Technological evolution has led to an increasingly frequent use of solenoid valves and programmers for water control in recent years. Whether it's agricultural irrigation or residential irrigation, the advantages of being able to control water with a timer are considerable.
In agriculture, for example, the main advantage is a reduction in costs. Many might think that the cost of a solenoid valve itself is higher than that of a classic manual valve or gate valve, and therefore, for large areas, the price difference for the entire system would be significant. True.
But now let's try to analyze the cost/benefit ratio. First of all, we're talking about a durable good that can be amortized over several years. You might think that the cost of a gate valve or valve is also amortizable. Right.
Now let's try to analyze all the costs associated with a classic manual valve or gate valve.
- First and foremost, personnel costs. Having someone turn on the water for each sector every 3 hours (for example) incurs considerable costs that impact the economy of an agricultural business.
- Secondly, another cost that may arise is due to possible breakages caused by inexperience or distractions; how many times has it happened that irrigation in one sector was closed without first opening the next sector? At least once it has happened to everyone.
- Another cost to consider is fuel; how can fuel affect the savings provided by a solenoid valve? How many times has it happened that you had to go change the water in a sector and found yourself kilometers away from your land, and therefore had to repeatedly go back and forth to change the water in each sector? Well, considering the current cost of fuel, being able to not have to drive kilometers and kilometers to change irrigation shifts represents a considerable saving that is often not considered ("10 euros of fuel today, 10 tomorrow... at the end of the month it adds up to a lot").
- Today, it's possible to combine your programmers with rain sensors, humidity sensors, and volumetric sensors. This represents a great advantage for reducing water waste and thus economizing on that saving ("saving is the first gain").
- Finally, irrigation uniformity. Perhaps the most important aspect of all. How many times has it happened that irrigation shifts were delayed or some sectors were irrigated at night and perhaps less so due to distraction (let's call it that, but perhaps "laziness" would be a more appropriate term)? I often hear farmers talk about lower yields in certain fields. Perhaps this can be a factor that is not taken into consideration.
We have listed a series of advantages of solenoid valves with a programmer for irrigation control. Now let's analyze the disadvantages. Probably none come to mind except for those related to thefts that "can" occur in some areas. In this case, it is possible to equip yourself with solenoid valves that can be buried inside inspection pits and controlled via a Bluetooth programmer to be used with a mobile phone (highly recommended as it is easy and intuitive to use), which allows for less exposure to human sight.
Well, we have analyzed the advantages and disadvantages, albeit minimal, of solenoid valves with a programmer for agricultural use. The same applies to residential use. How many times has it happened that you had to go on vacation in August and didn't know how to irrigate your garden or terrace in your absence? Even in this case, thanks to a simple programmer or garden timer, you can leave carefree and have no surprises upon your return.
The choice is yours ;-)