Vita Spa and American Whirlpool use two different control systems — the buttons look different, but the jets, air controls, and waterfall valves on the spa itself work the same either way.

Vita Spa — Balboa (SmartTouch 2 / TP500 / TP600)

• Main screen shows current temperature, set temperature, and status icons (filtering, heating, lock).

• Adjust temperature with the up/down icons on the main screen.

• Tap the Jets icon to bring up jet controls; tap the Light icon to turn lights on/off.

• The menu on the right side opens more detailed settings and programming.

Ready Mode vs. Rest Mode: Ready Mode keeps the spa checking and adjusting temperature continuously, so it's always at temp and ready to use. Rest Mode only heats and checks during scheduled filter cycles to save energy — it still works fine, but the displayed temperature can take a minute or two to catch up after you interact with the panel, since it's not checking constantly. Neither is "wrong" — Rest Mode saves a bit of energy if the spa sits unused for stretches; Ready Mode keeps it more consistently at temperature.

American Whirlpool — Gecko (in.k500 / in.k1000)

• Touch the screen to wake it. The home screen gives direct access to Jets, Lighting (ChromaTherapy), and Bluetooth Audio.

• Adjust temperature with the up/down icons in the center of the screen.

• The three-line menu in the top right opens Settings, including Water Care mode.

• The On/Off key stops or starts everything at once.

Water Care modes — these control when the spa drops into a lower-energy "economy" setting:

• Away — always in economy (good for vacations)

• Beginner — never in economy, runs at full settings all the time (a good default while you're getting to know the spa)

• Energy Savings — economy during weekday peak hours, normal on weekends

• Super Energy Savings — economy during peak hours every day

• Weekender — economy Monday–Friday, normal on weekends (for weekend-only use)

Both systems

The jets, air controls (the twist valves on the spa lip), and any diverter or waterfall valves work by hand, independent of the topside display. Turn an air control clockwise for more air, counter-clockwise for less — never fully close every air control at once.

Your exact panel and button layout can vary by model — for the full walkthrough of your specific control panel, see the full manual below.

Full technical detail: Vita Spa Owner's Manual / American Whirlpool Owner's Manual