How Not To Be "All Wet"

According to a study released by the University of Florida, homeowners can save a chunk of money on their water bills by adding soil-moisture sensors to their sprinkler systems - and they would conserve water at the same time. Researcher Michael Dukes found that for three of four rain sensors tested, water savings ranged from 69 percent to 92 percent, compared to grass watered without the help of sensors. And in recent years, soil-moisture sensors, which override the automatic irrigation system if the lawn doesn't need water, have become less expensive, smaller and more accurate. "A few years back, a $400 list price and about $100 to install was common, but now we're seeing products in the $100 to $200 range," Dukes says. A typical Florida yard would require one sensor, though larger landscapes would likely need more.