Want Advice On Right Equipment For A Vacation Rental

[CaliVacationRental]

Hi. We have recently purchased a second home in California which we are renting out as a vacation rental. We live in Canada ourselves and so don't live closeby to the house.

The pool equipment is quite old Pentair system with gas furnace but in seemingly good working order. Our big problem is that the controls are antiquated, big valve handles to turn for spa, buttons on awkward places of machinery for turning lights, heat on & off etc and also we have no control over whether the guest is using the pool heat - when often they haven't paid for pool heat.

We would like to update our system, without necessarily replacing everything if possible.

But we MUST achieve the following :

1) Have remote control to allow guest easy on/off of pool and spa lighting

2) Have remote control to allow guest easy on/off spa control (with a timer for spa ideally).

3) Have wifi capability to enable us to control pool heat using our iPad/iPhone etc but LOCK this setting on the actual system so guests at the house cannot adjust the pool/spa heat.

Can anybody recommend a system that would allow us to do each of the above things, basically making it easier for the guest to illuminate the pool and use spa but not have control over heating which we would have control over wirelessly.

Any help and advice from those that know the products would be much appreciated !

Thanks

[OakParts]

Hey there

There aren't many systems that have automatic capabilities with wi-fi control, however there are a few that work with select equipment companies.

Seeing how you live in Canada, Zodiac pool systems offers a product called the AquaLink which does exactly what it sounds like you are looking for. It can be hardwired to your main panel which would essentially have control over your pump, heater, and even wired pool lights (again, depending on the pool equipment). This system is run with a PDA

There is an add-on for this device called the iAquaLink being an app for your iphone, which would control the same equipment via mobile device.

These products are friendly with Zodiac products, however there have been other models (Hayward, Pentair) that have also worked with the system.

Zodiac doesn't have many retail locations, however there may be a Pioneer Family Pools in your area which in fact carries this product.

Hope this helps