You might 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 smart devices.

Even plumbing products are increasingly “smart” these days. Smart plumbing products can 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 security to your home, as well as optimize your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Keep reading to learn more about the perks of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re looking into adding one to your plumbing system, be sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Sandpoint.

You might already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without even knowing it. If you can control your thermostat from your smartphone or flip your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are considered smart devices.

Even plumbing products are becoming “smart” these days. Smart plumbing products can include smart water heaters, smart leak detectors, and smart water monitors.

Installing smart plumbing devices and appliances can add an extra layer of convenience and safety to your home, as well as lower your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re considering adding one to your plumbing system, be sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Sandpoint.

Smart Leak Detection Systems

When a pipe bursts or your basement or crawlspace floods due to heavy rain, it’s fairly obvious that your home is dealing with a serious water leak that can lead to severe damage. But some leaks aren’t so obvious. Even minor water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can add up, leading to higher bills and the potential for damage to your home.

That’s where a smart water leak detector can help. Leak detectors are installed in bathrooms, basements, beneath the kitchen sink, and near water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors track home water usage and alert you via your smartphone if there is excessive water usage in your home – which can mean there's a leak hidden away. They will also inform you if they find a leak, or a running toilet.

If you’re away from home and your water heater suddenly starts leaking, you’ll be notified immediately via your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak resolved and minimize further damage to your home.

Energy Efficient Smart Water Heaters

Did you know the standard water heater accounts for about 12% of a family’s energy consumption, second only to your heating and cooling system? To keep your hot water heater’s energy consumption in order, try upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters come supplied 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 predict usage and make recommended adjustments. Conventional tank water heaters, for example, must continually heat water over the course of the day so hot water is available when you need it. With a smart water heater, though, you can shut your water heater off during the workday when you’re gone or when you’re away for work or vacation.

This can conserve energy, lower water bills, improve safety, and offer more control over your appliance. On the subject of control, if you have a shower at 7 a.m. each day, you can program your water heater to turn on at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water ready. Smart water heaters also notify you of any leaks or system malfunctions using your smartphone. If leaking is detected, for example, the smart water heater will automatically switch off. This limits damage to the appliance and your home.

Smart Water Monitor

Many of us probably have little idea how much water we’re using on a daily basis. Smart water monitors are highly useful if you'd like to reduce your water consumption and save money on your monthly water bills.

Smart water monitors can capture helpful data that indicates how much water you use in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture is using. Many water monitors are equipped with a web-based interface that allows you to monitor water usage in real-time. This type of information can help you find out if you have an inefficient toilet that should be upgraded, or if one of your kids is regularly taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make appropriate adjustments.

In addition to saving money on your water bills, smart water monitors help homeowners lower their carbon footprint to ensure there is plenty of water for future generations to come.