Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

Home security is often overlooked and considered an antiquated technology. Smith Monitoring, a Texas-based home security company, is on the forefront of thinking outside of the box when it comes to home protection and home life management.

Smith Monitoring has seen rapid interest from Austin homeowners after introducing a smart new technology: Geo-fencing.

Geo-fencing, a software feature that uses GPS (Global Positioning System) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to define geographical boundaries. Based on ones location, homes activated with geo fencing services adjust automatically for great convenience, control and flexibility.

A standard feature with the SMART+ HOME Austin security systems, geo-fencing is easy to set up and is controlled by automatic triggers that activate when a persons device (most likely your smartphone) either exits or enters the defined boundaries set around the home. When passing through that invisible boundary your smartphone will send the signal to the SMART+ HOME and activate your personal settings.

A recent survey showed that hundreds of Austin residents agree that the best feature of geo-fencing is Arming Reminders. This can be set to adjust the thermostat automatically, lock and arm all windows and doors and even turn the lights on or off when a homeowner is either entering or exiting an area that is geo-fenced, respectively. The system can be used to define boundaries that are customized to a familys specific needs or used to virtually fence a childs school, a vacation home or even workplace.

The SMART+ HOME will even send notifications if there is a change while youre away from home by sending alerts in the form of emails or text messages. Forget to close the garage door? The SMART+ HOME will send an alert and ask if you want to close it remotely.

Unlike other apps that uses web based and user-created maps or latitude and longitude, geo-fencing incorporates Google Earth and satellites to locate and define particular geographical areas. Geo services can be used with practically all modern smart devices, including Apple iPhones, iPads, Android, Blackberry and Window devices.

Adjustment of the thermostats to save energy when one has left home and back to a working-mode when home, using the geo system helps in efficient saving of energy. Privacy control is also possible by automating video recordings to only take place when one is away from home and it is empty.

The SMART+ HOME allows for complete customization with a wide range of options to suit the specific needs of every type of homeowner and is available for pain free installation in Austin, Texas.

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The Most Popular Home Security Company in Austin, TX - New Technology Expands Your Home to Your Smartphone

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) March 19, 2014

ConsumerResearchers.org released their reviews and rankings of the best home security system companies that offer mobile apps. Mobile applications are in high demand and the home alarm market is providing consumers with the technology and access they need. The results of the reviews can be seen online at:

Home Security Companies with Mobile Apps Reviews

Ed Mitchell, the spokesperson for ConsumerResearchers.org stated, "Mobile applications allow users to remotely arm and disarm their system as well as provide the ability to remotely stream video from a home security camera strategically places at the customers home. After interviewing consumers the team at ConsumerResearchers.org found that access to their home from a mobile device was high on the list of items when considering which home security company to choose."

At the top of the list is FrontPoint Security. FrontPoint Security is a national home security company that provides their customers with interactive monitoring services that not only include a mobile app but also offers customers the benefits of GEO Services. With GEO Services, FrontPoint Security customers have a virtual perimeter around their home and their system will notify them if their home is not protected when they leave the defined area.

To view all of the top rated companies that offer mobile applications with their offering, please visit the rankings page on ConsumerResearchers.org.

http://www.consumerresearchers.org/home-security-systems/best-home-security-system-with-mobile-app/

About ConsumerResearchers.org ConsumerResearchers.org provides independent reviews of consumer-based products and services. Each product or service that is reviewed goes through an exhaustive reviews and rating process where several editors independently perform their assessments. Once those results are in the individual assessments are compared and an overall ranking is posted on the ConsumerResearchers.org website.

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Best Home Security System with a Mobile App - Reviews by ConsumerResearchers.org

Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

Its exclusive. Its unique. And it is designed to provide an easy to maintain advanced heat transfer efficiency in a unit with fewer repair demands than any other HVAC product on the market. Ammonia or amines (Stress Corrosion Cracking), hydrogen sulfide and Organic acid (Formicary Corrosion) top the list for agents that produce air conditioning corrosion. Aluminum coils are immune to these corrosive attacks. Confidence in the efficiency and durability of the patented Trane aluminum Spine Fin outdoors coil system, is just one more reason that American Cooling and Heating is committed to running a year long, 2014 Trane HVAC sale.

