Get the most out of your underground automated sprinkler system by maximizing its efficiency!
Efficient water use is not just good for your plants and our planet, it’s also good for the wallet. Maximizing efficiency with an irrigation system also means ensuring that every plant and flower on the irrigated property gets just the right amount of hydration while also avoiding runoff as well as overspray on non-organic areas (driveways/patios), and synching the system with local weather conditions to deliver the proper amount of water when it’s needed most. Optimizing a sprinkler system can help reduce water bills (even during Kansas City’s hottest and driest days of summer), and help protect the system from costly (and untimely) breakdowns.
The Hunter Rain-Clik Sensor.
1. Install Weather Condition Sensors or a Smart System Controller
Irrigation system manufacturers offer a wide range of sensors that can turn any sprinkler system into a smart one. The most common are mechanical rain sensors, which prompt sprinklers to stop running when precipitation starts. Soil moisture detectors go one step further by measuring water levels in the ground, and then pausing waterings when it is not needed.
The Rachio 3 sprinkler controller has several helpful features that take the guesswork out of watering!
Wind sensors are also helpful as windy conditions may cause uneven water distribution. For those who operate their system late in the fall, there are also freeze sensors available to detect conditions that may put the system at risk for damage and lead to expensive repairs.
The ultimate in weather condition monitoring and proactive automated system adjustments can be had by installing a smart control system that monitors weather conditions via a wi-fi internet connection with nearby National Weather Service reporting stations. The entire system can be controlled by an application on a smartphone. The Rachio 3 controller is a popular model for many homeowners with eight or fewer watering zones.
The Hunter MP Rotator.
2. Upgrade Your Sprinkler Heads
Sprinkler heads are one of the most important components of a system – and they also have a major impact on water usage. Newer models from manufacturers like Hunter are designed for optimal water delivery. Accurate distribution prevents over and under-watering. Their ability to adjust to various distances and patterns makes it easier to achieve even coverage, and their low precipitation design gives soil the time it needs to properly absorb water instead of allowing it to be wasted as runoff. Their accuracy also helps keep sprayers from wasting water on paved areas like driveways, sidewalks, and streets.
3. Set a Precise Watering Schedule
Homeowners appreciate automated sprinkler systems because they can “set ‘em and forget ‘em,” but only if a proper automated schedule is in place. The watering needs of lawns and plantings vary with the seasons, and different property areas need different amounts of water throughout the year. For example, a sunny expanse of grass needs more water than one that is mostly shaded. Consult with the Heinen Irrigation Specialists to determine the perfect schedule for any sprinkler system.
Pro Tip: Make sure sprinklers are set to run just before sunrise for optimal absorption time.
Regular maintenance will keep sprinklers running at their best.
4. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Having a professional check a system regularly is one of the best ways to prevent surprise breakdowns, damages, and repairs. Irrigation professionals have the experience, knowledge, and trained eyes that enable them to spot problem areas before they become expensive repair jobs. A failure or leak in a sprinkler system can waste a great deal of water, escaping notice until next month’s hefty water bill signals to the homeowner that a serious and expensive problem has been developing with almost no visible symptoms to alert them.
Whether planning to upgrade your current irrigation system, have a professional system audit completed, or are in the market for an all-new system, be sure to call the irrigation professionals at Heinen, Kansas City’s leading sprinkler experts for over 35 years!
