Make your next watering system seamless
You can buy smart irrigation controllers from irrigation suppliers, retailers, hardware stores or online.
But not all models are created equal. Some are simpler, while others are more advanced, including flow metres and other smart features that alert you to leaks or faults in your irrigation system.
Do your homework first to make sure the controller you choose, and the access plan are the right match for you and your garden.
Look for a product warranty, and if you’re getting it professionally installed, make sure there’s an installation warranty. too.
Smart irrigation controller
- Adjust watering automatically based on local weather conditions.
- Increase or decrease watering based on your chosen settings.
- Keep your garden healthy while saving up to 50% on water usage.
Standard irrigation controller
- Water on a fixed schedule unless manually changed.
- Doesn’t respond to rainfall or temperature change.
- Easy to overwater unless you turn them off yourself.
- Can be easily upgraded to a smart controller since they share similar wiring and zones.
Programmable tap timers
- Battery-powered and usually control one irrigation line.
- To upgrade, you’ll likely need an irrigation specialist to install an isolation valve, solenoid valves for each watering station, backflow prevention.
- Ensure there’s a strong Wi-Fi signal where your controller will sit and access to a mains power point.
Standard (central automated) irrigation controllers:
A standard (central automated) irrigation controller operates multiple irrigation stations from a single controller. It is programmed to water your garden according to a schedule that you or your gardener has set. Unless you manually adjust these settings, your watering schedule, including the days and duration watering is to occur, will not change. So if there is heavy rain, your irrigation system will still come on, unless you are home and remember to manually turn it off. It is easy to overwater and waste money.
As a standard (central automated) controller is mains powered it can be easily swapped over to a smart irrigation controller. The multiple irrigation lines of a standard irrigation controller also easily match the multiple irrigation lines required for a smart irrigation controllers.
Programmable tap timers:
Programmable tap timers are battery powered and generally only operate one irrigation line.
If you want to upgrade your programmable tap timers to a smart irrigation controller you are likely to need extra work done by an irrigation specialist. This may include installing an isolation valve, a backflow prevention device, and solenoid valves for each watering station. You will also need to ensure there is a strong consistent Wi-Fi signal at the location where you intend to install your smart irrigation controller and access to a mains power point.
