By Stephanie Casimiro
All photos courtesy of Moen
The Moen faucet company, a notable name in the world of plumbing fixtures, traces its roots back to an invention by Alfred M. Moen. Moen’s journey into plumbing began in 1937 when he experienced a sudden burst of inspiration catalyzed by an awkward and somewhat painful incident. After burning his hands with hot water from an old-fashioned two-handle faucet, Moen, then a college student and part-time inventor, was propelled to conceptualize a single-handle faucet that could control both hot and cold water.
The introduction of Moen’s faucet was a significant breakthrough in plumbing technology. Its convenience and efficiency starkly contrasted with the traditional two-handle models, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
Today, Moen is still disrupting the industry, with industry defining products.
“We take creating healthy living environments seriously,” says Andrea Maher. “Our goal is to go beyond beautiful faucets and deliver water experiences that promote well-being.”
The Future of Home Water Management
In today’s eco-conscious world, efficient water usage and leak prevention have become paramount for homeowners. Moen is at the forefront of addressing these concerns with its groundbreaking Smart Water Network. This sophisticated system is designed to transform how you interact with water in your home, offering an unparalleled blend of control, convenience and conservation.
Imagine a home where water damage is a distant worry, and you can control every drop from the comfort of your phone. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the reality Moen has created with its Smart Water Network. “We envisioned it as a whole-home ecosystem,” says Andrea Maher, Manager of Brand Marketing at Moen, reflecting on the journey that brought this revolutionary concept to life. “Our goal was to bring complete peace of mind to homeowners by giving them more control over their water.”
Before the Smart Water Network, plumbing resided in the shadows, only noticed when a leak sprung or a pipe burst. Moen recognized the potential of smart home technology to transform this essential yet often overlooked system. “Smart home technology has become an invaluable upgrade to homes,” says Maher, “and by applying smart products to manage water throughout the home, we’re seeing the incredible benefits of water damage protection and conservation. “
The Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff are at the heart of the network. “This device is attached to a home’s main water supply line,” says Maher, “and operates 24/7 in the background, continually monitoring for potential water abnormalities.” A small, undetected leak can lead to devastating consequences, causing expensive repairs and the loss of irreplaceable items. The statistics are sobering: “Water damage is claimed six times more than fire and eight times more than theft, accounting for 24 percent of all insurance claims; over ten years, one in every six homes will file a claim for water damage and freezing of an average amount of $12,500,” reveals Maher. “We designed a truly integrated system. Our goal is to enhance comfort, security and conservation efforts while seamlessly integrating with the connected lifestyle people crave.”
The journey began with the Smart Water Security System, featuring the Flo Monitor and Shutoff, Smart Leak Detectors, a Smart Sump Pump Monitor, and a Smart Faucet. The Smart Water Network has fundamentally transformed how people interact with water in their homes. “Those pipes behind the walls used to be an invisible mystery,” reflects Maher. “Today, our innovations provide knowledge and understanding of that system and the ability to control and manage all the home’s water from the palm of your hand while delivering simplified automation, more personalization, and water savings benefits.”
Beyond the Walls: Moen Extends Smart Water Network Outdoor
While the Smart Water Network represents the pinnacle of Moen’s integrated water management solutions within the home, a newer category of products empowers homeowners with ultimate control over their outdoor water usage: The Smart Sprinkler Controller and Smart Wireless Soil Sensors.
“Water management inside the home has been a primary focus for Moen,” says Andrea. “Yet water use goes beyond the indoors, so we’ve developed a simple, intelligent and affordable way to control a home’s irrigation system right from a smartphone app.” With these products, individuals owning lawn irrigation systems can tailor watering schedules and manage zones separately. This facilitates precise control over water distribution to each zone, guaranteeing ideal moisture for vegetation while minimizing excess.
The system also caters to seasonal variations. Users can make adjustments on the fly and enable the weather-skip feature, which automatically turns off watering based on local weather data, preventing unnecessary water use during rainy spells. Additionally, the app provides valuable insights into both water usage and estimated savings, allowing homeowners to track their progress toward a more sustainable water footprint.
Moen’s Smart Wireless Soil Sensors take outdoor water management a step further. These are the only smart wireless soil sensors that work seamlessly with the Moen Smart Sprinkler Controller. “They monitor precise data on zone moisture levels,” explains Maher. “This real-time data is then communicated directly to the controller, which can then adjust watering schedules automatically – and only in the zones required. This ensures a happy, healthy lawn while significantly reducing water waste.”
Delivering Water Experiences for Well-Being
Moen recognizes the growing concern over water quality and its impact on our health. “We take creating healthy living environments seriously,” says Andrea Maher. “Our goal is to go beyond beautiful faucets and deliver water experiences that promote well-being.”
Moen’s comprehensive water filtration solutions address this very need. They provide safety and peace of mind by filtering contaminants from your kitchen faucet’s drinking water. These systems are not only stylish but also customizable, allowing you to tailor them to your exact needs and preferences. This adaptability is particularly important as water quality can vary significantly depending on location.
Moen offers the Advanced Water Filtration System for those seeking a streamlined solution. This system packs the power of multi-stage carbon filtration into a single, convenient unit. “You’ll experience a high flow rate and effective contaminant removal, all with less frequent filter replacement,” explains Maher. The system features an LED indicator to ensure you always have fresh, clean water and signals when it’s time to change the filter.
