Does your home still have the irrigation system that was installed when that home was built decades ago? Read on and discover some of the newer features that you may be missing if you have never replaced your irrigation system.

Valve-In-Head Sprinklers

The latest irrigation systems now come equipped with valves within each sprinkler head. Those valves make it possible for every sprinkler head to be controlled independently from the others in the system. You can therefore decide how much water should be dispensed by each sprinkler head. You can also control the radius to which each head should rotate as it waters your lawn or plants.

In-Ground Moisture Sensors

Irrigation systems now have moisture sensors within the soil. Those sensors can be wired or wireless. They help to determine how much water should be used during each irrigation session based on what is currently available in the soil. This feature removes the "ridiculous" sight of a sprinkler system starting while it is raining.

Adjustable Nozzles

Older irrigation systems didn't have adjustable nozzles. The new systems have nozzles that can be adjusted in order to adapt the way they work to the prevailing weather conditions. For example, the nozzle can be adjusted to accommodate the changes in the spray pattern that could have been caused by strong winds in an area. The nozzles can then be changed to their original settings once the windy conditions end.

Onsite Weather Stations

The newer irrigation systems may also have weather stations that can detect the weather conditions, such as temperature and humidity, at the site where the irrigation system has been installed. The data collected is used by the control system to tweak the parameters of the irrigation system so that your plants get enough water. For example, the controller may prevent the irrigation system from starting in case the temperature is very high. This is because the plants may wither due to high transpiration rates in case they are watered during a hot time in the day.

Variable Drive Pumping Systems

Greater energy efficiency is now achieved by equipping irrigation systems with pumps that have variable-frequency drives. Such drives adjust the rate at which the motor works based on the load exerted upon the pump. Thus, the pump will not work at full capacity if only a limited amount of water is required. This reduces the wear and tear on the pump components. Less energy is also consumed by the pumping system.

Consider replacing your aging irrigation system with a new one. You will then enjoy the benefits that come with the features covered in the discussion above. For more information, contact a local commercial irrigation service.