Upgrading to smart irrigation systems has been proven to reduce water usage while maintaining that beautiful green lawn so many homeowners love. So, what is smart irrigation and how does a smart watering system work? More importantly, can smart watering technology be installed on an existing system?
How Does a Smart Watering System Work? A programmable irrigation system allows homeowners and property managers to set a timer which automatically turns lawn sprinklers on and off. These systems have overrides which can prevent the sprinklers from running when nature takes over the job of watering the lawn, but these overrides must be operated manually. Not so with smart irrigation! Smart irrigation advantages include the ability to monitor either local weather conditions or the actual ground moisture level. Thus, smart irrigation systems automatically adjust watering schedules according to the actual needs of the lawn. In most cases, smart watering technology can be installed on existing irrigation systems and will cut water usage by 20 to 40 percent. Although pricey, these systems can pay for themselves in a few short years by lowering water bills. The best part? Smart irrigation systems link to the home or office WiFi and can be remotely controlled with a smart device. No more having to remember to turn the sprinkler system on or off before leaving home in the morning.
Using Smart Watering Technology Smart watering technology can be installed on existing underground irrigation systems by swapping out the current controller for a smart one. In some cases, add-on weather or moisture-based sensors can be used with existing controllers and systems, thus saving the cost of purchasing a new controller.
