You may already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without being aware of 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 typical smart devices. Even plumbing products are going “smart” these days. Smart plumbing products may 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 security to your home, as well as optimize your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re considering adding one to your plumbing system, see to it that you have the help of a trusted plumber in West Jefferson.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe breaks or your basement or crawlspace floods thanks to heavy rain, it’s quite obvious that your home is experiencing a major water leak that could lead to severe damage. But some leaks aren’t so obvious. Even minor water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can eventually 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, underneath the kitchen sink, and near water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors monitor home water usage and alert you with your smartphone if it detects excessive water usage in your home – which can point to a leak someplace. They will also inform you if they notice a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re away from home and your water heater suddenly starts leaking, you’ll be alerted immediately through your smartphone so you can take appropriate action to get the leak patched and prevent 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 consumption, second only to your heating and cooling system? To keep your hot water heater’s energy use in order, consider upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters come with energy-saving features and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters differ exactly? Designed with smart technology, a smart water heater can assess your home’s water-usage patterns and even anticipate usage and make recommended adjustments. Standard tank water heaters, for example, must continually heat water during the day so hot water is ready when you need it. With a smart water heater, though, you can turn your water heater off during the workday when you’re not home or when you’re away for work or vacation.
This can save energy, lower water bills, improve safety, and supply more control over your appliance. Speaking of control, if you take a shower at 7 a.m. every day, you can program your water heater to come on at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water on hand. 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 should automatically turn off. This minimizes damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Some of us probably have little idea how much water we’re using up. Smart water monitors are highly useful if you’re looking to reduce 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 needs. Most water monitors are equipped with a web-based interface that helps you to monitor water usage in real-time. This type of information can help you find out if you have an inefficient toilet that needs to be upgraded, or if someone in your household is regularly taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make the correct adjustments.
Aside from saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners lower their carbon footprint to guarantee there is plenty of water for future generations to come.