So you went out a bought a Nest smart thermostat. You open the app a couple of times each day to turn the temperature up or down, and feel good about the money and energy you think you’re saving (this article states that for most users, a Nest will pay for itself in two years, […]
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Today’s DIY smart home systems, from companies like SmartThings, Wink, Lowe’s Iris, iRule, Universal Devices, Vera, Insteon and others are fairly easy to install, setup and use. They’re also getting more affordable, so no longer are home automation systems only for the wealthy. Of course, there’s a difference between what a DIY smart home system […]
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The humble garage door has been the smartest device on the block for decades. Why? Garage-door openers of course. Yes, the boring old motorized garage door is probably the first smart home gadget you ever owned. Ok, well, it’s not all that smart. All it does is open and close a door, but it’s pretty […]
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Picking a thermostat for your home used to be a no-brainer. When you moved into a new home, if there was a thermostat on the wall, your selection process was done. Now smart thermostats and Wi-Fi thermostats, along with an increased awareness of the need to save energy and money, has brought more attention to […]
Get the GuideLight is energy, and energy is a precious thing these days. We want to use it wisely, get the most out of it, and preserve it when we can. Much of our daily lives revolves around light. We follow it, work under it, and then put it behind us when we’re done for the day. […]
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10 steps to getting the home automation system you really need and not the one I tell you you need.
Get the GuideAutomation used to conjure thoughts of a house gone wild, where technology ruled the roost and the décor resembled a science lab. Fortunately, this stereotype has been shattered, thanks to improvements in the technology and a consumers’ growing affinity for home electronics. The bottom line is, automation can add real value to your home, and […]
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The home automation systems of today, especially the DIY smart home systems, differ from the professionally-installed systems of several years ago in that newer technology is primarily wireless. We’re all so accustomed to wireless access 24/7 through our home Wi-Fi networks and our cellular data networks that we expect our smart home systems to be […]
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One of the biggest challenges of adding technology to a home is finding and comparing the many options available. You can scour the Internet for hours and still leave scratching your head. While the selection of home automation systems may not be as immense as stereo speakers or smart TVs, it’s still impressive … and […]
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Automating your home’s lights is one of this year’s biggest home technology trends. Every week there are new launches for individual products or whole house lighting systems designed to make it easier to operate and customize your home’s lighting. Once you’ve deciding that automated lighting control is something you want for your home, the next […]
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