When it comes to conserving water at home, most people think about shorter showers or turning off the water while brushing their teeth. But one of the biggest opportunities for water savings happens outside while you’re not even watching.
According to EPA WaterSense, the average American family devotes about 30% of their daily water use to outdoor purposes, and in drier climates like the Southwest, that share can climb to as high as 60%. More than half of that outdoor water goes toward watering lawns and gardens. Smart irrigation controllers can lower that. To learn more about this growing category and what homeowners should know before they buy, we invited Amy Hellenga, The Home Depot’s Merchant for Irrigation, to Eco Actions.
EA: Welcome to Eco Actions, Amy. Can you tell us a little about your role at The Home Depot?
AH: Thank you for having me! I work for The Home Depot as the Merchant for Irrigation. Irrigation is an interesting and exciting category to support. It is an extremely seasonal business, and it is very weather-dependent, which keeps my job interesting.
EA: For someone who has never thought about this before, what exactly makes a timer “smart”?
AH: That’s a great question. When we refer to a controller being “smart”, it means the controller has the ability to think and adjust on its own rather than following a rigid, predetermined watering cadence. A smart controller understands local weather patterns, soil and plant types, and sun exposure, and it adjusts accordingly to customize for your watering needs. The best part? You have the ability to control your watering schedule through your smart phone!
EA: What kind of water savings can a homeowner expect?
AH: We anticipate that smart controllers can save customers over 7,600 gallons of water annually compared to a manual timer. That is tremendous savings in your time, your wallet and, most importantly, the environment.
EA: How does WaterSense certification factor into the shopping decision?
AH: WaterSense smart timers have been independently verified to adjust watering based on real conditions, whether that is through a soil moisture sensor, localized weather data or both.
EA: Are there rebates available to help offset the cost?
AH: Yes, and this is one of the most powerful things about WaterSense-certified smart controllers. Depending on your zip code, you can actually get up to $200 back in rebates. The Home Depot makes it easy to determine if you are in a rebate-eligible zip code – just use the Rebate Center on homedepot.com and type in your zip code and the controller SKU number.
EA: What are some of the products you would recommend at The Home Depot, and how does a customer decide which one is right for their setup?
AH: We have several great options on our shelves and online to fit all customer needs. Two products I would like to highlight today are the Rain Bird ARC Smart Irrigation Controller and Orbit B-hyve XD Bluetooth 4-Outlet Hose Timer. Rain Bird is a brand many homeowners with existing in-ground systems already know and trust. Orbit’s B-hyve is another strong option that offers a lot of flexibility, including indoor or outdoor installation and Amazon Alexa compatibility, which is great for customers who want voice control or do not have an existing in-ground system. Both of these items are WaterSense-certified and rebate-eligible.
EA: Where do you see the smart irrigation category heading in the next few years?
AH: Smart irrigation will continue to grow as customers adopt this newer technology.With everything happening from an AI standpoint, these systems are getting a lot smarter with the data they can give customers. I expect we will continue to see more people make the transition as the benefits become more well-known.
EA: Any final advice for someone on the fence about making the switch?
AH: The savings speak for themselves. Over 7,600 gallons a year, potential rebates up to $200 depending on where you live and a system that does the thinking for you. You can make changes from your phone, whether you are home or traveling.
Small Steps Today, Lasting Impact Tomorrow
Upgrading to a smart irrigation controller is a long-term investment in managing how your home uses water every year. Over time, those savings add up to lower utility bills and reduced strain on local water supplies.
Shop The Home Depot’s selection of WaterSense-certified controllers at the links below and visit our article Understanding Water Use at Home to learn more about where water adds up around your home.
