Who would have thought that watering the lawn could be such a hassle? The health and appearance of your yard depends on you knowing how much water to use and when to use it. That’s probably why smart sprinklers are becoming more and more popular among homeowners.
Not only can a smart sprinkler help you get your lawn in tip-top condition, but it often helps you conserve water by using weather data, soil moisture sensors, and rain gauges to automate your watering schedule. Even better? Most smart sprinklers can be operated remotely so you can water your lawn from anywhere.
Let’s take a closer look at five reasons you may want to invest in a smart sprinkler system.
1. Cost savings
Finding ways to reduce energy bills can be a challenge for homeowners. Like most smart technology, smart sprinklers are often designed to save you money by lowering your water costs. In fact, the use of smart sprinkler controllers may be able to save you between 30% and 50% on monthly water bills.
Most smart sprinkler systems collect data through moisture sensors and rain gauges. Using that information lets the sprinkler adjust its watering schedule accordingly to use less water.
There are two other ways smart sprinklers can usually help homeowners save money. First, sprinklers allow for remote operation, so you don't need to hire someone else to water your lawn when you’re away. You can do it from anywhere! Additionally, smart sprinklers require little maintenance, so you won't have to worry about costly repairs down the road.
2. Water conservation
The only thing better than saving some green is going green, and smart sprinklers can help with that, too. The technology uses local weather data and soil moisture sensors to determine when and how much water is needed for each area of your lawn. By not over-watering areas with little sunlight or heavy shade, and avoiding watering during rainy days, a smart sprinkler conserves water.
3. Convenience
Sprinklers can also make it easier to control your lawn's water needs. With a smart sprinkler, you can monitor and adjust the watering schedule remotely with an app or website. If there’s an unexpected change in the weather or you need to make a quick adjustment while you’re running errands, you can water your lawn easily from anywhere.
How convenient a smart sprinkler system is for you depends a little bit on the type you get. Below are a few examples of the types of what’s currently available on the market:
- WiFi-enabled sprinklers. You can get a smart sprinkler that connects to your home’s WiFi network. These are usually easy to set up, require minimal wiring, and allow you to access the sprinkler system via an app or website.
- Bluetooth-enabled sprinklers. Similar to WiFi-enabled ones, Bluetooth-enabled sprinklers can be operated remotely. However, these sprinklers do not require a home WiFi network. Instead, they use Bluetooth technology to connect with nearby devices, which makes them great for renters.
- Battery-powered sprinklers. These sprinklers are powered by batteries, making them great for people who don't have access to a power outlet. Plus, they don't require any wiring or setup.
4. Site-specific control
Another great reason to get one of these high-tech sprinklers is that they allow for site-specific irrigation control. That means each zone of your lawn can be watered separately according to its own needs. For example, areas with heavy shade may require less frequent watering than areas in direct sunlight. Smart sprinklers can help tailor the water usage of each area accordingly, resulting in more efficient watering.
5. Timers and alerts
Live in an area impacted by drought? Or one that’s suddenly seeing more rain than normal? Either one can be hard on your lawn and hurt the look of your home no matter how creative you get with your curb appeal ideas.
The solution may be a smart sprinkler with a specific timer for when it should turn on or off as well as an alert function to let you know you’re running low on water. A sprinkler like that can provide your lawn with just the right amount of water they need, so you don’t have to worry if they’re overwatering or underwatering.
This can improve overall plant health and lower instances of diseases or pests because the sprinkler provides the best possible watering schedule for your plants. Some sprinklers even allow you to create customized watering schedules for each individual plant.
The bottom line
Overall, these sprinklers are a great way to conserve water and save money at the same time. So if you're looking for an efficient and convenient way to keep your lawn looking its best, a smart sprinkler may be the way to go.
