A lush, green lawn is something that many homeowners strive for. But to keep your landscaping looking its best, you need more than just regular mowing and fertilizing; you also need proper irrigation. A well-designed sprinkler system can help ensure that your grass and plants get the water they need without wasting  water, a precious resource. Whether installing a new automated sprinkler system or upgrading existing components, pressure regulated sprinklers (PRS) and high efficiency nozzles can water your lawn more efficiently and are mandated in many states . In this article, we'll explore options for pressure regulated sprays and nozzles so you can choose what's right for your landscape.   

Rotors and sprays

Your home's irrigation system likely contains a variety of watering devices. Sprinkler heads and nozzles come in various patterns and sizes to suit your specific needs. Rotors and impacts are commonly used to irrigate large areas of lawn because they can throw the water a long distance. There are two main types of rotors: gear drive rotors and impacts. Impact heads work with a rotating arm to send water in a circular pattern. Rotors and impacts can be buried and pop up out of the ground when in use. They can even be mounted on risers to gain even more coverage.

Rain Bird rotors utilize our patented Rain Curtain™ nozzle technology that improves watering coverage for uniform water coverage through the entire watering range. The nozzle is engineered with micro ramps that ensure close-in watering.

Sprays and nozzles are designed for smaller, more localized areas such as flower beds or small patches of grass. Using different nozzles, you can channel the water to a specific pattern, such as a narrow rectangular strip of landscaping near the house.

Advantages of Pressure Regulated Sprinklers

It's common for water pressure to fluctuate throughout the day can cause some spray irrigation devices to over or undershoot their intended target. Pressure regulated sprays (PRS) could be considered the ultimate solution when it comes to improving irrigation. 

Rain Bird has engineered PRS devices, like the Rain Bird 1800 Series PRS Spray Heads, to compensate for water pressure spikes more effectively. We conducted a pressure drop test to measure the effect on outlet pressure and throw distance. When the pressure was dropped from 100psi to 50psi, throw distance of the competitor's outlet pressure fell 10psi and it lost 3 feet of coverage, while the Rain Bird PRS sprinkler maintained consistent outlet pressure and throw.

With the potential for up to 50% water savings, PRS pop-up sprinklers are mandated for new sprinkler installations in several states, including California, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Oregon, and New Jersey. Check with your local water district to find out whether you might be eligible for rebates to help offset some of the cost.

Because PRS sprays prevent water from being wasted on areas where it isn't needed, they can produce further savings up to 106,000 gallons of water per year. Adding a high efficiency nozzle can help maintain a consistent flow rate regardless of the water pressure, which conserves water by reducing misting and fogging caused by high pressure and wind evaporation.

How to install or replace existing components in a sprinkler system 

For DIYers, the replacement steps are the same as for regular heads.