(NAPSI)—Some ways to save money at home are smarter than others—because they rely on “smart” appliances and devices that are programmed to conserve.

Such devices and appliances make sure energy and resources are not wasted when not needed. Two popular examples are automatic light dimmers that lower the lights when no one is home, and instant water heaters that only fire up when hot water is actually needed.

Every day, more of these appliances become available. To save money on energy, you can now purchase a smart refrigerator that knows when food is spoiled, or a programmable thermostat that heats your home only when needed.

You may also be paying for water you don’t actually need. To lower your water bill, consider water-saving toilets and showerheads and don’t forget how much water is wasted outside the home. Up to 70 percent of a household’s water waste can occur outdoors. The solution can be a smart irrigation system. Such systems include:

• Weather-based irrigation controllers that keep an eye on the weather conditions and adjust timing and watering amounts accordingly;

• Moisture sensors that detect saturation levels in the soil and tell your controller when to water or stop;

• Wireless rain sensors that shut off the sprinklers when it is raining;

• Subsurface drip irrigation systems that deliver water beneath the soil surface.

When combined with smart watering habits, these products can result in water savings of up to 70 percent.

A good example of this type of irrigation system is Rain Bird’s revolutionary Simple-to-Set (SST) Smart Controller, which combines an intuitive, user-friendly interface with the automatic self-adjusting, weather-sensing technology found in the professional- grade smart irrigation controllers.

The technology was previously available only through professional landscape contractors but is now available directly to homeowners. Designed to be installed and used by everyday consumers, the new SST Smart Controller ensures that landscapes receive the precise amount of water needed to thrive, reducing the amount of water wasted through overuse and varying weather and temperature patterns.

The controller achieves maximum water efficiency by setting zone-by-zone watering schedules tailored to the landscape’s watering needs, and adjusts them based on changing weather conditions. This self-adjusting, weather-sensing technology is housed in a rugged controller and creates daily adjustments in watering schedules so that landscapes receive the right amount of water every time.

For more information, visit www.rainbird.com.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate (NAPSI)