Ever since the 1970s, irrigation experts have been debating the merits of the rotor sprinkler head vs. the spray head.
Of course, each job site presents its own challenges and requirements. But there are some general situations that make either spray heads or rotor heads the best choice.
Pixabay Image
According to Pete Diebolt, president of Diebolt Landscape in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, the type of head selected is dictated by the irrigation system design. “The heads are going to have all different lengths of throw and uniformity coefficient. The distribution pattern, wind, slope and other design factors would have a bearing on the size nozzle and how to program the zones to run,” Diebolt said.
The system design already takes into consideration a host of environmental factors: wind or shade, elevation changes, the square footage of the area to be watered, etc. After that, choosing between a spray head and a rotor head comes down to a few other factors.
Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Spray Heads
More properly called “fixed spray heads” these heads are smaller and spray a fan-shaped pattern of water. Nozzles are typically interchangeable and determine the pattern and radius of the water throw (e.g., half circle, full circle, etc.) Specialty patterns are also available for long, narrow areas.
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Hindsite Software Infographic
Spray heads are usually spaced up to 18 feet apart. Water pressure must be between 20 and 30 PSI of for these heads to operate properly. Note: most spray heads start to create lots of mist at pressures above 45 PSI, resulting in poor sprinkler performance.
Spray Head Advantages
Designed for smaller areas, spray heads will disperse more water in a shorter period of time. So they’re a good choice for areas near patios or other hardscaping that is not intended to get wet.
While spray heads are less expensive than rotors, their installation requires more pipe, trenches and valves.
Justin Moseley is the irrigation manager for Nelson Landscaping in Edmond, Oklahoma. He believes spray heads definitely have their place.
“For flower beds, we use nothing but pop-up spray heads. If it’s a smaller area, from eight to 20 feet, we’re doing spray heads,” he said.
Spray Head Disadvantages
Spray heads are more prone to clogging then rotors, so they often require more maintenance, Moseley said. “In Oklahoma, we have hard water that causes calcium deposits to build up in the nozzles. About every five years, depending on water quality, you’ll have to replace the internal filter on that nozzle.”
Rotor Heads
Rotor heads utilize changeable nozzles that emit water as a single stream over an adjustable. Best example is the “impact” rotor sprinkler, which makes a distinctive ticking sound. But impact rotors are quickly being replaced by quieter, smaller, gear-driven rotors.
The rotor sprinkler head is much more flexible when it comes to spacing; they can be spaced from eight to 65 feet apart. Bear in mind that traditional rotors spaced more than 20 feet apart require much greater water pressure than spray heads — 45 psi, with an operating range of 25 to 65 psi.
Rotor Head Advantages
Rotor heads are usually the better choice for larger areas of turf. They have a low precipitation rate, so they will evenly cover more area over a longer period of time.
About Rotary Nozzles
While the terms “rotor” and “rotary” are often used interchangeably, they really are two different mechanisms.
“Rotor” is a general term that describes the various types of sprinklers that rotate streams of water back and forth or in circles over the landscape.
Rotor heads emit a single stream of water as they rotate.
“Rotary” heads produce multiple streams of water that rotate around the nozzle, resembling rotating spider legs. Depending on the mode, rotary heads have a general radius between 15 and 35 feet.
Compared to standard rotor heads, rotary heads are very small — the same size as the standard nozzle on a spray-type sprinkler. So they fit onto the smaller spray head pop-up bodies.
But these heads produce much less mist than standard spray heads, making them more efficient, and often promoted by water conservation agencies.
“Rotors are used in applications where large areas of turf need to be irrigated, and greater coverage distance is needed, such as on athletic fields,” said Kelsey Jacquard, product manager at Hunter Industries.
And because they allow more time for water absorption, they’re ideal for slopes. With a larger head than spray-type models, they easily provide more coverage, according to Diebolt. “The coverage might be three or four times the square footage. Labor savings is incredible,” he said.
