You may already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without knowing it. If you can control your thermostat from a smartphone or turn your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are typical 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 security 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 thinking of adding one to your plumbing system, be sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Manassas.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe bursts or your basement or crawlspace floods thanks to heavy rain, it’s fairly obvious that your home is experiencing a major water leak that may lead to severe damage. But some leaks aren’t as obvious. Even minor water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can eventually add up, contributing to higher bills and potential damage to your home.
That’s where a smart water leak detector helps. Leak detectors are installed in bathrooms, basements, underneath the kitchen sink, and close to water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors track home water usage and alert you via 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 find a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re out of town and your water heater suddenly begins to leak, you’ll be notified immediately with your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak resolved and minimize further damage to your home.
Smart Water Heaters
Did you know 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 differ exactly? Designed with smart technology, a smart water heater can analyze your home’s water-usage preferences and even predict usage and make recommended adjustments. Standard tank water heaters, for example, must constantly heat water during the day so hot water is waiting when you need it. With a smart water heater, though, you can shut 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, reduce water bills, increase safety, and supply more control over your appliance. On the subject 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 on hand. Smart water heaters also inform you of any leaks or system malfunctions using your smartphone. If leaking is detected, for example, the smart water heater can automatically switch off. This minimizes damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Most of us probably have little idea how much water we’re using up. Smart water monitors are particularly 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 illustrates how much water you use in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture is taking. Most water monitors are equipped with 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 one of your kids is regularly taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make the correct adjustments.
In addition to saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners lower their carbon footprint to ensure there is enough water for future generations to come.