EcoNet Bulldog Canada: Automatic Water Shutoff & Leak Sensors (Complete Guide + Best Practices)
Quick Answer (EcoNet Bulldog in Canada): If you want to reduce water-damage risk from leaks or winter burst events, the highest-impact mitigation is an automatic main water shutoff paired with leak sensors, so the valve can close without waiting for you to notice an alert. Limitation: Local shutoff can still occur, but remote alerts and remote control generally require Wi-Fi/internet/app access.
Cluster Map (EcoNet Controls → Leak Damage Prevention, Canada):
- Winter-away planning: Winter Away? Automatic Water Shutoff for Canadian Homes
- No internet / storms: Water Shutoff Without Internet (Canada): What Still Works
- DIY fitment + checklist: Install Checklist (Canada): Valve Type, Clearance, Stop Points
- Insurance/condo proof: Insurance & Condo Proof Pack (Canada)
- Stiff valve test: Stiff Main Shutoff Valve Test (Canada): Pass/Fail Decision
Use this guide as the model map + buying guide. Use the 5 guides above as your scenario playbooks.
STOP (before you buy):
- If you cannot locate the main shutoff or it won’t turn, stop and call a plumber.
- Intended for lever-handle quarter-turn ball valves (90° turn).
- Not intended for many multi-turn wheel-handle valves (commonly gate/globe style) or butterfly valves.
- Non-negotiable rule: if your main shutoff cannot open/close reliably in a manual test, do not rely on automation—service/replace the valve or choose an integrated replacement installed by a plumber.
Use the photo + clearance workflow here: DIY install checklist (Canada)
Key Facts (EcoNet Bulldog, Canada — fixed claim pack):
- Motor torque: 11 ft-lb (15 N·m) (manufacturer spec).
- Close time: ~18 seconds controlled close (manufacturer spec).
- Offline reality: Local shutoff can still occur, but remote alerts and remote control generally require Wi-Fi/internet/app access.
- Local sensor path: 433MHz RF is used for local device communication (manufacturer technical specs).
- Outage planning: you still need power continuity (UPS/battery strategy) for router/hub and controller to stay “smart” during outages.
- Battery backup option: typical operation 24 hours or more (manufacturer spec).
- Canada winter risk: freeze/thaw + unattended occupancy increases loss severity (align your plan to provincial preparedness guidance).
- Shop Canada: https://simplysecured.ca/collections/econet-controls
What EcoNet Bulldog Is (and what it is not)
EcoNet Bulldog is an automatic main water shutoff system that actuates a compatible shutoff valve and can respond to leak detection via wireless leak sensors. It is typically selected when you want to reduce damage from unattended flow—especially in Canadian winters, rentals, finished basements, and remote properties.
What it is not: it is not a substitute for a failing or seized valve. If the valve does not pass a manual reliability test, the correct fix is servicing or replacing the valve (often by a plumber), then layering automation and sensors.
Which model should I buy? Wi-Fi vs Matter vs Z-Wave (Canada)
Choose based on your real failure modes (internet down, Wi-Fi/router down, power outage) and whether you want a hub-based ecosystem.
| Option | Hub required? | Best fit in Canada | Primary pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi (EVC300 kits) | No | Simple DIY, rentals, winter-away homes (plan outage power if needed) | EVC300 Wi-Fi Starter Kit (3 sensors) |
| Matter over Wi-Fi (EVC400-MW) | No | Modern ecosystems (Apple/Google), cottages + resilience-first planning | EVC400-MW |
| Z-Wave (EVC200) | Yes | Smart-home pros; hub + local processing plans (hub power matters) | EVC200 Z-Wave Valve Robot |
Deep dive on outages and “what still works”: Water shutoff without internet (Canada)
The minimum “system” you should plan (not just the gadget)
Minimum setup (recommended baseline):
- Main shutoff automation (compatible valve robot or integrated replacement).
