Few people recognize plumbing as one of the most important home technologies that consumers currently have access to. But plumbing applies critical STEM principles to allow for the safe installation and maintenance of water and natural gas systems. Fusing this technology with cutting-edge smart home features makes it even safer still. It also optimizes efficiency, enhances the convenience of plumbing fixtures, and reduces the risk of water damage. Check out these creative smart home integrations to find your next plumbing upgrade.
Smart Showers
Smart showers can create a luxurious, spa-like experience in your home bathrooms while also helping you conserve water and energy. You can choose from options with built-in scald protection, app-based usage tracking, and other helpful features. Some of the top options in smart showers allow multiple users to program their preferred flow rates and temperatures. Residents can even pair these fixtures with their smart home systems to turn showers off and on by voice command.
Smart Faucets
With touch-activated technology or motion sensors, smart faucets reduce germ transmission via these high-touch fixtures. Some smart faucets even allow for voice control. You can install smart faucets that dispense an exact, measured amount of water with each activation. You can also preset maximum temperatures to protect younger residents from accidental scalding.
Smart Toilets and Bidets
Smart toilets enhance comfort and convenience, promote water conservation, and make clog prevention much easier. With built-in bidets, they also improve personal hygiene and reduce toilet paper use. There are smart toilets available with built-in nightlights and heated seats. There are also options on the market that offer UV sanitization and pre-wetting.
With a smart, dual-flush system, you can use as little as 0.6 gallons for solid waste. Automatic flushing capabilities prevent waste buildup, lingering odors, clogs, and overflows.
Spot Leak Sensors
Among the most common causes of residential water damage are slow and hidden plumbing leaks. With spot leak sensors, you won’t have to wait for tell-tale signs like pooling water, bulging floors, or mold formation to find these leaks. Spot leak sensors are small, battery-operated devices that homeowners can place in leak-prone areas. You can install these behind your appliances, under sinks, or near your water heater. You can pair them with your smart home system for real-time alerts and connect them to smart shut-off valves for automatic interventions.
Smart Water Monitors With Automatic Shutoff Valves
To detect larger leaks like burst pipes, you can install a smart water monitor on your main water line. This device tracks water use, analyzes changes, and automatically initiates shutoffs when problems are detected.
Wi-Fi-Enabled Gas Sensors
There are multiple options in smart natural gas detection, including combination carbon monoxide (CO) and gas alarms. Wi-Fi-enabled gas detectors send real-time alerts to smartphones or other personal devices. With these, you can get notifications of gas leaks while on vacation or at work.
Smart Natural Gas Appliances
Smart natural gas appliances offer optimum efficiency, remote monitoring and control, and remote shutoffs for emergencies. However, they also provide significantly enhanced performance. With a smart natural gas appliance, you can enjoy precise temperature control, integrated timers, and even AI-guided use.
Plumbing is an impressive technology in its own right. But fusing your plumbing with the latest smart home features will make it simpler to use, easier to manage, and much safer overall. If you live in Orlando, FL or a surrounding area and need plumbing services, make your first call to Frank Gay.
