SMART IRRIGATION
Discover a hands-free, hassle-free way to water
And if you don’t have an irrigation system and are watering by hand…? That’s a conversation for another time!
Fortunately, the same smart technology we can use to manage systems inside our homes can be used outdoors, too. This makes having a lush and healthy landscape easier and more economical than ever. Using smart controllers to manage your watering system is also good for the environment — as the second driest state in the country, conserving water is always top of mind in Utah.
Keep reading to see how smart technology can be applied to your irrigation system, so you never have to think about watering again.
Smart irrigation uses technology to control your water usage. Your irrigation system is connected to a controller, which offers remote access through mobile apps or web interfaces, making it possible for you to monitor and control your irrigation systems from anywhere in the world.
There are two basic ways your smart system receives data.
Weather monitoring — Smart irrigation controllers can be connected to local weather stations, giving them access to local weather data.
Soil moisture sensing — Soil moisture sensors are buried in the root zone of plants to be irrigated to measure the moisture content present in the soil.
Utah is known for its dry climate and limited water resources. By installing a smart irrigation system, you help prevent overwatering and reduce water waste, contributing to water conservation efforts in our beautiful state.
Utah faces ongoing challenges pertaining to water scarcity and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. By reducing water waste, smart irrigation systems help protect local water sources, preserve natural habitats, and support the overall ecological balance.
To address the state's water challenges, Utah has created a number of water management regulations and restrictions. By controlling water usage, smart irrigation systems help homeowners comply with these regulations, avoiding potential fines or penalties.
No one wants to waste water, but we all want our lawns and gardens to thrive. Advances in technology make watering your landscape effortless. A smart irrigation system and controller can:
Automatically adjust your watering schedule — Your controller knows how often to water based on information it receives from the weather station, so you’ll never come home to find your sprinklers running in the rain or your plants wilting in the summer heat.
Get insights on your water usage — Smart irrigation systems can provide data that give you insights on your water usage. This allows you to track your water consumption so you know how much water you’re using — and saving! Traditional watering methods waste water due to inefficiencies in irrigation, evaporation and overwatering. Many homeowners report their smart irrigation system saves them up to 50% on their water budget. That’s good news for both your wallet and the environment.
Targeted watering — Smart systems give you the ability to target specific areas or plants in your landscape, delivering the right amount of water directly to the root zone. This minimizes runoff and ensures all plants get the precise amount of water they need.
Quickly identify potential issues — Defective pipes, faulty valves and broken sprinkler heads can become costly problems if left undetected. Your system will send an alert to your phone so you can shut it off instantly — or, if you’re one of our property care clients, the alert can be sent to Sunline and we’ll take care of the problem for you.
Prevent runoff and pooling — Instead of giving your lawn and gardens a continuous soak, like conventional systems, your watering schedule is broken down into segments, giving the water time to absorb into the ground. In addition to preventing runoff and pooling, smart irrigation systems help prevent erosion.
Your smart controller collects and interprets data so it can make real-time decisions on when and how much to water. That data takes into account a number of factors, including:
The type of plants in your landscape — Plants can differ widely in the amount of water they need to survive. Native species are always a good choice, since they are generally better adapted to local conditions, which means they need less water to thrive. At Sunline, native plant species are always included in our garden designs.
Your property’s soil composition — The predominant soil in Utah is Mivida soil, which is a sandy loam with small amounts of silt and clay. Your smart controller can be programmed to account for this, watering quickly for short periods of time — just long enough to thoroughly wet your plant’s root zone.
The current weather conditions — Rainfall isn’t the only metric your smart controller tracks. It also takes into account other factors that affect how much water your landscape needs, such as temperature, relative humidity, sunshine and wind conditions.
If you’re looking for a way to have a healthy, lush and beautiful garden that promotes water conservation and eliminates the hassle associated with watering, upgrading to a smart irrigation system or installing a new one is highly recommended.
If you have any questions or want to discuss your property’s water needs, simply book a consultation using our online form or give us a call at 801-253-6434. We’re always happy to help.
