Surf Before You Shop
Shop online first, then go to the store to check out the styling and kick the tires.
WaterSense and Energy Star let you search product offerings by features. The big
hardware stores let you specify WaterSense or Energy Star models on their websites
and sort the results by brand, price, sales and customer rating.
WaterSmart
Tips!
Ask About Delivery and Installation
Before you decide where to buy, call and ask retailers if they provide delivery and
installation. If the answer is yes, they usually remove and take your old appliance, too.
Irrigation
Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers
Look for models with the EPA's Watersense label. These small wonders
take the guesswork out of irrigation. They use historic weather information
to automatically adjust your watering schedule to the time of year. They also
connect to rain sensors and stop watering when rain is detected. A study
by Irvine Ranch Water District documented average homeowner water
savings of 37 gallons per irrigation cycle, when the controller is correctly
installed and programmed.
Most brands will work with any irrigation
system, have a large digital display to make
programming easier and will walk you
through a series of questions regarding the
soil, plants and sprinklers in each of your
irrigation zones. Some brands provide videos
and software to simplify programming, and
some even offer web-based operation. If you're
not sure about installing or programming,
hire a landscape or irrigation professional.
$70-$500 at hardware & irrigation
supply stores
© Courtesy of Rain Bird
Smart
Irrigation
Controller
Favorite
Websites
WaterSmart
Residential Water-Use Calculator
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