You might already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without knowing it. If you can adjust your thermostat from your smartphone or switch 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 might include smart water heaters, smart leak detectors, and smart water monitors.
Installing smart plumbing devices and appliances can apply an extra layer of convenience and safety to your home, as well as lower your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages 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 Marshalltown.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe breaks or your basement or crawlspace floods thanks 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 so obvious. Even small water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can eventually 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 should be installed in bathrooms, basements, under the kitchen sink, and around water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors monitor home water usage and alert you through your smartphone if there is irregular water usage in your home – which can indicate a leak hidden away. They will also inform you if they notice a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re out of town and your water heater suddenly starts leaking, you’ll be notified right away through your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak resolved and minimize further damage to your home.
Smart Water Heaters
Were you aware that the standard 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 in check, try upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters come supplied with energy-saving capabilities and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters help exactly? Equipped with smart technology, a smart water heater can evaluate your home’s water-usage preferences and even anticipate usage and make appropriate adjustments. Conventional 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 keep your water heater off during the workday when you’re out of the house or when you’re away for work or vacation.
This can conserve energy, help lower water bills, boost safety, and supply more control over your appliance. Speaking of control, if you shower at 7 a.m. every day, you can program your water heater to turn on at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water ready. Smart water heaters also alert you of any leaks or system errors through your smartphone. If leaking is detected, for example, the smart water heater should automatically switch off. This minimizes damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Many of us probably have little idea how much water we’re using. Smart water monitors are incredibly useful if you'd like to decrease your water consumption and save money on your monthly water bills.
Smart water monitors can save 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 enables you to track water usage in real-time. This type of information can help you find out if you have an inefficient toilet that should be upgraded, or if one of your kids is regularly taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make any needed adjustments.
Aside from saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint to ensure there is enough water for future generations to come.