Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

When it first burst onto the scene back in 2011, the Nest Learning Thermostat was heralded as a groundbreaking glimpse into the future of home automation for the masses.Here was this revolutionary device that looked unlike conventional thermostats, promised to be more energy efficient, and was incredibly simple to use.

Much has changed over the near decade since its launch as it pertains to connected and smart homes. What was once on the bleeding edge of technology has become commonplace. Plenty of consumers have smart and automated devices and services in their homes; weve adapted to them rather quickly.

Now in its third generation, the Nest Learning Thermostat has seen its fair share of tweaks and adjustments. Features have been added along the way, internal tech has gotten smarter, and it has streamlined its overall design. In just a few short years it hasgone from being a revolutionary breakthrough to an evolutionary product in an increasingly competitive space.

How does the Nest Learning Thermostat stand up in 2020? What is it like to install and use one? Read on for our review of the 3rd Generation device.

The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd-Gen) is an electronic, programmable, and self-learning WiFi-connected thermostat. Once in place, it begins to learn how users make adjustments to temperatures in the home.

The device uses a combination of sensors and machine learning to figure out schedules and temperatures. It can even shift into an energy-saving mode to turn off when nobody is home.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the Nest was to install. Included in the box are all of the requisite screws and mounts, some of them even being optional.

While I am not a handyman, I can still find my way around a toolbox. With that said, it took me about 15 minutes to remove the old thermostat and install the Nest.

Your mileage may vary, depending on how many wires you have or how elaborate of a heating and cooling system is in place. For me it was a case of inserting four wires (red, green, yellow, and white) into place.

Once mounted and snapped into place, the Nest walks you through the initial software and user experience part of the setup. Using a combination of spinning the dial and pressing it youll set up language, location, and other basics. From there its on to the app.

As expected, the Nest app was straightforward and intuitive. Further, there were far more options and settings available in the app. Considering the simplicity of the device itself, I found the app revealed just how smart the Nest Learning Thermostat can be.

While you can pretty much install it and leave default settings in place, it pays to look around and tinker. And thats not just a turn of phrase, either. Youll save yourself money over the life of the thermostat; its worth a few minutes in the app to add nickels and dimes to your bottom line.

Ive only had the Nest Learning Thermostat in place for about a week or so, but I feel confident that its already working for me. Moreover, its a hell of a lot easier to manage than a traditional thermostat. Plus it looks really cool on the wall.

I appreciate that I can turn the dial up a notch or two, or switch from heating to cooling with a flick of the wrist. I also like that I can set things so that the Nest will turn off or kick in when the temperature reaches a certain number.

You know those nights where the temp drops lower than you expected? I sleep better knowing that the Nest will kick on and heat the house even if the unit was otherwise turned off.

Likewise, its nice knowing that those daily temperatures settings and schedules arent set in stone. What works on Mondays and Tuesdays may not be the same as the rest of the work week. Nest will figure this out before I ever would and make adjustments.

Without a doubt. If you are in the process of building out a smart home, you owe it to yourself to at least consider the Nest Learning Thermostat. The sooner you add it to your house, the sooner youll be saving money long term.

Im a big fan of the Nest app and love the full range of options. Im also really fond of the way it integrates with the Google Home app and Google Assistant experience. It doesnt take long before you understand which voice commands prompt results or adjustments.

Given that its available in a variety of finishes, and that it comes with a variety of mounting options, I have zero doubts that youll find something that matches your environment or tastes.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is available at a wide range of retailers, both brick-and-mortar (Target, Best Buy) and online (Amazon). Learn more about it at Googles store where its available for $249.

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Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) review - AndroidGuys

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Its challenging enough deciphering if the coughing, sneezing, scratchy throat and body aches are caused by a virus or allergies in an average year.

But toss COVID-19 into the mix, and its nearly impossible to make a definitive call based on symptoms alone, said Dr. Uzma Muneer, a board-certified pediatrician with Elmhurst Clinic.

Thats why we have to do testing and isolation, Muneer said. We just dont know.

Muneer did say the presence of a certain symptom, even in children, rules out allergies.

Fever is not a part of seasonal allergies, Muneer said.

A fever can be COVID-19. But it also can mean the flu or strep throat.And many people who do test positive for COVID-19 never run a fever, Muneer said.

[In that case,] a doctor may say, Stay at home, monitor symptoms and call us if things escalate, Muneer said.

Typically, cough, sore throat, fatigue, congestion or runny nose and muscle or body aches are symptoms that often are seen with colds, especially in kids.

Symptoms that generally arent part of the common cold are nausea or vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

But shortness of breath also can accompany allergies and asthma, Muneer said. Thats why its so important for people to have a primary care physician, she said.

Thats especially true this year, when parents and patients should not be relying on guesswork to figure out the cause of their symptoms, she said.

You wouldnt have bat an eyelash in previous years, she said.

Parents worry aboutmultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, but this illness, although serious, is not common, according to a news release from Edward-Elmhurst Health.

Symptoms of MIS-C include a persistent, prolonged fever, skin rash, red eyes, lips and tongue, and swollen hands and feet.

Findings suggest that children are less likely to get COVID-19 than adults, and if they do contract COVID-19, they generally have less serious illness than adults. But scientists still are learning how COVID-19 spreads and impacts children.

