The REAL COST of Flo by Moen vs Phyn Plus

**Our honesty policy: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are, some aren't--I do some comparison shopping. The important thing is you will know exactly what we are talking about. Drop a note/comment if you have any questions on the products as these are materials and tools we use on our own projects.

…really, the hidden costs of ANY smart water monitor + shutoff system.

I’m going to say upfront while I’m doing a comparison specifically between Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen because I have personal experience with these two systems, the ideas I’m presenting apply to whatever water monitor system you are considering. This post will also help you define extra comparison criteria to help make the best decision for your specific situation. With some of these, it’s definitely better to know upfront before you hit that “buy” button.

To my special friends here on the blog–the backstory…the full Flo vs Phyn post and video is being built towards on YouTube–all those seemingly random videos on water pressure gauges and water meters are actually leading somewhere–but what I’ve observed over and over is people are fixated on the MSRP, when in fact, there are MANY factors that are overlooked and basically unknown until you install and use both devices.

**ALSO NOTE: this Phyn Plus unit is a review unit provided by Phyn. Other than the unit, the rest of my coverage is not sponsored and they really didn’t send it for me to write blog posts–video is where it is at. However, I think this kind of information isn’t quite out there and the promotional Phyn Plus versus the Flo I paid for are both fairly represented to the best of my ability.

Breaking down the cost alone in video form was a freaking 14+ minute monster in and of itself:

Yep, another video script made available for easy searching. Everyone searches for information on whatever device/answer for a problem and looking solely at the MSRP is certainly not one of the clean and cut answers you might think it is when it comes to smart water monitors.

The MSRP of Flo by Moen is $499.

The MSRP of Phyn Plus is <edited 11/1/21> $699.

BREAKING: Phyn Plus 2nd Gen was JUST released TODAY! (11/1/21) Phyn Plus is now $499 so that price you see in the video is NO LONGER VALID. To be clear: Phyn Plus is no longer $699. It is $499. Also, the extended warranty and deductible coverage through the Uponor Pro Squad is no longer offered.

So the difference between these two units is $200 and Phyn Plus is *CLEARLY* a more premium device.

So there is no price difference between these products and you can just take your pick and cost-wise they’ll probably work out to be the same in the end…

</end edit>

Or is it?

It. Depends.

#1 Do you need to modify the design of your current plumbing system to get the desired results?

I’m not just talking about reconfiguring your incoming water service line for the unit–that is a given for ALL water monitor and shutoff systems unless you happen to have enough space already. I’m talking about how happy you will be looking at your event log in the app, which may be dependent on how your plumbing is set up.

Yikes! What the heck is going on in that Flo by Moen usage history on the right?!? Phyn Plus on the left looks a little more sane…

First, do you have a closed or open plumbing system?

Understanding your particular plumbing system’s design will help you understand the data and event logs generated by your water monitor.

A closed plumbing system has a backflow prevention assembly that stops the water from your plumbing system from feeding back into the water supply source.

Backflow Preventer

Plumbing code also requires expansion tanks to help with thermal expansion from a storage water heater. These additional devices are important to minimize damage to pipes, appliances and fixtures resulting from increased water pressures created by thermal expansion. (more complex set up, more potential initial cost)

In comparison, an open plumbing system allows the water in your plumbing to move back and forth without additional obstacles. For instance, when your tank water heater turns on, the hot water expands in volume and pushes back into the city supply.

For example, water pressure changed from 39 psi to 66 psi when the water heater kicked on to maintain temperature during an overnight closed system test.

The same can be said for all of your neighbors–the back pressure from their tank water heaters gets pushed into your plumbing while your hot water contracts.

Second, what is your goal for the event history log for either device?

We’re talking about how Flo and Phyn Plus work and why the differences in their design causes changes in the resulting event log based on a closed versus open plumbing system. In other words, the design of Flo and Phyn and the design of your plumbing system may be directly tied to how happy you are looking at the event log.

Flo by Moen and Uponor’s Phyn Plus are both excellent smart water monitoring devices with some similarities and differences. They both give you the temp, pressure, flow rate, and event logs. One of the primary differences is how they measure water usage.

Flo uses a freewheeling turbine. Phyn uses ultrasonic monitoring with no moving parts.

If you have a closed plumbing system, again meaning you have some kind of backflow preventer, both Flo and Phyn will give you an event log with little to no false positives.

Flo by Moen extra events “removed” in usage history compared to Phyn Plus installed on the same house with no false positives.

The water system is contained. Your event log data should be solid without a lot of “noise”.

This changes if you have an open system.

If you want to use the event log and see how much you are using for different fixtures with Flo by Moen, you will probably have to create a closed system to make Flo give you the event history you desire. Flo’s turbine design appears to pick up on all movement in an open plumbing system–from your neighbor’s water heater pushing water back into the water supply system as it heats water, to your system contracting absorbing the water into your system. It may even detect water hammer caused by increased usage nearby. The turbine and its sensor will pick it up and log it if it is large enough.

