Most Albuquerque homes have an irrigation box below ground in the yard that contains automatic valves, pressure reducers, and filters with backflow preventers next to the box. The automatic valves are wired to an irrigation controller that’s often in the garage, laundry room or an outside wall. Different variations of these controllers have been around since the 1960s and allow homeowners to adjust when and how long to water different zones. However in the early 2000s the proliferation of wireless technology and the internet ushered in the ‘Smart’ controller.
Irrigation Designer and Community Planner Richard Perce says, “While an irrigation controller is a must for your landscape, a smart controller adjusts your watering based on the local weather conditions. This saves you time and water!” Smart controllers use WiFi and connect wirelessly to the local weather station. They will not water on days when it’s too windy or it has already rained. Most will also determine what your landscape’s water needs are and create a schedule based on data added during setup and the information it receives from local weather stations. Many also connect to your smartphone or tablet so you have easy control over your system no matter where you are.
What is a smart irrigation controller?
- Smart controllers use current and/or historic weather data to create a custom irrigation schedule.
- Our study shows residents with traditional landscaping saved about $150 per year, or about 20% in landscape irrigation costs by installing a smart irrigation controller.
- Popular models cost around $150, and with a 25% rebate on qualifying models, your investment pays for itself in less than a year – thanks to water savings alone!
- Nearly all smart controllers use an intuitive phone app, making it easier for you to set up and to check for issues – no back & forth to your garage!
The Water Authority offers a smart controller rebate. The rebate is a 25% rebate, up to $100.00 and includes the purchase and professional installation of a smart controller.
Installing a Smart controller provides the following benefits:
- A healthy, beautiful landscape: Smart controllers help landscapes flourish and remain healthy by providing the right amount of water for each plant zone. Underwatered or overwatered landscapes can be unhealthy and unattractive.
- Water quality protection: These irrigation controllers reduce water runoff from the landscape, helping to keep local water bodies clean and healthy while avoiding water waste.
- Savings of both water and money: These controllers help eliminate overwatering, so they may lower water-use expenses and conserve water.
- Convenience: Properly programmed smart controllers save end-users the time required to continuously monitor and adjust irrigation schedules in response to changing weather. (If you’re installing your new smart controller in an outbuilding or detached garage you may need to verify that your wi-fi signals are strong enough to reach the smart controller.)
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
Features: 8 and 16 zones options, inexpensive, connects to local weather stations, works with all modems, easy to use, robust water schedules based on plant type, soil type, sun exposure; and rebates are available. This controller must be controlled by a smartphone since it does not come with a screen on the controller itself. Costs around $200-$250. Integrates with Amazon Alexa and other smart home devices.
Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor/Outdoor Irrigation controller Models 57995 or 57950
Features: 6 and 12 zone options, inexpensive, connects to local weather stations, easily controlled via your smartphone, can be mounted indoors or outdoors, works with all internet modems (2.4gh and 5gh), long-range Bluetooth radio, can adjust both at the controller and on your phone, easy to use, rebates available. Costs around $125-$200. Integrates with Amazon Alexa. Model 57950 has a screen, dial and physical buttons you can use to adjust the settings (in addition to the smartphone app). Model 57995 does show the date time and weather you’ll need to use your smartphone to adjust the settings.
Hunter X2 with wand:
Features: If you have an existing Hunter X2 controller you can add WAND. It is a simple plug-in Wi-Fi option for any X2 controller model for online irrigation management from anywhere with an internet connection. Costs about $100 for the wand on your existing controller (costs between $80-$150), connects to local weather stations, easily controlled via your smartphone, can be mounted indoors or outdoors, works with only (2.4gh) internet modem, can adjust both at the controller and on your phone, easy to use, rebates available. Compatable with amazon alexa, control4 and homeseer home automation technology.
Hunter HPC400:
Features: 4 station base model but HPCs can go up to 23 zones, runs about $200, connects to local weather stations, easily controlled via your smartphone, can be mounted indoors or outdoors, works with only (2.4gh) internet modem, can adjust both at the controller and on your phone, easy to use, rebates available.
The Water Authority offers residential rebates of 25% up to $100, and commercial rebates of 25% up to $500, for Smart Controllers. The rebate can be used for both purchase of the controller and the cost of professional installation. Before purchasing your new controller, make sure to visit the list of qualified WaterSense controllers located in the rebate section.
Learn more here:
WaterSense Smart Irrigation Controllers
Yes, you can afford an irrigation system
Irrigation Maintenance Checklist for the Greater Albuquerque Area
Have a question about the article or anything else? AskAnExpert@abcwua.org