What is remote pool management?
Telemetry is the highly automated communications process by which measurements are made and other data collected at remote or inaccessible points and transmitted to receiving equipment for monitoring. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele (remote) and metron (measure).
Telemetry is the technology behind remote pool management; it allows the controller to communicate with the user’s home network and mobile devices. This telecommunications process has greatly advanced over the past five years within the automation space—from bulky remotes with hard buttons and small screens to full functionality with apps available on today’s leading-edge consumer electronics and home automation systems. Telemetry in remote pool management is finally catching up to the technology and modern user interfaces expected in today’s tech-focused world.
Types of remote pool management
There are multiple methods of remote pool management in the swimming pool and hot tub industry—from handheld remotes and web-based management to the simplicity of mobile apps—each provides various forms of functionality.
Handheld remotes (Good)
Handheld remote controls have been a viable option for the past 20 years, but their range is limited to the property, and most can only be used within 152 m (500 ft) of the pool and hot tub’s base controller.
Although remotes have advanced from simple, push-button devices into highly technical, liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch-screens with much more advanced capabilities, these limited-range devices cannot truly be classified as remote pool/hot tub management. It should be noted; however, universal remotes for managing the entire household environment—from the swimming pool and hot tub to the garage and home stereo system—are becoming more popular.
Web-based control (Better)
Web-based systems allow swimming pool and hot tub owners to access their remote management systems anywhere there is an Internet connection—from the comfort of home, just before leaving the office, or from across the globe. While sitting at any computer, remote management allows pool and hot tub owners to go to their controller website, log in to their pool/hot tub and perform a variety of functions, such as turning up the temperature of the hot tub for a relaxing soak after work, or turning on a theme or water feature for the kids from the office. In these cases, the web offers better control.
Builders and service providers can also use remote pool management to monitor all of the pools on their routes. For instance, they can view their customer’s water chemistry without having to set foot in a single backyard. This level of service is a huge selling feature as it offers customers the peace of mind and convenience they are looking for, not to mention setting the service provider apart and above others in their local market.
Mobile apps (Best)
At home or on the road, mobile apps (i.e. application software) are typically the easiest way to control swimming pools, hot tubs, and backyard environments. These software programs are developed specifically by controller manufacturers, which can be easily downloaded for use on a mobile device. All that is necessary to use these apps is a smartphone or tablet with Internet connectivity and the applicable operating system (Android or iOS in most cases).
In most instances, these apps offer faster access, and make commands and status readings easier to view on mobile devices for on the go control. They also streamline work that would normally be done on the automation system’s website.
Home Automation Systems (Best)
As discussed earlier, higher-end pools are the entertainment hotspots of homes, and are almost always built with a remote pool management system (controller). The residence also typically has an automation system to manage everything inside the home—from temperature to lighting, blinds, audio, data, etc.—quite similar to what remote pool management provides in the backyard.
Having two unique automation systems, one for indoor and another for outdoor, can be an inconvenience for most homeowners; therefore, having these two systems communicate and operate as one is imperative to supporting this subset of customers. Homeowners want to be able to use one interface to control their entire property—from opening their garage doors, engaging security systems, and turning on lights and music to firing up the jets in their hot tub.
The benefits of remote pool management
Once installed, remote pool management systems not only benefit the swimming pool and hot tub owner, but also the builder and service provider.
Swimming pool and hot tub owners
Three specific scenarios come to mind when discussing the benefits of remote pool management systems for swimming pool and hot tub owners.
The first scenario is the pool owner with a second home. The ability to make sure the chemistry is balanced from afar is invaluable, and equally important is the ability to turn up the heat a few days before arriving home for a swim in the pool. Coming home to a pool where the water temperature is perfect and the lights are on is expected these days. In the past, these pool owners would need to call a friend or neighbour to swing by their house to prep the pool for their return. If this was not an option, they arrived home to a cold pool that could take days to warm up. On the other hand, if the homeowner was to leave the house and forget to turn down the temperature, they do not have to worry as they can simply make the quick adjustment via the remote pool management system.
The second scenario is the working professional pool owner. While at the office the pool owner remembers his/her family is hosting a backyard party the following afternoon. Knowing a large rainstorm passed through the previous evening, the pool owner turns to the automation system to save the day. In a snap, the pool cleaner is running, sucking up any large debris that was blown into the pool, the chemistry automation is adjusting the pH, which was affected by the rain, and the variable-speed pump is bumped up to 90 per cent to increase filtration. With everything up and running, the pool will be crystal clear by 2 p.m. the following afternoon.
The third scenario is the rental property pool owner. Not only can they manage their pools, but also lock certain functionalities out from renters. This is an important feature to have when rental properties include utility costs (e.g. managing pool water temperature to control costs).
