvents and abrasive pads, which can damage the acrylic.
Step 10: Reassemble and cover
- Let everything dry.
- Slide the heat pump skid back in until it locks.
- Replace all access panels.
- Put the cover on to keep out water, debris and snow. In windy areas, add a water-resistant tarp over the cover.
Tip: Leave a slight air gap between the tub and the cover so air can circulate. This helps prevent mildew and mold while the unit is stored.
Spring Start-Up: Bringing Your Resolute Pro Back Online
Once temperatures stay above freezing, reverse the process:
- Make sure the unit is unplugged, then remove the cover and access panels.
- Reinstall the circulation pump drain plug and hand-tighten the pump unions.
- Slide out the heat pump skid and reconnect the gray and blue communication wires (match your tape marks) and the yellow ground wire. Use your photos to double-check.
- Make sure the condensate hose runs below the heat pump, then slide the skid back in until it locks.
- Reinstall the clean filter cartridge and replace the access panels.
- Close the drain valve, replace the drain cap and fill the tub to the fill line.
- Plug in, wait about 1 minute and press Power. Check the unions, pump and drain for leaks during the first hour.
If an F11 fault (chiller communication) appears, turn the unit off, unplug it and recheck the gray, blue and ground wire connections. Full setup and fault-code details are in the Resolute Pro Quick Start Guide.
Resolute Pro Winterization FAQ
Can I leave my Resolute Pro outside in the winter?
Yes. In most climates you can keep using it all winter. Freeze protection keeps it safe down to about 24°F (−4°C) as long as it's filled, plugged in, turned on and covered. Below that, drain and winterize it.
What happens if the power goes out in freezing weather?
Freeze protection needs power to work. If an outage is likely during a hard freeze, or you'll be away, winterize the unit ahead of time. If you lose power unexpectedly, restore it as soon as possible, and contact support before restarting if you suspect ice has formed.
Do I need to winterize if my Resolute Pro is indoors or in a heated garage?
No, as long as the space stays above freezing. Winterizing is only needed when the unit will be exposed to temperatures below 24°F (−4°C), or to freezing temperatures while switched off.
How long does winterizing take?
The hands-on steps don't require special skills, but give yourself time for the lines to drain and dry fully. If you use chlorine or bromine, start 3–5 days early so the chemicals can dissipate, and choose a dry day above freezing.
Need Help?
If you're not comfortable with any step, stop and reach out. Our team is happy to walk you through it. Contact Icebound Essentials Customer Care, or visit our Support Center for more guides.
Download the printable Resolute Pro Winterization Guide (PDF) →
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