What to Do with All That Data: Water Sustainability, Predictive Plumbing, and Other Ways to Use Your Smart Water Monitor Data
Most consumers are likely to invest in a smart water monitoring and shutoff system as a solution for immediate leak detection and prevention, as well as for the convenience of remote monitoring and shutoff capabilities.
However, the data collected by these advanced systems offers far more than just these immediate benefits.
By leveraging the data collected, homeowners can gain valuable insights and monitor water usage patterns, identify opportunities for conservation, and make informed decisions that contribute to long-term water sustainability.
What to Do with All That Data: Water Sustainability, Predictive Plumbing, and Other Ways to Use Your Smart Water Monitor Data
Most consumers are likely to invest in a smart water monitoring and shutoff system as a solution for immediate leak detection and prevention, as well as for the convenience of remote monitoring and shutoff capabilities.
However, the data collected by these advanced systems offers far more than just these immediate benefits.
By leveraging the data collected, homeowners can gain valuable insights and monitor water usage patterns, identify opportunities for conservation, and make informed decisions that contribute to long-term water sustainability.
What to Do with All That Data: Water Sustainability, Predictive Plumbing, and Other Ways to Use Your Smart Water Monitor Data
Most consumers are likely to invest in a smart water monitoring and shutoff system as a solution for immediate leak detection and prevention, as well as for the convenience of remote monitoring and shutoff capabilities.
However, the data collected by these advanced systems offers far more than just these immediate benefits.
By leveraging the data collected, homeowners can gain valuable insights and monitor water usage patterns, identify opportunities for conservation, and make informed decisions that contribute to long-term water sustainability.
The Benefits of Water Usage Monitoring
The first step to leveraging collected data is to know your overall normal water consumption. Figuring out how to track water consumption is easier than you think, and a good water monitoring system should walk you through it. For example, the Flo Smart Water Shutoff features FloSense ™ Technology which uses artificial intelligence to analyze and learn your water usage patterns so it can quickly detect irregularities and alert you of potential leaks. In addition, the device also features MicroLeak ™ Technology which runs daily tests to ensure your home’s plumbing network is running efficiently while identifying leaks as small as a single drop per minute.
These systems can even compare water usage over time to give you a better understanding of how water is being used in your home in addition to spotting unusual spikes in consumption that could indicate wasteful practices or malfunctioning appliances or plumbing leaks. Knowing how you’re consuming water allows you to adjust household usage and bad habits that lead to water waste. And eliminating water waste reveals many benefits.
1. Contribute to Water Conservation
Population growth, booming development and global warming are all affecting the world’s reliable water supply. Next to air, water is the most important element for the preservation of life.
Nearly 30% to 60% of domestic drinking water is used to water yards and gardens, and often large portions are wasted by over-watering, evaporation, and misdirected sprinklers that water sidewalks and driveways.
The average U.S. per capita water use is 170 gallons per day (gpd). By comparison, in Australia, it is 36 gpd. Thanks to water conservation efforts, Australia uses far less water, but still enjoys the same high quality of life.
Why is it important to conserve water? Water is a finite commodity, which, if not managed properly, will result in future shortages. Water conservation efforts by individuals like you and your neighbors can go a long way to help alleviate these impending shortages.
We created Mission Moen to help protect and preserve water. Our goal is to save 1 trillion gallons of water by 2030.
2. Enjoy Energy Savings
Saving money on water usage isn’t the only savings that using smart water technology data can provide. Energy savings also can result from monitoring the collected data.
The average median cost to heat household water, regardless of whether you use a gas or electric water heater, is about $400 per year and can be much higher. You can potentially reduce your bill by tracking how much hot water you use over a certain time. Just remember that the optimal water heater temperature for conservation efforts and energy savings is 120 degrees, according to the Department of Energy.
3. Practice Predictive Home Maintenance
Data collected by water monitoring devices can not only aid in conserving water and saving on energy costs but can also spotlight plumbing concerns such as fluctuating pressure or persistent slow water leaks before they become too big of a threat. Some of these concerns can include corrosion within the pipes or freezing.
In addition, homeowners can create a personalized water leak plan to determine when plumbing might fail, allowing them to conduct preemptive repairs and potentially save more by catching problems before they happen.
More Ways to Leverage Water Data
1. Identify Seasonal or Time-Based Patterns
Homeowners can leverage collected data to make decisions about their water when they are away on vacation or spending time at a second home. Users also can analyze data for seasonal or usage patterns, allowing for longer-term water efficiency.
Seasonal data allows homeowners to plan for water usage more effectively. Whether for gardening, pool maintenance or preparing for drought conditions, homeowners can make informed decisions about water conservation and prepare for seasonal fluctuations.
2. Review Social Comparisons
Homeowners who collect water monitoring data can leverage social media and online groups to compare their water usage with others in their area. By sharing this data, they may determine average usage patterns, which can be particularly useful for identifying trends — especially during water shortage situations that occur throughout the U.S.
During water shortages, these online platforms become even more critical. Homeowners can share innovations and best practices for conserving water, helping each other adapt to challenging conditions. This exchange of information can include tips on reducing water waste, implementing rainwater harvesting systems, or using drought-resistant landscaping. By collaborating in this way, communities can better manage their water resources, mitigate the impact of shortages and contribute to a more sustainable future.
3. Integrate with Smart Home Systems
Integrating water usage data with smart home systems, such as thermostats and irrigation systems, offers an innovative approach to optimizing home energy and water consumption. By leveraging real-time data, homeowners can precisely adjust water schedules to align with their daily routines and environmental conditions. For instance, our smart irrigation system, which features the Smart Sprinkler Controller and Smart Wireless Soil Sensors, can use weather forecasts and soil moisture levels to determine the optimal times for watering gardens, reducing water waste and ensuring plants receive the right amount of hydration.
Additionally, homeowners can receive alerts and insights through their smart home apps, enabling them to make informed decisions about their water and energy use. For example, if a leak is detected, the system can immediately notify the homeowner, preventing water loss and potential damage. Additionally, by analyzing historical data, these systems can suggest personalized conservation strategies, such as adjusting shower times or optimizing irrigation schedules during drought conditions.
Overall, the synergy between water usage data and smart home technology not only enhances convenience and comfort but also contributes to significant environmental and financial benefits.
Help Create a More Sustainable Future
From detecting inefficiencies to monitoring daily consumption trends, smart water monitoring devices, and even those with automatic shutoff options, empower users to take proactive steps toward reducing their water footprint and promoting a more sustainable future.
