Irrigation

How Smart Are Your Sprinklers?

So what is smart irrigation?  Plenty of people on the East Coast get enough rain so that they never have to worry about watering their lawns. If you live out west, though, this typically isn’t the case. That’s why it’s important to have an effective irrigation service, but are your sprinklers as efficient as they could be? With new technologies, you can increase the benefits seen from watering your lawn while avoiding many of the potential downfalls.

The Problem with Irrigation Systems

You may not realize just how much water goes toward keeping America’s lawns lush. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that over half of all outdoor water usage goes directly towards watering gardens and lawns. This is obviously a huge portion of our water supply, so it’s important for Americans to use it wisely.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, and this is even the case with some sprinkler systems that seem “smart” on the surface. An irrigation system that relies solely on a clock timer, for instance, puts out about 50 percent more water than properties where no irrigation system is used. Additionally, “old school” sprinklers that must be moved every so often tend to oversaturate certain areas.

Most Irrigation Systems Are Counterproductive

It’s difficult for most people to look at their outdoor water usage and understand the overarching effect it may be having. Instead, it’s much easier to look on a personal level. Outdated sprinkler systems can actually be negatively affecting you directly.

If your lawn is overwatered thanks to a surprise rain shower coming on while the sprinkler system is on, it could do serious damage to your grass. There are porous spaces, created by silt, sand and other materials, under your lawn. Water constantly filling these spaces prevents essential oxygen from getting to the roots. Additionally, overwatering can result in weeds, fungus, thatch layers and pests.

It’s also worth noting that many areas have strict water conservation laws. California, for instance, crafted entire legislative pieces, such as the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, to combat water waste. Residents can face huge fines if they’re not careful, so keeping a green lawn could result in losing green in your wallet.

Benefits of Smart Irrigation Systems

The benefits of smart irrigation systems are numerous, and they range from water conservation to money savings and everywhere in between. There are now sprinkler systems, for instance, that can sense when it starts to rain. This results in the system shutting down and preventing waste and overwatering of your lawn.

What drives many people to opt for smarter irrigation services, though, is the cost savings. Since outdated systems put out more than 50 percent more water, it’s not difficult to see how this can increase your water bill by up to 50 percent. Smart irrigation systems mean money savings, and if you live in California or other western states, you can even receive rebates by utilizing smart technology in irrigation systems.

Another major benefit of most smart irrigation systems is how simple they are to program. The digital era has made these systems incredibly user-friendly. Even a controller that’s programmed to water your lawn based on plant type, terrain, sun patterns, soil type and weather conditions can be set up within minutes and ready to go. And yes, this irrigation system does exist. It’s known as the Rain Bird Smart Control System.

Get Smart with Water Usage

There’s no denying the benefits of updating your current sprinklers to a smart irrigation system. Whether your focus is saving money, saving your lawn or saving the environment, using the latest technology to water your property can help accomplish that goal.