Chances are you already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without being aware of it. If you can control your thermostat from your smartphone or switch your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are considered to be 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 lower your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Continue below to learn more about the benefits of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re looking into adding one to your plumbing system, be sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe leaks or your basement or crawlspace floods because of heavy rain, it’s quite obvious that your home is dealing with a major water leak that could cause severe damage. But some leaks aren’t as obvious. Even small water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can add up, resulting in higher bills and the potential for damage to your home.
That’s where a smart water leak detector comes in. Leak detectors should be installed in bathrooms, basements, beneath the kitchen sink, and around water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors supervise home water usage and alert you with your smartphone if there is excessive water usage in your home – which can indicate a leak somewhere. They should also inform you if they detect a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re out of town and your water heater suddenly springs a leak, you’ll be alerted right away with your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak fixed and minimize further damage to your home.
Smart Water Heaters
Were you aware that the typical water heater accounts for about 12% of a family’s energy expenditure, second only to your heating and cooling system? To keep your hot water heater’s energy consumption under control, consider upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters come supplied with energy-saving capabilities and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters differ exactly? Furnished with smart technology, a smart water heater can assess your home’s water-usage preferences and even anticipate usage and make automatic adjustments. Standard tank water heaters, for example, must continually heat water over the course of the day so hot water is waiting when you need it. With a smart water heater, though, you can keep your water heater off during the workday when you’re gone or when you’re away for work or vacation.
This can save energy, reduce water bills, increase safety, and give you more control over your appliance. While we're talking about control, if you take a shower at 7 a.m. every day, you can set your water heater to come on at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water ready. Smart water heaters also inform you of any leaks or system errors via your smartphone. If leaks are detected, for example, the smart water heater can automatically turn off. This limits damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Some of us probably have little idea how much water we’re using on a daily basis. Smart water monitors are highly useful if you'd like to decrease your water consumption and save money on your monthly water bills.
Smart water monitors can capture helpful data that indicates how much water you are using in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture is using. Most water monitors feature a web-based interface that allows you to supervise water usage in real-time. This sort of information can help you learn if you have an inefficient toilet that needs to be upgraded, or if someone in your family is routinely taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make appropriate adjustments.
Aside from saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners lower their carbon footprint to guarantee there is enough water for future generations to come.