A pool automation system streamlines and simplifies pool ownership, giving you greater control over your pool and spa equipment as well as lights, water features and more. Enjoy the freedom of controlling multiple accessories all from one place — typically a control panel outside your home. For additional convenience, you may have a mobile app or remote control that allows you to make adjustments remotely.
Examples of automation including programming your pool pumps to turn on and off on a predetermined schedule, which helps keep your pool well-maintained throughout the day. Once you establish this automated schedule, there’s no need to manually switch the pumps on or off. You can also program water features like waterfalls and pool lights to turn on at specific times of day based on your preferences.
Your pool’s control panel has multiple buttons, including one to toggle between “Service” mode and “Auto” mode. Understanding the difference between these settings is important to ensure your pool stays properly maintained.
Your pool’s auto mode is the default, normal operating setting. Auto mode is based on the preconfigured timers and schedules that you or your pool professional program into the system. When your pool is in auto mode, scheduled programs will run automatically, including options like:
Auto mode is typically the everyday setting to ensure equipment like your filter pumps and valves operate on a pre-set schedule day in and day out. You can relax knowing your pool is staying well-maintained on its own.
Your pool’s service mode is used to manually operate specific components of your pool, taking your filter pumps, valves and other features off auto mode. This setting is typically turned on when your pool technician is completing repair, maintenance or cleaning.
Service mode means that whatever your pool professional does — whether switching everything on or off — will stay the same until the system is switched back to auto mode. This way, you or your technician can manually control equipment like valve options and filter pumps directly from the control panel.
Note that while your pool is in service mode, your mobile app or remote control will not work — you can only select controls manually at the control panel.
You or your pool technician may toggle to service mode on your control panel and turn everything on or off for many reasons, such as:
Whether your pool’s features and components need to be completely off or on, service mode ensures everything will stay in one mode until you come back to the control panel and revert back to auto mode by toggling to the “Auto” option.
Let’s say your technician worked on your pool while you were away. You arrive home, and using your remote control or mobile app, you try to change a setting on your pumps, lights or water feature. You choose the right selection on your app or remote control, but nothing happens.
This is likely because your pool automation system is still in service mode. One reason could be that the technician has recommended that the pool circulate continuously for 1-2 days, so left the system toggled to the “Service” option for this purpose.
Once your pool is ready to revert back to auto mode, follow these steps:
At Lotus Pools, we have over a decade of experience in pool maintenance, including repairs, regular maintenance, opening and closing services and more. We’re proud to serve the greater Chicagoland area with responsive customer service and an expert team that’s ready to meet all of your pool maintenance or repair needs.
Schedule a service call today, and our team will be in touch!