Ah! Now this makes sense!

I personally do not like that noise in my data. It was difficult to wade through the data to get to the actual events and correctly categorize them. While small, the extra events are included in the fixture totals.

This is VERY important to know ahead of time so you aren’t concerned about a leak when you first install the unit.

Just run a manual health check and call it good if it passes.

You may want to get a cheap water pressure gauge to verify this kind of behavior is present in your house ahead of time.

So add a $14 fluid filled water pressure gauge to the cost? A Wyze cam can be used for sooooooo many things!

If you do not want the clutter in your event log, but you currently have an open system, you may need to make it a closed system. You’ll have to install some kind of backflow preventer and an expansion tank if you have a tank water heater to stop this constant activity.

These additional plumbing parts come with some additional maintenance. In my case, the city requires a permit to install a backflow preventer along with possible city regulation and a yearly maintenance check from a city approved Backflow Assembly Tester. This is based on my local city building codes. Make sure to check in with your local plumbing authority and, if you hire a professional for the installation, make sure they are up to date as well. Additional visits by a plumber leaving out a code required device for your newly closed system can become costly in more than one way. For instance, you’ll pay for the base service call fee for every separate visit.

In contrast, Phyn Plus uses an ultrasonic flow sensor and pairs that activity with a pressure sensor. Events are only logged when the two match. This approach to water monitoring seems to indicate that data accuracy may not be as affected by back and forth water flow from thermal expansion and downline pressure events feeding into your system. In other words, you get the same clean event log from Phyn regardless of if you have a closed or open system–it works great both ways.

If you are less concerned about tracking your usage, you can ignore all the false positives from Flo and use it for it’s primary job: making sure a catastrophic or smaller leak is discovered and addressed.

#2 Do you need to make electrical changes?

Both Flo by Moen and Uponors Phyn Plus require AC power and have slightly different ways of approaching getting power to their respective units.

Flo by Moen has a detachable 10 foot AC adaptor cable that can be lengthened with 20’ low voltage cables. You can daisy chain up to four of these cables at $20 each.

Two Flo by Moen low voltage electrical extension cords.

Phyn Plus has the AC adapter on the back of the unit. The AC adapter hooks on to the back.

–edit 11/1/21 It no longer hooks on the back, but it is all one unit. It still cannot be extended.

How the power adapter hooks on to the back of Phyn Plus.

The cable is just under 15’ and may be even shorter depending on which way you have to install it.  The Gen 1 was just under 15′. Gen 2 is 11′ 6″.

Phyn Plus power cord may be shorter than advertised depending on direction.

If your water monitor will be installed inside you are probably fine. <edit> But verify–that 11′ 6″ is significantly shorter than 15′.</edit>

PROBABLY.

The 2018 National Electric Code dictates there must be an outlet every 12 feet. That measurement is not as the crow flies…

Improper measurement of electrical code.

but as if you are running the tape measure along a wall, making a turn and then reaching twelve feet.

Proper measurement of indoor electrical code to plug in Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen

The rule is a linear measurement along walls. Older homes may not have outlets conforming to the current code and you may have to add one.

If your unit is installed outside, it gets interesting.

First, you have to have a weatherproof while-in-use outlet cover, as I covered how to install in this past post: How to Weatherproof Outlets Using While-in-Use Covers

If you have a newer home, you are likely to have more outlet options outside than an older home. Still, you may have to install an additional outlet for Phyn Plus.

We tried both ways, respectively.

With Flo we opted for the low voltage cords because their extension option was less expensive and faster.

For Phyn, we “updated” an existing outdoor line.

We brought it up to current code and moved the new properly protected outdoor GFCI outlet closer to our Phyn installation. I don’t know how much that will run for you since we ran the new line ourselves, and there will be a follow on video on how we did it. <edit> We just updated the new line–moving it closer to Phyn Plus’ installation–to accommodate the shorter Gen 1 line. Not an insignificant change. </edit>

#3 Is the location of your install going to eat through units?

Most places will probably be fine for either unit–outside or inside. Except if you live in “extreme” environments. For example, if you live in the Sonoran desert where most of us have our water riser baking outside. Right now, I can say that my setup is less than ideal for Flo because of the heat and UV here–the environment ate through 4 of them in a year and a half.

I can’t say how Phyn Plus will do here in the summer so there’s your teaser to subscribe to the channel for an update after the summer.

Phyn Plus heat testing. NOTE: this is just MARCH!

What I CAN say is Phyn Plus is ruggedized to HALT military standard 810G for heat, uv, cold and humidity.

I have no idea how these units would last in a high humidity or constantly wet environment. If you have experience with one of these environments, please leave a comment below so we can all learn!

If it is outside you do have to include both units with your protective measures when a freeze comes through, just as you do for the rest of your exposed plumbing.

My husband and I have some ideas for a solution for our type of environment which we’ve discussed with other builders and tradesmen we trust. But I will share that later after our current testing (*cough* baking) of Phyn for an apples to apples comparison to Flo.