Some people become infected with COVID-19 and dont develop any symptoms. But they still can spread the virus to others, including those who are at risk of complications.

We do recommend testing if theres any concern of COVID, Muneer said.

With any virus, its important that parents keep a close eye on their children, Muneer said.

You know your child best, Muneer said in a news release from Edward-Elmhurst Health. Let your childs doctor know if your child has a fever, is lethargic, wont drink fluids, has any difficulty in breathing or has any other symptoms that concern you. When in doubt, call the doctor.

Children should have regular wellness checkups and stay up to date with all recommended vaccinations, especially the flu shot this season.

Muneer also recommends people and families continue to limit exposures, wear masks in public, wash their hands frequently and physically distance themselves.

But dont let your guard down, even if a COVID-19 test comes back negative, she said.

Continue doing whats recommended, Muneer said.

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Cold, flu or covid? How to tell the difference especially in kids - The Herald-News

The competitive landscape of the global water source heat pump market is inclusive of players such as STIEBEL ELTRON GmbH & Co. KG, Trane, Bosch Thermotechnology, Johnson Controls, Daikin, and Carrier Corporation among others.

Increasing demand for energy-efficient cooling and heating technologies is likely to fuel global water source heat pump market size over the coming years. Introduction of stern rules and regulations pertaining to reducing carbon emissions would support the adoption of these heat pumps.

Get sample copy of this research report @ https://www.decresearch.com/request-sample/detail/2541

The commercial sector is significantly driving the deployment of water source heat pumps as it offers several benefits like environmental compliance, higher energy efficiency, and cleaner operations. These benefits also make the application of these pumps ideal across building spaces like apartment buildings, office buildings, hotels, schools, and others.

Water source heat pumps (WSHP) have a long life which makes them suitable for installation over other alternatives. In fact, the ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) estimates that WSHP can have a life expectancy of approximately twenty years.

According to a research report., that the global water source heat pump market is estimated to observe a yearly installation of more than 220 thousand units by 2026.

Mentioned below are the top three trends that may foster global water source heat pump market size:

Water source heat pumps are gaining recognition owing to their offered benefits like higher sustainability and efficiency, lesser operating costs, and lesser space requirement. These pumps have a simple symmetrical duct layout along with low pressure and low-velocity characteristics that offers them with better coefficient of performance. Surging need for clean energy technologies is expected to push new demand in water to air heat pumps market growth through 2026.

Increasing heating demands across residential and commercial sectors is anticipated to fuel the deployment of hybrid water source heat pumps over the coming years. These systems have the potential to offer increased heating and cooling capacity, reduced dependency on a water source and higher efficiency, further improving product demand. Increased reliability and higher power output from these systems due to utilization of two independent refrigerant circuits may accelerate product penetration.

Increased focus towards reducing the dependency on energy import and cutting of carbon emissions through adoption of renewable energy is anticipated to drive water source heat pump market of Europe through 2026.

The regional market is projected to foresee robust growth due to positive regulatory regime, backed by a multitude of financial support policies and schemes to install sustainable heating systems. Incentives such as Low or Zero Interest Loan and Investment Grant would supplement regional market share over time.

On a global scale, companies in the water source heat pump market are putting their efforts towards the creating pumps with new features and abilities to gain an edge over competitors. Citing an instance, in 2018, PHNIX, a Chinese heat pump manufacturer, unveiled a series of heat pump water heaters that were capable of providing cold water pools with 6C to 8C cold water and hot water pools with 45 hot water.

Partial Table of Contents (ToC) of the report:

Chapter 4Water Source Heat Pump Market, By Product

4.1 Water source heat pump market share by product, 2019 & 2026

4.2 Water to Air

4.2.1 Global market from water to air, 2015 2026

4.2.2 Global market from water to air, by region, 2015 2026

4.3 Water to Water

4.3.1 Global market from water to water, 2015 2026

4.3.2 Global market from water to water, by region, 2015 2026

Chapter 5Water Source Heat Pump Market, By Technology

5.1 Water source heat pump market share by technology, 2019 & 2026

5.2 Open loop

5.2.1 Global market from open loop, 2015 2026

5.2.2 Global market from open loop, by region, 2015 2026

5.3 Closed loop

5.3.1 Global market from closed loop, 2015 2026

5.3.2 Global market from closed loop, by region, 2015 2026

5.4 Hybrid

5.4.1 Global market from hybrid, 2015 2026

5.4.2 Global market from hybrid, by region, 2015 2026

Browse the complete table of content of this report @ https://www.decresearch.com/toc/detail/water-source-heat-pump-market

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Water Source Heat Pump Market to hit $1.6 billion by 2026, Says Global Market Insights, Inc.

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Water Source Heat Pump Market to witness a CAGR of 4.4% during 2020-2026 - News by Decresearch

Yes, the season of discontented driving is coming and with it, annual complaints from drivers and passengers seeking more heat. Long gone are the days of automotive yore when techs and DIY-ers swapped out summer engine thermostats for higher temperature-rated winter ones. Now, pretty much every gasoline engine uses a thermostat rated at 195 degrees Fahrenheit, and trying to use a different temp rated unit will likely lead to an engine computer fault code and a check engine light.

