Create a clever pool — In conversation with James Bourne from Hayward Industries.
Are you dreaming of a Saturday spent by the pool, not cleaning it? That balancing the pool water or heating the pool required only a simple swipe of the thumb or a tap of the finger - saving you precious seconds of those fleeting weekends?
You’re in luck. That’s right, just like your smartphone (or my husband, so he thinks) you can now have your very own smart pool. Improved pool technology means there are now some pretty fancy pool automation systems that help you have total control of your backyard all from the palm of your hand. Smart, right?
These handy devices can be used to program any and every element in your pool, from chlorinators to pool pumps, self-cleaning devices to heating and lighting. We love smart pool systems because they are the best lifestyle accessory to compliment your pool – easy, intuitive, efficient and an investment that pays off in the long term. These systems are also compatible with your iPhone or Android via an App – how good!
We’ve called on smart pools industry expert and all round great guy, James Bourne to help explain the benefits of smart pool systems and how they can make owning a pool, much easier. James heads up Hayward, an international company who manufacture cutting edge pool equipment and a regular supplier of ours.
Thanks for your time today James.
CP: So James, can you start with the basics and explain to us what is a smart pool?
A smart pool is a pool that has some form of automation controlling it. Whether that be a complete automated system that controls the entire pool and backyard or just a pool that is sanitised by a chlorinator.
Gone are the days where Mum and Dad manually dose chlorine into the pool to make it swimmable. A good start is to have a Chlorination system on your pool, as basic as a salt chlorinator. Then we move up to an automated water balance system that tests and balances the pool water for you.
From there we move into a fully automated control system like the Hayward Omnilogic Control system which is an automated water balance system which that also controls your pool and spa, controls pumps, heaters, water feature etc.
CP: It’s all sounding pretty great to us, can all our pool features be automated?
Pool automation technology has the ability to fully integrate your pool with your outdoor features, enabling a whole outdoor experience. It gives the ability for the user to control all the backyard lighting, water features, pool, spa and many other electrically operated features through their smartphone or tablet.
Through the programming of themes, the home owner can turn on the whole outdoor living experience with the one tap on a touch screen or smart phone.
CP: So tell us, what are the benefits of a smart pool?
There are so many!
The ease of using your pool equipment and backyard features all with one tap of a touch pad/smart phone.
You can automate the water balance and sanitising of your pool.
The time you save in running and maintaining the pool by automatically chlorinating and dosing the pool.
A smart pool with the right automation system will allow you to control your pool from anywhere in world.
Overall, a smart pool should allow the home owner to have more time to enjoy their pool rather than looking after it.
CP: You’re the expert, what should we be looking for in a smart pool?
When it comes to automation the priority should be the primary role of the pool equipment. Water balance and a reliable sanitising system should be bases of your decision as this is the main area that typically creates the most work when it comes to maintenance of your pool.
I suggest you do your research and also look for an automation system that is easy to use and one which has the ability to integrate into your home automation system.
CP: What if we have a nice old kidney shaped pool that’s over 30 years old. Can we convert it into a smart pool?
Yes! Get in contact with a professional pool technician or pool builder (like Cronulla Pools). Make sure they have been trained up on pool automation (like they have). They’ll be able to help you out!
Interested in your very own smart pool? Get in touch with us today to discuss including a smart system in your dream pool.