Hot Tub Automation

bob98b3

New member
Jul 21, 2023
3
Atlanta GA
We have a hot tub that has a waterfall ledge into the main pool. Our system runs on the Pentair hardware and I can use the ScreenLogic app on my phone to control things which fantastic. The other week I installed the iS4 remote that is near the Spa so that our guests can turn things on and off. Currently it's programed to turn the heat on for the Spa, bubbles in the Spa, and pool lights.

My wife and I were using it last night and she turned the Spa heat on. I currently have the Egg Timer set for 30 minutes for the heat and bubbles. We could tell when that half hour was up and she went to hit the button again. But by the time the heater kicked on again the water in the Spa had all been circulated out and was cold again.

So I was wondering if there was a better option for this for us and for guests? Ideally, when the heater turns off there would be a "cool down" period or something (e.g., 5 minutes) where the equipment wouldn't default back to main circulation to give time for users to turn it on again. One this would save energy as we wouldn't have to be re-heating up cold water but it would also be better for guests as they don't have to always wait for the water to heat up to then get 10-15 minutes of time.

I can extend the Egg Timer but when we have guests (we rent our basement on AirBnB) I don't want to continue paying for heating when it's not being used. So if it was set to two hours for instance and they used it for an hour then that is a full hour of paying to heat it with no use. Hence my question here to see if there are any other options or ideas of how to handle this?

Thanks!
 
Sounds like you have a standard Pool/Spa combo with shared (pump/filter/heater) equipment. When you say "bubbles" is that a separate air blower or is it the Jets (air mixed with high pressure water)? A photo of the equipment would be helpful. ScreenLogic is an add-on adapter to your core pool/spa controller. Is that Easytouch or Intellitouch?
 
Normally the Spa Mode and Heat should stay on for the entire duration of your spa usage and you let the system return to pool mode afterwards, the waterfall (spillover aka spillway, spa bipass) circulates pool water through the spa again. Sounds like your system was in pool mode at the time the 30 minute spa egg timer ran out and system began pumping pool water back into the spa for the waterfall affect. If I'm in a spa with other people, I want to know the filter is running while I'm in that hot water.