Pool automation lets you run your pump, lights, heater, spa and water features from your phone on a schedule. In Tucson, the biggest payoff is setting a variable-speed pump to run slow and outside TEP’s on-peak hours, and being able to heat the spa or turn on the lights without walking to the equipment pad. For most new pools with a spa, heater or color lights, it is worth it.
Here is how it works with Pentair equipment, how to schedule around TEP rates, and which features are worth paying for.
What is pool automation?
Pool automation is a control system that connects your pool equipment and lets you run it from one app. Instead of flipping switches and setting timers at the pad, you open your phone and tap.
A typical setup can control:
- The pump. Speeds and run times for filtering, cleaning, the spa and water features.
- Lights. On and off times, colors and light shows.
- The heater. Set temperatures and heating schedules for the pool and spa.
- Valves. Switch between pool, spa and water features.
- Sanitizer. On some systems, a salt chlorine generator.
Every pool Meraki builds gets Pentair equipment, so the pump, filter, valves and controls are designed to work together. Our post on why we use Pentair pool equipment explains what sits on a typical pad.
How does pool automation save money in Tucson?
The pump is the big one
The pump is usually the largest electric load on a pool. A variable-speed pump can run slow for longer, which moves the same water with much less power than an old single-speed pump. Pentair says its IntelliFlo3 VSF can save up to 90 percent of energy compared with a single-speed pump under its stated test conditions. Real savings depend on your pool, plumbing and schedule.
Run it outside TEP’s on-peak hours
If you are on a Tucson Electric Power time-of-use plan, power costs more during on-peak hours. TEP’s Time-of-Use page lists these windows:
| Season | On-peak hours (weekdays) | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (May to September) | 3 to 7 p.m. | All other hours, weekends and major holidays |
| Winter (October to April) | 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. | All other hours, weekends and major holidays |
Automation makes it easy to keep the pump off or on a low speed during those windows. You set the schedule once and change it when the season flips. Check your bill or TEP’s site for your current plan, since rates and hours can change. TEP has asked regulators for a rate increase that is still pending, and we cover that in our news post on TEP rates and pool pump costs.
For a full breakdown of pump, heater and water costs, see what it costs to run a pool in Tucson.
A sample summer schedule
Every pool is different, but a common approach on a time-of-use plan looks like this:
- Early morning: a short higher-speed run to skim and clean the surface.
- Late morning to early afternoon: a long, low-speed run for filtering.
- 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays: pump off or at its lowest setting.
- Evening: a shorter run after peak hours end, plus lights and water features if you are outside.
During monsoon season you may need extra run time after a dust storm. With automation, you can bump the speed from your phone when the storm passes.
What can you control from your phone?
Pump only: IntelliFlo3 VSF and the Pentair app
The Pentair IntelliFlo3 VSF connects over WiFi or Bluetooth to Pentair’s app, which has been called Pentair Home and now shows up as Pentair Pool in app stores. You can set it up, monitor it and change the flow rate from anywhere.
Pentair also says the pump has optional built-in automation that can control up to two relay devices through the app. According to Pentair’s documentation, those relays can run things like pool lights or a salt chlorine generator, and the feature needs a relay board kit sold separately. For a simple pool with a pump, a light and maybe a salt cell, that may be all the automation you need. See the IntelliFlo3 VSF product page for details.
Full system: IntelliConnect and larger controllers
If you have a spa, heater, color lights and water features, you need a control system that can handle more equipment. Pentair says its IntelliConnect system can control up to five pool products, including pumps, lights and sanitization equipment, through the Pentair app, with schedules and real-time alerts. Larger pools with many features may call for a bigger controller. We size the system to your equipment list during design.
Common things people do from the app
- Heat the spa on the way home. Switch to spa mode and start the heater before you pull into the driveway.
- Turn on lights and water features for guests. One tap for the sheer descent, deck jets and color lights.
- Change pump speed after a storm. Run higher for a few hours to clear dust.
- Check on the pool while traveling. See whether equipment is running and get alerts.
- Set freeze protection. Have the system run the pump on cold nights. Our winter pool care guide explains why that matters in Tucson.
What is worth it and what is not?
