If your home has an irrigation system, you have a decision to make when installing the Phyn Plus.
Similar to water softeners and filtration systems, irrigation can be installed either upstream or downstream of the device. The right choice depends on how much visibility and control you want.
Irrigation Installation Options
Option One: Irrigation Installed Upstream (Before Phyn Plus)
In this setup, the irrigation line branches off before the Phyn Plus.
What this means:
Phyn will not monitor irrigation water usage
Irrigation activity will not trigger unusual water alerts
Auto Shutoff will not stop irrigation flow
Why some homeowners choose this option:
Prevents alerts during scheduled watering
Avoids the possibility of irrigation being interrupted
Keeps irrigation separate from whole-home monitoring
This is often preferred if irrigation runs on long or frequent watering cycles.
Option Two: Irrigation Installed Downstream (After Phyn Plus)
In this setup, irrigation water flows through the Phyn Plus before branching to the sprinkler system.
What this means:
Phyn will monitor irrigation water usage
Irrigation leaks can be detected
Auto Shutoff can stop irrigation flow if a major issue is detected
You may receive unusual water alerts during the learning period
What to expect:
The system will need time to learn your irrigation schedule
You may need to respond to alerts in the app during early watering cycles
Seasonal schedule changes may temporarily increase alerts
This option provides full visibility and protection but may require more engagement early on.
Important Considerations for Irrigation Systems
Large irrigation zones can create high flow rates
Sudden zone changes can trigger alerts during the learning period
Seasonal adjustments may temporarily affect detection patterns
Significant irrigation leaks can waste large amounts of water if not monitored
Before installing the Phyn device, if you have an irrigation system, consider whether you want irrigation included in or excluded from monitoring.
How to Decide
There is no universal right answer. If your priority is leak detection and full monitoring of all water usage, install the Phyn device downstream of the irrigation system. If your priority is uninterrupted water usage during irrigation with fewer alerts, install the Phyn device upstream of the irrigation system.