How To Save Water With an Irrigation Timer

Watering your lawn and garden can be a tricky balance—you want to keep your plants healthy, but you don’t want to waste water. That’s where an irrigation timer comes in. These handy devices automate your sprinkler system so your landscaping gets the right amount of water without overwatering.

In this guide, we’ll explore various types of irrigation timers and how they can help you save water while keeping your landscape healthy with the help of This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.

Manual Irrigation Timers

Manual timers are the simplest and most affordable option for controlling your irrigation system. These devices attach directly to your outdoor faucet. You just set the watering duration, turn on the water, and the timer will automatically shut it off when the time is up.

The timer will automatically shut off the water flow after the set duration, preventing overwatering and waste. To use a manual timer, follow these five steps:

1. Attach the timer to your outdoor faucet.
2. Connect your garden hose to the timer.
3. Install a sprinkler at the end of the hose.
4. Set the desired watering duration (up to 45 minutes).
5. Turn on the water.

According to a This Old House segment on irrigation, somewhere between 30 and 70 percent of all the water used at our homes goes to irrigation — which is exactly why it’s so important to use some type of timer to control the water you’re putting out, even on the simplest above-ground hose-and-sprinkler setup.

Pros and Cons of Manual Timers

Manual timers have a few distinct advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

• Affordable
• Easy to install and use without any technical knowledge
• No batteries or programming are required

Cons:

• Limited functionality compared to other timers
• No advanced scheduling options
• Require manual activation each time

Battery-Powered Irrigation Timers

Battery-powered timers have more advanced features than manual timers, but they’re still relatively simple to use. These devices provide greater control over your watering schedule by offering you programmable and easy-to-adjust irrigation times. Many have additional features like multiple watering zones and rain sensors to stop unnecessary irrigation.

Installation and Programming

Installing a battery-powered timer is straightforward. Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Attach the timer to your outdoor faucet.
2. Connect your garden hose and sprinkler.
3. Insert batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Program the desired start time, frequency, and duration of watering.

Once programmed, the timer will automatically control your sprinkler system according to your settings.

Additional Tips for Battery-Powered Timers

To get the best performance from your battery-powered timer, check and replace the batteries often, keep it clean and dry to prevent dust and water damage, and test it periodically.

Don’t Forget the Backflow Preventer: Any time you install an irrigation timer on a hose bib, you need to ensure that irrigation water can’t flow back and contaminate your home’s drinking water. As shown on a This Old House project, the team confirmed that a backflow preventer must be installed between the faucet and the timer. Some hose bibs come with one already mounted, but if yours doesn’t, you can simply screw one on. Be sure to check your local ordinances — different towns may have different requirements for backflow prevention.

Electronic Zone Irrigation Timers

Perfect for in-ground sprinkler systems, electronic zone timers let you control multiple watering areas independently. These sophisticated devices allow you to create custom watering schedules for different areas of your yard.

Advantages of Electronic Zone Timers

Electronic zone timers provide several benefits for managing complex irrigation systems. They allow you to do the following:

• Adjust watering times based on seasonal changes and requirements
• Create custom schedules for each zone based on plant needs
• Control multiple watering zones independently for targeted irrigation

Rain Sensors and Water Conservation

Many electronic zone timers are compatible with rain sensors, which automatically shut off the sprinkler system during rainy weather. This feature prevents unnecessary watering and conserves resources.

To install a rain sensor, follow these steps:

1. Choose a location with unobstructed exposure to rainfall.
2. Mount the sensor according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Connect the sensor to your electronic zone timer.
4. Adjust the sensitivity settings as needed.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Regularly inspect rain sensors for debris and clean them if needed. We recommend periodically checking the connections and wiring of your electronic zone timers. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide for troubleshooting common issues.

Pro Tip: Scott Fay, an irrigation contractor in Martin County, Florida, shows his customers how to adjust their timer controls seasonally. If they prefer, he comes to make the changes when he conducts routine maintenance. He visits his customers at least four times a year to check that all the valves are working and to flush any clogs — a practice that helps keep systems running efficiently year-round.

Smart Electronic Timers

The cutting-edge of irrigation technology, smart timers use real-time weather data and other environmental factors to adjust your watering schedule automatically. This helps your plants get the perfect amount of water without wasting a drop.

Features of Smart Electronic Timers

Smart timers are great for tech-savvy homeowners looking to maximize water efficiency and keep their landscapes healthy with minimal effort. These timers offer a range of advanced features, including detailed water usage reports, forecast-based watering adjustments, smart app remote control and monitoring, smart home integration, and soil moisture monitoring with automatic schedule syncing.

Choosing the Right Smart Timer

When selecting a smart timer, make sure it’s compatible with your current irrigation system. Look for models that are user-friendly and have reliable customer support, and look at spending more for additional features such as freeze warnings or water flow monitoring based on your needs.

Tips for Maximizing Water Savings

No matter which type of timer you choose, there are several ways to maximize its water-saving potential:

• Adjust your watering schedule seasonally to match plant growth cycles and weather changes.
• Choose drought-resistant plants for your landscape to minimize watering needs.
• Regularly maintain and inspect your irrigation system for leaks and inefficiencies.
• Use mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation, enhancing plant health.
• Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and help plants absorb moisture.

Add a Rain Sensor or Soil Moisture Meter: Automatic watering controllers aren’t smart enough to come in out of the rain on their own. As This Old House Magazine has reported, rain sensors — which attach to the side of the house and shut down watering if a certain amount of rain has fallen — and soil moisture meters, which pause irrigation when moisture content reaches a target level at the root zone, can be wired to your controller to prevent unnecessary watering.

Pro Tip: Watering when the sun is beating down can cause up to 90 percent of moisture to evaporate away, according to This Old House Magazine. To get the most from your irrigation timer, schedule watering for the early morning, when it’s cooler and less windy — this alone can dramatically reduce water waste.