Do You Really Need a Rain Sensor or Wi-Fi Module? Here's What Omaha Homeowners Are Saving
If you already have a sprinkler system in your Omaha home, you might be leaving money on the table every time it rains. Two of the most underrated upgrades we install at Alternate Rain are the RainBird rain sensor and the RainBird Wi-Fi module — and most homeowners don't realize how quickly they pay for themselves.
What does a rain sensor actually do?
A rain sensor is a small device mounted to your gutter or roofline that detects rainfall. When it gets wet, it sends a signal to your sprinkler controller to skip the next scheduled watering cycle. Once it dries out, your system goes back to its normal schedule automatically. That's it — no adjustments, no thinking about it, no running your sprinklers the morning after a thunderstorm.
It sounds simple, but the savings add up fast. In a typical Omaha summer, we get enough rain events that a rain sensor can prevent anywhere from 15 to 30 unnecessary watering cycles per season. At current water rates in the Omaha metro, that can translate to $50–$150 in water savings per year depending on the size of your system — meaning for most homeowners, the rain sensor pays for itself in a single season.
It's also worth noting that MUD (Metropolitan Utilities District) offers a $75 rebate to residential customers who purchase either a rain sensor or a Wi-Fi module. That rebate alone nearly covers the cost of the sensor, making it one of the easiest upgrades you can make. You can find more information about compatible controllers on our Videos & Resources page.
What about the Wi-Fi module?
The RainBird Wi-Fi module plugs directly into your existing RainBird controller and connects it to your home Wi-Fi network. Once it's set up, you can control your entire sprinkler system from your phone — from anywhere. Adjust your schedule, skip a cycle, run a single zone to check for a leak, or shut the whole system off if you're heading out of town. All from the RainBird app.
One of the standout features of the Wi-Fi module is its ability to monitor local weather forecasts and automatically skip a watering cycle when the probability of rain meets a threshold you set. So if there's a 50% or greater chance of rain in the forecast — or whatever percentage you're comfortable with — your system simply won't run that day. No manual intervention needed. Combined with the smart scheduling features that adjust run times based on local climate data, your lawn gets exactly what it needs and nothing more.
Like the rain sensor, the Wi-Fi module also qualifies for the $75 MUD rebate, and only one rebate is eligible per household, so keep that in mind if you're considering both. Have questions about which option is right for your system? Check out our FAQs page for more details.
Can these be added to an existing system?
Yes — both the rain sensor and Wi-Fi module can be added to most existing RainBird controllers without replacing your whole system. It's a straightforward installation that we can typically take care of during a repair or service call. If your controller is older or not compatible, we can let you know during the visit.
Is it worth it?
For most Omaha homeowners, absolutely. Between the water savings, the MUD rebate, and the convenience of controlling your system from your phone, these two upgrades are some of the best-value additions you can make to an existing irrigation system. We install them regularly and the feedback from customers is consistently positive — especially once they realize their system isn't running in the middle of a rainstorm anymore.
If you're interested in adding a rain sensor or Wi-Fi module to your system, contact us online or give us a call at (402) 289-4019. We'll let you know if your current controller is compatible and get you scheduled. And if it's time for a full spring startup or system repair at the same time, we can take care of everything in one visit.