At American Cooling and Heating, making great HVAC deals is just part of meeting consumer expectations on a day-to-day basics. From Chandler AZ to Scottsdale and from Scottsdale to Buckeye and from Buckeye to Maricopa ACH trucks are on the move, carrying to Arizona homeowners the confidence of a system backed by Tranes Aluminum Spine Fin Coils and an installation work crew that is second to none. But other regional states need not feel left out. These HVAC sale prices also reach outside of Arizona . A/C Close-up: Trane Spine Fin Technology

Exclusively designed for use in Trane and American Standard heating and cooling products, Tranes Spine Fin all-aluminum coils are durable, crafted for maximum energy efficiency and easy to maintain. Less efficient Plate Fin Coil heating and cooling technology used by other manufacturers deteriorates much quicker than the Trane system. The use of a design process that can require up to 30 joints further complicates Plate Fin coil technology. Whereas the Trane design produces no more than 10 joints. Its a matter of fewer joints reducing chances of future system leaks.

Cleaning Plate Fin Coils is difficult and never fully effective. Cleaning Trane aluminum Spine Fin coils is quick, easy and fully effective. For a Chandler AZ homeowner, more efficient Air Conditioning maintenance means better energy efficiency for longer periods of time. Top it off with a system that avoids the electrolysis corrosion associated with linking copper pipe to aluminum pipe, and every Trane Heat Pump or Trane A/C system proves to provide long-term efficient HVAC services. Specs and Equipment

Trane XR Heat Pump Series: When efficiency matters, and it always does, the Trane XR heat pump series provides seasonal comfort with a low overall carbon footprint. Shipping inSpine Fin Coils HVAC Deal Energy Star SEER ratings powerful enough to keep any home right-charged for the worst weather, an American Cooling and Heating installed Trane XR Heat Pump is like buying home comfort with automated yearly savings. The XR provides premium construction, innovative technology and professional installation in a single package.

Trane XR HP construction components and specs include:

** 1) The Trane Climatuff Compressor designed for quiet, efficient reliability ** 2) The Trane DuraTuff Basepan manufactured impervious to corrosion, rust or warping ** 3) Compressor Sound insulators crafted to promote peaceful, noise-free system operation ** 4) Zinc coated fasters and baked-on powder painted, full-sided louvered panels ** 5) From up to 14.50 SEER with up to 8.5 HSPF in the XR13 units and to up to 18 SEER with up to 9.5 HSPF in the XR17 units ** 6) AND Trane's proprietary all-aluminum Spine Fin Coil system in all units.

But the XR heat pump is only a mid-range sampling of Tranes heating and cooling equipment options. Every Trane Air Conditioning Condensing system enables Arizona homeowners to reap the benefits of the Trane aluminum Spine Fin Coils technology. American Cooling and Heating has lowered the bar on HVAC pricing even as they set the standards for quality service, AC installation and reliable workmanship.

Other popular on-sale Trane heating and cooling products that use Spine Fin technology include:

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Trane Aluminum Spine Fin Coils: The Cost of Patented Performance Reduced By The ACH Year-Long 2014 Trane HVAC Deals

PHOENIX -- Arizona has been awarded $7.1 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it was announced Wednesday.

The grant was provided through the Capital Fund Program and will be used to build, repair, renovate or modernize public housing units across the state.

"Public housing authorities depend on these annual HUD funds," said HUD Regional Administrator Ophelia Basgal in a press release. "The funds are used for renovation of their housing and for large-scale improvements such as replacing roofs or energy-efficient upgrades like window replacement, new appliances, and heating and cooling systems."

In total, HUD handed out $1.8 billion in grants Wednesday. That money was distributed among the 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There are 1.1 million public housing units across the U.S.

KTAR Newsroom,

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Arizona to receive $7.1M to improve public housing

Handyman Services in Malibu | General Contractor Malibu CA
http://www.SkyMarkBuilderInc.com (310) 972-879 SkyMark Builders Inc. Mark Celentano 29160 Heathercliff Road. # 6372 Malibu, Ca 90264 Telephone: (310) 972-087...

By: Strongdry1

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Handyman Services in Malibu | General Contractor Malibu CA - Video

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

Window Genie, a nationally ranked franchise of home services offering window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and much more, announces the grand opening of their newest location on Monday March 24th. Harry and Laurie Sparks are the owners. This is the third Window Genie location to open in the Charlotte area and will serve the South Charlotte, Matthews, and Mint Hill communities.

