Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Kelly Thompson has plans for downtown Sun Prairie. The owner of Kontext Architects LLC is leasing the empty space at 240 E. Main St. and renovating the upper level, which sat vacant for years.

We just gutted everything and cleared it all out, and weve got some big ideas for the entire building, Thompson said, adding that his team will relocate its offices to an updated 1,500-square-foot second-story space next March.

An additional 1,000 square feet of space on the second level remains available for lease.

Meanwhile, a new front facade is in the works that will restore the corner location, adjacent to Cannery Wine & Spirits, to its original early-1900s storefront appearance.

Inventure Realty Group will occupy the Main Street level, and Thompson envisions the basement, which still retains woodwork and fabric from a bygone era, as the perfect home for a commercial wine cellar and tasting room.

Thompson, a Sun Prairie resident who began Kontext Architects in 2008 at 425 W. Main St., relocated his firm to downtown Madison on East Dayton Street after Kontext merged with Architecture Network in 2014.

But he wanted to return to downtown Sun Prairie, where he sees a vibrant scene evolving thanks in large part to new housing developments in the area.

You have people walking all over the place, he said. And it gets more exciting at night and during the weekend. This downtown is considerably more accessible than downtown Madison, and for Kontext being in downtown Sun Prairie is all about presence and name recognition.

For now, though, Thompson and his staff are temporarily operating out of 1110 N. Bristol St., a small space formerly occupied by The Ammo Box and sharing a building with Georges Chicken & Fish and Good Spirits liquor store.

We were sort of homeless, said Thompson, whose downtown Madison lease expired in June.

He was able to sign a short-term lease while renovations take place at the East Main Street building.

Proximity to the Highway 151 corridor, which provides easy access to the Fox Valley where several Kontext clients are located as well as to and from other regions, also attracted Thompson. Its very common for us to go where our clients are, and this is a very practical move for us, he said, explaining that Sun Prairies location makes traveling to visit clients much more convenient for his team.

Kontext offers pre-design and schematic design services, creates design development and construction documents, and provides construction administration services. The firm built much of its business on designing public buildings for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, as well as multiple school districts and various municipal entities in Wisconsin and Illinois. The firm also has been involved in several design studies for Sun Prairie-based projects.

Will the move to Sun Prairie help Kontext garner more local work? It remains to be seen how much of an advantage that will be, Thompson said, but hes excited about returning to where he started his business although he doesnt regret the Architecture Network merger and the subsequent relocation to the heart of Madison.

Architecture Network was owned and operated by Arlen Kay a renowned architect whose last name rhymes with eye and who helped restore buildings that now house Quiveys Grove restaurant and the Great Dane Downtown.

He also offered Thompson, who attended the University of Southern Illinois-Carbondale, his first crack at working in Wisconsins architectural design market back in 1997.

Following the 2014 merger, Architecture Network was folded into the Kontext Architects name, as Thompson eventually took charge of all operations.

The partnership has helped Thompson expand Kontexts capabilities to include more design work in the private sector, especially with multifamily residential projects.

Kay, despite being of retirement age, remains a part-time Kontext employee and brings in new work for the firm.

Today, three years on from the merger and only months away from beginning a new chapter in the firms history, Thompson claims Kontexts greatest strength is its ability to connect with clients.

We want to build sustained, trusting relationships, he says. We want to know about their kids or if theyre in a bowling league. We sincerely are interested in them as people. That definitely fosters trust, and we are very intentional about it.

KONTEXT ARCHITECTS LLC

1110 N. Bristol St.

Phone: 608-825-0094

Web:

http://www.kontextarchitects.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kontextarchitects

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Kontext Architects planning move to downtown Sun Prairie - hngnews.com

The fruitful partnership between Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and office developer SOHO China will soon bring another remarkable structure to the countrys design landscape. Their latest collaboration, Leeza SOHO, is set to top out at its full height of 679 feet next month. While that may seem diminutive compared with other towers under construction around the world, the Beijing property is breaking records in another way. The mixed-use building will contain the worlds largest central atrium, an expansive 623 feet high, which will be open to the public.

A look at the ongoing construction within Leeza SOHO.

Leeza SOHO is the fourth building ZHA has designed for SOHO China, and the latest images reveal that the architectural firm has created something that will rival its previous collaborations, which total 15 million square feet and include Galaxy SOHO, Sky SOHO, and Wangjing SOHO. The dizzying photos offer a look at the progress of the 1.86-million-square-foot building and a glimpse at the construction process, which is being done with an eye toward sustainability and LEED Gold certification.