Many will try a simple radiator blocker, such as a piece of cardboard jammed in front, to reduce air flow and increase engine temperatures. This can be risky when operating in stop and start traffic, as it can lead to overheating. About the only vehicles that might benefit from this would be diesel trucks, and even then, a proper vinyl winter cover is a much better idea since these usually have adjustable flaps that can air gets through.

But before even using one of these covers, or try out any of the tips and tricks below, make sure the vehicles temp gauge is operating accurately and be prepared to keep a close eye on it during those ultra-slow commutes.

Flushing cooling systems isnt really required with newer vehicles, but theres an easy test to see if your ride might need one. With the engine running at operating temperature and with the climate control set to max heat, check the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet hoses on the cabins heater by touching the rubber portion of each one with your bare hand. It should never be hot enough to burn skin, but if theres a substantial difference, a power flush might help things.

While doing so, rather than cutting into a heater hose to install a flushing tee, look for a spot to disconnect the hose instead adding extra clamps with a cut is just another reason for a leak. As well, household de-scaling agents such as CLR can be helpful in removing any scale in the system.

Dont increase cabin heat by sealing off the HVACs fresh air intake, because this source of fresh air is critical to keep the windshield and other windows from fogging up. In fact, closing the fresh air intake or using recirculation mode is for air-conditioning-season only.

Maybe your ride just needs some warmer clothes. A thick layer of spray-on undercoating below the floor and lower portion of the engine firewall can help reduce more than just road noise. It may increase cabin temps by reducing heat loss, too.

No, not the vehicle speed but the fan speed. Running the fan on its highest setting will actually reduce the air temp, as it doesnt get enough contact time with the fins on the cabins heater core to produce maximum heat. On frosty days, the highest fan speed you should use is one below the maximum setting.

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Your Corner Wrench: Making the most out of your car's heating system - Driving

Wearing a mask, washing our hands, and social distancing are clear precautions we can take in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. And many have taken refuge from the virus by spending more time outdoors in the safety of fresh air. But how can we protect ourselves when were indoors? The answer likely lies in improving your buildings ventilation.

While there is no silver bullet for combating COVID-19, improving building ventilation will play a central role in shaping our indoor spaces in the current and post-pandemic world. Better ventilation will improve air quality and create healthier spaces. While occupants may not immediately or directly observe the change in operation, they will see long-term benefits through decreased exposure to airborne pathogens and cleaner, fresher air.

Assess Existing Systems & Determine Upgrades

While there are energy laws requiring building owners to regularly assess and adjust their building systemslike NYCs Local Law 87, the retro-commissioning and energy audit lawindoor air quality may require a closer look.

If youre concerned about indoor air quality, find an experienced ventilation expert. When they get to your property, they will assess your ventilation system, which may include various techniques such as visual inspection, camera drops, smoke tests, or blower-door tests. For exhaust systems typically present in multifamily bathrooms, kitchens, and corridors, system improvements may include cleaning and sealing the exhaust shafts, installing high-efficiency variable speed exhaust fans, and installing constant exhauster registers (CERs) in each apartment. They may recommend that the building operator disable any exhaust timers that may be present to increase ventilation. They may also recommend retrofitting the corridor exhaust shafts to supply air to positively pressurize the building.

In forced air systems with return air, your ventilation expert will start by investigating air filtration. Replacing your filters regularly ensuring that they have a tight fit and are well seated is the first line of defense in removing airborne particles that can carry the virus. Your ventilation expert may also explore increasing the filtration (defined by the MERV rating), which will allow for the removal of even smaller airborne particles. Building operators should also explore improvements that can increase the percentage of fresh outdoor air supplied in the space and reducing the amount of recycled air, which may have contaminates.

Energy Efficiency Impact

It is important to keep in mind that increasing ventilation rates often results in increased energy consumption via increased fan energy and/or increased heating and cooling loads. Thus, it is critical that design teams work with experienced energy consultants to design these systems and model expected energy consumption post-retrofit correctly. This will also enable decision-makers to see how different system improvements or renewable energy technologies may work to offset the increased consumption or lead to an energy decrease. For example, you can install Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) in supply/exhaust systems, which can recover the heating or cooling energy in the exhaust air and transfer it to the supply air. Or you can retrofit a system with an air-side economizer, which utilizes outdoor air rather than the cooling system to cool the building on moderate weather days.

Your energy expert can weigh the various scenarios to help you plan for any impact on energy performance. While these upgrades can reduce energy expenses, ventilation upgrades may often increase energy consumption. In such cases, remember the importance of providing a healthy and safe environment for your occupants. When it comes to central systems or owner-maintained systems, it is the owners responsibility to ensure that at least code-minimum ventilation is provided. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that the increase in energy spending may result from currently having an under-performing building that does not meet the occupants needs. In this new world we live in, that could cause bigger, more costly problems for you in the long run.

How Can Occupants Do Their Part?

What can building occupants do? Ensure all of your ventilation registers are unobstructed and cleaned regularlydirt and debris can significantly reduce ventilation rates. If youre unsure whether your bathroom or kitchen exhaust is working, try the toilet-paper test. Hold a tissue or one square of toilet paper up the exhaust registerif it sticks to the register, you are receiving at least some exhaust ventilation. If it falls, then you are receiving little or no ventilation.

What Next?

