While installing a smart sprinkler system for your lawn might seem superfluous, there are a surprising number of benefits that make a smart irrigation controller an item that should be at the top of every homeowner’s checklist.

#1 – They Help Save on Water

Any design or renovation that can help save on utility costs will end up paying for itself over time, and smart irrigation controls are no exception. In addition, when combined with an eco friendly driveway that uses clean, permeable gravel to enhance free water flow, smart technology can increase the efficiency of water use in a society that is increasingly conscious of eliminating waste and conserving natural resources.

There are times when your lawn simply does not need to be watered as much as you originally planned. Perhaps the weather has been cooler than expected due to extra cloud cover, or you got some unexpected runoff from a neighbor’s yard. Whatever the case, there will be times throughout the year when you simply do not need to water your lawn.

With traditional sprinkler controllers that have been programmed to turn on at certain times on certain days of the week, the process for skipping a cycle can be involved, with some people needing to call in assistance to turn off the sprinklers and then have the system re-programmed to get back on schedule. As such, most homeowners just ignore it and let their lawn get watered anyway.

By having an irrigation controller that is synched with your smartphone, skipping a sprinkler cycle is as simple as saying, “Alexa, pause the sprinklers.” With a smart irrigation system, inconvenience is no excuse for wasting water by running the sprinklers unnecessarily.

#2 – They Give You Increased Control of Your Irrigation

Sometimes, there are areas of the lawn that need more water than others. Using the previous example of receiving unexpected runoff from a neighboring yard, perhaps the lower half of your lawn is well watered from the runoff, while the upper half did not receive any.

Using your smartphone, you can open the app for your irrigation system and control which zones of the lawn you want watered while leaving the heads dormant on those areas that are sufficiently watered.

Another nifty feature that relates to sprinkler control is the ability to pause while you are walking outside. How annoying is it, with traditional sprinkler controls, to have to run from the front door of your house to your car because the sprinklers are spraying your path?

#3 – Your Smart Irrigation Control is Likely Smarter than You

Even though you can look at a road map and see the best route for getting to a destination, if your smartphone tells you that there is a wreck or road construction that will delay your travels, you are probably going to listen.

Likewise, even if you think you have your watering schedule down to a science, smart irrigation leaders like build their app with features that monitor the weather, select the best settings for the climate that your home is located in, and that can make suggestions for the type of vegetation you are growing, among others.

This is significant because if rain is forecasted, the sprinklers will not turn on, preventing a situation in which homes without an advanced driveway drainage system see flooding in their lawns that causes puddles to build up around their vehicles.

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.

The post The Benefits of a Smart Irrigation Controller for Your Lawn appeared first on Keeping iT Green - Conserve Water with Smart Watering System.

Water can be conserved when watering your lawn, nearly 60% of the water your home uses on a daily basis comes from irrigation. All too often, landscape irrigation wastes water. Properly managing your irrigation system can help you reduce your annual outdoor water use by nearly 8,800 gallons, equivalent to the amount of water used to take 500 showers!

Why Save Water?
Saving water helps to preserve our environment. It reduces the energy required to process and deliver water, which helps in reducing pollution and in conserving fuel resources. If we save water now, we are helping to ensure a water supply adequate for future generations. Saving water saves money.

https://www.sprinklersavings.com/rachio-smart-watering-systems.html

The post July is Smart Irrigation Month appeared first on Keeping iT Green - Conserve Water with Smart Watering System.