interesting irrigation installations & opportunities · 2011. 1. 24. · interesting irrigation...

Interesting Irrigation Installations & Opportunities

1:00 - 1:05 Introduction


• 1:05 – 1:10 The 1st Question

• The Story about RWH and architect visits

• What do you know about RWH

• 2 in Detroit (Erin, Dul)

• 1 in Cleveland (Mike at City)

• 1 in Windsor (Paul B)


• 1:10 - 1:15 RWH

• It’s not always all about Price, its about doing the right thing.

• Irrigation system cost vs. RWH cost.

• Sarnia Installation


• 1:15 – 1:20 The 2nd Question

• The Story about Water Usage (& Savings) with architect visits

• How Much water (& $) will be used.

• 27,154 (if 100% efficient)

• You should know what Historical ET is and how to use it.

• Plants don’t waste water, people do

• Just because it is 4 a.m. on Tuesday, does not mean it is time to water


• 1:20 - 1:25 Saving Water Installations (Smart Controllers)

• All went with Smart Controllers (ET Based)

• Chad with Car Washes

• Bob with Pulte Homes

• Ron, Chuck with D&B Landscaping

• Steve Monroe with Hospital

Smart Controller Story

Indianapolis Business Journal.

Mike’s Express Carwash uses a lot of water. There’s just no getting around it. So when automated systems engineer Ryan Binkley looked for ways to conserve resources, he focused on the company’s irrigation systems.

Fishers-based Mike’s has installed so-called “smart” irrigation systems at 36 of its locations, employing technology designed to reduce water use by monitoring weather conditions, precipitation and evaporation. The move has saved the company more than $67,000 a year.

Mike’s Carwash installed the Hunter brand Evapotranspiration system at its Lawrence store in May 2007. Binkley studied the water usage over the course of the year and noticed the store went from using more than 3,000 gallons of water for irrigation to less than 1,000. Irrigation costs plummeted from $11 a day to just $3.

So Mike’s installed the systems at additional locations starting in May 2008. Stores spend about $1,200 on the technology, but are able to save at least that much in water costs in the first three months.

“If you have the money, it’s worth the cost,” Binkley said. “We don’t see any loss in quality and when you look at the savings, the system speaks for itself.”

Another Smart Controller Story

City of Troy . Water Usage for 1 Rotor ZoneRotors usually have an Application of .40” an hourWe usually figure 1” a week for Turf.1 Rotor Zone for a commercial Job = 35 GPM (10 Rotors x 3.5)35 GPM x 150 Minutes (2 TO 2.5 hours a week) =

5,250 Gallons Per Week5,250 Gallons per week x 4.33 weeks per month =

22,733 Gallons Per MonthCost of Water (Troy Michigan 2009) $4.33 Per Unit 1 Unit = 100 Cubic Feet of Water or 748 gallons22,733 Gallons (divided by) 748 Gallons = 30.40 Units Used30.40 Units x $4.33 = $131.63For an average Job in Troy Michigan, it will cost $131 a month PER ROTOR ZONE!!!!!A 10% savings with a weather station

That could be $13 A MONTH, PER ZONE!24 zone controller x $13= $312 Month Savings per controller$312 x 5 month season = $1560 in water savings a summer.


• 1:25 – 1:30 Offer Tune up’s and Water Saving Devices• Educate!!!!

• Upgrade to an ET Based Controller (Smart Controller)

• Sensors

• Drip irrigation (revamp Sprays in Shrub Beds)

• Matched precipitation

• Sell them upgrades for the sprinkler heads

• High efficiency nozzles (Rotary or Spray or Rotor)

• Pressure regulation (on the valve or sprinkler or whole system)

• High flow detection

• Education & Your People • Offer New Services

• Drainage From Gutter Downspouts

• Pop-Up Drainage Emitter

• Flo-Well, or Rain Garden


• 1:30 - 1:35 Two Wire Installations

• Wayne State

• Mississauga Park

• Leamington Soccer Fields (No, Price was Higher but look at Labor)

• Not necessarily cheaper, but a lot less future headaches

• Keep as-builts (important for troubleshooting)

• Good Wire connections important

Keep as-builts (important for troubleshooting)Good Wire connections important


• 1:35 – 1:40 Pump Volute at University of Detroit

• Maximum Pressure Story


• 1:40 - 1:45 Water Fall

• Use submersible if possible

• If not, than Best way to regulate

• With a Ball Valve & PSI Gauge

• With an Amp Meter

interesting irrigation installations & opportunities · 2011. 1. 24. · interesting irrigation...

Documents