A new study from smart sprinkler controller maker Rachio show homeowners’ conflicting attitudes regarding yard irrigation and smart home benefits.
The American Society of Landscape Architects estimates homeowners spend an average of 10 percent of their home’s value on landscaping, so it’s no surprise most homeowners see the yard as a reflection of themselves, and judge neighbors similarly. In fact, 87 percent of people believe maintaining a beautiful yard is as important as keeping their house looking good. To this end, the “State of the Yard” study found homeowners have much to learn about how smart home devices can help in their yards, and they are eager to delegate outdoor duties.
Here are some of the study’s top findings:
–50 percent of homeowners didn’t know the benefits of smart home devices – such as saving time, money and resources – could extend to their yard.
–When ranking smart home gadgets – including lighting, doorbells, appliances and thermostats – as “cutting edge and innovative,” 61 percent of respondents selected smart sprinkler controllers as a top choice. Smart thermostats and smart washer/dryers, the next most frequent choices, trailed behind with 44 and 26 percent respectively.
–70 percent believed smart sprinkler controllers could save the most resources, besting both thermostats and lighting (46 and 27 percent respectively).
–While most homeowners (69 percent) say they are confident their lawns are getting the correct amount of water, 81 percent “would love” to know if their yard was watered accurately.
–Men are more likely (80 versus 64 percent) to say they know how to operate irrigation systems with confidence, and how to water the right amount (74 versus 65 percent).
–70 percent of people are bothered when they see neighbors watering their yards before, during or after it rained; however, even more (76 percent) admit to “inappropriately sprinkling” themselves.
–Only 1 in 4 homeowners knows that running sprinklers for 20 minutes uses more water than taking a 2 ½ hour shower, 85 toilet flushes, or a month’s worth of dishwasher runs. Respondents from the Western region of the U.S. were more likely to know this (32 percent) compared to other regions (22 percent New England/East, 24 percent Midwest, 26 percent South); which is evidence that regional drought-inspired water education has worked.