Rotor Head Disadvantages
Rotors and rotary nozzles require less pipe and trenches, but the rotors themselves are more expensive than spray heads.
In addition, rotors may take longer to install than spray heads because their ultimate positioning is not immediately evident, according to Moseley.
“You have to set them and then recheck them after they’re installed. Whereas with pop-up sprays, once I flush them out, I can set a nozzle and know which way it’s going to spray. Be it a fixed or adjustable nozzle, I can set it where I don’t even have to have water running through it to be set. Rotors need a little more fine-tuning,” he said.
Rotor heads are also spaced further apart, so the material cost can be a little more than that of a spray head, Diebolt added.
Rotor or Rotary?
When determining whether to use a standard rotor or rotary nozzle (see sidebar), Jacquard offered this general rule of thumb: “Distances under 15 feet are best irrigated by rotary nozzles, and distances above 35 feet, by rotors. In between those distances, what type of sprinkler head to use is a matter of preference by the designer or contractor.”
Customer Education
For both rotors and spray heads there are plenty of product options. The challenge can be in educating the customer on their individual benefits.
“The cost difference between them is significant, so it’s important to educate the customer on why you are going with triple the amount for one head versus the other,” Moseley said.
Snow Removal Can Help Keep
Your Business Afloat in Winter
Snow and ice removal is an alluring business for landscape and irrigation contractors who need to keep their people and equipment employed once the temperatures drop.
Should you consider adding snow removal to your menu of services?
Nearly three-quarters of professional snow removers are landscape contractors during the warm weather, according to Lawn & Landscape magazine. And of the 294 members of the Ohio Landscape Association, 61% offer snow removal services.
But only one-fourth of Ohio Irrigation Association members advertise snow removal services on their websites. If you don’t currently provide snow removal, there are several reasons why you may wish to consider including this service in your portfolio.
No Business Like Snow Business
Clients want a single source for all their property maintenance needs. Adding snow and ice removal to your services allows you to touch base with current customers during the winter. It can also help get your foot in the door with new property owners.
Of course, the snow and ice removal business is either feast or famine, since it all depends on Mother Nature. In addition, snow and ice services can be just as large and complex as any landscape or irrigation project.
But savvy contractors can still find ways to turn a winter profit by establishing sound operational procedures and business systems.
John Allin, a snow and ice consultant based out of Erie, Pennsylvania, says that snow removal can be a very profitable business. “It actually has a much higher margin than landscape or irrigation work, generally speaking,” he said.
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In return for your time and effort, you’ll create a new profit center, while keeping your most valuable employees, and staying connected with your clients throughout the winter months.
Costs and Contracts
Allin thinks contractors should treat the snow removal component of their business as a separate entity, with its own set of expenses and its own revenues.” The primary costs to consider when getting into the snow removal business are:
Equipment (plow, snow blower, salt sprayer)
Labor
Fuel
De-icer
Truck and plow maintenance
Increased insurance premiums
Also, keep in mind your vehicle(s) will need to be replaced every 10-15 years, depending on frequency of use.
You can address the “feast or famine” concern of snow removal by offering a few different types of contracts. Customers with flat-rate contracts will pay a single fee for the whole season, whether it snows 10 inches or 10 feet. Others may pay for each visit, or for the number of inches of snow removed (“per-push” contracts).
Doug O’Bryan, owner of O’Bryan Grounds Maintenance in Akron, Ohio, covers his costs with a mix of contracts: about 30% flat rate to 70% per-push. He said he’s learned to be discerning about his clientele. “We probably get about a quarter of the work we quote,” he said. “If we’re getting it all, then we’re quoting too low.”
Chris Beutz, a Minnesota contractor, took a while to strike the right balance of flat-rate contracts to per-push jobs for his business. “We don’t want to have 80 or 90 percent flat-rate contracts, because if we have a snowy winter then we lose money pretty easily. On the other hand, we don’t want to have all per-push, because then if there’s no snow for a month, you have no revenue, and how are you going to pay your fixed costs?” Beutz found that a 2:1 ratio of flat-rate to per-push tends to cover his costs.
