Hey all! I am new here, so I am not sure if this is the right place to post. I have been considering if I should get a smart irrigation controller recently. Is it really worth the money?

I stumbled upon this article about the benefits of smart irrigation controllers today, and now I'm scratching my head wondering if it's really worth the investment. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

FYI, I have 8 zones. If you have any brands to recommend, please let me know! Thank you. Rachio and Rainmachine seem the most popular, as far as I know.

Aren't you already a smart irrigation controller, Mia?

Al

miao666 said: If you have any brands to recommend, please let me know!

Sure! A registered 'WaterSense Labeled' Controller.
https://www.epa.gov/watersense...

epa.gov said: Replacing a standard clock-based controller with a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water annually.

(Quoted from epa website, link above)

So...
Is that water savings worth the cost?

In my area, our state thinks so. It has teamed up with local water providers and has a rebate program if you purchase a 'qualified' watersense smart controller- due to the water savings. Only certain smart controllers qualify- as apparently they aren't all equally smart. That link above educated me on smart irrigation controllers before I upgraded- with a rebate.

I think the convenience of having the ability to control my irrigation system with my phone app is really cool, especially when I'm checking and repairing the system. However, the fact it receives weather updates and then automatically puts my system in a delay mode based on percipitation or high winds is fantastic.

The claims that it only waters when your plants need it are a little overblown...

FWIW: I bought the cheapest one on the rebate list for my area.