Questions & Answers
What is the Value Proposition?
20% Average reduction in monthly water & sewer bills
3-24 month payback
The world’s ONLY adjustable water flow management device
Adjustability allows you to maximize savings and avoid pressure and flow problems
Adjustments can be made by your own maintenance personnel on-site without the need to remove the valve or calling a plumber to uninstall the valve
What problem are you solving?
Municipal water is delivered with lots of air and municipal meters read that air as additional water, inaccurately inflating water bills. Smart Water Valves solve this problem making meters read more accurately and lowering water bills.
How much have water rates increased since 2010?
According to Circle of Blue, water rates have increased 54% across the US since 2010. Houston’s Mayor announced significant annual rate increases every year for 5 yrs totaling 78%.
My water bill has water and sewer charges - does the valve save money on both?
Generally, yes. In many markets there is a 1:1 relationship between the two - if you save 10% on water, you are also saving 10% on your sewer bill. So you need to calculate your payback using your total water and sewer cost.
How does The Smart Valve work?
The Smart Valve extends the city main’s pressure zone past the meter, thus minimizing the expansion of entrained air as the water (and entrained air) pass through the city meter.
Don’t Municipal water meters just measure water and not air?
No. We estimate 99.999% of city water meters are volumetric meters. This means they measure air as if it were water, charging you for air.
Why is it “Smart” to buy an adjustable flow management device?
To be able to optimize the effectiveness of the valve
To maximize the savings on the monthly water bill as circumstances change
To be able to quickly respond in the event the city water main pressure drops significantly (think broken main). With the patented Smart Valve, you can adjust it back to its minimum setting, without having to shut down your building at an inopportune time in order to remove the valve.
Is it required to hire a plumber to adjust the Smart Water Valve?
No. While we recommend a licensed plumber install The Smart Valve, it is not required to hire a plumber to make any periodic adjustments.
How long is the manufacturer's money back guaranty?
90 days
How long is the manufacturer's warranty?
10 years
Does the Smart Water Valve need to be installed next to the city meter?
No. While some are installed near the meter, there are many locations where it is installed hundreds of feet downstream of the meter and producing great savings.
Where is a good place to install The Smart Water Valve?
Install it …
DOWNSTREAM of the back flow preventer and any fire suppression lines, and
UPSTREAM of any pumps, pressure reducing valves, closed or open tanks or cooling tower splits. If you can have 10 diameters of straight pipe before the valve, that is ideal but not necessary.
How critical is it to have 10X the diameter of the pipe of straight pipe before and after the valve?
In this second generation adjustable valve it is not critical, but if you must choose, leave more straight pipe before the valve than after.
Does Smart Water Valve remove the air from the line?
No, Smart Water Valve does not remove the air, rather prevents the entrained air from expanding as it passes through the meter.
Why do you need to know the incoming water pressure before ordering a Smart Water Valve?
Each Smart Valve is custom made. The strength of the internal spring is based upon the incoming water pressure where it is to be installed. It is then further adjustable on site.
Where should The Smart Valve be installed on an irrigation system?
The valve should be installed on the customer side of the meter and after the back-flow preventer. In cold climates, the valve and piping should be protected from freezing. The valve should not be installed so that it is covered in dirt as it would make it difficult to adjust in the future.
Will the valve work when installed in a location that has an open tank?
Yes, in an open tank application where the water pressure drops from the city pressure level to no pressure at all, the valve can produce outstanding savings as it greatly reduces the meter’s cavitation.
How much can the valve save?
In percentage terms the smallest savings we have seen are 6-7% and the largest are in excess of 35%. It depends on the plumbing configuration and how many times a day the water goes on and off. We recommend installing the valve when the payback justifies it.
How long does it take to receive a valve?
Generally, 3-7 days.
Is the Smart Valve UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) Approved?
Yes
Whom should I contact?
Contact your Smart Water Valve sales person or you may call the number at the bottom of this page. We look forward to answering your questions.