![]() ![]() home with an automatic sprinkler system made the switch to a WaterSense controller, the U.S. home up to 15,000 gallons of water per year, which is enough water to fill a 12x24-foot swimming pool that’s 7 feet deep. ![]() In order to receive a WaterSense certification, sprinkler controllers must incorporate local weather data and/or soil moisture readings into their watering schedules instead of simply functioning as on/off timers.Īccording to the EPA, a WaterSense sprinkler controller can save the average U.S. Some sprinkler controllers carry the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense certification for watering efficiency and conservation, just as some home appliances carry the Energy Star certification for energy efficiency. For more information on all of the controllers we test, see CR’s in-ground sprinkler controller ratings. ![]() To gauge a system’s watering accuracy, we collect actual rainfall data from a rain gauge, then evaluate how much a controller overwaters or underwaters based on that data.īelow are five key considerations to take into account if you’re thinking of installing a smart sprinkler controller, followed by the top-rated models from our tests. We also track whether we ran into trouble connecting the controller to the internet. In CR’s tests of smart sprinkler systems, we evaluate how easy it is to wire the controller to the sprinkler system’s water valves, whether the controls are simple to use, and whether they’re weatherproof. “But they can be intimidating at first due to complicated wiring and app controls.” “These sprinkler controllers are nice for people who want to fine-tune the watering of their lawn and garden,” says Larry Ciufo, CR’s test engineer for sprinkler controllers. If you’d like even more precise watering, some smart sprinkler controllers work with home weather stations or soil moisture sensors to more accurately determine how much rain falls in your yard. If the controller knows that an afternoon storm will come through, it will delay watering that morning or perhaps even for several days depending on the amount of rain you get. Instead, they have a WiFi connection that allows them to use weather data from the internet to determine watering schedules. These devices don’t have gauges that record actual rainfall. Best of all, these models can be programmed more easily to adhere to water restrictions thanks to their smartphone app controls. So instead of following a set schedule, your sprinkler can follow the forecast. These electronically controlled devices, which typically cost around $80 to $300, replace the existing programmable timer on your sprinkler system to open and shut the water valves. Just as smart thermostats have revolutionized the way homes are heated and cooled, automatically adjusting indoor temperature based on your habits, a smart sprinkler controller adjusts watering depending on the weather. Smart sprinkler controllers aim to address those pain points. You need to adhere to local water restrictions, program the system controller to prevent overwatering (or pay a pro to do it), and hope you’re around to shut off the system to save water-and money-if it ever does rain. Keeping your lawn or garden properly hydrated using an in-ground sprinkler system can be a real chore, especially if you live in an area of the country prone to drought. ![]()
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