Chances are you already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without even knowing it. If you can adjust your thermostat from a smartphone or turn your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are considered smart devices. Even plumbing products are becoming “smart” these days. Smart plumbing products can include smart water heaters, smart leak detectors, and smart water monitors.
Installing smart plumbing devices and appliances can add an extra layer of convenience and safety to your home, as well as lower your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Continue reading to learn more about the perks of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re considering adding one to your plumbing system, make sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Moline.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe bursts or your basement or crawlspace floods because of heavy rain, it’s fairly obvious that your home is struggling with a serious water leak that could lead to significant damage. But some leaks aren’t so obvious. Even minor water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can add up, leading to higher bills and the potential for damage to your home.
That’s where a smart water leak detector comes in. Leak detectors can be installed in bathrooms, basements, under the kitchen sink, and close to water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors supervise home water usage and alert you through your smartphone if it detects excessive water usage in your home – which can mean there's a leak hidden away. They will also notify you if they notice a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re away from home and your water heater suddenly springs a leak, you’ll be notified immediately with your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak resolved 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 use, second only to your heating and cooling system? To keep your hot water heater’s energy use in check, consider upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters are equipped with energy-saving features and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters differ exactly? Designed with smart technology, a smart water heater can analyze your home’s water-usage habits and even estimate usage and make appropriate adjustments. Traditional tank water heaters, for example, must constantly 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 turn your water heater off during the workday when you’re gone or when you’re away for work or vacation.
This can save energy, help lower water bills, increase safety, and offer more control over your appliance. Speaking of control, if you have a shower at 7 a.m. every day, you can schedule your water heater to start at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water on hand. Smart water heaters also inform you of any leaks or system failures using your smartphone. If leaking is detected, for example, the smart water heater will automatically turn off. This reduces damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Some of us probably have no clue how much water we’re using. 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 record helpful data that shows how much water you use in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture is taking. Many water monitors are equipped with a web-based interface that helps you to monitor 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 someone in your household is routinely taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make any needed adjustments.
Along with saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners improve their carbon footprint to make sure there is plenty of water for future generations to come.