Curious about your ventilation system? Look through your Local Law 87 energy audit to see if there were any ventilation recommendations. If there were, thats a great place to start! If there were not, give your energy auditor or preferred ventilation expert a call and see the best path for your building.

Once your ventilation project is complete, its time for your occupants to enjoy their more comfortable, healthier, and safer space!

David Sachs is the director of existing buildings at Bright Power, New York, N.Y.

Original post:
Better ventilation = greater health and safety - by David Sachs - New York Real Estate Journal Online

At their best, smart home devices give you the ability to control everything in your home from anywhere via your phone. You can automate and schedule mundane activities, control gadgets with your voice and even keep an eye on your home remotely. Its liberating, and the technology is already here. And while there are a number of different ecosystems to build your smart home around (think Google Assistant or Samsung SmartThings), Amazon is filled to the brim with some of the best smart home products out there, from smart lights and security systems to smart speakers with built in digital assistants.

The sheer volume of smart devices on Amazon might seem overwhelming, but its really not that complicated or intimidating. Most smart devices are easy to set up and make automating your home as easy as talking to Alexa.

Amazon

Thankfully, you dont need any sort of grand plan when you start buying smart home devices. But its probably not a bad idea to start with a smart speaker or smart display like an Amazon Echo. They work on their own and dont depend on anything else. And as you expand your smart home, most other smart gadgets cameras, security systems, lights and more can be controlled by your smart speakers, so as you add components, its like stacking Lego pieces, each building on and enhancing the one that came before.

In this list, youll find the best-in-class products in a broad range of smart home devices. Keep in mind, though, that theres almost no limit to what kind of devices you can make smart. Many robot vacuums certainly qualify, for example, since you can control them via a smartphone or Alexa. And you can even find smartphone-controlled lawnmowers as well.

Read on for a look at some of the best overall smart home devices you can find on Amazon right now.

Smart lighting is one of the simplest and most useful additions to any smart home, and Philips Hue lights are among the most well-known and versatile. This starter kit includes the required hub (which plugs into your Wi-Fi router) and four A19 LED bulbs that fit in standard lamp and ceiling fixtures. Amazon customers like the ease of setup, such as one who wrote, The bulbs are pre-programmed into the hub. This is dead simple to set up, and another who remarked, I was pleasantly surprised that I got all of this up and running under ten minutes.

Once configured, you can control these Hue lights using the Philips mobile app, by voice from Alexa or Google smart speakers, or from stick-on wall switches. You can program lights to turn on and off based on time of day, whether youre at home, and more. And the Hue bulb-verse is large a single hub can control up to 50 lights and you can get Hue bulbs in a variety of sizes and styles, as well as in plain white light or colored lighting. And as one reviewer wrote, The color temperature for these lights is pleasing and comfortable. The features are excellent.

Amazons family of Echo smart speakers brings your home into the 21st century; you can listen to news or stream music, of course, but you can also ask questions that the Alexa AI can look up online, or use it to command any of the compatible smart devices in your home. There are tens of thousands of skills in the Alexa library, and Amazon adds new ones all the time. And the Echo Dot is an inexpensive, puck shaped, compact model that takes up almost no room on any tabletop or counter.

Amazon customer reviews are effusive. One reviewer writes, They can control almost everything, and another adds, I really couldn't ask for a more helpful device. It's even more handy when I found that I could get a battery base for it. (While not an official Amazon accessory, you can turn the Echo Dot into a portable smart speaker with any of a handful of batteries.) But a common theme among reviewers is summed up this way: When it arrived, I was amazed at the things it can do.Ill be adding one to every room.

Smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show 8 add the ability to watch video and see visual feedback when you talk to Alexa. The Echo Show 8 so named for its 8-inch high-definition display, not that its the eighth version is generally considered the optimal size among the models Amazon offers. Display is perfect size on the kitchen counter, writes one Amazon reviewer, and numerous customers call out that among Echo Show devices, this one sits in the sweet spot between price and screen size.

Not only is the screen bright and sharp, but the Echo Show 8 lets you see video from your Ring doorbell, if you have one, as well as watch exclusive videos from the Food Network. You can even use it to make video calls. And the display is highly configurable. One reviewer got the Echo Show 8 in part to replace a digital photo frame: Now I stream pictures from Amazon Photos and they look great on this screen. Another reviewer found she could customize the display to show just a picture and a small clock with the current temperature underneath it.

Smart plugs let you take existing dumb devices and control them wirelessly. Kasa Smart Plugs enable you to control floor lamps, coffee makers and other kitchen appliances even a small air conditioner. Not only are they inexpensive (you can often get a 2-pack like this one for $20 or less) but they give you multiple ways to control your devices. Says one Amazon reviewer, This smart plug is a great option for anyone interested in scheduling, voice commands and remote access to everyday devices up to 1,500 watts.

For even more options, you can use the app to automate whatevers plugged in, so you can start your coffee automatically each morning or schedule lights to turn on and off while youre away from home.

And unlike some smart plugs, these Kasa models dont deprive you of nearby outlets. Says an Amazon reviewer, They are small and unobtrusive, projecting about an inch and a half from the outlet. Because they are so compact, you can plug two of them in at the same receptacle, one above the other.

