When Shane wanted a little automated heating system, he didn’t call a local installer. Instead, he got out the toolbox—or at least a screwdriver.

He ended up connecting his heater to an mbed microcontroller and Google Calendar. There’s actually a use for that?

The mbed has a temperature controller and solid state relay, which can turn the heater on and off. The end result allows Shane to control the system from around the globe. He also added a nice little spin that won’t allow the temperature to exceed a certain level.

Hack a Day has some of the details, which are branched out in photos over on Fern Tree Shack. To get a sneak peek at the project, check out the video below.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.