Once Leeza SOHO is completed, Beijing will have yet another skyscraper designed by one of the leading firms in the world.

Set to be completed in 2018, the building is composed of two sides twisting around the atrium and connected by a series of sky bridges. The clever design allows the halves to shade the central space, while the double-insulated glazing maintains the views as well as comfortable interior temperatures. The atrium also connects with the subway station below the site, meaning that future occupants could have one of the worlds most beautiful commutes.

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Zaha Hadid Architects Reveal New Images of the World's Tallest Atrium in Beijing - Architectural Digest

located along the popular sigmund freud path in the alpine woods of bolzano, messnerarchitectschurch in stella is an appreciated spiritual spacefor people from far and wide. the conversion and renovation of the building, dating back to the fifties, is aimed at reevaluating the existing structure and making it more appealing to visitors.the fleeting glimpse inside the chapel encouragesvisitors to enter the place of worship.

the prevailing genius loci, latin for the spirit of the place, is strikingly expressed through the catchphrasechurch in the woodsall images davide perbellini

the largerectangular opening behind the presbytery bathes the interior in light and underlines the pursuit of linking the interiorto the exterior. the prevailing genius loci, latin for the spirit of the place, is strikingly expressed throughmessnerarchitectscatchphrase church in the woods. the framed view is characterized by a continuously changing landscape throughoutthe year. inside the church, the previously existing height difference between presbytery and nave is reduced and replaced by a ramp with an incised canyon. the configuration as a ramp dissolves the separation of the space, and creates the impression of a shaped landscape. the dark incisions in the wooden ceiling reflect the joints in the floor.

meditation room

afreestanding panel of translucent glass opposite to the front door works as a protective and informative shield.the stained-glass windows originate from artist peter fellin. the figurative arched windows with the pictures of saint stephen and saint notburga were moved from the east to the west faade where they brighten the entrance. since its renovation, the abstract and precious stained-glass windows receive more attention and appreciation. the altar is located on the central axis of the presbytery, while the ambo and the priests chair are situated in front of the main liturgical object. solid monoliths of a local variety of gneissic rock rest on the translucent glass bases. the light breaks through the fragile bases and makes the heavy masses hover above ground.

the view onto presbytery

the weightlessness of the structurestrongly expresses the aspiration for the divine and the closeness to heaven.the new staircase starts with a loop, hovers above the registry and leads to the attic floor along the east faade. the previously unused attic floor was restructured and recovered as a place for meditation, silence and retreat. the attic consists ofan entrance area with a cloakroom, a restroom, a storage room and a spacious event room. the entire timber-framed supporting structure was demolished and substituted by a three-hinged arch. the subsequently unsupported tent-like space was improved in its physical properties by insulating the wood-shingled roof.

view towardsthe rear end of the chapel

the brickwork of the western gable was demolished to further provide the meditation space with daylight.astair shielded by a wall element leads down to the meditation space wrapped in its lower part in carpet like a nest and dissolving in its upper part in wooden boarding. the entire surface of the gable wall is closed by a glass faade which opens up the view to the piazza. astepped terrace enlarges the meditation space with an attractive openspace, connecting the innerto the outer space both visually and mentally.ultimately, only two architectural interventions determine the conversion of the church in the wood: on one hand, it is the breakthrough of the sacred space to the landscape, on the other hand it is the opening of the gable to the piazza.

attic floor details

the registry

altar base detail

stairway to attic floor

west faade at dawn

east faade at dawn

details of the eastern faade

outer view into the presbytery

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom

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messner architects situates its newly renovated saint joseph chapel in the alpine woods - Designboom

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Three Parts:Gaining ExperienceStarting an Interior Decoration BusinessBecoming an Interior DesignerCommunity Q&A

If you have a love of decorating and a knack for arranging furniture and choosing dcor and color, a career as an interior decorator may be perfect for you. To become a "decorator" you dont need an extensive education or a fancy degree, just a good eye and a passion for the job. However, if you are interested in interior design, you will need to take specialized courses and gain the proper licensing from the state, depending on which state you are in.

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Practice interior decorating. Volunteer to help friends and family with decorating projects. Look for volunteer projects with local organizations. Look for service organizations like Habitat for Humanity and local shelters. Even decorating spaces for special events is good experience.