Even if you dont feel compelled to install a full smart home security system, you can probably see the benefits of a smart doorbell. The Ring Video doorbell upgraded for 2020 packs a 1080p high-definition video camera which you can use to see whos at the door from the comfort of your phone. And if you pay a monthly subscription, every time someone approaches your porch and trips the motion sensor, you get a video stored in the cloud.

Amazon customers applaud the fast setup Works great and looks great. Took 10 minutes to update and 5 to install, and reviewers also remark on the video quality. Picture is very clear. Picks up motion and people in the area.

This model connects to your homes existing doorbell wires. If thats not going to work for your setup, there are other versions of the Ring Doorbell that let you swap out rechargeable batteries.

These days, home alarm systems are much easier and less expensive. A DIY alarm system like the system from Ring can be installed literally in minutes and you can keep an eye on your home yourself using the mobile app, or subscribe to Rings 24/7 monitoring service. Said one reviewer, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cost effective way to monitor their home. The ability to self monitor my home was a plus for me. But also the fact that professional monitoring is only $10 per month is awesome.

This package is a 5-piece starter kit base station, keypad control center, range extender and one contact sensor and motion detector. You can easily expand the system with additional contact sensors and other accessories depending on the size and layout of your home. Reviewers applaud the ease of setup If you're somewhat tech savvy you won't have a problem setting this up. The materials provided were sufficient enough to guide me to setting up and installing this security system without any prior experience.

While many smart home products are pricey few cost under $100, for example the Wyze Cam Pan is astonishingly inexpensive, especially when you consider everything that it does. If you want any sort of security camera coverage inside your home, that makes this worthy of consideration.

For a fraction of the price of most smart security cameras, the Wyze Cam Pan captures 1080p full high definition video and stores clips when it senses sound or motion for 14 days in the cloud for free something that generally costs extra. The camera can be tilted and panned in real time using the Wyze mobile app, and it even has extra features like night vision, voice control using Alexa and Google Assistant, and 2-way audio to speak to whomever is in the room with the camera.

As one Amazon reviewer wrote, There aren't many security cameras with all of the features that Wyze packs in and none at this price-point. Another agrees: This camera does so much that the ten-times-more-expensive Nest Cam IQ at a fraction of the price.

No smart home is complete without a smart thermostat, and the ecobee SmartThermostat is a favorite among Amazon reviewers. Not only is it a convenient modern way to control the climate in your home, but ecobee predicts you can save up to 23 percent on your annual heating and cooling costs compared to using traditional thermostat.

One of ecobees advantages compared to other smart thermostats is that its compatible with SmartSensors which you can place in various rooms throughout the house, and itll use those rooms to determine how to direct heat and cooling rather than relying on a single, arbitrarily placed sensor, probably in a hallway or back room.

In addition, the ecobee SmartThermostat has a gorgeous, simple interface. One reviewer said, The screen is glass and has a beautiful vivid touch display that gives it a high end look. Moreover, its programmable via your phone and can be commanded by voice with Alexa. It also integrates with other smart home devices, so you can configure it to change the temperature, for example, based on whether youre home or not. As another Amazon reviewer said, this smart thermostat has really impressed me with its rich set of features, options and ease of use.

Of course its possible to listen to music on a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo, but if youre something of an audiophile and music is important to you, youll want to round out your smart home with a whole-house smart sound system. Sonos leads the pack when it comes to this kind of sound system you can put Sonos speakers in multiple rooms and combine them so they all play the same thing, or play different content in each room. The Sonos One is an excellent speaker to get started with; a pair of them can give you excellent results in even a fairly large room, yet theyre quite affordable. Or, as one Amazon reviewer summarized: Sound great, look great, nice features, really nice small speakers. You can make a customized wireless sound system easily.

Sonos shines when it comes to sound sources. You can play your music library from a PC on your home network or choose any of dozens of streaming services, internet radio and more. Amazon Alexa support means you can control it by your voice as well as via a mobile app. Says an Amazon reviewer: I am using several Sonos One speakers and a couple of Sonos Fives in various rooms of my house. I have no problem controlling everything with either Alexa, Google Assistant, or my phone, and can play virtually anything including Pandora and other music services even SiriusXM and music on someones cell phone.

There are a lot of smart appliances you can add to your modern kitchen, including countertop ovens and Wi-Fi refrigerators with large LCD displays on the door. But your first smart appliance should almost certainly be a sous vide cooker like the Anova AN-500.

Sous video cooking in which you immerse food in a sealed bag in hot water thats maintained at a precise temperature lets you make, for example, perfectly medium-rare steaks in an hour. At the end of the cook, just throw them on a pan or grill to sear the surface, and serve. Anova takes the simple principle of sous vide cooking and adds Wi-Fi, which means you can start the cook remotely with an app on your phone, or monitor the cook so you know exactly when its done. As an Amazon reviewer writes, Very easy to use, you can set timers, adjust temp, right from your phone. Of course, you dont need to use the app, since you can set up the cook from the digital controls at the top of the stem.

And it is a reliable cooker, delivering consistent results. Says one Amazon reviewer, This is well worth the price! This is the way to cook beef, chicken or salmon. Delicious results. Another customer said, I've made steaks, fish, pork chops, soft boiled eggs, and vegetables and I can't describe how great it is to legitimately set it and forget it. I only wish they were cheaper so I could have multiple running at the same time for different parts of the same meal.

