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Sneaky water leaks can be hard to detect and costly. You may not know you’re paying extra money on your water bill due to a leak. With the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff installed in your home, hidden water leaks can be a thing of the past.

At Monkey Wrench, our technicians receive specialized training from Moen, one of the leading manufacturers in the industry. We’ve seen how neglected leaking pipes can lead to severe water damage that quickly becomes expensive emergency repairs for many homeowners all over Los Angeles and the surrounding counties of Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. 

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff and review the costs and incentives associated with this system. 

With all this information fresh in your mind, you’ll have a better idea if this system is right for you and your home!

Let’s dive right in!

 

How Does Flo by Moen Work?

The Flo by Moen Water Shutoff system monitors the water flow rate and pressure throughout your home’s pipes for possible leaks. This system can identify leaks as small as a single drop per minute and sends alerts to you via the Moen Smart Water App. 

Thanks to FloSense Technology, this system will automatically monitor and learn your home’s unique water usage patterns to identify any abnormal water leaks and automatically shut off the main water line access to your home. The Flo by Moen also uses MicroLeak Technology, which runs daily tests to make sure your home’s water line connections are running properly.

Moen highly recommends hiring a professional plumber to install the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff. The entire installation can take a technician a couple of hours to complete. The system is installed right after your home’s water meter, water shutoff, and pressure-reducing valve and is available in three sizes depending on your home’s water pipe size. 

It also requires an AC power outlet within 10 feet of the device and 2.4 GHz range WiFi to send data and remote shutoff controls to your Moen Smart Water App.

Now that you’ve learned what the Flo by Moen is and how it works, we can start highlighting their advantages, followed by any drawbacks.

 

Flo by Moen Pros

  • Detects water leaks inside your home
  • Automatically shuts off the water supply when a leak is detected
  • Improves water conservation efforts 
  • It may potentially prevent major water damage 
  • Provides data on water usage for your home
  • With FloProtect plan available at $5 a month, you can extend one one-year warranty to 5 years. 
  • FloProtect plan also offers $5,000 coverage toward your home’s insurance deductible in case of water damage. 

The Flo by Moen combines leak detection, water shutoff capabilities, and water usage data features into one device connected to your Moen Smart Water App. These features make it easier for you to address any water leaks in your home before they become pipe bursts, causing major water damage.  

Every Flo by Moen device has three modes: home, away, and sleep. Home mode is the regular system monitoring your water lines. Away mode is used when you’re planning to be away from home, and sleep mode ignores the normal functions of the Flo by Moen whenever you have irregular water use, such as washing your car or refilling a swimming pool.

This system runs off WiFi, but if your internet connection is lost, it can still monitor your home’s water data internally and protect your home until you can reconnect to the network. With a WiFi connection, your Flo by Moen can be integrated with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. 

All of the features from Flo by Moen are free. But for $5 a month, you can purchase a FloProtect plan that extends your system’s warranty and provides up to $5,000 coverage toward a deductible if there’s water damage. 

Even though the Flo by Moen offers plenty of beneficial features, it has a few drawbacks.

 

Flo by Moen Cons

  • Not a DIY project; professional installation only
  • Upfront cost includes the device plus any additional labor for installation
  • A nearby AC power outlet is required

The Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff system can cost more than other leak detection devices. The price can increase based on your home’s water pipe diameter. 

Each purchase includes other components to complete the installation, in addition to the Flo by Moen. It also consists of a 10-foot power adapter cable, but if it doesn’t reach an outlet, you can purchase a Moen dedicated extension. 

The overall upfront price can increase if you factor in the installation costs. 

 

How Much Does Flo by Moen Cost to Install?

A Flo by Moen system with installation can cost between $2,900 and $4,800 for a home in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. As seen in the previous section, the pipe diameter size of your home can affect the final price.

Other factors include labor and any additional setup to complete the installation, such as upgrading the electrical panel to provide power to the Flo by Moen. Installing this water leak detection system can save you a few hundred dollars in years from water leak costs and tens of thousands of dollars from necessary water damage repairs. 

Besides annual water savings, the Flo by Moen comes with special incentives.

 

Flo by Moen Rebates and Incentives 

Investing in a Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff system can earn you a rebate of up to $150 and special incentives from your home insurance provider. 

The Residential SoCal Water $mart Water Rebate Program is offered through the Metropolitan Water District for homeowners who are customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). You can check if your home qualifies for this rebate by using your zip code and providing a bill from the LADWP.

Installing a Flo by Moen may also grant you discounts on your home insurance premiums with Farmers Insurance. Mercury Insurance has a partnership with Flo by Moen, covering $400 from the installation cost and a 10% discount on a portion of a homeowner’s policy.  

 

Is a Flo by Moen Worth it?

The Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff system and other leak detection devices are becoming standard additions in newly constructed homes. These systems are also extremely beneficial to homes with older plumbing networks. Now that you’ve read and learned about Flo by Moen, you should have a clearer understanding of whether or not this system is suitable for you and your home. 

At Monkey Wrench, we’ve seen how some small leaks can go undetected for years and cause major water damage. By working with industry leaders such as Moen, we’ve helped find and repair leaks before they become pipe bursts with heavy water damage.

If you’re interested in a Flo by Moen system and you’re located in Los Angeles and the nearby communities, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment directly with our online plumbing scheduler. 

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