- Leak sensors at the highest-probability leak points (start with 3 in most homes).
- Power continuity plan (UPS/battery strategy for controller + router/hub if you expect outages).
- Test cycle before you rely on automation (manual valve test + device open/close test).
For winter-away execution and departure steps, use the pillar playbook: Winter-away water shutoff (Canada).
Install + fitment notes (Canada)
- Identify the valve type: lever-handle quarter-turn ball valve is the intended target; if not, plan for a plumber-installed replacement.
- Verify manual reliability: if the valve binds, leaks at the stem, or won’t fully travel, stop and service/replace it first.
- Check clearance: confirm there is space for the clamp/arm and that the handle travel is unobstructed.
- Place sensors where leaks start: hot water tank/mechanical, laundry, kitchen first; expand coverage room-by-room.
- Plan outages intentionally: if you need remote operation during storms, you must protect power for the controller and network gear.
- Document it: keep invoice/SKU + install photos + sensor map + test date/time (this supports insurance/condo requests).
Use the detailed stop-points + photo checklist: Install checklist (Canada) and the insurer-safe documentation template: Insurance proof pack (Canada).
Complete EcoNet Bulldog Model Index (Canada)
Open the full model index (deep links)
Wi-Fi & Matter Series (DIY Retrofit):
EVC400-MW (Matter over Wi-Fi) |
EVC300 Wi-Fi Kit (3 Sensors) |
EVC300 Wi-Fi Robot Only
Z-Wave Series (Hub Required):
EVC200 Z-Wave Valve Robot
Integrated Valve Series (Plumbing Required):
EVC300 Integrated Wi-Fi Unit
Accessories & Sensors:
ELS100 Leak Sensors (3-Pack) |
BB3K Battery Backup
Browse the full EcoNet Controls Collection.
Sources & Standards (for verification)
- Insurance Bureau of Canada — water damage / prevention: https://www.ibc.ca/insurance-basics/home/water
- PreparedBC (Province of BC) — emergency preparedness / severe weather: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc
- EcoNet Controls — Bulldog Wi-Fi specs (torque/open-close time): https://www.econetshop.com/bulldog-wifi.html
- EcoNet Controls — ELS100 leak sensor specs (433 MHz RF): https://www.econetshop.com/els100.html
- EcoNet Controls — BB3K battery backup module: https://www.econetshop.com/products/battery-backup-module
- Z-Wave Alliance — protocol authority: https://z-wavealliance.org/
- Connectivity Standards Alliance — Matter overview: https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/matter/
FAQ
- Will EcoNet Bulldog fit my main water shutoff valve?
- It is intended for lever-handle quarter-turn ball valves. It is not intended for many multi-turn wheel-handle valves (commonly gate/globe style) or butterfly valves. Action step: use the install checklist to confirm valve type and clearance before purchasing.
- Does it still shut off the water if the internet goes down?
- Local shutoff can still occur, but remote alerts and remote control generally require Wi-Fi/internet/app access. Action step: plan for internet down vs Wi-Fi/router down vs power outage using the no internet guide, and protect power if outages are part of your scenario.
- What if my main shutoff is stiff or barely turns?
- If the valve cannot actuate reliably by hand, do not rely on automation—service/replace the valve first or choose an integrated replacement installed by a plumber. Action step: run the stiff valve test.
- How many leak sensors should I start with?
- Start with 3 at the highest-probability points (mechanical/hot water tank, laundry, kitchen), then expand to every sink/toilet zone and finished-basement mechanical areas. Limitation: sensors only reduce risk where they are placed. Action step: add ELS100 3-packs as you map your home.
- How do I document this for insurance or a condo board?
- Discounts vary by insurer and policy; documentation improves underwriting clarity but is not guaranteed. Use the insurance proof pack template (invoice/SKU, photos, sensor map, test record, and a clear description of local shutoff vs remote alerts).
For Trade & Dealers
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