Lawn Sprinkler System vs. Garden Hose

Many people think watering with a garden hose is less wasteful than using an automated irrigation system to water your plants and yard.  While many automated irrigation systems are inefficient and poorly designed, this does not need to be the case.  A well laid out and properly maintained irrigation system is a useful tool in conserving water while not sacrificing your landscapes needs.  Using a garden, even with a nozzle on threaded on, the water is not applied in a specific amount at a specific interval and lead to run off and poor plant health.
Tuning a lawn sprinkler systems frequently ensures that the system is doesn't have any clogged nozzles or leaks.  These problems can lead to water waste and lost of plant material. A well tuned irrigation system provides the right amount of water to your plants while not wasting water.
While there are many ways to improve upon the efficiency your lawn sprinkler system here are a few:

• There are many ways to Run off water can be cut down with proper scheduling allowing for a soak time, depending on the grade of the landscape. 
• Proper head to head coverage.
• Working rain sensor.
• Installing a weather based controller. 

A licensed Charlotte irrigation repair company can help you with the above items and will be able to offer more tips based on the specifics of your landscape.

Water Sense "Fix a Leak Week"

Water used in outdoor residential landscapes is said to waste up to 7 billion gallons of water a year, according to the EPA.  They also go on to report that a well design and maintained irrigation system can save a homeowner up to 8,700 gallons of water as well. 

Considering the information above it makes since that the EPA is a sponsoring it's Water Sense Fix a Leak Week.  This is to promote awareness of the unnecessary waste of water in our homes and residential landscapes.  The promotion is for the week of March 18-24 of 2013 and is a great time to have your irrigation system gone over by a Charlotte irrigation repair technician and audited for its water efficiency.

Even if you see no water puddling around your yard doesn't necessarily mean you have no leak.  Leaks in an irrigation system can occur on a statically charged pipe which will often be more noticeable; or a leak may occur in a lateral part of the system. Meaning that you would not see the waste of water unless you were watching the system run through ever zone.  

Be certain to contact a Charlotte lawn sprinkler repair company to have your system evaluated today!

Irrigation Nozzles on Spray Bodies

Irrigation nozzles come in many different styles and sizes.  The most common nozzle found is the fixed pattern nozzle, but variable arc nozzles (VAN) is also used frequently and in conjunction with the fixed pattern nozzle.  When designed properly, these nozzles can have good efficiency.  A Charlotte irrigation designer can help with proper head spacing and layout.

Rotary nozzles are newer to the market.  These nozzles boast an improved water efficiency and match precipitation rate, making it easier to create a well designed irrigation system.  These nozzles are made by Hunter, Rainbird, Toro, and a number of other irrigation manufactures.  Each brand isn't really compatible with the other, when placed on the same zone.  That is sometimes not the case with traditional spray nozzles.

Clogged irrigation nozzles create many problems.  Plant material suffers, water is wasted, and the runoff of from the clogged nozzle can cause real property damage.  A Charlotte irrigation repair and service company can help with cleaning or replacing problem nozzles.

Weather and ET Based Irrigation Controllers

Many municipalities and local governments are giving rebates or reducing the rate at which you are charged for water usage.  These rebates and discounts are being provided for installing an approved Weather / ET Based irrigation controller.  These controllers create automated water scheduling by using local and historical data combined with the needs of the specific plant type. 

While these controllers have many benefits, it is important that your irrigation system is in good working order.  A Charlotte irrigation repair company can help you be certain that the design and placement of your sprinkler heads is providing good coverage.  A Charlotte lawn sprinkler service company can also help you with performing an irrigation audit; this will tell you how efficient your current system is. Be sure that the contractor you use is a NC licensed irrigation contractor. 

Drip Irrigation

Drip Irrigation is get way to deliver the water that your plants need.  Low volume irrigation conserves water by preventing evaporation.  Drip emitters are placed at planned locations to evenly distribute the water in the landscape. 

*Drip irrigation is the slow, precise application of water and nutrients directly to the plant root zone in a predetermined pattern. A drip irrigation design can be customized to meet specific needs while maintaining an optimum moisture level within the root zone areas to encourage successful plant growth. A proper balance of water and air is provided directly to the plants, conserving water that might otherwise be lost to non-growth areas, runoff, sun or wind. Drip irrigation, useful for any commercial or residential installation, may be of critical benefit for cities and mnicipalities that face water restrictions while aspiring to maintain or expand their green areas.* Provided by http://www.digcorp.com/DIY/228-Home

While Drip irrigation is great, it is necessary to have your Charlotte area irrigation repair professional to insure that there are no leaks.  This should be done usually twice a year.  Squirrels tend to be the biggest predators of the drip tubing.  No worries though, a irrigation repair technician can help.