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The Best Smart Home Products On Amazon, According To Glowing Reviews - Forbes

Seven UKsinnovators in Smart, Zero Carbon Building Solutions have been selected for business acceleration at Energy Systems Catapult.Collaborating with Places for People, the Catapult Innovator Challenge will help SMEs unlock new routes-to-market, secure investment and breakdown barriers to growth.

The seven innovators that will get access to advanced energy system expertise from the Catapult plus specialist business support from a wider network of around 40 consultants, include:Amp X,Atamate,Clean Energy Prospector,Pumped Heat,Sero,Studio Victoria andWondrwall.

The Zero Carbon Housing Solutions, Smart Buildings and Estates challenge called for innovators working in one or more of the following areas:

Business Lead for Innovator Support and International at Energy Systems Catapult,Paul Jordan said, To achieve Net Zero, we will need to fully decarbonise our Buildings & Estates and the seven companies that well now be working with, all have the potential to make a sizeable contribution.

Im delighted to see such a range of solutions from digital platforms and building control, heat solutions and microgrids, to new business propositions like heat- as-a-service and digital twins. Our team is excited to be working with these promising innovators and helping them to accelerate towards full commercialisation.

A Catapult panel evaluated applications from across the UK. The seven companies chosen were:

Amp X is developing a transactiveready digital energy platform underpinned by autonomy, machine-learning, advanced data analytics and control systems aiming to provide flexibility services that can deliver cost and carbon savings for consumers, and to unlock new business models and revenue opportunities for different stakeholders across the system.

Dr Irene Di Martino, Head of Amp X, said: Amp X is addressing the challenges of the energy transition as our vision of the future moves smart energy from automated to autonomous, turning the edge of the grid into the locus of provision of grid flexibility, stability and resilience.

Consumer engagement is a key barrier to demandresponse as a scalable nonwirealternative. The Amp X digital energy assistant will cater simultaneously for consumer preferences and grid needs, delivering demandsidemanagement at a very large scale through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Our solution will allow for optimal energy management and dynamic load shaping behindthe-meter in residential and commercial/industrial premises, enabling cost and carbon savings, though with no adverse impact on the needs and lifestyle of the end users.

Part of what we are wanting to validate with Energy Systems Catapult is what features of our solution work best for different usertypes and properties (ecosystems).

Our ultimate goal is to deliver an inclusive, futureproof, fully transactive grid, where virtualised local energy markets exemplify the full democratisation and decentralisation of the grid, with peertopeer trading through the active participation of every producer and consumer across the grid.

Atamate has developed a smart building platform that focuses on precise automated control and continuous monitoring of the internal environment to reduce energy consumption, simplify building management and optimise maintenance while increasing occupant comfort and security.

Joe Miles, Managing Director at Atamate said: Atamate offers value across a wide range of building types. This spans energy savings, security and building management, through to improving maintenance and the indoor environment.

We have produced a monitoring and control system that is: holistic with a common data platform to share information and control services; simple to install, live with and maintain; affordable with a quantifiable payback; and retrofittable.

We think Energy Systems Catapult can not only provide the independent verification and credibility that we want, but help us better understand which markets value which parts of our offering.

Clean Energy Prospector (Cepro) design, build and operate community microgrids for new build residential housing developments, allowing third-party providers to finance the cost of installing low carbon infrastructure, rather than the housing developer.

Cepros innovative business model means the cost of technologies needed to create zero carbon homes such as solar PV, heat pumps, battery storage and digital control systems are financed via a community Energy Services Company, mitigating costs for developer and helping to maximise the market attractiveness for zero carbon homes for individual house-buyers.

Damon Rand, Head of Product at Cepro, said: The UK builds 130,000 homes a year and only a fraction have solar PV, never mind heat pumps. By 2025 new build homes cannot install gas boilers but home builders have not yet worked out how to finance low carbon heating systems.

What we do is form community microgrids to enable external investment to come in and fund low carbon infrastructure, taking the risk and the cost off the balance sheet of the housing developer.

Were hoping Energy Systems Catapult can review our value proposition and business plan in preparation to take on investment and scale the business.

Pumped Heat has developed a Heat Battery using their innovative Warmstone solution a low cost and safe technology that stores off-peak or excess renewable electricity as it is generated to use later on-demand with conventional heating and hot water systems.

James Macnaghten, Co-Founder of Pumped Heat, said: We believe weve created the cheapest form of low carbon heating but we need that 3rd party performance verification of the product.

Energy Systems Catapult is a good referee. When you talk to people in the industry they ask you what do the Catapult think.

We are also hoping to get some system-level modelling to establish the size of the thermal storage market in the UK and market segmentation to refine our customer value proposition.

Seros mission is to deliver whole-life solutions for Net Zero that covers buildings, construction, energy, lifestyles and financing. They aim is to create a community of homes that can intelligently support the wider energy system and comfort-as-a-service offerings that cover heat, power and transport for consumers.

James Williams, Co-Founder & Managing Director of, said: Sero was founded because we saw homes as a future energy system solution whilst at the same time realising that the changing energy system provides the best pathway to Net Zero. We identified a clear opportunity to bring these elements together alongside innovating around the customer experience.