Another primary consideration for O’Bryan is a client’s location. “If I already do two or three plazas on a corner, I want to get the rest of the work on that corner,” he said. “Because if we have a loader stationed nearby, and it’s only seeing two or three hours of use, if we can get some nearby accounts and use it for four or five hours, all the better.”
A Well-Trained Crew Is Key
“Train your crew like you would train your landscape or irrigation techs,” says John Allin. “You wouldn’t send a guy that you just hired out to repair an irrigation system; you can’t do that with plow guys either.”
Creative Commons Image by Arlington County
Of course, snow plowing is often a time-sensitive, graveyard-shift job. And the hours are often long and hard.If your customer’s parking lot must be cleared before 9 a.m., your crews need to be geared up and out the door at 3 a.m.
Still, things happen, so you’ll need to be prepared for all eventualities.
“Anything you can plan for, or write down ahead of time saves you that extra worry when things go wrong,” O’Bryan said. “We expect a certain number of absences, so we have a certain number of extra employees on standby. They might not go out, but a lot of times they do.”
Why Not?
So if your irrigation or landscape business struggles at this time of year, we suggest you consider offering snow and ice removal. Who knows? It may be just what your business needs to sail through the long months of an Ohio winter.
Service Contracts Can Get Your Business Through the Seasonal Slump
“If not for maintenance, I wouldn’t be in business today.”
That’s how one irrigation contractor recently described the value of maintenance services for his business. At this time of year in particular, maintenance can be the key to survival in the landscape irrigation industry.
Beyond Winterization
No doubt you are already offering winterization and spring start-up services to your new and existing customers. But an irrigation service contract would go beyond that.
With a service contract, customers pay you a monthly fee to perform general maintenance on a regular basis. By offering your clients an annual service contract, you can augment your month-to-month income by maintaining irrigation systems year-round.
It’s a great way to provide your business with a stable, reliable income while also keeping your customers’ irrigation systems in tip-top shape. And a service contract can save a customer large sums of money in repairs. So it’s a win-win for both you and your clients.
Service Contract Do’s and Don’ts
Do: Try selling service contracts on every install.
Do: Make it easy for customers to see the cost of adding a service contract.
Do: Explain the value of a service contract to customers who need help.
Do: Stay in touch with customers who don’t yet have service agreements.
Do: Explain the bottom-line costs with and without a service contract.
Don’t: Hesitate to offer a service contract to existing customers.
Don’t: Assume some customers aren’t candidates for service contracts.
In addition to winterization and spring start-up, maintenance services offered in your contract should include programming controllers to prevent over-watering in November and under-watering in July. Most clients would not make this adjustment on their own, but it can save a significant amount of water – reducing their water bill and helping the environment.
You’ll also want to include the following services:
Inspecting the controller and ensuring it’s plugged in and functioning.
Updating the time and date.
Checking the connection on all of the wires and ensuring that rain, wind or soil-moisture sensors are connected.
Replacing the back-up battery.
During times of drought, changing the watering schedule to reflect the allowed watering days and times.
Adjusting the Seasonal Adjust or Water Budget on the controller. (This can save up to 60% of the water used over the “set and forget” schedule.)
Turning on each zone and checking for system damage such as:
Leaking valves or pipes
Broken or missing heads
Clogged nozzles
Seal leaks
Sunken heads
Tilted heads.
The Bottom Line
So while winterization and spring start-up are both important, think of them as components in a full array of services which you can provide to your customers through an irrigation service contract. Armed with education and training, year-round irrigation system maintenance can be a natural add-on service opportunity, resulting in happy clients and a more lucrative bottom line.
Need Help?
Do you need help drafting a service contract for your landscape irrigation business? There’s plenty of help online. Check out the following links:
Team management will be the theme of this year’s Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) Member Summit.
