You might already have “smart” devices and appliances installed throughout your home without knowing it. If you can access 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 becoming “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 safety to your home, as well as optimize your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Keep reading to learn more about the perks of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re thinking of adding one to your plumbing system, make sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Mankato area.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe breaks or your basement or crawlspace floods because of heavy rain, it’s pretty obvious that your home is dealing with a serious water leak that may lead to severe damage. But some leaks aren’t as noticeable. Even small water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can add up, resulting in higher bills and potential damage to your home.
That’s where a smart water leak detector comes in. Leak detectors can be installed in bathrooms, basements, beneath the kitchen sink, and near water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors track home water usage and alert you via your smartphone if there is excessive water usage in your home – which can mean there's a leak hidden away. They can also alert you if they detect a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re away from home and your water heater suddenly springs a leak, you’ll be informed immediately with your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak fixed 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 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 are equipped with energy-saving and remote controls.
So how do smart water heaters help exactly? Equipped with smart technology, a smart water heater can analyze your home’s water-usage habits and even estimate usage and make recommended adjustments. Standard tank water heaters, for example, must constantly heat water throughout 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 save energy, reduce water bills, improve safety, and give you 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 waiting for you. Smart water heaters also alert you of any leaks or system failures using your smartphone. If leaks are detected, for example, the smart water heater will automatically turn off. This minimizes damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Some of us probably have no clue how much water we’re using up. Smart water monitors are incredibly 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 illustrates how much water you’re using in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture is taking. Many water monitors feature a web-based interface that helps you to track water usage in real-time. This type of information can help you learn if you have an inefficient toilet that should be upgraded, or if someone in your household is frequently taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make appropriate adjustments.
Along with saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners improve their carbon footprint to guarantee there is plenty of water for future generations to come.