A Sprinkler System with a Brain

One of the cool products I heard about at LOHAS 2 weeks ago was Cyber-Rain. They call it a sprinkler system with a brain. It's a smart sprinkler control system that uses real time online weather data to help save 30-70 percent of water use. It grabs the data wirelessly and adjusts sprinkling accordingly.

You just attach it to your automatic sprinkler system. You set up and program your controller on your home computer and that's it. The system adjusts the amount of water delivered based on your local weather conditions and then tracks your water use and savings.

The system retails for $399, which is not cheap, but can save you up to $170 a year. Plus, rebates are available throughout the Southern California water municipalities. In Orange County, they cover the full $399 purchase price of Cyber-Rain, making the unit essentially free. At that price, you'd be crazy not to get one!

There are other water-friendly choices out there - having less lawn, using drought-resistant plants - but for those that want to keep a green, grassy lawn, this seems like a good option.