Before joining the Window Genie team, Harry Sparks spent some time doing contracting work in the IT compliance field. He also did some systems analysis helping people integrate computer systems after mergers. I enjoyed it most of the time, but contracting being a series of short term projects meant I was always looking for work. Every three to six months I was looking for my next job. That gets tiring, Sparks said.

Sparks had thought about business ownership off and on for years. I was at a networking meeting where the topic was about improving resumes, something I had been doing a lot of since I was always looking for jobs a few times a year. That particular meeting is when I met my franchise coach from The Entrepreneurs Source, Lauren Cantor. We started talking and I decided it was time to seriously investigate the option of business ownership with her guidance.

The two discussed Sparks strengths, weaknesses, interests and goals. Sparks said, Lauren presented me with about 10 franchises that she thought best fit me and what I was looking for. One reason Window Genie came up was that it would allow me to work around my life, not schedule my life around my work. At this point in my life Im more concerned with the lifestyle aspect when it comes to making a living; I wanted flexibility in my schedule. Im on a few local non-profit boards and I wanted the freedom to attend meetings during the day, or even do something as simple as scheduling a doctors appointment. With Window Genie I can do these things without worrying that Im affecting the business because its not like owning a retail or food shop; the hours arent so strict.

Sparks was also drawn to Window Genies marketing model. Window Genies business does not require cold calling whatsoever, he said. I really like that I can offer multiple services, year round. In the Charlotte climate I can get a solid 10 months of window cleaning. Im looking forward to being able to help people save energy and keep their houses more comfortable with window tinting. I think building a repeat customer base will be exciting and fairly easy if we deliver on quality and customer service. There really is a service for every home and every budget.

Window Genie of South Charlotte officially opens for business on Monday March 24th, but the Sparks have already lined up some estimates just by word of mouth. Ive been so pleased just in the reactions I get from friends, family and neighbors, Harry said. I already have several people asking me to come out and do an estimate on their homes for spring cleaning. Im definitely excited but somewhat scared to be honest. I expect to be very busy with spring right around the corner, but Im excited about the potential here. We plan to grow the business, and were very happy with our decision to become business owners.

For more information about Window Genie of South Charlotte, contact Harry and Laurie Sparks at hsparks(at)windowgenie(dot)com or (980) 245-2297. ###

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New Home Cleaning Service Business Opening in Charlotte Area March 24th

Steve Sauter.

By STEVE KAUFMANContributing Writer

If the rough, long winter is really, truly over and the calendar says it is homeowners attention will turn to their lawns.

But, says Steve Sauter of Lawnco, the Lyndon lawn care, landscaping and maintenance specialist, that attentiveness should already have happened, last fall and winter.

For most of our clients, weve already done heavy fertilizing to get that good root growth going, says the co-founder and co-owner of the 35-year-old Louisville company. So normally, on the first call of Spring, were out making preemergent lawn applications to proactively prevent the crabgrass and weeds that will show up in June and July.

He said theyll also do a small balance of fertilizer, especially if it wasnt done in the fall. If the lawn didnt get fertilized and is weak, a small amount will give it a boosting jump start, Sauter says. But its only a small application. Too much heavy fertilizing in the Spring promotes top growth, but not a lot of root structure, he says. Its the strong root structure that you need for a healthy, robust lawn, especially in the heat of mid-summer.

However, if there hasnt been a history of good lawn management, its important to get things going as quickly as possible.

A lot happens in your lawn the beginning of the season, Sauter says. And if you miss the opportunity, youre behind the eight ball the whole summer.

In the summer, Lawnco follows up with a weed control and insecticide application and then does the heavy fertilizing in Fall and Winter.

But, he says, theyre watching your lawn all the time. We have about 2,800 customers within a three-mile radius of our home base, he says, so we see those properties all the time, even if were just driving by. And we can see problems developing even before the homeowner notices them. We can also see if the cable company has dug something up, or if some tree limbs have fallen after a storm and damaged the grass.

