The age of the "pop-switch" rain sensor is coming to an end, This simple ON/OFF technology is mechanical and reliable, but is limited in it’s ability to regulate the output of water. Overwatering is just as bad as underwatering New SMART CONTROLLERS and SMART SENSORS which have the ability to vary or meter the amount of water that is applied based on local climactic conditions are becoming affordable. Prices have come into reach of the average consumer, just in time.
Many water purveyors are being to see large spikes in demand in the summer months and watering restrictions are becoming the norm. These SMART SENSORS can measure things like, temperature, solar radiation, rainfall, soil moisture. Most if not all manufacturers have a SMART SENSOR and SMART CONTROLLER option available. These are the ones we like an recommend.
HUNTER® SOLAR SYNC (read details on product brochure)
- $249
HOW IT WORKS: automatically adjust runtimes based on local rain, temperature, and solar radiation.
PROS: Cost effective, simple, auto adjusts water budget, freeze delay under 37 deg F
CONS: Works only with Hunter Pro-C,ICC, or PCC controllers.
SAVINGS:
unpublished by manufacturer
2010 INSTALLED PRICE including programming and
one (1) follow-up visit:
Rain Bird® ESP-SMT Smart Control System
(read details on product brochure)- $449-499 for UPGRADE KIT
- $599-799 NEW CONTROLLER depending on number of zones/additional expansion modules required.
HOW IT WORKS: automatically adjust runtimes based on local rain measurement via a tipping bucket, temperature.
PROS: measures rainfall, including the amount and intensity, entry of local climatic conditions based by zones (shady,sloped,etc)
CONS: Works only with Rainbird ESP modular controllers, initial installation price higher.
SAVINGS: 30%-70% of water.
2010 INSTALLED PRICE including programming and one (1) follow-up visit:
WeatherMatic Smart Line Controllers and WeatherStations
(read details on product brochure)- $324-449 for wired WEATHER STATION ( add $100 for wireless)
- $549-749 for NEW CONTROLLER and WEATHER STATION depending on number of zones/additional
expansion modules required.
HOW IT WORKS: automatically adjust runtimes based on local rain and temperature, enter ZIP code for solar radiation.
PROS: measures rainfall, including the amount and intensity, entry of local climatic conditions based by zones (shady,sloped,etc)
CONS: Works only with Weathermatic Smart Line controllers, initial installation price
SAVINGS: 20-50% of water.
2010 INSTALLED PRICE including programming and one (1) follow-up visit:
HEAD TO HEAD, THE BEST SYSTEMS ARE COUGARS™
Irrigation in Texas is regulated by
TCEQ P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087
(512) 239-6719