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 flip 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 add an extra layer of convenience and safety to your home, as well as lower 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 Albuquerque.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe leaks or your basement or crawlspace floods due to heavy rain, it’s fairly obvious that your home is experiencing a serious water leak that may result in significant damage. But some leaks aren’t so obvious. Even minor 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 comes in. Leak detectors are installed in bathrooms, basements, under the kitchen sink, and around water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors supervise home water usage and alert you via your smartphone if it notices excessive water usage in your home – which can mean there's a leak somewhere. They should also notify 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 informed immediately through your smartphone so you can take the needed steps to get the leak fixed and avoid further damage to your home.
Smart Water Heaters
Were you aware that the traditional 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 use in order, try upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters come supplied with energy-saving features and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters work exactly? Designed with smart technology, a smart water heater can analyze your home’s water-usage patterns and even anticipate usage and make automatic adjustments. Conventional 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 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, reduce water bills, boost safety, and give you more control over your appliance. Speaking 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 waiting for you. Smart water heaters also alert you of any leaks or system failures using your smartphone. If a leak is detected, for example, the smart water heater will automatically switch off. This reduces damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Most of us probably have no idea how much water we’re using on a daily basis. Smart water monitors are highly useful if you want to decrease your water consumption and save money on your monthly water bills.
Smart water monitors can capture helpful data that shows how much water you use in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture needs. The bulk of water monitors include a web-based interface that helps you to supervise 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 regularly 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 ensure there is enough water for future generations to come.