Using Drip Lines for Irrigation

Using drip lines to irrigate plants has been a method practiced for years by Charlotte irrigation professionals.  When most people think about sprinkler systems they think about spray heads throughout their yard.  Many times using only spray heads to irrigate your landscape can actually cause damage to your plants by over or under watering.  Drip tubing will actually provide more water to the roots of your plants by directing the water to the base of the plants rather than all over the plants.  Charlotte sprinkler system professionals can customize drip lines to your specific landscape, conserving water so that each hole in the line is located exactly where a plant lies.  Drip lines also generally conserve water as the low flow rate uses less water and energy to provide water where it is needed.  Another advantage is that weeds are less likely to grow where drip tubes are used.  As they provide water directly to the plants there is less water between plants to promote their growth in the flower bed.  Drip tubes are not used for lawn maintenance.  They are mostly used in flower beds and fruit and vegetable gardens.  Many nurseries use drip tubes by running them along the ceiling on greenhouses.  They can add and remove plants from the drip line area as needed or move the lines themselves depending on what is being watered.  If you would like to add drip lines to your sprinkler system call a Charlotte irrigation licensed contractor.  They will usually provide free estimates for drip line installations.

Saving Water and Money with Rain Sensors

A rain sensor is water conservation device that causes your system to shut off in the event of rain fall.  They are available as both wireless and hard wire devices and are usually located near your controller or a place where rain can be detected such as a roof.  When it rains the device sends a signal to the sensors of the controller preventing any valves from opening.  Some rain sensors can even detect freezing temperatures and shut off the system when it gets cooler.  For Charlotte irrigation contractors, detecting freezing tempuratures is usually not a problem during the watering season.  However, using a rain sensor with your irrigation system is highly recommended to save water and allow you a no hassle solution for watering your lawn.  Rain sensors also save you money in the long run.  No longer will you over saturate your lawn by watering to soon after a good rain.  In some areas rain sensors are mandated for water conservation purposes.  Although Charlotte irrigation contractors and homeowners do not have these mandates yet, the trend is to install these devices sooner than later to help our area maintain its water sources for years to come.

Water Your Lawn for Less!

Although we are in the winter months it is never to early to think about saving money.  This year, lower your water bill by reducing the amount of water your sprinkler system uses and the amount you pay for your water.  Did you know the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department offers ways to save on your water bill through the Water Smart Irrigation Program?

What is the Water Smart Irrigation Program?
This program incentivizes irrigation efficiency and water conservation by lowering the rate you pay for your irrigation water usage.  When a smart irrigation controller, backflow assembly, and separate irrigation meter are installed and maintained the utility department will charge the Tier 3 irrigation rate.

How will this affect my bill?
Most Charlotteans use 8-16 ccf per month which is a bill ranging from $20-45.  One ccf is equivalent to 748 gallons of water.  Generally, it takes a little over half a gallon per square foot to water your lawn.  So if you are looking at a 100' x 100' area that is over 6,000 gallons of water each time you turn on your sprinkler!  Take your normal water bill of $20-45 which is a Tier 2 -Tier 3 and add 8ccf to reach the Tier 4 rate of $5.96 per ccf and your bill jumps to about $100 for your everyday use and to water an 100ft area.  To put that into perspective, 1/4 acre of land is 10,890 square feet or over 67,000,000 gallons of water!

The Water Smart Irrigation Program allows you to take the water you use for irrigation and rather than using the highest Tier of $5.96 per ccf, you are charged the Tier 3 rate of $3.81 per ccf for use of 1-16ccfs or 11,968 gallons of water.  In our scenario above your bill would be lowered from about $100 to $75.  Although that that does not seem like a lot of money, most people are watering a much larger area than 100sqft.  The average size of a front and back yard in the Charlotte region is 1,500 to 3,000 sqft.  Add extra watering during the summer months and your bill could be astronomical.

How do I get started?
Now that you know the potential savings, you have to make the initial investment.  The Program requires that you install and maintain a smart irrigation controller, backflow assembly, and irrigation meter.  The best thing to do is contact a licensed irrigation contractor and have them assess your yard.  They can tell you how much water you use, how to program your irrigation controller for the best results, and let you know if your system has any design flaws that are causing over watering.  For example, you might be running a water program that uses to much water and is spraying plants that would be healthier on a drip line.  After you have the initial assessment (usually ranges at $100-$150), the licensed irrigation contractor can tell you about prices for installing and maintaining the smart controller, back flow assembly, and separate meter. 

Bottom Line:
This equipment might not be cheap, but it will save you money in the long run and it is the right thing to do.  Water is our most precious resource and we each need to do what we can to preserve it for the long term.  Even if you decide the Program is not for you, get an irrigation efficiency audit to preserve the most water possible and make your yard beautiful year round.