What is Smart Valve™ and how does it work?

Smart Valve™ is a passive hydrodynamic device that installs on your main commercial water supply line. It uses hydrostatic back pressure to create a compression zone upstream of the water meter. City water travels at high pressure (≈250 psi) in the distribution main, keeping entrained air compressed. When pressure drops to 50–110 psi at your building, that air rapidly expands and inflates meter readings — billing you for air as if it were water. Smart Valve™ maintains upstream back pressure to prevent air expansion through the meter, so only actual water volume is recorded and billed.

What is Phantom Volume?

Phantom Volume is the air entrained in pressurized city water that expands when pressure drops at your building's meter. This expanded air passes through your water meter and is recorded as water consumption — inflating your bill by 15%–35% on average. Smart Valve™ eliminates Phantom Volume by maintaining back pressure upstream of the meter, so only actual water is measured.

Does Smart Valve™ require electricity or maintenance?

No electricity required. No maintenance — ever. Smart Valve™ is a fully passive mechanical device. It has no moving parts that wear out, no filters to replace, and no software to update. The manufacturer's warranty is 10 years (flange to flange), and the device is built to last 20+ years.

Will Smart Valve™ affect water pressure, flow rate, or quality?

No. Smart Valve™ does not reduce water pressure, restrict flow, or change water chemistry. Every faucet, fixture, cooling tower, and piece of equipment in your facility operates identically after installation. The only change is what the meter records — and therefore what you pay.

How much can Smart Valve™ reduce my commercial water bill?

Smart Valve™ reduces metered water consumption 15%–35% annually on average, guaranteed in writing. The minimum guaranteed savings is 15%. High-volume and high-occupancy facilities tend to see the highest results — data centers and large multifamily properties have exceeded 35% in verified quarterly results. Amazon YYZ3 achieved 58.69% peak savings in Q3 2024.

Is the savings guarantee in writing?

Yes. AWS (American Water Savings Inc.) issues an iron-clad written guarantee of a minimum 15% reduction in metered water consumption on every installation. If savings are not realized within the first 6 months, you have two options: (1) We remove the valve at our expense and refund all program payments made during the trial period, or (2) We reduce the program fee so it never exceeds 50% of the realized savings. You choose.

What is the typical payback period?

Payback periods vary by facility size and local water rates, but typically range from 8–18 months. The Willowood Portfolio achieved 473% ROI in early M&V results. For a 200-unit multifamily property spending $12,000/month on water and sewer, a 20% reduction saves $28,800/year — with a payback period under 12 months.

Does Smart Valve™ also reduce my sewer bill?

Yes. In most U.S. municipalities, sewer charges are calculated directly from your water meter reading. A 20% reduction in metered water consumption typically produces a 20% reduction in both your water bill and your sewer bill simultaneously. This doubles the effective savings impact.

How long does installation take?

Installation requires a single water shutdown of up to 3.5 hours — the only interruption ever required. A licensed plumber installs Smart Valve™ on the client side of your water meter, before the pressure reducer or booster pump. Four weeks after installation, AWS calibrates the valve in phases to match your system's specific pressure profile — all without shutting off the water.

Is Smart Valve™ certified for potable water systems?

Yes. Smart Valve™ holds NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 (drinking water system components) and NSF/ANSI 372 (lead-free compliance) certifications, ensuring it meets regulatory requirements across North America. It is also IAPMO listed. These certifications are required for use in hospitals, schools, food service facilities, and any potable water application.

Who manufactures Smart Valve™?

Smart Valve™ is a Canadian-made device manufactured and distributed exclusively by AWS (American Water Savings Inc.) for U.S. installations and CWS (Canadian Water Savings) for Canadian installations. Perfect Water Valve is an authorized U.S. distributor and installation partner.

Where does Smart Valve™ install in my plumbing system?

Smart Valve™ installs on the client side of your main water meter — after the meter, before any pressure reducer or booster pump. This single installation point covers your entire facility. No changes to individual fixtures, units, or equipment are required.

What types of commercial properties does Perfect Water Valve serve?

Perfect Water Valve serves hotels and resorts, data centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities, multifamily residential buildings, car washes, golf courses, industrial facilities, commercial office buildings, schools and universities, and institutional properties across all 50 states.

What is the minimum water bill to qualify?

The minimum qualifying water and sewer bill is $5,000/month. Properties below this threshold typically do not generate sufficient savings to justify the program cost. Most commercial properties with 50+ units, 100+ hotel rooms, or significant industrial water use easily exceed this threshold.

Does Smart Valve™ work on well water systems?

Smart Valve™ installs on municipal (metered) water supply lines. If your property uses well water for irrigation but has a municipal meter for the building, Smart Valve™ installs on the municipal meter. If your irrigation is also on a municipal meter, that meter qualifies as well.

Can Smart Valve™ be installed on multiple meters at one property?

Yes. Properties with multiple water meters — such as large multifamily complexes, campuses, or industrial facilities — can install Smart Valve™ on each qualifying meter. The Wheatland Terrace portfolio installed Smart Valve™ on 6 meters across 6 Dallas properties, achieving 31%–34% savings verified by two independent M&V methods.

How are savings measured and verified?

AWS uses IPMVP (International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol) Option B methodology — continuous metering. Savings are calculated by comparing metered daily consumption after installation against a pre-installation baseline period of equal length, adjusted for occupancy and weather variables. Formal M&V reports are issued every 6–12 months.

How many verified case studies does Perfect Water Valve have?

Perfect Water Valve has 27+ M&V-verified case studies including Amazon YYZ3 & YYZ4, Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, The St. Regis Toronto, Grand Central at Kennedy (Tampa), Caliber Car Wash (5 sites), RWJ Barnabas Health, Wheatland Terrace (6 sites, Dallas), and multiple Toronto multifamily properties. All results are independently verified.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Smart Valve™ FAQ

Everything you need to know about how Smart Valve™ works, the savings guarantee, installation, certifications, and verified results.

How It Works

Savings & Guarantee

Installation & Certification

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Measurement & Verification

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