One aspect of the invention provides a system including: a liquid filter configured for fluidic communication with a fluid repository; a flow sensor in fluidic communication with the liquid filter; a variable-speed pump in fluidic communication with the liquid filter and the flow sensor; and a processor in electronic communication with the flow sensor and the variable-speed pump. The processor is configured to: determine a total volume threshold for a filtration procedure of the fluid repository; identify a set of fluid flow activities performed by the variable-speed pump; determine a remaining volume for completing the filtration procedure by reducing the total volume threshold by a volume of fluid moved by the variable-speed pump during the set of fluid flow activities; and determine, from a set of energy-expenditure factors and the remaining volume, an activation schedule and an activation power output of the variable-speed pump for completing the filtration procedure.

One aspect of the invention provides a system including: at least one temperature-regulation element configured for fluidic communication with a fluid repository; and a processor in electronic communication with the at least one temperature-regulation element. The processor is configured to: determine a temperature threshold value for a volume of fluid contained by the fluid repository; calculate an amount of solar radiation to which the volume of fluid is exposed; calculate, from the amount of solar radiation and a set of temperature-regulation factors, a time period for reaching the temperature threshold value for the volume of fluid, wherein the set of temperature-regulation factors comprises at least a current temperature of the fluid volume and an energy-transfer rate for the temperature-regulation element; identify a desired use time for the volume of fluid; and activate the at least one temperature-regulation element according to the time period and the desired use time.

A system and methods of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa via one or more remote computing devices is provided. In some embodiments, a remote user can be provided with information about the pool or the spa. The remote user is provided with an ability to remotely optimize a performance of the pool or the spa, including remotely adjusting a chemistry of the pool or the spa, remotely activating a heater of the pool or the spa, and/or remotely activating a pump of the pool or the spa.

A heating system for a pool or spa includes at least one heating device and a controller. The controller may control and/or operate the at least one heating device in a pre-heat mode or a usage mode. The pre-heat mode may heat water of the pool or spa to a pre-heat temperature based on a first input received by the controller. The usage mode may heat the water to a set temperature greater than the pre-heat temperature based on a second input received by the controller after the first input.

A heating device is well-functioning, easy to install, aesthetically pleasing and convenient to use at the same time. It includes a frame having an upper face, which connects the rear and front faces and which generally has a step-shaped shape having at least two levels, which, in use, are at different respective heights and the highest level of which opens onto the rear face while the other levels are distributed substantially uniformly between a base of the frame and the highest level, such that, in use, a user may access the pool by successively walking on the levels of the step-shaped shape by climbing the levels from the ground to enter the pool and by descending the levels to the ground to leave the pool. The device also includes an air-water heat pump, arranged in an internal volume of the frame, which is defined between the base and the rear.

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

“Just in time” operational techniques allow equipment of swimming pools or spas to achieve identified water temperatures at specified times. A user may supply information such as a desired water temperature (i.e. a temperature set point) and a time at which the water is desired to be at the desired temperature. After receiving the user-supplied information, software may account as well for certain environmental conditions to devise a suitable schedule for controlling heating of the water of the swimming pool or spa. Adjustments may be made to the schedule based on then-current water temperatures or other changed conditions.

A protective pool assembly for protecting a pool from external debris or contamination. The protective pool assembly comprises a flexible cover and a bladder. The flexible cover comprises a top layer configured to resist weather. The flexible cover is attached to or rests on and protects the bladder. The bladder rests on a bottom layer of the flexible cover, or directly on the surface of the water. The bladder is inflatable via an air valve to expand the bladder in a dome-like shape. The flexible cover is pushed upward into the dome-like shape so that external debris, rain, snow, and ice shed off of the flexible cover. A skirt extends from a perimeter of the flexible cover to further direct the debris or contaminates over the side of the pool. A plurality of securing elements are used to secure the protective pool assembly in place over the pool.

A flow rate component, such as a bypass valve with a motorized actuator, a variable speed circulation pump, or both, is controlled in realtime by an automatic controlled to regulate water flow rate through a swimming pool heater, such as a heat pump, to optimize heat transfer, minimize energy consumption, and improve life spans of components of the swimming pool circulation, filtering and heating system.

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.