However we need a market shift towards lower carbon housing. This support from Energy Systems Catapult comes at a critical point in our growth to scale, we need to validate the good work weve achieved to date, gain a wider customer insight and use the expertise at the Catapult to accelerate our transition to scale.

Studio Victoria is a unique business that brings together specialisms usually associated with a number of different companies into a single interoperable solution.

By integrating data from sensors, drones, laser scanners, virtual reality, augmented reality and machine learning, they provide clients with data-driven Digital Twins that promote more efficient heating and cooling in buildings.

Javier Miranda, Managing Director of Studio Victoria, said: The uniqueness of our solution is the whole integration and interoperability of data feeds from a range of third-parties. But rather than dealing with 10 or 12 companies, you only have to deal with one, so were reducing cost and complexity.

The main thing we are hoping to get from working with Energy Systems Catapult is validation of our business model approach.

Wondrwall is a technology company that combine intelligent home automation, clean energy production and super-efficient heating systems, to help homes save money, time and the environment.

Wondrwall integrates carbon neutral domestic energy management, such as solar, batteries and heating solutions, with automated and intuitive control powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Matt Roderick, Director at Wondrwall, said: Wondrwalls innovative system is self-learning and adapts to your household routine, combining home automation, with clean energy and efficient heating throughout the home.

Weve deployed 12 different sensors such as temperature, humidity, motion, sound, smoke into a light switch; constantly monitoring to deliver data on occupancy, energy use and generation with time of use tariffs and weather forecasts. Combine that with artificial intelligence and weve developed a world leading intelligent system.

We wanted to work with Energy Systems Catapult to help with some modelling to better understand the size of the market. on our business model for the retrofit market.

Read more from the original source:
Seven SMEs win business acceleration place at Energy Systems Catapult - The Energyst

The latest colors and trends are tempting, but a kitchen should be timeless, says Barbara Miller, design director for the Neil Kelly design and remodeling company.

Its expensive to remodel a kitchen, and cabinets can make up 30% of the costs, so make sure you or an owner five to 10 years in the future wont think the look has gone out of style, she says.

A sure-fire solution: White cabinets.

Since Neil Kelly started remodeling homes in Portland in 1947, we have never stopped selling white cabinets, says Miller, referencing a statement made by owner Tom Kelly, whose father founded the company.

She says styles and hardware have changed, but white remains popular in the Pacific Northwest, as does wood-grain.

The easiest way to ensure a kitchen has a timeless feel is to match key elements with the architecture and era of the house: A Colonial Revival house works best with traditional cabinets, while a midcentury design shines with sleek, flat panel cabinet doors and a Northwest ranch benefits from a transitional style in wood tones.

Selecting neutral materials and colors for cabinetry and large surfaces may seem unexciting, but there are ways to make a statement with wall color, knobs and pulls, and fixtures that can be changed in a day without having to undergo a full remodel.

A new pendant light over the island can help make a kitchen look up-to-date, Miller says.

People considering a kitchen remodel typically ask Miller if they can keep existing cabinets. She says cosmetic upgrades are possible if the design and layout still look and function well.

She explains what needs to be considered when deciding to renew or replace cabinets:

To upgrade the look, Miller says face frame and overlay cabinets can be fitted with new doors and drawers that cover the edges.

Once you start replacing drawers and door fronts, and making too many modification, you are over 50% into the cost of new cabinets," she says.

Trending now are modern, high-gloss cabinets in bright colors like deep green as well as blue or red ovens. Unless youre designing for exactly how you love it, I would stay neutral with cabinets and appliances if youre planning to resell your home within 10 years, says Miller.

Miller is recommending solid wood cabinets, which can be repainted, to a client set on having periwinkle blue.

You can paint them white for resale, she says. Ask yourself first, is this changeable? How much effort is required to modify it in the future? Being smart in those decisions will help your kitchen be timeless.

Home design and product experts with Neil Kelly will offer ideas and advice during a kitchen design and remodeling webinar starting online at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. Register for the free event at neilkelly.com/events.

Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

Want to search Oregon real estate listings and use local resources? Click here.

See the original post:
Kitchen cabinets are costly. Dont make them trendy - OregonLive

For Sale/Rent

On sale for less than $240,000, this riverside condo has industrial character to spare.

Photo by Andrew Snook

99 Allen St. #118, Woonsocket, RI Price: $239,900Size: 1,406 square feetBedrooms: 2Baths: 2

Looking for some primo loft living? Search no more. Formerly a textile mill, these premises, once used for wool dyeing in the 19th-century, are now nearly unrecognizable as open-concept condos. To be sure, the original character of the place persists, visible through the exposed ductwork, brick walls, metal poles, and warehouse windows. But the home has been retrofitted to bring in a homey feel and current flair, too. Take a look at the living room, where an abstract mural claims an entire wall, or the (huge) primary bedroom, where Mediterranean Sun paint embellishes the spaceand enhances the red brick accents.

Opposite the living room, the kitchenwhich sports granite counters, stainless appliances, and cherry-colored cabinetryexhibits a stroke of remodeling genius. Two arched brick doorways, which once led to a pair of water closets, have been reconstructed into one cute alcove, great for a pub-like dining area or out-of-the-way office nook.

