With smart irrigation, you can rest assured your lawn will be well hydrated while you travel!
No homeowner wants to return home from a relaxing vacation only to be “welcomed” by the sight of dying turf and withering landscaping. Fortunately, advanced irrigation tools make it easy to keep lawns and gardens lush and healthy, no matter how long the vacation. Protect the lawn and enjoy peace of mind while out of town, thanks to a smart irrigation system!
Wi-Fi-Enabled Sprinkler Controllers
Wi-Fi–enabled sprinkler controllers come with a range of handy features that provide internet access via a smartphone or tablet to manage your irrigation system. But that’s not all! These advanced controllers include useful water-saving capabilities, including continuously monitoring local weather conditions and moisture levels in the soil to automatically adjust watering sessions as needed.
As of 2024, Rachio controllers have saved users over 200 billion gallons of water!
The Rachio 3 is one of the most powerful and easy-to-use sprinkler controllers on the market today. Wi-Fi connects the controller to an immense network of thousands of National Weather Service weather reporting stations, providing up-to-date weather data in real time.
The controller processes and analyzes the data most relevant to your property’s local geographic location. The controller will automatically skip watering sessions when rain is imminent. The system also tracks local moisture levels and will skip a watering session when the ground is appropriately saturated.
Tracking weather conditions empowers the Rachio 3 to dramatically reduce water waste and saves the hassle of manually rescheduling watering sessions if it rains. The feature is particularly useful when traveling—any time of the year—since it also monitors freezing temperatures or high winds, skipping or delaying the session whenever conditions unfavorable for watering are detected, saving water and protecting grass and other plantings from damage.
Advanced Sensors
There are several sensors that can be added to the irrigation system to provide even more precision and automation. They work together to ensure that landscapes receive the proper amount of hydration. Homeowners who travel frequently enjoy an extra sense of security as the system minimizes the risk of overwatering, underwatering, and even monitors for system failure. Soil and rain sensors prevent unnecessary watering sessions, while flow sensors monitor for abnormalities that indicate a possible leak or valve issue.
In the past, when homeowners left for vacation, they often chose to simply shut off watering systems for fear of a major system failure while away. And for good reason. For years, system malfunctions have been one of the most common causes of water waste. In fact, a single leak that goes unnoticed can lead to severe lawn damage and an unexpected spike in a water bill. With Rachio, flow sensors compare the flow rate of each watering session for each zone. If an inconsistency is detected, the sensor sends a signal to the controller, and the controller automatically pauses or shuts off the entire system. A high-flow alert may be an indication of a broken sprinkler head or burst pipe, while a low-flow notification may stem from a clog or obstruction. Continuous-flow alerts monitor water running when it shouldn’t be—often a sign of valve failure.
Set and forget your automated sprinkler system with the peace of mind provided by a smart system while jetting off on your next out-of-town getaway! For assistance upgrading an existing system or installing a new high-efficiency system, call the irrigation professionals at Heinen!
