Saving water isn’t just a good idea, it can also be a smart business strategy for irrigation installers.
About 42% of homeowners say “low water use” is one of their top three landscape goals, but that stat would probably be higher if more homeowners truly knew how much water they are using outdoors. Most assume they use 10 to 30% of their total water use outdoors, when it’s usually about half and sometimes more in dry climates, according to a recent survey by the Alliance for Water Efficiency.
While many people want to save water outdoors (or think they are), they don’t seem to know how to do it. That’s where a professional like you can help.
July is Smart Irrigation Month, when water use is at its peak in the U.S. From your current clients to new bids, let them know how you can save them save water and money with these strategies.
About 41% of homeowners assume they already have water-efficient sprinklers, but the actual number is about 20%, according to AWE’s survey.
Switching to water-efficient rotary nozzles which can reduce water use by up to 30% over traditional spray nozzles. Hunter’s MP Rotators and Rain Bird R-VANs are two of the most popular options:
Do your clients know they can monitor their water use with their smartphone and save water, and you can, too? With the rise of the smart home, more and more homeowners are interested in being able to see and control their irrigation right from their phone.
When recommending a smart irrigation controller, let your clients know which one you recommend and why. Some common benefits include:
Consider some of these new options:
When the ESP-ME3 is installed with Rain Bird’s optional LNK Wi-Fi module, users can set up and manage their irrigation with Rain Bird’s free mobile app. This new controller is also compatible with an optional flow sensor which alerts users to water leaks to prevent potential property damage and water waste.
This option is one of the easiest to install, says Ewing account manager, Tony Lopez. The Hydrawise Contractor Portal gives contractors access from anywhere to make scheduling changes and see flow meter alerts, electrical issues, schedule changes. Additional Hunter controllers are also compatible or can be retrofitted to work with the Hydrawise app.
This new system uses radio signals instead of Wi-Fi to control various Toro and Irritrol smart irrigation controllers and Unique Lighting Systems controllers. When paired with a Wireless Auxiliary Relay, the SMRT Logic can control any 120V-powered outdoor landscape feature, such as a fountain or outdoor sound system.
No matter which one you install, a smart controller with app-based control can help save water, reduce unnecessary visits and give you and your clients greater visibility and control.
Lawns have many great benefits but can often be a hassle for homeowners to maintain. If your clients are considering reducing the size of their lawn you can convert their existing sprinklers to a drip system.
The Spray to Drip Retrofit Kit from Rain Bird is one option that allows you to easily attach dripline to an existing spray head.
When converting a sloped or hilly area to drip, you can also save water by using dripline with built-in check valves, such as the XFCV Dripline. It prevents excess water from draining out and overwatering the zone when its runtime ends in areas with elevation changes of up to 8 feet.
"While droughts have decreased this year across most of the West, the need to find ways to be more efficient with our most precious natural resource will only increase as time moves on," said Ewing Irrigation Product Manager, Mitch Heiner.
Water levels will continue to ebb and flow, but fresh water is still a limited resource.
“Water efficient products are always going to be relevant,” said Heiner.
Show your clients how you can help them save water now and in the future with these smart irrigation strategies, so you can be the business known for creating water efficient and beautiful landscapes.