The 2019 ONLA summit is a two-day, intensive program for business owners and key decision makers.
This two-day retreat is specifically designed for owners and key decision makers who want to take their management skills to the next level and develop a productive, efficient workplace.
When:
December 11-12, 2019
Where:
Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center
100 Green Meadows Drive South
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Cost:
$399 per person, includes all meals and education sessions.
Registration: Advance registration is required!
Hotel Reservations:
Discounted rates start at $139.00. Reservations can be madeHERE or by calling Nationwide Hotel at 614.880.4300 and mentioning Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association.
What You Can Expect
At the 2019 ONLA Member Summit you can expect to:
Hone your leadership skills.
Learn best practices for cultivating high-performance teams.
Network with like-minded professionals and sponsors.
Get energized and motivated to create lasting, positive changes in your career and business.
Keynote Speakers
Jim Paluch, President, JP Horizons, Inc.
For the past 30 years, Jim has motivated thousands of individuals and organizations across North America to strive toward excellence. He has written hundreds of articles and been published as an industry expert dozens of times.
Jim has a remarkable ability to help audiences address obstacles and discover opportunities that lie between their current state and their future desired state. His talent in facilitating a group, and creating a collaborative effort where ideas and solutions can emerge, always produces inspiring results for everyone involved.
Jon Petz, CSP
Whether he’s focusing on performance mindset, deeper client and team engagement, customer surprise and delight, or growth at all organizational levels, Jon Petz offers much more than “just” a keynote!
A former sales and marketing executive, Jon led his teams to break-away performances withing various industries and environments. Jon is an engagement and performance expert, who has delivered motivational keynote programs for world leading brands, industry and association conventions, and organizations of all sizes.
Jon has authored three books, two of which, Boring Meetings Suck and Significance in Simple Moments, hit the business best-sellers list. His work has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, ABC News, Success Magazine, and The Globe & Mail, among others.
John Kennedy, Owner, John Kennedy Consulting
For nearly two decades, John Kennedy has inspired well over 250,000 audience members throughout North America, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean with his world-class training programs.
John’s success was galvanized in the hospitality and tourism industry, as a restaurant and hotel executive with a strong sense of teamwork, sales and leadership. John’s client list includes: American Bus Association, The Baltimore Ravens, Marriott Hotels, Orvis, U.S. Air Force, Bermuda Gas, Elizabeth Arden, Taco Bell, Canada Bread, as well as more than one hundred local, state and federal government agencies and associations.
Did you know that the Irrigation Association’s annual Irrigation Show is the world’s biggest trade show dedicated to irrigation professionals?
It’s where the irrigation industry comes together to network, learn and promote irrigation.
Register by Nov. 1 to save on education classes, full registration and exhibits. Discount housing is also open, and attendees can book their hotel online.
To download the Irrigation Association’s 31-page Registration Brochure, click here.
Collaborative Effort
This year’s Irrigation Show is being co-located with the National Ground Water Association and American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association.
The collaboration hopes to provide an action-packed week focused on the one resource we all strive to manage responsibly — water.
The show floor will give you a firsthand look at all of the latest products, services and technologies in landscape irrigation to help you expand your business, satisfy customers and grow your bottom line.
With two days to explore the exhibits, you can:
Inspect the latest technologies at the new product contest and watch the judging
Find solutions to ancillary landscape markets such as ponds, waterscapes and outdoor lighting.
Check out new and innovative products, and services.
Explore new suppliers.
Learn about the latest business trends and irrigation best practices.
For exhibitor information, including booth space fees, assignment, and a 2019 floor plan, click here.
Educational Opportunities
One of the top reasons for attending the Irrigation Show and Education Week is the comprehensive educational offerings.
Education Week offers five days of seminars, technical programs and education classes conducted by some of the industry’s leading experts and researchers. You can discover the latest cutting-edge research, technologies, techniques and best practices in landscape irrigation, while earning valuable CEUs.
