At Advanced Irrigation, we believe in doing everything we can to conserve water when we design, install and program an irrigation system. After all, we need to do our part to help Mother Nature and the environment, and one of the best ways to do that is by conserving water. Here are a few ways we do this with our irrigation systems.

There are two types of controllers for irrigation systems. The older versions are time-based, which means they will water that section of your yard at a set time and frequency. These times and frequencies will not change unless done so manually. These types of controllers could result in plants that have been over or under watered.

The newer versions are weather-based. Weather-based irrigation controllers work by calculating something called evapotranspiration (ET). This is the combination of the water that the ground evaporates and the water that plant materials transpires. The weather-based controllers calculate ET in real time by monitoring a weather station 24/7. The on-site weather station monitors conditions like the amount of rainfall, the wind, humidity and solar radiation.

The weather-based controllers are programmed by using unique characteristics of each microclimate within your yard and landscaping: plant and soil type, slope, sun and shade exposure and precipitation rate. Based on these factors, the controller will automatically adjust the watering times and frequencies for each zone in your yard.

These adjustments and calculations can save about 20% to 50% in water, which is a good amount of water to have conserved. And this is especially great news when you consider that most water is used for outdoor purposes like keeping your landscaping and yard looking good. And with the cost of water ever on the rise (unless you use well water), the water that is conserved using weather-based controllers could also save you some money in the long run.

Saving the earth is a community and group effort. Everyone has to pitch in and do their part to make sure our planet stays healthy. And one of the best ways to keep your yard looking good while also doing your part for Mother Nature is by having weather-based controllers installed in your irrigation system.

If you would like more information on weather-based controllers and irrigation systems in the Twin Cities and the surrounding areas, call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.