For the ultimate in contaminant removal, Moen’s 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System employs a four-phase process specifically designed to target a wide range of contaminants, including arsenic, viruses, lead and chlorine. This system is particularly adept at addressing emerging concerns such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), reducing over 95 percent of these chemicals in your drinking water (based on water quality). Furthermore, Moen prioritizes water conservation in its design. The Reverse Osmosis system boasts a 1:1 wastewater byproduct ratio, minimizing water waste during filtration.
Moen’s commitment to style and functionality extends to its selection of filtration faucets. The SIP drinking water faucets pair beautifully with either the single-stage advanced or 4-stage reverse osmosis systems. These faucets feature a rotating spout for enhanced control and to prevent splashing. For a more comprehensive solution, Moen’s new 3-in-1 Water Filtration Pulldown Kitchen Faucets dispense filtered cold water alongside hot and cold tap water through separate channels, eliminating any possibility of mixed water flow. These faucets also cater to Moen’s dedication to design personalization. A 3-in-1 water filtration pulldown retrofit wand kit allows you to transform your existing Moen pulldown faucet into a water filtration faucet, seamlessly integrating clean water functionality into your current kitchen setup.
Commitment to Dealer and Designer Knowledge
Moen recognizes that education is paramount throughout the product lifecycle, and empowering its dealer and designer network is a key focus. “As we introduce our products,” says Maher, “we constantly emphasize the benefits for their clients and the positive impact these innovations can have on their day-to-day lives, particularly when it comes to healthier water.”
Moen equips its sales force with in-depth training to confidently share the advantages of their filtration systems and how they seamlessly integrate into customer lifestyles. Additionally, Moen leverages its network of Designer Council members as product advocates. This council comprises designers of diverse backgrounds and experience levels, representing various-sized businesses within the single-family kitchen and bath remodel segment. Their role extends beyond product feedback; they serve as a vital link between Moen and the design community.
“Each household leads a unique lifestyle,” acknowledges Maher, “but many face challenges related to water quality and its impact on health.” By educating dealers and designers on the different filtration systems and products available, Moen empowers its partners to become informed consultants. This enables them, in turn, to guide their clients toward the ideal solution to promote safety, health and well-being right from the tap.
Culinary Confidence Meets Everyday Convenience
Moen’s commitment to innovation extends beyond water management and filtration. The company is constantly seeking to elevate homeowners’ kitchen experiences. Enter the all-new Cia Kitchen Faucet with Power Boost Pro, a product designed to bridge the gap between chef-inspired functionality and modern aesthetics.
“We envisioned a faucet that empowered everyday cooks to feel like culinary masters in their own kitchens,” explains Andrea Maher. “But we also recognized the importance of water usage and the growing popularity of industrial-chic design elements, like exposed spring faucets.” The Cia with Power Boost Pro tackles a fundamental kitchen conundrum: cleaning. This innovative faucet directly addresses this challenge with its versatile functionality.
The star of the show is Moen’s new Power Boost Pro spray technology. This revolutionary feature delivers a more substantial spray with targeted control, making cleaning significantly easier and faster. “We’ve found faucets with Power Boost Pro clean 20 percent faster and offer a significant reduction in splash versus Moen pulldown and pullout faucets without the Power Boost Pro technology,” informed Maher.
The Power Boost Pro experience goes beyond simple cleaning power. The faucet includes a lever allowing users to customize the spray pressure according to the task. A gentle stream is ideal for delicate dishes, while a powerful boosted spray tackles tougher messes. The Boost Lock button enables hands-free cleaning and filling at high performance for ultimate convenience. Additionally, the wand can be disengaged without turning off the faucet, allowing seamless transitions between functionalities.
The Cia with Power Boost Pro doesn’t compromise on water efficiency. The faucet boasts a variable flow rate, ranging from 1.1 to 2.2 gallons per minute in boost mode and 1.1 to 1.8 gallons per minute in spray mode. These modes ensure the right amount of water pressure for any task while minimizing waste.
With its sleek design, superior cleaning power, and commitment to water conservation, the Cia Kitchen Faucet with Power Boost Pro empowers homeowners to embrace their inner chef while maintaining a stylish and sustainable kitchen environment.
Sustainable Design
Sustainability is another cornerstone of Moen’s philosophy. Mission Moen embodies this commitment, aiming to protect and preserve the world’s most precious resource – water. “Since 2020, through product innovations alone, we’ve helped save over 232 billion gallons of water and 637 tons of recycled ocean plastic,” says Maher. Moen’s ambitious goal is to empower consumers to save a staggering one trillion gallons of water by 2030, all while enhancing their enjoyment of this vital element.
“Sustainable design and manufacturing are reflected in the details of many of our products,” continues Maher. “With the concern of growing contamination of ocean plastic, we are breathing new life into repurposing this waste by incorporating maritime plastic fibers into our packaging and components of our products, like our Verso showers, wall mount tub fillers, and M-Core Valves.”
From revolutionizing faucets to fostering healthier homes and smarter water management, Moen continues to redefine the plumbing industry. By prioritizing innovation, user experience, and environmental responsibility, Moen ensures that their faucets remain not just a choice but a statement about quality, progress and a deep respect for the resource that sustains us all.
Stephanie Casimiro is a Contributing Editor and the Social Media Manager for Technology Designer Magazine. She is the Founder of Designer Marketing Solutions, a full-service social media and marketing agency.