This year’s “Industry Insights” promise to take the educational sessions to a whole new level. Here’s a taste of the new and different topics being offered during Industry Insights:
The Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights
Mobile apps for water conservation in turfgrass
The H-2A & H-2B guest worker program
Severe weather and ways to protect your crew and clients
Social media and how to use it in your business
Rainwater collection Wi-Fi technology and how to incorporate it in your business
Research updates and reports from around the country
These sessions vary from 30- to 90-minute formats and include everything from single presentations to panel discussions.
Certification Exams
Exams for the following certification programs will also be available at this year’s Irrigation Show:
Those are just two of the many reasons that regular maintenance is needed to keep your sprinkler system running efficiently year after year. Here’s another: Damage from lawn equipment or improper winterization can result in costly leaks and other serious problems.
An Ounce of Prevention
Here are a few simple checks to perform on a monthly, annual or periodic basis to ensure your sprinkler system is operation at an optimal level:
Every Month During Growing Season…
Inspect the controller and make sure it’s plugged in and functioning.
Check the connection on all of the wires and sensors.
Adjust sprinkler head positions and spray patterns to avoid watering sidewalks or structures and to provide necessary clearance over growing plants.
Remove obstructions that prevent sprinklers from distributing water evenly.
Check the pressure. Pressure can change over time and negatively affect your system’s efficiency. If the pressure is too high, it’ll result in significant runoff.
Inspect your system for leaks — a huge water waster. This step requires the help of your irrigation contractor. He’ll not only check for leaks and broken or clogged spray heads; he can also advise you about common problems to watch for between visits.
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Once a Year…
Winterize, winterize, winterize! This routine maintenance procedure is critical. Overlook it, and you can expect costly damage to your system. But this is something best left to the professionals. Your irrigation contractor has specialized equipment to flush out the water that could otherwise freeze, resulting in cracked pipes, valves and other parts. (See related article, “How to Winterize Your Landscape Irrigation System.”)
Get your back flow checked. Federal and state laws require that your backflow connection be tested annually by a state-certified tester. (This is typically part of the winterization process.)
Once in a While or As Needed…
Now and then, it’s a good idea to have your system audited. Hire a Certified Irrigation Auditor to conduct an audit and uniformity test. If your system is watering unevenly or improperly, he can make the necessary adjustments.
Replace your controller’s back-up battery whenever you replace your smoke alarm batteries.
Adjust the watering schedule to reflect the current season and irrigation needs of your landscape.
With the proper routine maintenance, your irrigation system will serve you well for seasons to come!
Becoming a certified WaterSense professional demonstrates to your customers that you have the knowledge and experience to help them save both water and money.
And certification entitles you to exclusive EPA benefits. Such as:
Work opportunities for new home projects, federal facilities, and LEED® projects.
Use of the WaterSense promotional label on business cards and marketing items.
Increased exposure to customers through national recognition from EPA as an environmental steward.
Access to helpful tools and materials created by EPA.
Certification Programs
WaterSense offers the following certification programs for landscape irrigation professionals:
Irrigation System Design Program
The design program teaches you how to tailor irrigation systems to match the surrounding landscape and local climate conditions. This course is offered by the national Irrigation Association.
To become a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID), you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: three years of irrigation-related experience or education in an irrigation-related field.
Pass the general landscape/turf exam. The four-hour general landscape/turf exam includes 150 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation equipment, hydraulics, system components, scheduling, precipitation and application rates, spacing, soil-water-plant relationships, efficiency/uniformity, economics and pumps.
Pass a landscape/turf specialty irrigation exam. Candidates have four hours to complete a specialty exam in commercial, golf course or residential landscape irrigation. See the Certification Candidate Handbook for details on specialty exam content. Candidates may not take both the general landscape/turf exam and one of the landscape/turf specialty exams on the same day.
Irrigation System Installation and Maintenance Program
The installation and maintenance program teaches you how to select the appropriate equipment, lay out the site, and ensure proper scheduling for optimal irrigation system performance.