Cost wise, if it is outside of the warranty you’ll have to buy a new unit. The good news is that a swap is extremely easy and you don’t have to hire a plumber. If you can open a jar of peanut butter you can do this, with the help of channel locks. I like to prevent marking up the couplings from the channel locks with a protective cloth. If you aren’t comfortable doing a swap, hiring a plumber is an additional cost.

As for minimizing the cost of replacement units, there are extended warranties available, which is the next point…

#4. The price of extended warranties, insurance deductible coverage, and customer support.

Flo by Moen and Phyn Plus are both very confident in their products and their ability to protect your home. They offer generous warranties and solid customer support when you have questions and need help. They also offer extended Warranty plans. These additional Warranties are based on the installation method for Phyn Plus and a subscription service for Flo by Moen.  Flo also offers an extended warranty plan, which is a monthly subscription service.

Flo Protect & basic warranty

Flo by Moen’s water monitor comes with a one year warranty out of the box.

Flo by Moen standard warranty

If you’d like an additional four years of coverage and the $5,000 insurance deductible coverage offered in the Flo Protect plan, you’re looking at an additional $5 a month.

Flo Protect Plan details

Five years later that totals $300, but at the breakeven 3 year mark in comparison to an Uponor Pro Squad install, you are looking at $180 in subscription fees. but at the breakeven point of two years you are looking at $120.

Flo by Moen extends the FloProtect plan to DIY’ers intent on installing the device themselves.

Uponor Pro Squad coverage & basic warranty

Uponor’s Phyn Plus water monitor comes with a two year warranty.

Phyn Plus basic warranty

If you want an additional year of warranty along with $3000 of deductible coverage, you have to go through the Uponor Pro Squad to buy and have your unit installed.

Phyn Plus Uponor Pro Squad install benefits

It may or may not be more than buying it and having your preferred plumber install it, but these additional extended warranty benefits may outweigh using your regular plumber (if not, ask them to join!).

When it comes to deductible coverage, it only covers up to your specific deductible or the maximum stated, whichever is lower. Also, each company has their own requirements for the coverage to apply, such as what the settings are set to in the app.

When it comes to deductible coverage, Phyn no longer offers this through the Uponor Pro Squad. Flo only covers up to your specific deductible or the maximum stated, whichever is lower. Flo requires certain settings in the app, like keeping the daily plumbing check active.

As a little preview for my comparison video coming up between Phyn Plus and Flo, I will say that the customer service from both companies have been excellent. I am still enrolled in the Flo Protect plan since Flo sent a fifth unit to another location to keep this long-term review going in a more hospitable environment.

#5. Does your homeowners insurance give you a discount for either of these units?

Having either Flo by Moen or Phyn Plus will ultimately help your bottom line. The obvious help is stopping water damage, but you may also save on your homeowner’s insurance premiums, as well. Flo by Moen and Uponor’s Phyn Plus will generate a letter stating that you have a unit installed on your home for you to provide to your homeowners insurance carrier. Providing these letters showing proof of installation and active water monitoring may entitle you to a discount on your home insurance premium.

These premium reductions continue as long as you keep a device installed and working on your home—every year, not just one time!

Definitely check with your insurance carrier.

Reduced home insurance premiums may significantly outweigh most of these other costs or additional extended warranty fees.

#6. Comparison shop!

The MSRP is just the MSRP.

When you are ready to get either Flo by Moen or Uponor’s Phyn Plus, you may be able to catch a deal on their websites, other online retailers or through a friend or family member who has one.

Check Phyn Plus out for yourself here: https://www.phyn.com/plus-smart-water-assistant/ and enter discount code ‘Margaret10’ at checkout for 10% off. You can check out the price of Flo by Moen here.

Wrapping things up here… There are other costs involved in adding a water monitor beyond just getting a unit and some costs are shared across all whole house monitor installs, such as hiring a plumber to install the device. Depending on the design of the unit, the minerals in your water, and other unforeseen factors, replacement could be a long range cost on any unit.

As you can see, all of this is really dependent on your unique situation and when choosing between a Phyn Plus or Flo by Moen there is a lot more to consider than just choosing the device with the lower price tag.

Is Uponor’s Phyn Plus really a premium unit in comparison to Flo by Moen?

Maybe it’s a lot more affordable or more expensive than you think.

If you have any additional costs to add from your own experience please add them in the comments so we can all learn together!

You can check out my past videos on these systems (embedded below) and stay tuned for a follow on post and video showing you all the differences between these two units. I’ll also be sharing experiments with how they catch leaks in comparison to other methods in the plumbing industry.

RELATED POSTS:

Phyn Plus Feature Deep Dive Review

Prevent Water Damage 24/7: A Flo by Moen Review

Flo by Moen Quirks: A Running Review

Protect Your Home From Plumbing Leaks: Flo and Phyn

Phyn Smart Water Assistant: Detect Condo / Apartment / Rental Water Leaks

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