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Get materials. Find sources for materials and supplies. Without a license, you may not be entitled to designer discounts. However, you can begin to negotiate with suppliers if you are buying in bulk. You can also learn to find inexpensive sources for materials like overstock stores and thrift shops.

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What are the basic qualifications needed to become an interior decorator?

wikiHow Contributor

Nothing really, just as long as you have passion for it, an eye for decorating, and continue to learn different decorating styles and trends. You could consider taking a short course to get a certificate if you really want some kind of proof that you're qualified.

What materials are needed for interior decoration/interior design?

wikiHow Contributor

Measuring tools, flooring samples, wall covering samples, a computer software for showing rooms and different ideas of dcor. A well strong knowledge of what is popular, what is coming back in style, what is not, a great caring attitude, and great business ethics are also important.

What if I am not good at drawing, but I love designing and I want to be an interior designer some day? Should I pursue this course in life, or should I find another course that is more suited to my skills?

wikiHow Contributor

You can get through it with a lot of effort and don't slack one bit. Commit yourself myself to do your 110%. In this way, you'll become a successful decorate with a job you very much love. The thing you need to understand is that if you love your career, and you love what you do and what it will help you become, then those hard steps arent so hard anymore.You learn how to draw eventually, because talent is indeed just 1 percent of the mix and effort is the last ninety nine percent. If you love it and work hard, youll be fine.

I am currently in school and want to be an interior decorator. What subjects should I take?

wikiHow Contributor

Graphic Design, Photography, Interior Design, Furniture History (Purpose, Mood Creators, Manufacturing), Home Structural Design, Introduction to Art: History, Color Education, Medium uses, Marketing (if you want to be self employed), and Interpersonal Relations. Brand Popularity and History is another good choice.

Is math important when it comes to interior design?

wikiHow Contributor

I'm an Interior Design teacher. I'm always surprised about the difficulties my students face in understanding drawing in scale. This is math we all study in primary school (at 7/8 years old) and it is fundamental to design in the right proportions, otherwise you can't deal with the concept of space. So the answer is: yes, BASIC math is important.

Is interior designer a good occupation?

wikiHow Contributor

You need to network with a lot of people in this business. I think you will find that if you are prepared, educated, hard-working, and have a natural talent for this, you will do well.

How much money can I make?

wikiHow Contributor

Quite a decent amount, but it really depends on your location, how good your work is, and how much experience you have.

How much is an interior designer's salary?

wikiHow Contributor

It depends on your area. Stop in a home interior design stores in your city and see if they will help answer your questions.

What is the difference in between an interior designer and interior decorator?

wikiHow Contributor

An interior designer focuses on decorations and modifications to the structure itself: floors, windows, electrical systems, etc. It's a much more inclusive job that goes beyond just decorating the house.

How can I start practicing interior decorating as a kid?

wikiHow Contributor

When I was a kid I would use the family desktop computer. I would draw rooms and decorate them using the paint program on it. If you would like an even better option, there is a program in the Microsoft app store called "Planner - 5D Home and Interior Design," it allows you to switch from 2D to 3D easily and it is well worth it to spend the $10-$20 for the full version. You will have access to all materials and be able to save them, as well as take snapshots too. If you don't have access to a computer, good old fashioned graph paper, and a ruler work. Make sure you do well in school as well, as it will help you when looking for a college.

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How to Become an Interior Decorator (with Pictures) - wikiHow

One of the best ways to bring warmth into your kitchen is to install wood floors. This idea is especially appropriate in small kitchens where white or light-colored cabinets are chosen to visually expand the space. Wood floors provide a beautiful, natural contrast without visually paring down the space. Regardless of which material you choose solid wood flooring or engineered flooring the flooring surface is typically installed prior to the installation of the base cabinets. Doing so is particularly effective in cases where furniture-type base cabinets are selected. Because these cabinets stand on legs, they allow a view of the wood floor beneath them. The resulting look is much like that of a formal dining room.

Wood flooring has made a major comeback as builders and homeowners look to increase the charm, value and comfort in new and remodeled homes. Another reason for woods return is the increasing prevalence of open floor plans, in which kitchens and family rooms blend together. Wood floors offer a warm, seamless look for such designs.

PRO TIP: Whether applied on-site or in the factory, penetrating scalers like polyurethane help ensure that wood floors in the kitchen will resist spills.

For more information about your flooring options, visit the showroom at Quality Home Center our name says it all! We are located at 1249 Rt. 9 S. in Cape May Court House. For more information, call (609) 465-5029 or visit http://www.qualityhomectr.com.

