There is a dial with numbers 1-12, then a dial for the time of day, then another dial that gives you the option of either- in service, start b.w. rinse, backwash, pause, rapid rinse, and settle rinse. It seems to be running all the time. We have 5 people living here and high iron in our water so we do need it working but it's using so much electricity running all the time. We have well water.