Before you know it, the summer days will be winding down and winterization services will be starting once again for you and your team. And we all know what that means, coordinating with customer after customer to make sure they’re home for you to complete this service! Let’s be frank…it’s like herding cats. Then comes the customers that skip their appointments, requiring you to provide multiple visits to the same home or area—your time and resources become scattered because your customers’ schedules dictate where and when you need to be in a certain part of town. It’s inefficient and it’s costing you money, but it doesn’t need to be this way.
The Challenges:
Time Management in Operations & Pressure on Cost
Every industry has its challenges and inefficiencies. Knowing what to expect and then relying on partners to help you find the right solution can make all the difference. Time management/operations and cost pressure on profits are two areas that have been particularly challenging for our customers this year. If you are facing these challenges, you are not alone.
Time management and operations efficiency is a common challenge for all businesses, with 89% of small business owners reporting that they must work off-hours to address operational needs from the work week. It’s difficult to be successful when you are working in the business instead of on the business. Strategic planning, identifying areas for efficiencies, and process creation can help you overcome.
Even more, over the last several years the cost of doing business has increased from labor and fuel to materials, transportation, operations and beyond. 72% of business owners reported that these are the top contributing factors to higher costs in their businesses. The inflated cost of doing business doesn’t mean that your profits need to suffer.
The Solution:
Remote Access Valves Save Businesses Time & Money
Every year technology continues to improve and remote shut-off valves allow you to streamline your operations, saving you time and money. Once a remote shut-off valve is installed, your customer will never need to be home for you to complete spring startups, winterization, or system troubleshooting & repairs.
This means you can schedule your team to execute these services in a way that meets your business needs: sending technicians to where they need to be without zigzagging across town, doing more services in a shorter amount of time, and being able to shutoff a leaking system before it becomes a major problem. You can reduce inefficiencies, streamline routes, plan needs, and allow your team to spend more time on the jobsites that have critical/valuable work (and less time running around chasing that one homeowner). Your team can be where it needs to be when it needs to be.
And better yet, adding the remote shutoff valve to your service portfolio allows you to increase sales and sets you apart from your competitor with a smart solution for your customer.
Two Product Solutions
Guardian Valve Controller
The Guardian Valve Controller installs over existing 1/2″ to 1-1/4″ quarter-turn ball valves without the need for tools or pipe cutting. The Valve Controller communicates directly with the Guardian Leak Detectors and can close your water main automatically in the event of leaks or freezing conditions.
The free iOS and Android App provide leak notification, systems status, and remote control of the valve to give you peace of mind even when you are away from the house.
- Supported Valves: Installs over existing quarter-turn metal ball valves from 1/2” to 1-1/4” without any tools.
- Power: Included 10′ 12V/2A DC Power supply. Optional Battery backup for 12-hour coverage.
- Available Data: Valve status, temperature, tamper, push notifications for leak and freezing temperatures.
- Connectivity: Requires Wi-Fi for setup, remote control, and push notifications.
- App: Requires iOS or Android Smartphone with internet access. Requires the Guardian App for set up, remote control, and push notifications.
- Range: Place Leak Detectors up to 1,000′ (line of sight) away from the Valve Controller.
Additional Features:
- No Tools Required: Guardian is ready to install out of the box—no need to cut into pipes or even grab a screwdriver.
- Offline Functionality: Guardian will prevent leaks even if the internet is down—WiFi is only required for setup and remote functionality.
- Battery Backup: With the optional battery backup, Guardian will protect your home for up to twelve hours (or one valve cycle) during power outages.
- Expandable: Use multiple Valve Controllers to control not only your water main, but also your water heater, irrigation system, or any other standard quarter-turn valve. You can use upto 50 Leak Detectors per home.
Simple Flow Remote Shut-Off Valve
A Remote sprinkler shut-off valve which allows technicians to open and close valves remotely. Designed for simplicity, The Aqua Line Series includes an Actuator Valve and Aqua Remote, it is easy to install and easy to use. It is durable, reliable, and secure.
The Actuator Valve simply mounts to any standard 1/4” turn ball valve ranging from 1/2” – 1¹/²” in size.
Finally, rely on Central to help, whether it’s questions about solutions to support your business, recommendations on the newest efficient/innovative products, troubleshooting or installation, or showing you how to use specific equipment. We stay at the leading edge of the industry and we’re ready to help you grow!