Water conservation is becoming increasingly important in Australia. With rising temperatures, drought conditions, and water scarcity issues, finding ways to reduce household water usage is critical. Implementing smart home technology that targets water savings is one excellent solution.
Smart water devices allow homeowners to monitor, manage, and reduce water consumption. Leak detectors, smart irrigation, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and usage monitors help prevent water waste. Besides environmental benefits, smart water tech saves homeowners money on utility bills. Let’s explore some of the best smart home devices for water savings in Australia.
Leak Detectors
Undetected leaks account for nearly 1 trillion liters of wasted water annually in Australia. Leaks tend to occur in unseen places like under sinks, behind walls and appliances. Smart leak detectors place sensors at leak-prone locations, listening for dripping sounds and changes in temperature and humidity. Once a leak is sensed, you receive mobile alerts before catastrophic flooding and water waste occur.
We recommend the Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant that monitors your entire plumbing system for leaks and unusual water usage. The device attaches externally to your main water line without cutting pipes. Phyn Plus can automatically shut off water when leaks exceed safe levels. With 24/7 monitoring and immediate alerts, Phyn Plus prevents thousands of liters in losses.
Smart Hose Timers
Unattended garden hoses are a major source of water waste. Smart hose timers like the Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer attach to outdoor spigots and automatically turn water on and off per your programmed schedule. The B-hyve timer works with a wi-fi hub and mobile app so you can start and stop watering remotely. The app utilizes local weather data to tailor watering durations to actual conditions, skipping unneeded sessions during rainy periods.
Smart hose timers prevent overwatering and eliminate estimating durations. With conveniences like voice control, you will save water and time. The Orbit B-hyve used with drip irrigation on modest landscaping can conserve around 22,000 liters annually.
Smart Showers
Showers account for nearly 20% of residential water use. Smart showers allow you to digitally control flow rate, temperature, and duration for a more efficient shower. The Moen U Shower System connects to your home’s wi-fi and mobile app. Create custom presets to start the shower remotely and have it reach your ideal temp by the time you step in.
The Moen U’s pause feature ensures no water flows down the drain while waiting for temperature. Set a timer as a reminder to keep showers brief. With an app-based usage tracker, the Moen U promotes awareness of water consumed. Its advanced valve and 12 spray settings optimize your experience using less water. Using the Moen U could save a household 9,000 liters per year.
Smart Toilets
Toilets account for nearly 30% of household water consumption. Smart toilets like the Toto Washlet G400 offer water savings through highly effective dual-flush technology. Based on what you deposit, the toilet flushes with either a full or light 3.4-liter or 4.8-liter flush.
The Washlet G400’s premist feature wets the bowl to prevent waste from sticking. The powerful tornado flushing system is remarkably effective at waste removal, avoiding repeat flushes. Used smartly, the Toto Washlet can conserve 27,000 liters annually for a household.
Smart Sprinklers
Outdoor irrigation for lawns and gardens can be incredibly wasteful, especially with inefficient systems. Smart sprinkler controllers like the Rachio 3rd Generation take the guesswork out of outdoor watering. The Rachio creates customized schedules based on your yard’s specifics, weather patterns, and plant water needs.
The Rachio 3rd Gen hooks up to your existing sprinklers and monitors local conditions with weather intelligence. Flexible scheduling prevents watering when nature already did the job. With the mobile app, adjust schedules remotely and receive usage insights. Smart sprinkler systems can reduce outdoor water usage by up to 50%.
Smart Water Monitors
Visibility into water usage is key for conservation. Devices like the Flume Smart Home Water Monitor attach to your water meter to track consumption from sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances. Flume sends data to the mobile app to analyze trends and detect anomalies indicating leaks.
Flume’s software creates a profile of normal usage so you can set limits with leak alerts. Unexpected spikes prompt you to inspect for problems. Assess how much water various fixtures consume. Flume’s real-time monitoring promotes awareness for wiser water habits. Expect savings of 15-25% on your bill.
Water Savings in Action
Let’s examine how a typical Australian household could benefit from smart water tech. The Smith family of four resides in a 5-bedroom Melbourne home with a small front yard and larger back garden. Here are some smart upgrades they could implement:
- Install the Phyn Plus system to monitor for leaks.
- Add Orbit B-hyve timers to their two outdoor hose faucets.
- Upgrade their master ensuite shower to the Moen U smart shower system.
- Replace old toilets with two Toto Washlet G400 smart toilets.
