Estimate gallons and dollars a smart controller could save on your lawn. Uses EPA WaterSense industry averages — directional estimate, not a guarantee.
Water Savings Calculator
Not sure? A typical Erie or Longmont single-family lot has ~3,000–6,000 sq ft of irrigated turf. Most Boulder County HOA homes fall in the 2,500–5,000 sq ft range.
Your estimated savings with a Rachio 3
11,284
Out of ~56,420 gal annual outdoor use
$90
At ~$0.008/gal mid-tier Front Range rate
Install payback
At Trailhead's installed price of $350 (Rachio 3 with professional installation), water-bill savings alone pay back the install in approximately 3.9 watering seasons. A city utility rebate (where available) shortens this further.
Sources: EPA WaterSense Outdoor Water Use Statistics & smart-controller efficiency range, average 2026 Northern Colorado residential water rates. Not pulled from Rachio's own marketing data.
It multiplies your lawn size by an industry-average gallons-per-square-foot-per-week figure (about 0.62 gal/sq ft/week for cool-season turf in semi-arid climates per EPA WaterSense) by a typical 26-week Northern Colorado watering season, then applies a conservative 20% efficiency reduction (the lower end of EPA WaterSense's published range for smart controllers). The dollar estimate uses a mid-tier Front Range municipal water rate.
No. The percentages and gallon figures used here are general industry averages from EPA WaterSense and Cooperative Extension data — they're not pulled from Rachio's own marketing materials. The Rachio 3 is WaterSense-certified, so it falls within this efficiency range, but Trailhead is not citing Rachio-specific savings claims.
Treat it as a directional estimate, not a quote. Actual savings depend on your lawn size, soil type, slope, sun exposure, plant mix, current irrigation schedule, your utility's specific pricing tiers, and how aggressively your previous controller was watering. Two homes with identical lawns can see very different savings.
The calculator uses approximately $0.008 per gallon, which is a rough mid-tier residential rate observed across Northern Colorado municipalities in 2026. Actual rates vary by city, tier, season, and whether you're inside an HOA-billed boundary. Check your last summer water bill for your real per-gallon rate to refine the estimate.
On a typical Front Range home with a moderate-to-large lawn, water-bill savings can often cover the installed cost of a Rachio 3 within a few watering seasons. Adding a city utility rebate (Erie, Longmont, Lafayette) shortens the payback. Confirm rebate eligibility directly with your city — Trailhead does not administer rebates.
Get a free quote on irrigation installation, repair, or seasonal service. Call today or send us a message.
