By Brian Fagioli
When people think of a "smart home," they usually only consider devices inside the dwelling, such as thermostats, lights, and more. A home is more than just a house, however. Most homeowners will tell you that the overall property -- including the yard -- is just as important.
Believe it or not, there are smart devices for outdoors, and not just external security cameras. For instance, Rachio makes a really cool smart sprinkler controller that offers Wi-Fi connectivity. It even has support for Alexa, Nest, and Google Assistant. This week, the company launches a clever companion to its 3rd-generation controller. Called "Wireless Flow Meter," it can alert you to detected leaks and shut down the flow of water.
Detecting a leak can be beneficial for a few reasons. The most obvious is flooding. If the leak it significant and close enough to the house, the water could make its way to your basement -- you don't want that. It can damage your home, cause mold, and ruin belongings stored down there.
Also, the water piped to your home typically isn't free -- having a leak every time you turn on your sprinklers is like throwing money away. If you live in an area with year-round hot weather, this is increased substantially. The Wireless Flow Meter could end up paying for itself...
If you want your own Wireless Flow Meter, it can be had for $99. Keep in mind, however, you must also own a Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, which starts at $229 for an 8-zone unit. It is not compatible with the first or second gen controllers. The flow meter runs on AA batteries (included) and communicates with the sprinkler controller using LoRa.