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Is the Replacement Air Blower the Right One for My Tub? How to Confirm the Match

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. What the Air Blower Does
  2. Confirming the Replacement Matches Your Tub
  3. Who Installs the New Blower
  4. When the Blower Is Not the Real Problem
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions
  8. Still Need Help?

If a replacement air blower has arrived and it does not look like the one already under your tub, do not connect it yet. The blower is matched to the tub model, so the support team confirms the part against your model and serial number before anyone installs it. Photos of the old blower and the new one, showing the fitting where the air pipe joins, let the team settle the question quickly.

What the Air Blower Does

The air blower, also called the air pump, is the motor that feeds the air jets. It sits under the tub behind the access panel and pushes air through the piping to the jets. About 20 minutes after the air pump is switched off, the system runs its Auto Purge for 120 seconds to blow residual water out of the air lines. That is fully automatic, cannot be stopped, and is normal even if it starts while you are still in the tub. It is not a sign of a bad blower. If the purge seems to run without end, see why a tub will not stop purging.

Confirming the Replacement Matches Your Tub

When an installer or homeowner calls to ask whether a replacement blower is correct, the first thing the team asks for is the tub model. Often the blower already in place has a threaded pipe connection and the replacement simply looks different. That is exactly the situation where the model number and photos matter, because a blower that does not appear to fit should not be forced into place. Here is how to have everything ready.

  1. Locate your model and serial number. The serial number is on the label behind the magnetic access panel next to the door, and the model name is on your order paperwork.
  2. Photograph the blower that is currently installed, showing the fitting where the air pipe joins it.
  3. Photograph the outlet of the replacement blower from the same angle so the two can be compared side by side.
  4. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 with the model, serial number and photos. The team will confirm that the blower is correct or arrange the right part for your tub.

Who Installs the New Blower

Ella's Bubbles ships the part, and a local licensed plumber or electrician does the work. Ella does not send technicians. The installer shuts off power at the breaker, disconnects the old blower from the air line and the wiring, and fits the new unit in the same position. If the blower is covered under the lifetime parts warranty, the part ships to the original installation address at no charge once the claim is verified. For the process, see how to order replacement parts and what happens after a warranty part is approved, which covers return labels and whether to keep the old part. Dealers and contractors handling a repair can also ask the team to ship a blower directly to the homeowner.

When the Blower Is Not the Real Problem

Before replacing a blower that seems dead, rule out the parts around it. If the control box shows no power light, or the air pump runs constantly, the control box rather than the blower may be at fault; see control box has no power light. If the old blower failed because water got inside it, the check valve in the air line needs attention too, or the new blower can suffer the same fate; see water inside the air blower.

Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Air Massage Speed Control The video demonstrates how to control the three-speed air massage function on the walk-in tub.
  2. 0:23 Auto Purge System Explained The video explains how the auto purge system keeps the walk-in tub fresh and clean by blowing water out of the air pipes.
  3. 0:48 Auto Purge While Bathing The video addresses what happens if the auto purge system activates while someone is still in the tub.

Watch: Voted Best Walk-In Tub in 2020 With Air Massage & Auto Purge Function with chapters and a full transcript.

Common Questions

Does the replacement air blower have to match my tub model?
Yes, the replacement air blower must match your specific tub model. The air blower, also known as the air pump, is the motor that feeds the air jets and is matched to the tub model. The support team will confirm the correct part against your tub's model and serial number before installation. Please have your model and serial number ready when you call or open a support ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support.
What if the new blower's fitting does not look like the old one?
If the replacement air blower's fitting does not look like the one already under your tub, do not connect it yet. The blower already in place may have a threaded pipe connection, and the replacement might simply look different. To confirm the match, photograph the fitting where the air pipe joins on both the old blower and the new one, then send these photos along with your tub's model and serial number. The support team will then confirm if the blower is correct or arrange for the right part for your tub.
Will Ella send a technician to install the blower?
No, Ella's Bubbles does not send technicians for installation. Ella's Bubbles ships the replacement part, which is often covered under the lifetime parts warranty, and a local licensed plumber or electrician performs the installation. The installer will shut off power at the breaker, disconnect the old blower from the air line and wiring, and fit the new unit in the same position. The support team can answer any questions your installer may have by phone or through a support ticket.
Can my dealer or contractor have the blower shipped directly to me?
Yes, if a dealer or contractor is handling the repair, they can request that the replacement air blower be shipped directly to your homeowner's address. The part will ship to the original installation address at no charge if it is covered under the lifetime parts warranty and the claim is verified. The dealer or contractor should have your tub's model and serial number ready when they contact the support team.
Why does the air system start up on its own after my bath?
That is the Auto Purge. It starts automatically about 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off and runs for 120 seconds to blow water out of the air lines. It cannot be stopped and is normal even if it begins while you are still in the tub.

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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