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A Warm and Cozy Kitchen - Cape May County Herald

Photo: istockphoto.com

One of the oldest flooring materials is still among the most desirable. Whether your style is classic, contemporary, or eclectic, a hardwood surface can complement your dcor and add value to your home. Durable, natural, and renewable, hardwood flooring is available in a variety of colors and grain patterns to suit your individual design and lifestyle needs.

Five hardwood species (oak, walnut, hickory, maple, and cherry) are among the most common choices for residential flooring and each has its own properties. But before you select a species, you should understand the pros and cons of both types of hardwood flooringsolid and engineeredand consider finishing options, too. Read on for everything you need to know so youll wind up with the finest flooring for you!

Traditional hardwood floors feature solid wood boards while engineered hardwood flooring offers the look of the real thing with increased application options at a slightly lower cost.

Solid hardwood flooring boards are milled from a single piece of wood, while engineered hardwood boards feature a multi-layer base topped with a layer of real hardwood. Prefinished solid red oak flooring runs about $5 per sq. ft., while engineered red oak flooring runs $1 to $2 less (the thicker the hardwood layer, the higher the cost). Price aside, consider the benefits and drawbacks of both.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Solid hardwood flooring

can be refinished many times, and so has the potential to last for decades.is designed for installation over a wood subfloor, with each board positioned and individually nailed to the subfloor. Since it requires nailing, its not suitable for installation on a concrete substrate.is not recommended for below-grade installations, such as basements. The increased humidity and residual moisture below grade can lead solid hardwood to warp.can develop cupping if exposed to high humidity. Because each board is nailed on the edges, if the wood swells, the boards press on one another and they can push upward slightly at the seams, creating a cupped depression along the center of the board.can develop gaps if the wood contracts. If the moisture level in the wood was higher when it was installed, gaps between the seams can occur as the wood dries and shrinks. To prevent gaps, allow boards to acclimate to the room climate for at least two weeks before installation.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

is made of multiple thin layers of compressed wood, resin, and polymers, and then topped with a layer of real hardwood.can be installed over a host of different flooring, including wood, tile, or linoleum as long as the existing floor is level, and can even be installed concrete. Instead of being nailed to the subfloor, engineered flooring planks are fitted and snapped together via grooves on the sides of the planks. A floating floor, its not physically attached to the floor beneath.can often be installed in basements. The resins and polymers in engineered flooring withstand higher humidity. Check the individual brands, however, because resistance to moisture can vary.can sometimes be refinished. A few manufacturers that use a thicker layer of surface hardwood claim that their product can be refinished once or twice. The majority of engineered hardwood flooring will not hold up to refinishing.will not cup or cause gaps between seams. An engineered floor is installed with an expansion space around its perimeter. Its less likely to swell or contract, but even if it does, the expansion space will accommodate the movement and the floor will remain flat and level.comes prefinished; once its installed, nothing more is required.

Until recently, solid hardwood flooring was installed unfinished, and then the installer would apply stain and a durable finish coat to protect the surface. Today, hardwood flooring is also available in a prefinished product, with stain and topcoat already in place.

Unfinished hardwood flooring

is the smoothest flooring option. Because its installed and then sanded, theres no board-height discrepancy.allows for custom colors. If you want a unique shade, install unfinished flooring and have the stain custom-mixed at a paint store.is more time-consuming to install. Since the floor is finished in phasesinstallation, sanding, staining, finishingit can take three or more days to complete.entails mess and potentially toxic fumes. Sanding an entire floor is a dusty prospect, and some stain and finish products produce disagreeable fumes that require ventilation during application.means lower material costs. On average, unfinished hardwood flooring runs about $1 per sq. ft. less than prefinished. For example, unfinished Red Oak flooring runs about $4 per sq. ft. while prefinished Red Oak runs about $5 per sq. ft.but higher installation costs. The extra labor required to stain and finish the floor makes unfinished hardwood more expensive when professionally installed. Depending on labor costs in your area, you may end up paying more for a flooring pro to install and finish the floor than you would to have a prefinished floor installed. A professional installer may stand behind defects in workmanship during the application and finishing process, but if you install the floor yourself, you wont have any recourse if the finish doesnt hold up to normal wear and tear.

