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Key highlights

  • One app runs your pool pump speeds, pool heater, spa, lights, valves and water features.
  • Heat the spa from your phone on the way home, then turn on the lights when you get there.
  • Automation runs your variable-speed pool pump at the right speed for each job, which keeps power bills down.
  • We install and repair Pentair IntelliCenter, Hayward OmniHub and other systems, plus chemical automation for commercial pools.

Pool automation is a control system that sits at your equipment pad and connects your pool pump, pool heater, lights, valves and more to one app. Instead of walking out to the pad and flipping switches, you tap your phone.

It’s most useful in fall and winter, when you want a hot spa on short notice and the lights on before you step outside.

What you can control

  • Pool pump speeds

    Low speed for filtering, higher only when a job needs it.

  • Pool heater & spa

    Heat the spa from the car. Switch between pool and spa.

  • Lights

    Colors, shows, dimming and sunset schedules.

  • Valves & water features

    Spillovers, fountains, deck jets and pool cleaner lines.

  • Salt & chemistry

    Salt cell output, and pH and chlorine on systems with chemical control.

  • Freeze protection

    Runs the pool pump when the air nears freezing.

A winter day with automation

Here’s how a typical December day might run at a Las Vegas pool with automation:

  1. 8:00 a.m. · Filtering starts

    The variable-speed pool pump runs at low speed, the cheapest way to filter.

  2. 11:00 a.m. · Cleaner boost

    The pool pump speeds up for an hour so the pool cleaner can do its job, then drops back down.

  3. 12:00 p.m. · Pool heat pump runs

    If you have a pool heat pump, it heats during the warmest hours of the day.

  4. 4:45 p.m. · Spa on from your phone

    On your way home, tap “Spa.” Valves switch, the pool pump goes to the pool heater’s speed, and the pool heater fires.

  5. Sunset · Lights on

    Pool and spa lights turn on in your favorite color.

  6. Overnight · Freeze watch

    If the air drops near freezing, freeze protection runs the pool pump to keep water moving.

Pro tip

Every pool heater needs a minimum water flow to fire. Automation can link the two, so the pool pump always speeds up when the pool heater turns on. That one setting prevents a lot of “my pool heater won’t light” calls. See our pool heater warning signs guide.

Pentair and Hayward systems we install

Pentair

Pentair IntelliCenter pool and spa control system

Pictured: Pentair IntelliCenter pool and spa control system.

IntelliCenter

Pentair’s pool and spa control system.

App
Pentair Pool app
Controls
Pool pumps, pool heaters, lights, valves and water features
Relays
5, expandable to 10
Works with
IntelliFlo3 pool pumps, MasterTemp pool heaters, IntelliBrite lights

Best forPools and spas with Pentair equipment that want everything on one touchscreen and app.

Specs on Pentair.com →

Hayward

Hayward OmniHub pool and spa control system

Pictured: Hayward OmniHub pool and spa control system.

OmniHub

Hayward’s smart add-on pool and spa control.

App
OmniLogic app, plus Amazon Alexa
Controls
Up to 3 Hayward variable-speed pool pumps, pool heaters, lights, valves and water features
Relays
1, expandable to 3
Works with
Hayward equipment and most other brands

Best forAdding smart control to an existing equipment pad without replacing everything.

Specs on Hayward.com →

Hayward automation panel and control screen installed by Fresh & Clear

Fresh & Clear job

Hayward automation install

Pentair automation panel and salt system controls installed by Fresh & Clear

Fresh & Clear job

Pentair automation install

Chemical automation for commercial pools

For HOA, apartment and hotel pools, chemical automation is the other half. A controller reads the water’s sanitizer level (ORP) and pH all day and feeds chlorine and acid as needed. It keeps the water steadier between service visits, which helps when the Health District inspects.

Fresh & Clear job

Steady chemistry, all day.

Commercial pH and ORP controller we installed and maintain.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add automation to my existing pool equipment?

Usually, yes. Systems like Hayward OmniHub are made to add on to existing pads and work with most brands, and Pentair IntelliCenter works with Pentair pool pumps, pool heaters and lights. We check your equipment and recommend the right system.

Can I heat my spa from my phone?

Yes. With automation, you can start the spa from the app. It switches the valves, sets the pool pump speed the pool heater needs, and fires the pool heater.

Does pool automation save money?

It can. Automation runs a variable-speed pool pump at low speed most of the day and only speeds up for jobs that need it, like the spa, pool heater or cleaner. It also makes sure equipment isn’t left on by accident.

Does automation protect my pool on cold nights?

Most systems include freeze protection that turns on the pool pump when the air gets near freezing. We make sure it’s turned on and set correctly.

Do you install chemical automation?

Yes. We install and repair chemical controllers that monitor and feed chlorine and acid automatically, especially for HOA, apartment and hotel pools.

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