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Do you know what a Smart Irrigation Controller is? No? Well, don't feel bad. Lots of people don't. A Smart Irrigation Controller can save you and your clients money with very little time and effort. Smart controllers are irrigation clocks that automatically adjust irrigation run times in response to environmental changes. Smart controllers use sensors and weather information to manage watering times and frequency. As environmental conditions vary, the controller increases or decreases irrigation. Smart controllers have the ability to turn off your sprinklers automatically during rain, high wind or low temperature.
Smart controllers reduce outdoor water use by an average of 15 to 30 percent. They also reduce over watering, which can cause fungal disease and insect problems.
Types of Smart Irrigation Controllers
There are different types of Smart Irrigation Controllers. Some communicate directly with weather satellites to find the information needed to adjust the watering schedules and others sample the air temperature and humidity and use that to adjust watering. Both systems need to be installed and programmed by a professional landscape contractor, and the outcome is a much better watering schedule.
These clocks are only as good as the rest of your irrigation system. If you are investigating the installation of new irrigation controllers, be aware that you will probably need to make some upgrades to the rest of your system as well. New irrigation heads to best cover the type of plants you currently have may be required, as well as other system modifications.
Smart Irrigation Controller Benefits
Some of the benefits for the community of these new controllers are:
- Reduces financial and legal liability
- Saves money on water bills for common areas
- Prevents water damage to communities, homes and hardscapes
- Visually improves landscape overall
- Protects local water resources
- Increases customer satisfaction
- Reduces customer complaints
- Saves time with proven, efficient, cost effective water management solutions
- Eliminates trips previously required to adjust controllers for changing weather
- Reduces call backs and complaints about plants and water use
- Prevents water damage resulting from over watering and run off
The benefits for your landscape vendors are:
With water costs skyrocketing and the need for conservation high, now is the time to save where we can. Installing a system that knows when to water based on the weather can save money and time. Many local water departments are offering great rebates, so check with your landscape contractor or local water department to see what is available.