- Control their irrigation system with a Rachio 3 smart sprinkler controller.
- Monitor whole home consumption using a Flume water meter device.
Implementing these smart water solutions could help the Smith family save around 100,000 liters of water annually. At Melbourne’s water rates, that equals yearly savings of $260 dollars. The smart water upgrades would pay for themselves in under 3 years through utility bill reductions.
Beyond monetary savings, the Smiths would benefit from reduced risks of water damage, the ability to remotely monitor for leaks and freezing when away, and greater visibility into their usage. Smarter water management provides peace of mind while doing their part for environmental sustainability.
Choosing Smart Water Products
Here are key factors to weigh when selecting smart home devices to conserve water:
- Compatibility – Ensure the device will work with your home’s plumbing system and current fixtures.
- Wi-fi connectivity – Most smart water tech links to wi-fi and mobile apps for control and monitoring. Confirm your router location provides adequate signal.
- Professional install – Some products like whole-home leak detectors require a plumber, increasing costs. Others are DIY-friendly.
- Power source – Battery, hardwired, or outlet plug-in? Factor in access to power sources or battery replacements.
- WaterSense certification – This EPA program labels efficient models like low-flow showerheads. Prioritize certified products.
- Ratings and reviews – Check consumer feedback and actual water savings from real-world testing.
- Warranties – Look for at least a 1-year warranty. Many offer 3 to 5 years for peace of mind on your investment.
- Budget – Smart water tech ranges widely in price. Prioritize the devices offering you the most potential savings.
Water Conservation Tips
In addition to smart home devices, everyday habits and regular maintenance significantly impact household water usage. Here are some tips to conserve:
- Take 5 minute or shorter showers.
- Turn off water while brushing teeth and shaving.
- Run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.
- Check for silent toilet leaks by adding dye to tanks.
- Install low-flow aerators on faucets and showerheads.
- Regularly inspect pipes, valves, and fittings for drips or cracks.
- Sweep patios and driveways rather than hosing them down.
- Collect rainwater with barrels for gardening uses.
- Plant native, drought-tolerant plants appropriate for your region.
- Apply thick mulch around plants to retain moisture in soil.
- Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering paved areas and consider drip irrigation.
- Consult your city for water audits, rebates, and conservation programs.
Implementing smart technology along with vigilant monitoring and efficient habits will lead to significant water savings. Conserving water reduces your environmental footprint and utility costs while avoiding catastrophe from leaks. Take steps today towards a smarter, more sustainable home water system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a 10 minute shower use in litres?
With a standard showerhead, an average 10 minute shower will use around 114 litres of water. Low-flow showerheads can reduce usage to 75 litres or less.
How much water does a 20 minute shower use in litres?
An average 20 minute shower with a typical showerhead uses about 227 litres. A water-efficient showerhead would lower consumption to 150 litres or less.
How much water does a shower use per minute?
Most showers use 9-15 litres of water per minute. Low-flow showerheads aim for 7.5 litres per minute or less. Upgrading to a water-efficient showerhead provides significant savings.
How much water does a toilet flush use?
Traditional, older toilets use 13-18 litres per flush. Current regulations limit new toilets to 6 litres per flush or less. Dual-flush toilets average 4.5 litres for liquid waste and 6 litres for solids.
How can I save water in my shower?
- Take shorter showers of 5 minutes or less
- Install a low-flow showerhead
- Turn off water while lathering up
- Consider a smart shower system with usage monitoring and leak prevention
- Repair drips immediately and replace worn showerheads
What are three water saving strategies?
- Use smart irrigation controllers and drip hoses for outdoor watering
- Upgrade toilets, faucets, and showerheads to low-flow models
- Install smart leak detectors to prevent water waste
- Repair any drips and leaks promptly
- Take shorter showers and turn off water when brushing teeth
- Run full loads and scrape rather than rinse dishes before washing
What is a water saving aerator?
A low-flow faucet aerator restricts water flow while maintaining force and effectiveness. Standard aerators allow 15 litres per minute while low-flow versions can limit use to 5 litres per minute or less without sacrificing performance.
Conclusion
With worsening droughts and water scarcity, it is crucial for Australian households to conserve water. Smart home devices that target leaks, outdoor irrigation, showers, toilets, and real-time usage monitoring can significantly reduce water waste. When combined with daily efficient habits, smart water-saving technology will lead to lower utility bills and environmental benefits. Conserve H2O with smart tech for a sustainable home.
