THE PROPER DESIGN IS ESSENTIAL!

Put on your thinking cap it's time to go to school.

A lot of Irrigation companies fail to inform the customer about some of the critical issues that exist regarding a systems design that directly reflects on the performance of it. One of the main concerns of performance is efficiency. Let us address that for the next few minutes.

Let us say that a medium sized lawn during a summer month lawn requires 2000 gallons a day. Now if you have an 80% efficient system, it means you have to deliver 2500 gallons to achieve that. (2000/.80=gross to apply) That is very reasonable and realistic.

However to drop down another 10% to 70% the water needed to net you that 2000 gallons becomes 2857 gallons. (2000/.70=gross to apply) A difference of 357 gallons versus 2500 @ 80%. If you counted 7 days a week for 4 weeks it adds up to 9,996 gallons. Two months and it adds up to 19,992 gallons. If you pay for water in the long run how much did your system really cost you? Even at .01 cent per gallon, 19,992 gallons equates to $199.92. That is just a 10% difference in efficiency for a two month period. If that is the only weakness in your system, over the next 5 years it adds up to $999.60.

Your system will be used and last for a lot longer than 5 years. Calculate that when considering the varied prices quoted to you by a high volume mass production contractor. Ask that contractor (or salesman) how much water consumption your system could possibly use or how efficient the system is going to be. Chances are that they side step the issue with baffling sales quotes and we this, but in the end will not break out a calculator and get realistic or technical with you. A salesman's job is to make the sale and get his commission, that is how he makes his money. If he has to under price a competitor, he will do it. No sale, no paycheck! Even Certified Contractors cannot escape some of those tactics. Just because a contractor may be Certified, does not constitute quality and efficiency. All that you will see is the salesman and a crew. Very rarely will the actual Certified business owner show up to control the installation process. Not the case with Aqua-Tech Irrigation, I am present on every project.

The contractor you need goes that extra mile in looking out for their customers. In the short haul the immediate cost is easy to see, however what will it cost you for the life of your system is not. Other contractors may be Certified,  but fail to keep these basic principals at the forefront when pricing jobs out and being competitive.

If you have made it this far in the page, consider yourself an informed customer and I applaud you for that!

For the more interested

Keep in mind that we started out with just a small lawn. A basic figure you can work with is this.  Turf requires 1" of rainfall per week. An acre needs 27,154 gallons to achieve that.  An acre contains 43,560 square feet. That equates to 3,879 gallons daily. Here is how it breaks down. (.62 gallons per square foot per week requirement @ 100% efficiency.)

A 50' x 50' area per week requires (2500 sq. ft x .62 gal per sq. ft.) = 1,550 gallons at 100% efficiency.  At 80% is 1,937 gal. (1550/.80)etc. .80 Representing efficiency. Try this with .70 and see the difference a 10% efficiency means

100% is  (.62 gal. per. sq. ft. per week )  @80% is (.77 gal. per sq. ft  per week) @70% is (.88 gal. per sq. ft per week)

Break out your calculator and do a little math for yourself!

(water required/efficiency .?) = gross to apply) x weeks system is used = (wasted gallons x cost per gallon = wasted $)

A little food for though is that during the summer months there is a negative number that takes moisture from the soil and increases the requirement beyond 1". Mother Nature plays an important role especially when we have a drought situation. That is when you have to lay down almost twice the amount of water to keep turf alive.

Confusing, you bet! All the more reason for a qualified contractor make the right decision in design for you.

There are several other irrigation issues that you should be aware of that are most likely missed by either a salesperson or Contractor. Most of these issues are covered within this site but if you need further assistance or information, feel free to go to the Contact Us page and we will be happy to discuss or meet with you for personal service.

Backflow (a domestic supply needs the right protection)

Certified Contractor (settle for no less)

Equipment (the correct product for the proper design)

Soil conditions (soil conditions are so important to a design)

Micro climates (this could be as simple as a shady area)

Plant material (lawn and shrubs are so different)

Application rates (relates to soil types)

Water window (desired watering times)