To become a Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: three years of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation contractor exam. The 3½-hour exam includes 150 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation design, irrigation installation, irrigation scheduling, water management and conservation, maintenance and repair, federal laws and codes, and general business management. Candidates have 3½ hours to complete the exam.
The irrigation auditingprogram teaches you how to identify systems that are distributing water unequally or inefficiently and determine how to improve performance.
Are You Already Certified by the IA?
If you already have an Irrigation Association certification, and wish to become WaterSense certified, you’re in luck!
All you have to do is apply for the WaterSense certification and agree to uphold the terms of the WaterSense Partnership Agreement. No fees are required to become a WaterSense certified partner if you already hold an Irrigation Association certification.
To become a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), you must:
Pass the irrigation auditor exam. The three-hour exam includes 125 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation audit procedures, soil-plant relationships, irrigation scheduling and equipment/technology.
Submit a landscape irrigation audit. Audits must be completed independently and verified by an IA-certified professional in good standing within one year of acceptance into the certification program. (See audit guidelines and worksheets.)
The WWLP training presents a holistic watershed approach to outdoor water use efficiency, emphasizing plant, soil, water relationships, and rainwater as a resource. Certified professionals assess the proper functioning of irrigation systems, perform irrigation water audits, recommend watering schedules, and conduct whole-site evaluations. This certification also requires a solid understanding of the principles of watershed management in the landscape. The program is available throughout the United States.
To receive this certification, you must:
Complete the two-day (16 hour) WWLP coursework offered in your area by a G3 Qualified WWLP Trainer.
All exam fees for programs offered by the national Irrigation Association are $250 for national IA members and $495 for non-members. If you’re not currently an IA member, you can save money by joining now. Here’s how:
Because the Ohio IA is an affiliate member of the national association, all Ohio IA contractors are eligible for a $100 discount off of the $520 regular IA membership rate.
The IA membership year is Jan. 1-Dec. 31. If you join midyear, you must remit full-year dues ($420) with your IA membership application; however, your dues will be prorated in the second year of membership.
Results Are in for Two-Year
Water Efficiency Study
Outdoor water efficiency programs work.
That’s the conclusion reached by the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) following its two-year Landscape Transformation study. The AWE researched 14 different community-driven programs from across the country. In the final analysis, the AWE determined that these programs reduced outdoor water usage by 7 to 39 percent for program participants.
The water efficiency programs studied included incentives for efficient irrigation technologies, free distribution of mulch, turf removal and water-wise re-landscaping, and customer site audits. Water savings were achieved in every community, regardless of the climate, program type or incentives for participation. (To download the Landscape Transformation Executive Summary, click here.)
According to the EPA, nearly nine billion gallons of water are used each day outdoors, mainly for landscape irrigation. In addition, as much as 50 percent of water used outdoors is wasted due to evaporation, inefficient or broken equipment, and overwatering.
AWE President and CEO Mary Ann Dickinson sees this as an opportunity:
“There are still significant water savings to be found by changing the way we look at our lawns. As communities consider their long-term supply options, they should look at landscape transformation programs to help their water utility avoid more costly infrastructure-based solutions.”
Survey Says…
In addition to the impact analysis of water utility programs, the AWE’s study also surveyed 3,000 North American homeowners to determine their interest in landscape transformation.
They found that homeowners typically misjudge the amount of water they use outdoors. More than half of those surveyed believe they use 10 to 30 percent of their overall water outdoors. But most homeowners in fact use 30 to 60 percent of their water outdoors, depending on the region and climate. (According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, the average American household uses more than 300 gallons of water per day.)
The AWE’s survey also revealed that most homeowners believe they are already efficient users of outdoor water. For instance, 41 percent stated that they already owned water-efficient sprinklers. However, industry manufacturers report that less than 20 percent of sprinkler head sales are for efficient models.