Originally posted here:
Lawn Care, With an Emphasis on Care

April is just around the corner and with it comes the start of lawn care. Practices that can be done in late March or early April, when weather allows, is removal of debris that has collected over winter, raking leaves that were not removed last fall, mowing, and seeding as needed.

Ideally, delay fertilization until after mid-April. This allows soil to warm for active root growth and herbicides for crabgrass, applied along with fertilizer, to be applied at the correct time. April 20 to May 5 is the ideal window to begin fertilization and apply preemergent herbicides for crabgrass.

At this time of year, there is no need to mow the lawn low to try and stimulate growth. This is not good for turfgrass roots, and it will scalp the turf. It is best to leave the lawn at one height all season, even in early spring.

For Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, maintain a height of about 3.5 inches year round. If you prefer to mow lower in spring, do not mow any lower than 2.5 inches. Now is a good time to have lawn mower blades sharpened and lawn mowers tuned if still needed.

Two lawn care practices to complete in April, if soils are not too wet, are core aeration and power raking. A common question is which of these practices is better. Both can be beneficial; however, core aeration needs to be done more often than power raking.

Aeration removes plugs of soil to relieve compaction which occurs from irrigation and foot and mower traffic. If possible, aerate lawns growing on silty loam or clay soils and which have a lot of foot traffic once a year. Lawns growing on sandier soils and those having little foot traffic can be aerated less often.

By relieving soil compaction, infiltration of water, fertilizer, and soil applied pesticides is increased. Water and air drainage is improved for increased soil oxygen levels and a more vigorous root system. Aeration also slows the build-up of thatch.

Power raking is beneficial, although stressful for lawns, when a deep raking is done to remove true thatch. Thatch is a tight mat of dead roots, rhizomes and stems that occurs naturally over time. Some thatch is beneficial so power raking is only needed when true thatch exceeds one-half inch.

True thatch cannot be seen from the surface. To check for thatch, cut a small plug from the lawn. Look for the reddish brown, dense, mat-like thatch between the soil and the base of grass plant. Only if it is beginning to exceed one-half inch is deep power raking needed.

Some thatch is beneficial. It insulates growing points from extreme heat, cold and foot traffic. But once thatch exceeds one-half inch, it becomes detrimental as roots tend to grow in thatch rather than soil and fertilizer can be tied up in thatch.

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Aerating, power raking benefit lawns

Designer Danielle Trofe's latest project, called the Mush-lume, is a lamp inspired by and manufactured with mushrooms. Photos by Danielle Trofe

The lampshades started out as agricultural waste products, mostly corn stalks and seed husks that were packed into a plastic mold which was injected with liquified mycelium, a fungus that grows on the materials and binds them together like glue. Photos by Ecovative

Ecovative's current products are largely disposable and look like the hick cousins of more conventional styrofoam blocks. Photos by Ecovative

Ecovative's current products are largely disposable and look like the hick cousins of more conventional styrofoam blocks.

Ecovative is a 60 person company based in New York that primarily produces structural packaging materials for clients like Dell and Steelcase. Photos by Ecovative

Ecovative is a 60 person company based in New York that primarily produces structural packaging materials for clients like Dell and Steelcase.

Trofe is currently working on an indoor planter made fom mushrooms. "The challenge here of course, is how to restrict the materials biodegradable property until desired," she says. "Its a challenge, but luckily Im a fun-gal!" Photos by Ecovative

Trofe is currently working on an indoor planter made fom mushrooms. "The challenge here of course, is how to restrict the materials biodegradable property until desired," she says. "Its a challenge, but luckily Im a fun-gal!"

"Im not the first designer or artist to work with mushrooms as a product medium," says Trofe. "But I might be the first lighting designer to tap into a material science thats already been well developed and is ready to expand and be adopted into new industries and applications." Photos by Danielle Trofe

"Im not the first designer or artist to work with mushrooms as a product medium," says Trofe. "But I might be the first lighting designer to tap into a material science thats already been well developed and is ready to expand and be adopted into new industries and applications."

Excerpt from:
This Lamp Is Grown From Mushrooms

EMPIRE Sod / Turf / Grass
Choose the perfect sod for your landscape project. From Big Earth Landscape Supply located in Bradenton, Tampa, Sarasota and Palmetto, Florida. For more help...

By: Adam Rickert

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EMPIRE Sod / Turf / Grass - Video