Pool automation and controls

Automation is the part of a pool people either love or resent, and the difference is almost always in the setup. Done well, the pump runs at the right speed at the right time of day, the valves move on their own, the heater is warm before you get home, and freeze protection simply happens. Done badly, it is a controller full of schedules nobody understands. We build the first kind.

What we install and look after

1. Variable-speed pumps under controller management, so the pump is not running flat out on a default setting
2. Valve actuators for spas, water features and suction changes
3. App control and remote access, set up so the things you use are one tap away
4. Schedules built around how your family actually uses the pool
5. Freeze protection, which earns its keep here more than most people expect
6. Controller servicing and repair — boards, relays, transformers and actuators that stop responding

Automation on an existing pool

You do not need a new pool to enjoy automation, and you certainly do not need to replace the whole pad at once. The natural first step is a controller and a variable-speed pump together, because that is where the running cost savings and the everyday convenience both come from. Valves, heater control and lighting can follow whenever the timing suits you.

When a pad is being re-plumbed anyway, we plan the automation in from the start. It is neater, it is cheaper, and it means every wire and every actuator has a place to live.

And the part we still do by hand

Automation runs the equipment beautifully — it just cannot read water. The chemistry still gets tested by a person every week, which is what keeps the water right while the controller keeps the machinery right. Together they are a very easy pool to own.

What we focus on

Weekly service and the equipment on the pad — repairs done in house, and partial or complete equipment upgrades. That focus is why we are quick to the pool and quick with the fix. Building, resurfacing and remodeling belong to the builders, and we are happy to point you to good ones.

Good questions

Can my existing pump be automated?

Very often, yes. A variable-speed pump is the natural partner for a controller, and it is the combination we recommend first because you feel the difference on both the electricity bill and the noise. Older single-speed pumps can be controlled too, with a little less benefit.

What does automation do for me day to day?

It runs the pump at the speed the pool needs at the time of day, opens and closes valves for the spa or water features, has the heater warm before you swim, and takes care of freeze protection automatically. Beyond that it is convenience — one place to look instead of four.

Can you repair automation that has stopped working?

Yes — boards, relays, transformers, actuators and controllers. We install and service Pentair, Jandy and Hayward systems, and if the panel is something else, send a photo and we will tell you where we stand.

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