Walk into any modern Aussie home, and you’ll find some smart technology running. What was once the future is now today.
From fridges to washing machines, televisions, dryers, and even lighting, homeowners have become increasingly amped up over their newfound ability to control their homes at the touch of a button —sometimes miles away from the property itself.
And with the popularity of smart-tech solutions now creating waves of interest, those within the sector have been keen to see the technology make a splash outside the home, too.
Swimming pool owners are now too diving headfirst into time-saving smart tools, using it to manage menial tasks and make their outdoor maintenance easier.
What’s the problem with my regular pool?
One of the downsides of having a pool is the endless maintenance they require.
And for nine months of the year, most Aussies would say they spend more time cleaning, testing and maintaining their swimming pool than actually using it.
Many of these chores still have to be done by hand, with debris removal, chemical checks, and filter cleaning just some of the arduous tasks Aussie homeowners must do to keep their pool “summer ready” all year round.
Pools can also overflow household energy bills, as heating, lights, and cleaning equipment must be manually switched off and on at the central system controls.
Meanwhile, if you want to change the timer on the cleaner, the colour of the lights, or the heating schedule, then this also needs to be manually programmed in.
All this effort makes DIY pool management susceptible to costly mistakes, with homeowners accidentally leaving heating and cleaning functions on overnight or when outside the home.
This pool management error drives up their electricity bills, or they use the wrong amount of cleaning chemicals, rendering the pool unusable.
Why are smart pools creating such a splash?
The automated nature of smart technology and its ability to instruct electronics to undertake menial tasks autonomously can turn those many maintenance hours back in to ‘lounge by the pool’ o’clock.
Opting for smart solutions when upgrading your pool can allow you to control all its required functions remotely via your smartphone, tablet, or laptop using a centralised pool management system.
Usually in the form of a mobile app, this software places all the pool’s maintenance features and control in one easy-to-use place.
Simply open the app, and users can undertake pH level testing, robotic cleaning tasks, alter light colours, and manage water heating functions without leaving the comfort of their couch.
Most pool management systems are even linked to other smart systems, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, allowing users to manage the pool via voice commands or from the Google and Amazon apps.
This handy tech means homeowners never have to worry about leaving the home with the pool heater running or heading on holiday with the cleaning robot switched on—thanks to the smart pool tech, all this can be managed from anywhere in the world from your smartphone.
Dive into what a smart pool system can control:
Smart chlorinators
One of the most essential maintenance tasks of owning a pool is regularly ensuring chemical levels remain correct. This is critical as a bad balance can irritate the skin and eyes.
A smart salt chlorinator removes the headaches of chemical testing by self-managing chlorine levels.
It can be set to automatically test the water levels and ensure the right amount of chlorine is added at all times, keeping your pool water hygienic and maintaining a safe pH balance.
Smart pumps
A pool pump is a must-have piece of pool equipment. It circulates the pool water regularly, preventing the growth of algae and bacteria.
However, despite its critical function in preventing infection and disease, many pool owners dont run their pool pump enough.
This is primarily due to their exorbitant running costs, with an average pool pump using between 1600 and 2000 watts of energy to clean a pool correctly.
However, switching to a smart pool pump has been shown to use 85 per cent less energy than a traditional pumping system by managing the time and way the water is circulated.
This allows homeowners to keep their pumping system running 24 hours a day, ensuring clean water, consistent heating, and cheaper overall running costs.
Smart cleaning technology
One of the maintenance tasks pool owners are most keen to avoid is manual pool cleaning.
This time-consuming and physically demanding duty is vital to keep your pool free of dirt and debris.
Several smart pool cleaning systems are available, including underwater robots that scour the pool floor for leaves and dirt or water jets that blast debris to the surface so it floats into the filters.
Being able to manage this smart tech from your phone or tablet allows users to set up a regular cleaning schedule or turn on their cleaning equipment while away from home so their pool is ready for a spotless swim when they return.
Smart heating and lighting
Smart heating and lighting upgrades can allow users to manage their pool temperature and aesthetics simply by using an app.
This allows users to ensure their pool has a comfortable and welcoming environment when they go to use it without having to awkwardly fiddle about with lighting controls or wait for it to warm up.
Smart lights also allow owners to set and change the colour of their pool lights at different interviews, creating a pleasing feature for when guests are present.
