Apple has begun selling the Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller on its United States website today, following a few weeks after the HomeKit accessory previously launched on Eve's own website and on Amazon (via HomeKit News and Reviews). On Apple.com, you can buy the Eve Aqua for $99.95, and the free shipping option currently designates a delivery date on Monday, August 13.
The Eve Aqua is a small controller that you attach to an outdoor water outlet, letting you activate or shut off water flow via the Home iOS app, Siri voice commands, or automatic HomeKit scenes. Eve says this makes the accessory perfect for sprinklers and can prevent gardens from flooding thanks to an auto shut-off feature.
Elgato Systems announced the Eve Aqua this past May, and then in June Elgato revealed that it would shift its focus "entirely" to its line of Eve devices. Elgato is now "Eve Systems," with plans to offer a "constantly expanding ecosystem" of accessories designed exclusively for Apple's HomeKit platform.
Despite the name change, Apple.com still lists the water controller accessory as the "Elgato Eve Aqua."
Following the restructured company, Eve Systems teased users with new product announcements set to come out of IFA Berlin, which begins on August 31 and runs through September 5. For current products, Eve sells many of its devices on Apple.com, including the Elgato Eve Degree Connected Weather Station, Light Switch, Wireless Motion Sensor, Room Sensor, Energy Smart Plug, Button, and more.
Top Rated Comments
I would not use teflon tape to wrap metal male threads that then go onto a device with plastic female threads. You're just asking for the plastic to "stretch" and get permanently damaged.
If you're having leak issues, I would check the washer for damage or wear. It's very easy and cheap to replace. Also make sure the thread and hose bib are cleaned/cleared of any debris. If you have mulch near your hose bib, lots of time you'll get bits of mulch and dirt caught in the threads and that allows for water to slowly slip by.
Lastly, I had a hose bib that was chrome plated. It was a crappy one, however, and the chrome plating was chipping off, even on the threads. This led to leak issues until I cleaned up all of the loose material.
If you have water pressure issues, it could be from lots of things. Call your water department to ask them what the water pressure in the main should be. Then get a pressure gauge that you can attach to your hose bib. You'll know soon enough if there are pressure issues. Honestly, if you have serious pressure issues, you'll notice it at other locations first. Probably a toilet valve that fails prematurely all the time. Or a drip in a sink that you can't seem to get rid of.
City water pressure is typically very consistent. If you have pressure issues, it's probably something in your house that's causing a rise in pressure. If you have a pressure regulator right where the water comes into the building, and it's failed, then that could be it. Otherwise, maybe your hot water heater's expansion tank has failed and the HWH is pressurizing the entire system in the house. Depends on how your plumbing is configured.
Honestly, this is a step forward for a "poor-man's" lawn irrigation system. I used to have a $40 timer kit that had 4 vavles, so I could set up 4 individual zones to sprinkle various sections of my lawn. If they made one of these with 4 independent valves, I might be interested.
It's not (yet?) HomeKit enabled directly but does support IFTTT. I've had the gen 2 for several years and it's great. Plus it does integrate with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, so if you have those... you're in like Flynn! It's fun asking Alexa to water the patio plants (extra... the normal watering is scheduled/controlled via the app).