Not every feature makes sense for every pool. Here is how we see it:
| Feature | Worth it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Variable-speed pump with a schedule | Yes, for almost everyone | Biggest energy savings, quieter, easy off-peak scheduling |
| Phone control of the pump | Yes | Handy after monsoon storms and when traveling |
| Automation for spa and heater | Yes, if you have a spa | Heat on demand instead of keeping it hot all day |
| Color light control | Yes, if you have color lights | Easier to use the lights you paid for |
| Water feature control | Yes, if you have several features | One tap instead of turning valves |
| Full system on a basic pool | Often not | A pump with built-in relays may cover a simple setup |
| Voice assistant tie-ins | Nice to have | Fun, but not a reason to pick a system |
The best rule is to match the system to your equipment. If you are planning a spa, heater, color lights or water features, plan automation at the same time. Adding it later is possible, but wiring and valves are easiest to set up during the build.
What automation does not do
Automation runs your equipment, but it does not replace basic care. You still need to:
- Test and balance the water. Tucson’s hard water needs regular attention, even with a salt system.
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets. Especially after windy days and monsoon storms.
- Clean the cartridge filter. A dirty filter makes the pump work harder no matter how smart the schedule is.
- Brush the walls and steps. Automation will not scrub off algae or scale.
Think of automation as a way to make the routine easier and cheaper, not a way to skip it.
Things to plan before you build
Equipment pad location
The pad usually sits in a side yard, often far from your router. If the WiFi signal is weak there, the app will be frustrating. An extender or mesh point near the pad usually fixes it.
Noise near bedrooms
Variable-speed pumps are much quieter at low speed, which matters in tight Marana, Rita Ranch and Sahuarita lots where the pad sits near a window. Automation helps here too, since you can keep the pump slow at night.
Heater and spa
If you want a spa, plan the heater and controls together. Our pool heating guide compares heat pumps, gas and solar for both the pool and the spa.
Lighting
Color lights are much easier to enjoy with automation. See our pool lighting ideas for placement and dark-sky tips.
Can you add automation to an existing pool?
Often, yes. A common upgrade is to swap an old single-speed pump for a Pentair variable-speed pump, change to LED lights and add a control system. The best time to do it is during a pool remodel, when the pool is drained and the crew is already on site. We look at your current pad, wiring and plumbing to see what makes sense.
Plan a smarter pool with us
Every Meraki pool includes Pentair equipment and a 3D design, so we plan the pump, heater, lights and controls as one system. Call (520) 342-8335 or request a free estimate. Meraki Pools AZ is family-owned and licensed, AZ ROC #342505 and #352797.
Put this guide to work
Planning your own project? See our Custom Spas & Pool-Spa Combos in Tucson and Water & Fire Features in Tucson, or read about building a pool in Marana, Sahuarita or Rita Ranch.
Frequently asked questions
What does pool automation do?
Pool automation lets you schedule and control your pool equipment from one place, usually a phone app. You can set pump run times, turn on lights, heat the spa and start water features without walking out to the equipment pad. Many systems also send alerts if something needs attention.
Is pool automation worth it in Tucson?
For most new pools, yes, especially if you have a spa, a heater, color lights or water features. Even a basic setup helps you run the pump outside TEP's on-peak hours. If you have a simple pool with only a pump and filter, the pump's own app may be all you need.
When should I run my pool pump on a TEP time-of-use plan?
Run it outside on-peak hours. TEP lists summer on-peak hours, May through September, as 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and winter on-peak hours, October through April, as 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Weekends and major holidays are off-peak.
Can the Pentair IntelliFlo3 pump control other equipment?
Yes, in a limited way. Pentair says the IntelliFlo3 VSF has optional built-in automation that can control up to two relay devices, such as lights or a salt cell, through its app. It needs a relay board kit that is sold separately.
Can I add automation to an existing pool?
Usually, yes. Automation can often be added during a remodel, along with a variable-speed pump and LED lights. How easy it is depends on your current equipment and wiring.
Do I need WiFi at the equipment pad?
For control from anywhere, the system needs a solid WiFi signal where the equipment or control unit sits. Side yards can be far from the router, so a WiFi extender is sometimes needed. We plan for this during design.