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Seeking Sustainability
Survey respondents also indicated a growing interest in sustainable landscapes. Low water use was one of the top three selected landscape attributes (42 percent). Most homeowners surveyed are looking for a variety of landscaping features, preferring more trees, shrubs, flowers and entertaining space than lawn.
Almost 80 percent of respondents were dissatisfied or only somewhat satisfied with their current landscaping, and half believed their lawns are unhealthy or only partially healthy. But 85 percent believe they would need assistance with a landscape makeover; they’re looking to landscapers and irrigation professionals to help them change their landscapes.
The good news is: Survey respondents who had participated in an alternative landscaping program, were overwhelmingly (91 percent) satisfied with their new landscape. So homeowners want to use more sustainable landscaping, but they need help. That’s where irrigation professionals come in.
Advice from WaterSense
When consulting with homeowners about reducing their outdoor water waste, offer the following suggestions from WaterSense:
Use regionally appropriate, drought-tolerant, or native plants that thrive in your climate.
Add mulch to plant beds.
Check sprinkler heads for breaks or leaks and make sure water is going where it’s needed.
Test your irrigation system to ensure the zones are programmed correctly.
Check your irrigation system to look for water efficiency improvements.
Create an irrigation schedule that makes seasonal adjustments easy.
Retrofit your irrigation system with new, water-efficient technologies, such as a WaterSense labeled controller, rainfall sensor, or high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles.
Beautiful and Smart
Clearly, homeowners are beginning to realize that they don’t have to sacrifice a beautiful landscape in order to become more sustainable.
AWE’s Dickinson summed it up nicely:
“Beautiful landscapes are a source of pride for homeowners, but [they] also want to be smart water users. Whether it’s installing a more efficient irrigation system, opting for drought-tolerant turf, or re-landscaping with climate-appropriate plants, we need to communicate that a sustainable landscape can be beautiful and water-conscious.”
Are your customers aware that efficient irrigation can save them water and money?
July is Smart Irrigation Month. What better time to position your company as a leader in water-saving practices with customers, business partners and peers?
For the past 15 years, the national Irrigation Association (IA) has used the month of July to showcase the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products and services in landscape and turf irrigation.
New Smart Irrigation Month Tools
This year, the IA has created a host of new tools to help you promote smart irrigation throughout the month. Such as:
Do you send out monthly statements to your customers? Smart irrigation statement stuffers are the perfect way to remind your customers of some simple smart-watering tips.
What about your company newsletter? The IA offers several articles on irrigation best practices can easily be included.
Get Everyone on Board!
But that’s not all. As in previous years, there are a myriad of other ways that you can demonstrate smart leadership:
Participate in Technology Tuesday on July 9, 2019, by using #smartirrigationmonth on social media.
Add the SIM logoto your website, email signature, ads, customer presentations, field signs, invoices and more.
Submit a press release or letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Encourage sales and marketing staff to participate in dealer and distributor Smart Irrigation Month activities.
Host a live demonstration of water-saving irrigation technologies in the field or at your location.
Feature water-efficient products and services in displays, ads, promotions and product demos with the SIM logo.
Make smart irrigation the theme of sales calls.
Distribute awards to customers and/or business partners who promote water-efficient practices.
2018 Video Contest Winner
Also included in IA”s July promotion is the smart irrigation video contest. Last year’s contest winner was Colorado-based Water Ketch Sprinkler. Take a look:
Did you know that installing a landscape irrigation system is one of the top five improvements you can make to increase your home’s marketability?
It’s true, according to the popular informational website LifeHacker. Real estate appraiser Tom Ferstl of Little Rock, Ark., explained that many homeowners don’t want to be bothered with maintaining a stunning, landscaped garden. “So planting tons of trees, bushes or flowers isn’t necessarily going to elevate your home’s value. But everyone wants green grass, so adding a sprinkler system that automatically turns on and off is a good investment.”
