Residential irrigation systems are a great way to keep your lawn looking great. However, since an irrigation system does use quite a bit of water, it’s important that it run as efficiently as possible. According to EPA reports, about 20% of Americans use an irrigation system for their homes, but not all of these are being used efficiently. Here are a few steps you can follow to ensure your system is efficient.

Leave the Controller Alone

When your irrigation system was first installed, the controller was set for maximum efficiency. This feature is set based on your property’s exact needs. If you leave the controller alone, it will continue to provide the watering needs for your property without wasting water.

Check up on the Rain Sensor

In our experience, it pays to check up on the rain sensor occasionally. This feature has batteries, so you’ll want to check and make sure that the batteries are working properly and that the sensor isn’t obstructed by any debris. Besides these small checkups, though, just leave the sensor alone and let it do its job.

Install High Efficiency Nozzles

If your system isn’t already equipped with them, you should consider installing high-efficiency nozzles. This mostly applies to older systems that might have been installed before high-efficiency nozzles were available. High-efficiency nozzles spray water differently to ensure that the ground is getting soaked more thoroughly while using less water.

Look Into Drip Irrigation

Some parts of your property may benefit from drip irrigation. Planting beds is one spot that usually does well with this type of watering. A drip system uses hoses that have pieced holes throughout. These small holes allow for small amounts of water to enter the soil slowly. This type of system uses less water than traditional irrigation systems since the water goes directly into the plants. You will also see less water evaporation since there aren’t large amounts of water spraying into the air.

Get Your System Checked Once a Year

If you want to get the most use out of your system, you’ll want to schedule an irrigation system checkup once a year with a local specialist. During this checkup, your specialist will check to make sure everything is running as efficiently as possible and look for potential problems that may need repairs.

These are just a few steps you can take to ensure that your irrigation system is working at its most efficient. If you’re in need of sprinkler system repairs or maintenance, please call our team at The Sprinkler Man Inc today! We're here to help.