). Your controller needs to have enough capacity to support all the zones in your system. Many smart sprinkler systems are compatible with Google Home devices.
Report: Operationalizing Equity in Quality Rating and Improvement Systems. This is rapidly changing, as smart sprinkler controllers enter the market. Though its important to note that Orbit promises easy installation if your existing sprinkler controller is inside, youll need to route those wires outdoors if thats where you want it installed. Instead of manually turning valves to turn your drip system on or off, you can use a timer to control each zone of your drip system. I used to dread futzing with my sprinkler system. Sprinkler control boxes are known by many names. Wyze's new sprinkler controller comes at a similar price to Orbit's offering, with the advantage of using an app you might already have if you use other Wyze products.
It builds in a seasonally tailored watering algorithm to ensure your plants and lawn are only getting the water they need for that time of year and avoiding over-watering. "So the timer functionality, or the ability to turn it off from afar, really come in handy there. On specific days of the week? The Netro 12-zone controller looks limited without onboard controls and no weather resistance. While its price has increased slightly from the date we received our review unit (from $50 to $57.98 as of this writing), the Wyze Sprinkler Controller remains an incredible value.
405-266-0540. Orbit B-hyve XR Smart 8-Zone Sprinkler Controller, Best Hose-Based: Order your controller or timer today. Fee Assistance and Respite Care for Military/DoD Families.
2022 SELECT | All rights reserved. When the time comes to have your sprinkler controller upgraded or replaced, there are some important features you will want to to know about. However, that automatic weather adjustment functionality requires a Wyze Sprinkler Plus subscription (though Wyze includes an entire year with your purchase of the Smart Sprinkler). Notifications: Its helpful to be notified when your watering system is running, but different products deal with the mechanics differently. TCEQ# LI0008148, 2000 West Loop 340, #203 Then turn off the power to your system, remove the panel to expose the wires, and connect those wires to the same terminals on the new smart controller system. Houston, TX 77092 The former requires a compatibility check and an existing in-ground irrigation system. 
Power Source: AC power | Zones: 8 | Controls: App and LED wheel | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: Yes, Limited smart options beyond Apple HomeKit. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Finally, if you don't have an in-ground sprinkler system, you don't have to give up on your dream of smart tech everywhere. 512-836-5100 Manually watering your lawn can be tiring and difficult. 
But if you have a small yard and modest expectations, it gets the job done for a whole lot less. Netro Sprite Smart Watering Controller, The Best Smart Home Hubs to Keep Your Home Connected, Best with Touchscreen: However, if you want to go all-in with ultimate compatibility for any situation, the 16-Zone version is the epitome of control. There are 12 zones of control for reasonably sized yards, an onboard rain and flow sensor for extra adjustments, and local weather station integration to ensure youre never wasting water. TCEQ# LI0010177, 5709 Gardendale Suite A The purpose of the sprinkler wire is to deliver electricity from the timer to the automatic valves A good sprinkler system design will also include a parts list of all needed pipes, fittings, etc By watering at night, more water is available to the roots of the plant than if you were to water Use 5 to 6 wraps of Teflon tape on threaded fittings. RainMachine Touch HD, Best Fast Installation: 
Number of zones: In irrigation parlance, a zone is an area controlled by a valve and its connected irrigation tubing. We've created an at-home toolkit you can use to help advocate for resources to support the child care system.
The latter is a lot more plug-and-play, meaning you can screw the controller into a hose spigot outside and then connect an existing series of above-ground sprinklers to Wi-Fi. Your donation or partnership can help families access high-quality, affordable child care. 