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A landscape irrigation system can help ensure that your home has maximum curb appeal — a key factor if you’re trying to sell. In this way, the system indirectly increases a home’s market value. Since attractive landscaping requires sufficient watering, the automatic irrigation ensures protection of your investment. By enabling plants to live longer and grow healthier over time, the system increases property value.
The Convenience Factor
A landscape irrigation system also adds value through convenience. Many potential home buyers want a yard that is easily maintained and convenient to water, and an irrigation system meets those demands. HGTV agrees that for homeowners who are pressed for time, “an irrigation system is ideal.”
According to Freshome, “An irrigation system that works properly and covers the full yard can add value.” The online home improvement magazine listed installing an irrigation system as one of the “15 Best Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home.”
But it’s important that the system be installed by a professional, Freshome states. A poorly designed irrigation system can significantly detract from the value of a property. (And you can end up doing more damage than good, says appraisal expert Leslie Sellers.)
Likewise, the system should be kept fully functioning, as proper maintenance and upkeep contribute to its added value.
The Value of Smart Technology
Did you know that millennials represent the largest share of potential home buyers? That’s according to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) study. So, if you’re selling your home, this is a market you can’t afford to ignore.
And what are millennials looking for in a home? Smart technology. In fact, Better Homes and Gardens recently found that 64% of the millennials they surveyed were interested in having smart technology in their homes. To this market, smart irrigation just makes sense, as a time saver and for water conservation purposes.
Which is why Upnest, a realtor-comparison website, recently included smart irrigation systems as one of “7 Smart Home Technology Upgrades That Increase the Value of Your Home.” Energy efficiency is another important factor to millennials, and what could be more efficient that smart irrigation? Instead of requiring the homeowner to set a schedule, smart irrigation controllers use real-time weather information to create a watering schedule that better matches plants’ water needs. (See related article, “Saving Water Through Hydrozoning.”)
The EPA estimates that replacing a standard clock timer with smart controller can save nearly 8,800 gallons of waterannually.
The Bottom Line
Even the most expensive landscaping isn’t worth much unless it’s maintained through proper irrigation.
The bottom line: A landscape irrigation system will help your home sell quickly. This is especially true if you’re competing with other homes in the same area. So if you want home to stand out and become more marketable, contact an Ohio irrigation contractortoday.
While spray heads are less expensive than rotors, their installation requires more pipe, trenches and valves.
No doubt you are already offering 
You’ll also want to include the following services:
Do you need help drafting a service contract for your landscape irrigation business? There’s plenty of help online. Check out the following links:
When:
For the past 30 years, Jim has motivated thousands of individuals and organizations across North America to strive toward excellence. He has written hundreds of articles and been published as an industry expert dozens of times.
Whether he’s focusing on performance mindset, deeper client and team engagement, customer surprise and delight, or growth at all organizational levels, Jon Petz offers much more than “just” a keynote!
For nearly two decades, John Kennedy has inspired well over 250,000 audience members throughout North America, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean with his world-class training programs.
The collaboration hopes to provide an action-packed week focused on the one resource we all strive to manage responsibly — water.
Find solutions to ancillary landscape markets such as ponds, waterscapes and outdoor lighting.
Inclusion in the WaterSense online 
The water efficiency programs studied included incentives for efficient irrigation technologies, free distribution of mulch, turf removal and water-wise re-landscaping, and customer site audits. Water savings were achieved in every community, regardless of the climate, program type or incentives for participation. (To download the Landscape Transformation Executive Summary, 
Almost 80 percent of respondents were dissatisfied or only somewhat satisfied with their current landscaping, and half believed their lawns are unhealthy or only partially healthy. But 85 percent believe they would need assistance with a landscape makeover; they’re looking to landscapers and irrigation professionals to help them change their landscapes.
Check sprinkler heads for breaks or leaks and make sure water is going where it’s needed.
New 
But that’s not all. As in previous years, there are a myriad of other ways that you can demonstrate smart leadership:
According to 
And what are millennials looking for in a home? Smart technology. In fact, 
