You may already have “smart” devices and appliances installed throughout your home without even knowing it. If you can access your thermostat from your smartphone or flip your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are considered to be 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 establish an extra layer of convenience and safety to your home, as well as optimize your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Continue below 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 Omaha.
Smart Leak Detectors
When a pipe bursts or your basement or crawlspace floods due to heavy rain, it’s fairly obvious that your home is struggling with a serious water leak that may cause severe damage. But some leaks aren’t as obvious. Even minor water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can accumulate over time, leading to higher bills and the potential for damage to your home.
That’s where a smart water leak detector comes in. Leak detectors can be installed in bathrooms, basements, underneath the kitchen sink, and close to water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors monitor home water usage and alert you through your smartphone if it notices abnormal water usage in your home – which can point to a leak someplace. They should also alert you if they detect a leak, or a running toilet.
If you’re on vacation and your water heater suddenly begins to leak, you’ll be informed immediately through your smartphone so you can take the needed steps to get the leak patched and minimize further damage to your home.
Smart Water Heaters
Did you know that the typical 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 differ exactly? Equipped with smart technology, a smart water heater can analyze your home’s water-usage habits and even estimate usage and make automatic adjustments. Traditional tank water heaters, for example, must constantly heat water during the day so hot water is ready 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, help lower water bills, improve safety, and give you 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 ready. Smart water heaters also alert you of any leaks or system malfunctions via your smartphone. If a leak is detected, for example, the smart water heater will automatically switch off. This limits damage to the appliance and your home.
Smart Water Monitor
Some of us probably have no clue how much water we’re using on a daily basis. Smart water monitors are incredibly 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 indicates how much water you’re using in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture needs. The bulk of water monitors feature a web-based interface that helps you to monitor 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 someone in your family is regularly taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make any needed adjustments.
Aside from saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint to make sure there is plenty of water for future generations to come.