While natural light pours in through all of the oversize windows and bounces off the Brazilian walnut floors, the loft itself doesnt have a private outdoor space. No need, though, as the property hosts a communal patio and a riverside garden, where you can enjoy some greenery while listening to the rushing water of Blackstone River below.

For information, contact Andrew Snook, William Raveis, raveis.com.

Photo by Andrew Snook

Photo by Andrew Snook

Photo by Andrew Snook

Photo by Andrew Snook

Photo by Andrew Snook

Photo by Andrew Snook

Photo by Andrew Snook

The Boston Home team has curated a list of the best home design and home remodeling professionals in Boston, including architects, builders, kitchen and bath experts, lighting designers, and more. Get the help you need with FindIt/Boston's guide to home renovation pros.

Go here to see the original:
On the Market: A Hip Rhode Island Loft in a Repurposed Textile Mill - Boston magazine

Chelsea and Logan Hawley came into five acres of farmland in Florida in 2019.

At the time, the couple were living in a 2,500-square-foot home with their two kids, Madison and Maverick.

They planned to build a farmhouse on the land over the next five years, but they didn't want to have to live paycheck to paycheck while they saved for the house.

Downsizing seemed like the perfect solution to the Hawleys' problem.

The first thing you see when you walk into the home is a daybed.

The daybed serves as a couch in the living room area of the home.

The entire RV has vinyl hardwood flooring that gives the space an elevated look.

The kitchen is next to the living room.

The farmhouse sink takes up a large chunk of the small kitchen, and it makes a statement in the space.

The kitchen only has a refrigerator and a stovetop in terms of appliances, which saves room.

Built-in, open shelving above the sink keeps things organized and pretty.

Chelsea describes the decor aesthetic as modern farmhouse.

Farmhouse touches, like the white walls and wood cabinets, mix with industrial elements, such as the tile on the kitchen walls and the black faucet.

The kitchen also features a separate coffee bar.

The cute addition adds character to the space.

Plus, it ensures the family's main kitchen countertops don't get overcrowded.

Chelsea and Logan's master bedroom is on the other side of the main living area.

Their bed is nestled into a nook in the wall.

The majority of Logan's clothes fit in the cubbies next to the bed.

Chelsea keeps her clothes in the nearby closet, and she told Insider it's more spacious than people would think.

Madison and Maverick's bedroom is the only private room in the house.

The Hawleys intentionally made the kids' bedroom private, as it gives them a space for their toys and enables Chelsea and Logan to continue to walk around and talk after the kids have gone to bed.

"It's really designed for them," Chelsea said of her kids' bedroom. For instance, the ceiling is painted to look like the night sky, which Madison loves.

The kids' room features floor-to-ceiling storage, as does the rest of the RV.

The family also remodeled the bathroom in the RV.

The bathroom originally only had a shower, but Chelsea said they completely gutted it and added a tub for the kids.

Despite the upgrades, the bathroom is Chelsea's least favorite part of her home because of its small size.

Because they're stationary much of the year, the Hawleys also have outdoor space they make use of.

The family has a patio with seating and toys for the kids.

The patio sits on the family's five acres of land, where they've already started growing their farm.

At the time of writing, the Hawleys own one pig, one rabbit, two cows, five goats, and 18 chickens.

Chelsea said that the money the family saves with the RV is what allowed them to start the farm.

"We have been able to save for our farmhouse," Chelsea said. "We've been able to start a farm. We were able to start a lifestyle that we wanted much earlier."

Chelsea is a stay-at-home mom, so the extra income is a big help for the family.

Although they're in one place much of the year, the Hawleys also get to travel in their RV.

"We are able to do monthly RV trips, and we've been able to see a lot of cool places in Florida," Chelsea said.

They're hoping to explore other areas in the South once it's safer to travel.

Living in the RV can be difficult for the Hawleys when they can't spend time outside.

It rains frequently in the summer in Florida, so the Hawleys had to stay inside for most of the hot months.

"When you're inside in a tiny space, there's so much clutter and you're just on top of each other all day long," Chelsea said. "That was definitely a challenge of trying to figure out how we could manage in a small space."

She told Insider that keeping the home clean, giving the kids chores, and teaching them to play by themselves helped a lot.

"My kids have learned to be content with less, and they have learned to entertain themselves," Chelsea told Insider of what it's like raising children in a tiny space.

"I've noticed that their imagination has soared because there are fewer things for them to do," she said. "They've had to kind of create their own play, which has been so cool."

The small space has also helped the kids' bond with each other flourish.

"They are the best of friends," Chelsea said of Madison and Maverick. "I'm sure that would've happened in a big space, too, but I definitely think the tiny space has made them rely on each other more."

"It's been precious to watch," she added.

Chelsea advises people who are considering downsizing to really focus on their purpose.

Whether you want to live minimally or save money, focusing on the reason you're downsizing will help you transition successfully, according to Chelsea.

Chelsea and Logan gave away the majority of their belongings when they moved into the RV, and focusing on why they were doing it helped her a lot.

"Take a good look at what you have and think about what you could live without," she said. "It's very hard to get rid of your things at first, but the moment you start doing it, you get a new perspective."

"For me, it was very freeing," Chelsea said.

You can follow Chelsea on Instagram here.

See original here:
A family of 4 moved into a 250-square-foot RV to save money while they build their dream farmhouse - Insider - INSIDER