Automation Recommendation

[Rick A101]

Hi there,

I am in the process of having a new inground pool and spa constructed in Florida and am sorting out the pool equipment. The pool company uses Hayward equipment and has quoted me $5900 for a Hayward heat pump and $6200 for automation with a salt cell. The automation cost seems excessive to me.

The spa is 6 foot with a a few returns, spillover and light. The pool has a few returns with a sunshelf, 2 bubblers and a light. There isn't anything overly complicated (no fountains, waterfalls, slides, etc.) I want to have automation that can be controlled from a phone app that will control the pool and spa temperature, spa on and off, filter schedule, salt cell control and pool and spa lights on and off.

What Hayward automation system should I be looking at and what is a ballpark estimate for the automation and salt cell? Again, the $6200 quote seems really high.

Thank you

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Hayward OmniPL is about your only choice.

Cost is whatever the builder wants to charge you and what you negotiate.

Does the automation cost include all the electrical work that you would need to pay anyway if you did not get automation?

 

[Rick A101]

Welcome to TFP.

Hayward OmniPL is about your only choice.

Cost is whatever the builder wants to charge you and what you negotiate.

Does the automation cost include all the electrical work that you would need to pay anyway if you did not get automation?

It's a new home so the electric run to the equipment pad is already in place. There is a panel at the pad. The pool build included the filtration system with plumbing and pad. Now I'm being told that the salt system is an extra charge. It seems that the automation and salt system combined should be less than $4k. Am I off base with thinking $6200 is ridiculous?

 

[ajw22]

It's a new home so the electric run to the equipment pad is already in place. There is a panel at the pad.

Depending on what that panel at the pad is you may end up paying twice for electrical work.

.Now I'm being told that the salt system is an extra charge.

OmniPL Smart Pool and Spa Control

Unmatched value in automation for new pools and spas. OmniPL leverages the OmniLogic® platform and easy-to-use app, where you can select the level of control to suit your needs.

hayward.com

There is an OmniPL model without the salt cell and a model that bundles the cell with the OmniPL controller.

Salt Compatibility. HLBPRO4SW is ready for salt once you add a Hayward Salt Cell. HLBPLUS4W comes bundled with a TCell940 for pools up to 40,000 gallons

It seems that the automation and salt system combined should be less than $4k. Am I off base with thinking $6200 is ridiculous?

There is an offset savings that is not being recognized. If you do not get automation there is electrical work that needs to be done. If you add automation the others electrical work should be deleted. Otherwise you are being double charged.

Builders make their profit on these change orders. At this point you are captive to the prices they want to charge.

 

[Rick A101]

Depending on what that panel at the pad is you may end up paying twice for electrical work.

OmniPL Smart Pool and Spa Control

Unmatched value in automation for new pools and spas. OmniPL leverages the OmniLogic® platform and easy-to-use app, where you can select the level of control to suit your needs.

hayward.com

There is an OmniPL model without the salt cell and a model that bundles the cell with the OmniPL controller.

Salt Compatibility. HLBPRO4SW is ready for salt once you add a Hayward Salt Cell. HLBPLUS4W comes bundled with a TCell940 for pools up to 40,000 gallons



There is an offset savings that is not being recognized. If you do not get automation there is electrical work that needs to be done. If you add automation the others electrical work should be deleted. Otherwise you are being double charged.

Builders make their profit on these change orders. At this point you are captive to the prices they want to charge.

Great info. Thank you very much. The installation will happen when all of the pool equipment is installed. There is a pre-wired panel directly above the pad so there will be some electrical work regardless. It seems that I am being quoted too high. I suppose I will have to try to negotiate that number down or find another vendor to add the automation later.

 

[ajw22]

Great info. Thank you very much. The installation will happen when all of the pool equipment is installed. There is a pre-wired panel directly above the pad so there will be some electrical work regardless. It seems that I am being quoted too high. I suppose I will have to try to negotiate that number down or find another vendor to add the automation later.

You paid for unnecessary electrical work once with the pre-wired panel above the pad.

Then you will pay for more electrical work if you install equipment without automation.

Then you will pay a third time to undo much of the electrical work at the pad to connect it into the automation.

The OmniPL contains a Load Center that could have been the "pre-wired" panel and installed originally.

That is why in total it will cost you more then you like.

I doubt delaying putting in the automation will really save you anything. It will just divide up the costs so it is not visible to you.

 

[Rick A101]

You paid for unnecessary electrical work once with the pre-wired panel above the pad.

Then you will pay for more electrical work if you install equipment without automation.

Then you will pay a third time to undo much of the electrical work at the pad to connect it into the automation.

The OmniPL contains a Load Center that could have been the "pre-wired" panel and installed originally.

That is why in total it will cost you more then you like.

I doubt delaying putting in the automation will really save you anything. It will just divide up the costs so it is not visible to you.

The main benefit to delaying the automation is that the home builder wants a 20 percent upcharge to everything extra that wasn't in the original contract. It's definitely a balancing act to try and save money

 

[Rick A101]

Depending on what that panel at the pad is you may end up paying twice for electrical work.

OmniPL Smart Pool and Spa Control

Unmatched value in automation for new pools and spas. OmniPL leverages the OmniLogic® platform and easy-to-use app, where you can select the level of control to suit your needs.

hayward.com

There is an OmniPL model without the salt cell and a model that bundles the cell with the OmniPL controller.

Salt Compatibility. HLBPRO4SW is ready for salt once you add a Hayward Salt Cell. HLBPLUS4W comes bundled with a TCell940 for pools up to 40,000 gallons



There is an offset savings that is not being recognized. If you do not get automation there is electrical work that needs to be done. If you add automation the others electrical work should be deleted. Otherwise you are being double charged.

Builders make their profit on these change orders. At this point you are captive to the prices they want to charge.

So from what you are saying, the best route is to install the HLBPLUS4W because it's already bundled with the TCell940. I'm seeing them for sale online for around $3200.