What is a Smart Sprinkler?

This article is your guide to smart sprinklers. A smart sprinkler is an advanced tech that allows you to have more control over the irrigation at your home! You can control your sprinkler from your phone to not only conserve your water but be more efficient with landscaping.

This post will cover what a smart sprinkler is, how it works, and whether investing in one could be beneficial for your household.

Here at The Energy Professor, we want to give you the information you need to not only save money on your energy bill but also to become more energy efficient. We hope find this post helpful and it makes it easier for you to know more about smart sprinklers. Be sure to check out our one-of-a-kind energy savings calculator!

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What is a Smart Sprinkler?

A smart sprinkler is an advanced irrigation system that takes real-time data and preferences you set to conserve and optimize your watering schedules. Unlike traditional sprinkler systems that operate on a fixed schedule, smart sprinklers adjust watering based on various environmental conditions. Smart sprinklers have sensors that reach into the ground to analyze soil moisture. Which can all be viewed and managed through your phone, tablet, or laptop.

This technology ensures that your lawn and garden receive the precise amount of water at the right time, promoting healthier plant growth and reducing wasteful water use.

Related post: How to Conserve Water: Why is Water Conservation Important?

How Do Smart Sprinklers Work?

Smart sprinklers are part of a broader category known as smart irrigation technology. These systems are typically controlled via a smart sprinkler controller, operated through a smartphone app, web interface, or even voice commands through smart home assistants. The controller connects to the internet, allowing it to access updated weather forecasts, soil conditions, and plant-specific watering needs.

Smart sprinklers can not water your lawn if a rainstorm is in the forecast, which is a great way to conserve water.

Weather-based vs. soil moisture-based irrigation controllers

Two primary types of controllers govern smart sprinklers: weather-based and soil moisture-based systems.

  • Weather-based controllers use local weather data to adjust watering schedules. If rain is predicted, the system can postpone scheduled watering to prevent overwatering and water wastage.
  • Soil moisture-based controllers have sensors that measure the moisture content of the soil directly. These systems water the garden when the soil dries to a specific threshold, ensuring plants receive water only when needed.

Related post: 5 Ways To Reduce Your Water Charge

What are the Benefits of Smart Irrigation Systems?

As someone who likes the ease of smart tech, and isn’t a fan of landscaping – smart sprinklers are the way to go. There are many benefits to a smart sprinkler system, like even increasing the value of your home if you’re in the market.

Conserve Water

Smart sprinklers significantly reduce water usage by tailoring watering schedules based on actual environmental needs rather than timers. This will reduce your water bill and your water usage with better predictions of a watering schedule. Not to mention that there are sprinkler systems that can sense how much moisture you need!

Have More Control of Your System Remotely

With a remote sprinkler controller, homeowners can manage their irrigation systems from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re at work or on vacation, you can adjust your watering schedule based on the latest weather updates or your observations.

That means if rain is in the forecast at home the entire time you’re on vacation, you can turn your smart sprinkler off, saving on water.

Increasing Property Value

An efficient, modern smart watering system can be a selling point for potential home buyers, particularly those who are environmentally conscious or wish to maintain a beautiful landscape with minimal effort.

If you want to get the most value for your home, ensuring you’re selling it with a healthy yard could attract potential buyers.

Protecting Your Home from Wildlife

In areas prone to visits from wildlife, a smart water sprinkler can help protect your property. Some systems can be programmed to deter animals by activating when motion is detected at unscheduled times.

Just like protecting your home from intruders, wildlife could be damaging your yard or even looking for small pets going out for a nighttime potty break!

Related post: How to Increase Your Water Heater Efficiency

Are Smart Sprinklers Worth it?

Smart sprinklers are worth it if you are a person who tends to your lawn often and finds yourself wasting water. Summertime can come with high utility bills, especially with little control over your sprinkler system that could be under or over-watering your lawn. So, we would say that for that alone, a smart sprinkler is worth the cost.

What are disadvantages to a smart irrigation system?

  • maintenance of the channels and equipment to make sure its working efficiently
  • the cost of purchasing and installing the system
  • not 100% reliable all the time

Do Smart Sprinklers Save Money?

In the long run, smart sprinklers can indeed save money. By optimizing water usage, these systems can lower water bills significantly. Your healthy garden will thank you for reducing the need for plant replacements or excessive fertilization.

In conclusion, smart sprinklers offer a high-tech solution to traditional irrigation problems, aligning with the growing demand for home automation and environmental sustainability. Whether you’re tech-savvy or simply looking to simplify your gardening routine, a smart sprinkler might just be the upgrade your home needs.

Related post: 7 Tips on How to Save Electricity in the Summer

Do you Need Cheaper Electricity?

If you’ve taken the time to understand the information on your bill and discovered you’re paying more than you’d like for your electricity, have you looked around for a cheaper deal? The Energy Professor has a wealth of information on ways to save on your utilities, including details of top deals that could significantly reduce your monthly or quarterly electricity bills.

We hope you found this article helpful! If you are looking for ways to increase energy efficiency and sustainability in your home be sure to look at the latest renewable energy options in your area. The Energy Professor helps residential and small business owners find qualified energy suppliers in New YorkNew JerseyPennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

Nik Chapman

Nik Chapman is the Executive Editor of The Energy Professor with lifelong passion for studying and exploring the natural environment. Nik has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Biology and has specialized in work with Green Energy, Renewable Energy and Environmental Justice. Nik has worked directly with small communities and nonprofits to help make environmental education more accessible for everyone. Nik currently lives in Washington State and enjoys tide pooling on the Oregon Coast and taking hikes to local waterfalls.