Prefinished hardwood flooring

is available in a few dozen colors, but cannot be customized in your shade of choice.has higher initial material costs but lower installation costs than unfinished types of hardwood flooring. Since no staining and finishing are necessary, a professionally installed prefinished hardwood floor is often less expensive than a professionally installed unfinished hardwood floor. In the long run, youll probably pay less for a prefinished hardwood floor.has no exposure to dust or toxic fumes.comes with manufacturer warranties that often guarantee against defects in stain and finish coat.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Now that you know the score on floors, you can begin to choose your species, based on color tones, wood grain patterns, and overall durability. The Janka Hardness Scale, named for Gabriel Janka, an Austrian researcher who developed the scale in 1906, is todays industry standard for determining wood hardness. The higher the rating number, the harder the woodand the more durable your floor.

Oak: This popular hardwood features two distinct types, both highly desirable for flooring options.

Red Oak: The most common hardwood flooring choice available today, it has a Janka rating of 1290 and is well suited for most flooring needs. Its warm tones range in color from creamy pink and golden red to rusty brown. It features graceful swirled grain patterns throughout and has a tendency to vary slightly in color and grain pattern from one board to the next. Red oak complements diverse dcor styles, including classic, rustic, contemporary, and country. White Oak: Chosen for its fine grain patterns and cool hues, white oak is harder than red oak, coming in at 1360 on the Janka scalemaking it a good choice for high traffic areas. White oak has gray undertones and no hint of red. Its grain and color vary only slightly, producing an overall floor effect of smooth elegance, which is suitable for many design styles.

Cherry: Prized for its warm brown hues and smooth grain pattern, cherry is slightly softer than some hardwoods, ranking 950 on the Janka scaleso best for lower-traffic spots, such as bedrooms and formal dining rooms. Cherry has a tendency to darken slightly over time, especially if exposed to bright sunlight. For optimal visual impact, consider installing wide flooring planksup to 8 inchesto showcase this hardwoods beautiful grain pattern.

Walnut: Its deep, rich, chocolate tones and large straight grain patterns make walnut a top choice for drama and sophistication. With a Janka rating of 1010, Walnut is suitable for medium-to-light traffic, but may show wear in high-traffic areas after a few years. Color variations from board to board are slight, giving walnut floors a smooth, consistent look.

Hickory: With a Janka rating of 1820, hickory is very durable, ideal for high-traffic zonesin fact, it was once a top choice for school gymnasium floors. Hickory features mocha-tones, ranging from creamy beige with a hint of red to warm brown with dark brown streaks. With large knots and color that can vary substantially from board to board, hickory is well suited to rustic and country style.

Maple: Another highly durable choice, maple ranks 1450 on the Janka scale and is suitable for most rooms. Its a fairly light-colored wood, with hues that include light cream, beige, and tan, and it often features a slight reddish tint. Maple has a fine grain pattern, with occasional dark streaks and specks that add visual interest to the wood. This hardwood complements many styles, including contemporary, transitional, and eclectic.

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New Floors? The Types of Hardwood Flooring Every Homeowner Should Consider - BobVila.com

If youre thinking of replacing the flooring in your home, then youre probably faced with a difficult decision.

Deciding whether your budget will cover laminate, wood or carpeting is only one decision. Homeowners must also choose the best flooring for durability, style and color.

For Tony Cruse, owner-operator of The Tile Company in Beaver Lake, the answer is simple: a quality tile that will endure many years to come.

Wood floors can get scratched and damaged from water. Carpet is easy to ruin and vinyl flooring tears and can also buckle, Cruse explained. Tile does add value to your home and really lasts forever. Its the grout that goes bad. Its important to get a stain-proof, crack-resistant grout, especially if youre using a light colored tile.

Cruse has been in the tiling business for 25 years. He is especially expert at installing custom-designed tile showers and flooring.

Decorating with tile is especially popular not only for interior flooring but outdoor kitchens, lounge areas, patios or decks. Tile is durable, but you need to choose a type that will endure the different elements. For outdoor use, I recommend thaw-proof porcelain tile, Cruse said.

Ceramic tile frost resistance or thaw-proof porcelain tile has the ability to withstand freeze/thaw conditions during the winter months with minimal effect. The frost resistance of ceramic tile is dependent on the tiles porosity and water absorption levels.

Porcelain, granite, slate, marble, travertine, limestone and quartzite are good options, depending on the climate in which a person is having it installed.

Whether its an interior or exterior installation Cruse said gray is one of the most popular color choices. Gray is big and so is white. Patterns are especially popular and herringbone patterns are very big, Cruse explained.

