Editorial Product Review:Item Description:Uses a state-of-the-art electronic control device that senses the washing machine current flow. When the washing machine is turned on, the controls detect the current flow to the washer, opening both hot and cold water inlet valves to allow water to flow to the washing machine. When the washing machine completes the full cycle the device senses the lack of current and closes the water inlet valves.
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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Don't use it with a newer High Efficiency front loader
My new Kenmore front loader has two cycles that cause the IntelliFlow to time out (Heavy Duty and Whitest Whites). If the cycle lasts too long, the device thinks the water has remained open too long and closes the valve. The washer is trying to do the final rinse cycle, but cannot obtain water. Because the washer is electronic, there's no way to just turn everything off, unplug the Intelliflow, and restart at the same point in the wash cycle (once turned off the washer must resume from start). The Watts people's workarounds do not help either. I'm trying to decide whether to have the plumber remove it or just settle for dingy clothes.
Customer Rating: 
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Saved my house and my back!
We installed this about a year ago, after my husband saw it on "This Old House." Like one of the other reviewers, my husband had some reservations about the plastic threads. When the plumber came to install it, he said one would have to be a real klutz to mess up plastic threads; in fact, he said, plastic threads are often more water-tight than metal. In any case, the plumber was so intrigued about the idea, that he only charged us half-time.
Before we installed the Watts valve, I had to reach over the top of the washer to manually turn off the valves. Now it's all automatic, and it's worked great. I see no reason why this won't work indefinetly. I love it!
Customer Rating: 
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Nice idea, flawed product
This sounds like the ideal solution to washing machine hoses which might burst at any time. It detects the electrical current of the washing machine and opens water valves only while the machine is active.
The problem is that the product is so cheaply made that its almost impossible to install correctly. The threaded attachments for the water supply are cheap soft PLASTIC. As soon as you start to thread on the BRASS nuts that hold the water connections tight, you will cross-thread the nuts. The maker knows of the problem since they have a warning "Don't cross-thread" in their instructions. A better solution would be to build a product with a METAL valve body which might actually survive installation.
Nice idea, but unless you are the most gifted installer STAY AWAY.
Customer Rating: 
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May save part of your house
I came across the Deal of Deals for a Bosch washer and dryer (see my reviews on that, a good story) and decided to convert my just-restored spare bedroom into a laundry room. I wanted to protect my new floors and remembered seeing this valve on an episode of This Old House.
Three people I know had their houses damaged by burst washing machine hoses. One of these incidents involved two floors and the damage was very expensive.
It is also possible for the machine to spring a leak internally and flood things.
You can prevent this in two ways. One is to simply turn off the faucets for the washing machines hoses when you are done washing. Like that will happen, right? You can buy a special valve that has one easy handle to shut off both hoses at once. Still, nobody ever thinks about it. Washers in rental or mother-in-law units are never, ever going to be shut off.
The only sure-fire way to prevent this problem is to install an electric valve like the Watts IntelliFlow. You plug this into the wall outlet and then plug the washing machine into the valve. When you turn on the washer, the valve senses the flow of electricity and opens up. It turns off when the current stops for two hours.
Every washer should be placed in a plastic catch pan, sold by every box store or appliance dealer, and Amazon. You can rig up a pipe or hose to drain the pan. It is also a good place to put the Watts sensor. It comes with the valve, plugs into it and the sensor end is placed in the pan. If water gets into the pan, the sensor shuts off the water. Good extra insurance for sure.
Installing the unit requires plumbing skills and you also need a nearby electrical outlet. Codes call for GFI outlets in laundries.
You can get the valve as a surface mount where it just attaches to the wall. In this case the pipes will show, of course, and that may be just fine. It also is available in a box. These fit into the wall and also have a 2" hole for a drain stand-pipe. In this case the pipes don't show and you will likely have to tear out part of the wall for access to the plumbing and drains.
Although the boxed-in promises a neat and clean installation, the reality is that you have hot and cold water hoses, wires and drain hoses coming out of it, so it ends up being cluttered anyway. I used the box version because I had to tear out the wall for the plumbing and wiring.
Unless your washing machine is outside or in the garage where a leak will not be a problem, you should have this valve. If you are depending on others to shut off valves, then you really need this. The more stories there are below you, the more the need increases. Those with leather carpets and ebony floors...you know who you are and what you need to do.
If you have a 240v washer you have to go a step further and buy another device, the Watts IntelliTimer. This is because the plug in the IntelliFlow is 120v only. See my review of that unit.
Whoops. Although I ordered the IntelliTimer at the same time as the IntelliFlow valve, Amazon doesn't list it on its own site. I'll review it here. The Timer plugs into the Valve. When you want to use the washer, you push a button on the IntelliTimer that energizes the valve and turns it on. After two hours of no current, the unit shuts off as does the valve.
You have to push a button to use the washer, but don't have to remember to turn it off, although you can. The little sensor on the valve still works the same and so it is all good. The washer plugs into the conventional wall outlet.
This is a clever device that allows you to use and protect any washer.
I did give four stars for the valve because it got quite expensive when the timer was added. It does all seem to be good quality. The flashing Timer light when the unit is plugged in, but not activated, is unnecessarily distracting.