TCEQ# LI0019879, 13509 Railway Dr # D, Oklahoma City, OK 73114 Additionally, they can coordinate with sensors to prevent wasted water. The Touch HD-12 is a bit more cumbersome to install than some other options due to its more significant but necessary power draw, and its an indoor-only controller. You can interact with the controller by connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network via the app. Become a member to benefit your organization no matter your role in child care. For decades, sprinkler controllers have hardly been elegant devices. Some hose-based smart controllers simply turn a standard hose spigot on and off via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and your phone. Every other day? This can be handy if you have multiple people using the system or, especially, want to give a gardener access to the controller without having to set him or her up on the app. You get timer controls, water usage monitoring, and even some weather forecasting options using the Netro app. Still, if you want plenty of options on a display itself, this is the way to go. Eight zones is common, but units supporting as few as six zones and as many as 16 zones are currently on the market. Lubbock, TX, 79407 Some controllers are even smart controllers, which connect to your home Wi-Fi to prevent watering on windy or rainy days. (Being able to run a cycle with your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant is nice, too.) This rugged controller can be set up inside or out, has a few buttons on the front for basic on-device controls, and is loaded with smarts that can run over a Bluetooth connection to your phone if your internet is spotty. 469-892-1014 our process. While the Whisperer sensor requires a separate purchase, it offers more targeted monitoring of your outdoor space. Others sell an outdoor enclosure as a separate add-on. How do you install a smart sprinkler controller? Hydrawise and Centralus-enabled controllers offer predictive water management features and access from anywhere in the world. For example, you could program a controller to only water on Tuesdays, or to water every other day or any day except Tuesday. Once weve had the opportunity to visit with you and find out what your needs are, we can then recommend a sprinkler control box that will do whatever you require. North Charleston, SC, 29418 817-608-0660 Controllers can have more complex programs and receive input from sensors. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. These valves open or close at the command of irrigation controllers. Mounting outside may require rerouting wires. Theres a wide variety of scheduling functions if you want your irrigation system watering on your specific terms. Both approaches to date have shown some merit. Copyright 2022 Rain Bird Corporation. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Lifehacker and How-To Geek. Luckily, automated sprinkler timers and controllers are the solutions to saving time and effort in your busy day, and we have a wide selection of sprinkler controllers from fixed station to modular, smart or standard. 806-778-1018 Sprinkler Controllers are a critical part of your irrigation system. Austin, TX, 78753 A standard sprinkler controller has controls on the panel itself, while a smart controller typically has onboard controls and an app to customize functions. So, youll need to rely on other apps to aggregate devices together. They typically consist of a rotary dial, a handful of switches, and perhaps a crude monochrome LCD. A hardwired sprinkler controller is wired into your home similarly to a thermostat. This integration is crucial for those who want the most robust control with the setup theyre currently loving. These have come from two angles: Startups looking to disrupt the market with brand-new devices, and old-guard irrigation companies that have upgraded their gear with smart innards. Scheduling flexibility: How often do you want to water? Once again, its available in both 8- and 16-zone configurations, and theres an outdoor enclosure if you cant install the device indoors. Limited onboard controls and no touchscreen, Not waterproof without an outside mounting kit. Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller, Best Indoor/Outdoor: It sends signals to your in-ground irrigation setup about when to water your lawn, what zones to water, and how much water to use. Power Source: AC power | Zones: 8 | Controls: App and onboard buttons | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: No. Timers have more limited functionality. Sprinkler controllers are more robust and capable of more functionality than sprinkler timers. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. By weighing the prices against the feature sets, he came up with choices that fit each category based on what the homeowner in that scenario would need the most. Advanced AC Powered Controller Comparison Chart, Battery Operated Controllers Comparison Chart. Child Care Aware of America is dedicated to serving our nations military and DoD families. While there are a few smart irrigation controllers that will work with garden hoses or other off-the-rack equipment, most are designed to work with true irrigation controllers that connect to their own water supply and which feature motorized valves and dedicated tubing to control the flow of water.
Nowadays, many watering systems can be completely automated via app or smart home device. Do you have a sprinkler system already? Residential And Commercial Irrigation Controllers, Timers, And Modules, Shop Top Smart Sprinkler Systems At Sprinkler Warehouse, Get The Best Sprinkler Controller For Irrigation Systems, Sprinkler System Controllers For Smarter Irrigation, Shop Online For Top Irrigation Controllers For All Sprinkler Systems, 6 Uses Of Sprinkler Timers And Controllers, Setting vacation/travel watering schedules, Predictive watering (Smart Controllers Only), Rain Bird ESP-TM2 12 Station WiFi Indoor/Outdoor Controller | TM2-12-LNKWIFI, Rain Bird ESP-ME3 4 Station WiFi Ready Indoor/Outdoor Controller | ESP-ME3, Rain Bird ESP4Me 6 Station Expansion Module | ESP-SM6, Rain Bird ESP-TM2 6 Station WiFi Ready Indoor/Outdoor Controller | TM2-6. The Pixie affixes to most standard home water spigots and provides many app-based smart functions without the need to wire anything up or dig into your lawn for an underground system. Controllers can support a varying number of zones, modules, and sensor devices. She has contributed product reviews and how-tos for Lifewire and has prior experience in knowledge-base technical writing, technical customer support, and academic publishing. Sprinkler control boxes provide property owners the ability to program the controller to establish lawn watering schedules with a built-in calendar and a choice of timing programs.