Chances are you already have “smart” devices and appliances installed throughout your home without being aware of it. If you can adjust your thermostat from your smartphone or turn your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are typical smart devices. Even plumbing products are increasingly “smart” these days. Smart plumbing products might include smart water heaters, smart leak detectors, and smart water monitors.
Installing smart plumbing devices and appliances can establish an extra layer of convenience and security to your home, as well as reduce your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Continue below to learn more about the advantages of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re looking into adding one to your plumbing system, make sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Pella.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe bursts or your basement or crawlspace floods due to heavy rain, it’s fairly obvious that your home is dealing with a major water leak that may cause significant damage. But some leaks aren’t as noticeable. Even small water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can accumulate over time, resulting in higher bills and the potential for damage to your home.
That’s where a smart water leak detector can help. Leak detectors are installed in bathrooms, basements, beneath the kitchen sink, and around water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors supervise home water usage and alert you via your smartphone if there is abnormal water usage in your home – which can mean there's a leak someplace. They can also inform you if they find a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re away from home and your water heater suddenly begins to leak, you’ll be alerted immediately via your smartphone so you can take appropriate action to get the leak patched and avoid further damage to your home.
Smart Water Heaters
Did you know that the traditional water heater accounts for about 12% of a family’s energy consumption, second only to your heating and cooling system? To keep your hot water heater’s energy usage under control, try upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters are equipped with energy-saving capabilities and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters help exactly? Designed with smart technology, a smart water heater can assess your home’s water-usage habits and even estimate usage and make recommended adjustments. Traditional tank water heaters, for example, must continually heat water over the course of the day so hot water is available when you need it. With a smart water heater, though, you can shut your water heater off during the workday when you’re gone or when you’re away for work or vacation.
This can save energy, lower water bills, increase safety, and give you more control over your appliance. On the subject of control, if you have a shower at 7 a.m. every day, you can program your water heater to start at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water ready. Smart water heaters also notify you of any leaks or system malfunctions via your smartphone. If leaking is detected, for example, the smart water heater can automatically turn off. This limits damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Most of us probably have no idea how much water we’re using. Smart water monitors are particularly useful if you’re looking to decrease your water consumption and save money on your monthly water bills.
Smart water monitors can record helpful data that indicates how much water you’re using in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture needs. Many water monitors include a web-based interface that enables you to track water usage in real-time. This sort of information can help you learn if you have an inefficient toilet that should be upgraded, or if one of your kids is routinely taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make appropriate adjustments.
In addition to saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint to make sure there is enough water for future generations to come.