Technological advancements in recent years have led to many elements of our homes now being automated. But did you know it was possible to do the same with your swimming pool?
In the future pools will all be automated, and now is the time to start preparing by taking advantage of the modern technology which is already available. Here we take a look at today’s intelligent pools, and explain how you can future proof your own pool by making it smarter.
What makes a pool smart?
A smart pool is one where many of the maintenance tasks are automated. It is now possible to control many elements of your pool, including lighting, heating and even cleaning, from one screen on your smartphone or computer.
This has a huge number of advantages for pool owners, as the system takes care of many of the most time-consuming and difficult maintenance tasks, vastly cutting down the amount of time you have to spend cleaning and maintaining your pool. Instead, you can use all your new-found free time enjoying the water with your family and friends.
Which elements of your pool can be automated with a smart system?
1. Centralised pool management for smart pools
In the recent past, if your pool had a central management system this had to be programmed manually, usually from a display somewhere in your home. Things have moved on dramatically in the last few years, and now you can control all aspects of your pool from wherever you are via your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Intelligent pool management systems usually come in one of three forms:
- An app for iOS and Android devices
- An online control panel
- Downloadable software
Essentially, these three different types of pool management system all operate in very similar ways and have the same purpose: to enable you to control your pool technology from anywhere at any time, so nothing has to be pre-programmed.
This offers you the ultimate convenience, as it means you never have to worry about forgetting anything. If you get to work and realise you have left the pool lights on, you can simply switch them off from your phone. Equally, you can set the pool to heat up to exactly the right temperature so you can get straight into the water as soon as you arrive home.
The best intelligent pool management systems are also compatible with smart home systems such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. This makes your life even easier as you can control all the smart elements of your home and your pool from one place.
2. Pool pump in smart pools
Today’s clever pools can keep your pool warmer and healthier, thanks to automated pool pumps. Your pool pump is an extremely important piece of equipment as it is responsible for circulating the water throughout the pool, ensuring the temperature is consistent and there are no cold spots. It is also essential for keeping your pool water safe and hygienic, as it circulates the water and chemicals around the pool to help prevent the growth of algae and bacteria.
However, pool pumps are often not used as regularly or consistently as they should be, because they use a lot of energy and are very expensive to run. This means many pool owners switch off their pool pumps before the water has had the chance to circulate properly.
Automated pumps solve this problem, as they use up to 85 percent less energy, so you can leave them on permanently without needing to worry about the cost. This makes your pool cleaner and healthier with a consistent temperature throughout.
3. Pool heating in smart pools
Previously, your pool heating had to be programmed manually, and it would take time to heat up to the required temperature. With a smart pool system, you can switch your pool heating on or change the temperature from wherever you are via your phone, so your pool water will be at your ideal temperature ready for when you get home.
If you forget to switch off the pool heating, you can also do this from your phone, so there’s no need to wait until you get home. This can save considerable amounts of energy, cutting down on wastage, helping the environment and saving you money on your energy bills.
4. Pool lighting
Modern LED pool lighting systems can easily be controlled via your smart pool management system. If you are going to arrive home after dark, and you want to use the pool as soon as you get home, you can switch on the lights with a touch on your screen, instantly illuminating the pool ready for use.
This also enables you to give your pool a more attractive appearance, as you can set the lights to change through a sequence of colours, creating stunning visual effects in your backyard.
5. Salt chlorinator
Managing the levels of chlorine in your pool is a task which no pool owner looks forward to. This has to be exactly right, so the pH balance of your pool water remains safe and healthy for swimming in.
Thanks to smart technology, you can now install an intelligent salt chlorinator, which can manage your pool chlorine levels itself. It regularly checks the levels of chlorine in the pool and adds exactly the right amount to maintain a constant level, so your pool water always has the right pH balance. This saves you plenty of time, as well as keeping you safer because you no longer have to handle harmful chemicals. It also takes some of the responsibility off your shoulders, giving you peace of mind that your pool water will remain safe for you and your family to swim in.
6. Smart pool cleaning
Cleaning your pool has to be one of the worst parts of pool ownership. If you still clean your pool manually, you will know what a laborious job this is, trying to scrub the pool walls and floor with a long hose, never sure whether or not you have removed all the dirt and debris. Even robot cleaners are not always up to the task of keeping your pool completely clean.
The ultimate convenience is a pool which cleans itself, and this is something smart pools can do. Leading the way in this technology is the Vantage in-floor self-cleaning system, designed by Compass Pools and available exclusively with their fibreglass pools.
The Vantage system works by pushing water up through a series of nozzles which are installed in the floor of your pool. This creates a truly effective circulation of water and chemicals, as it cleans from the bottom up rather than from the side, so the water is circulated throughout the whole pool instead of just the top. The even distribution of pool chemicals ensures that there are no spots where algae and bacteria can grow, and at the same time, the jets of water push any debris into the pool drain. This leaves you with a clean and healthy pool at all times.
The beauty of a smart pool is that you can set it to clean itself at a time when you are not using the pool, such as overnight. This means your pool will be completely clean and hygienic, and the nozzles will have returned to their closed position in the pool floor, ready for you to get into the water again the following morning.
The importance of future proofing your pool
In the future pools will all come complete with these technologies. For now, they are optional, but it is well worth installing them for a number of reasons:
1. It gives you more time to enjoy your pool
The time you are currently spending on maintenance could be better spent in the pool, enjoying time in the water with your family and friends. The technology exists, so there is no longer any need to waste more time than you have to.
2. Smart pools can save you money
Installing intelligent pool technology can save you a lot of money by drastically cutting down your energy use, and also reducing the amount of chemicals your pool needs. Switching to a smart pool system will involve an initial outlay, but this technology is becoming more affordable all the time as it increases in popularity. It is worth it for the savings you make in the long run.
3. It will make your property worth more
Prospective home buyers are attracted to properties with all the latest technology installed. They are also more likely to see a pool as a positive feature if it does not involve large amounts of maintenance, so installing a smart pool system could mean you achieve a higher price for your home.
Find out more about smart pools
If you are looking to buy a pool with the latest smart technology, or you currently have a traditional pool and you want to bring it up-to-date, please contact us, and we will help you to find the solutions which are right for you. Smart self cleaning pools are now extremely popular across Australia, being installed from the north (e.g. Mackay smart self cleaning pools or Bowen smart self cleaning pools) to the south where Compass Pools Melbourne are installing them. We are looking forward to talking to you about installing a smart pool in your Melbourne backyard!
