You may already have “smart” devices and appliances installed in your home without even knowing it. If you can access your thermostat from a smartphone or turn 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 may 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 reduce your daily water usage and monthly water bills. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages of installing smart plumbing products. And if you’re looking into adding one to your plumbing system, make sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Greater Richmond.

Chances are you already have “smart” devices and appliances installed throughout your home without even knowing it. If you can control your thermostat from your smartphone or turn your lights on and off while you’re on the other side of town – those are considered to be 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 apply 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 considering adding one to your plumbing system, be sure you have the help of a trusted plumber in Greater Richmond.

Smart Leak Detection Systems

When a pipe breaks or your basement or crawlspace floods thanks to heavy rain, it’s quite obvious that your home is struggling with a major water leak that can cause severe damage. But some leaks aren’t as obvious. Even small water leaks from appliances or plumbing pipes can add up, contributing to higher bills and potential damage to your home.

That’s where a smart water leak detector comes in. Leak detectors should be installed in bathrooms, basements, underneath the kitchen sink, and near water-using appliances. Smart leak detectors supervise home water usage and alert you with your smartphone if it notices irregular water usage in your home – which can point to a leak someplace. They should also notify you if they find a leak, or a running toilet.

If you’re out of town and your water heater suddenly begins to leak, you’ll be notified immediately through your smartphone so you can contact a professional to get the leak patched and avoid further damage to your home.

Energy-Saving Smart Water Heaters

Did you know that the typical water heater accounts for about 12% of a family’s energy expenditure, second only to your heating and cooling system? To keep your hot water heater’s energy use in check, try upgrading to a smart water heater. Smart water heaters come supplied with energy-saving and remote controls.

So how do smart water heaters work exactly? Equipped with smart technology, a smart water heater can analyze your home’s water-usage habits and even predict usage and make appropriate adjustments. Conventional tank water heaters, for example, must continuously heat water during the day so hot water is waiting when you need it. With a smart water heater, though, you can shut your water heater off during the workday when you’re not home or when you’re away for work or vacation.

This can conserve energy, help lower water bills, boost safety, and give you more control over your appliance. While we're talking about control, if you take a shower at 7 a.m. each day, you can program your water heater to start at 6:45 so you’ll have hot water waiting for you. Smart water heaters also notify you of any leaks or system errors through your smartphone. If leaking is detected, for example, the smart water heater will automatically shut off. This minimizes damage to the appliance and your home.

Smart Water Monitoring Systems

Many of us probably have no idea how much water we’re using. Smart water monitors are incredibly useful if you'd like to lower your water consumption and save money on your monthly water bills.

Smart water monitors can capture helpful data that indicates how much water you are using in your home or business and how much each appliance or fixture is taking. Many water monitors are equipped with a web-based interface that enables you to supervise water usage in real-time. This kind of information can help you learn if you have an inefficient toilet that needs to be upgraded, or if someone in your family is frequently taking 30-minute showers in the upstairs bathroom–allowing you to make appropriate adjustments.

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