Cruse stressed the importance of choosing quality tile when doing a project. Dont go cheap on tile. Its usually uneven and doesnt look as nice when laid out. Fads are hard to replace, he said.

Although many people opt to install tile themselves, if they do not have an expertise in laying tile they need to hire a professional.

Its not as easy as it looks. Many people do it on their own, but dont understand the importance of keeping it level. Unlevel tile causes the grout to crack. Also using the proper grouting makes a big difference, Cruse said.

Poured showers can be especially challenging. They are hard work and, if not done right, can cause leaking later, which means it has to be torn out. Do not hire based on price. Paying cheap usually means the work you end up with will cost you more in the end when it has to be redone.

Cruse may be contacted through The Tile Company by emailing Crusetile@yahoo.com or calling 402.690.7153.

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Local expert explains how to get the best tiling results - Fremont Tribune

When people think of smart thermostats, the Nest Learning Thermostatis what typically comes to mind. But shoppers at the hardware store now have choices as a lineup of lesser-known competitors have hit the shelf recently. When the time comes for you to buy a smart thermostat, dont overlook the Ecobee4. With an interesting array of features including a built-in speaker and mic to embed the Amazon Alexavoice assistant into your HVAC controller as well as great temperature control capabilities, this product is literally bringing the heat. Learn what it was like to live with in our Ecobee4 review.

Ecobees latest smart thermostat costs $249 and comes with one remote sensor, though there are more expensive bundles that come with more wireless satellites. You also can buy them separately. These sensors, which can measure temperature, humidity, occupancy, and proximity, may be the smartest thing about the Ecobee, and we highly recommend using more than one. Their ability to gather information in multiple rooms greatly adds to the accuracy and efficiency of this smart thermostat.

For us, installation of the Ecobee4 was relatively painless; thats partly because of our familiarity with the Ecobee3, which has a slightly different footprint on the wall but a similar wiring layout. Whether youre familiar with Ecobee products or not, this model is easy for most people to install.

There are two installation issues worth noting. First, when we originally got the Ecobee3, we opted to have a professional install it because our testing home is heated via an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. The heat pump has a reversing valve, which can complicate thermostat installs. In this instance, however, because the Ecobee3s wiring is similar to the Ecobee4s, we did the installation ourselves. Also, some peoples HVAC wiring may require them to install a Power Extender Kit, and the Ecobee4 comes with one included.

Installing the Ecobee4 included tripping the breaker for the heat pump and the furnace (which also cut the power to the thermostat), removing the old thermostat, and following the colored wire schematics to reinstall the Ecobee4s backplate. The smart thermostat also comes with a trim plate that can conceal any unsightly holes left behind by your previous thermostat. Once the backplate is wired, you simply snap the thermostat onto it, and the device begins to boot up. Software setup is quick and easy, and an app connection to Wi-Fi gets the new thermostat online.

The Ecobee4 is an Android and iOS-compatible thermostat with an integrated color LCD touch display. It has a refined, modern look, but it wouldnt be out of place in more traditional homes. The apps and the thermostats slick touchscreen interface work identically, which is nice, and theres a web dashboard for taking deeper dives on settings and system monitoring.

It has a refined, modern look, but it wouldnt be out of place in more traditional homes.

The big, new feature packed into the device is a microphone and speaker so the thermostat can access Amazons Alexa voice assistant. In repeat and prolonged testing (within earshot of an Amazon Echo speaker, no less), it did its job very well. Despite being situated in a hallway between the kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom, it heard every request sent its way and relayed the response with crisp, clear sound.

The Ecobee4 is a thermostat with a speaker stamped into its backside, but temper your expectations on cranking out high-quality-sounding music. For listening to podcasts, news updates, controlling smart home gear, or asking random questions, however, it works great with two exceptions. First, you cant change its wake word from Alexa (a bummer if youve got a family member with that name). The second is that the voice assistant, oddly, doesnt control the thermostat very well. This isnt necessarily Ecobees fault. These are early days for voice-controlled hardware in general, and asking Alexa to control the lights or other smart home devices is spotty and requires the user to know the exact string of words to ask and even then, theres no guarantees it will do the job. For instance, we can ask Alexa what the temperature is in the bedroom, and the Ecobee4 will link up with the remote sensor and relay the information without a hitch. But if we ask the same question about the kids room, the reply is Kids room doesnt support that.

The Ecobee4 is also Apple HomeKitcompatible, a feature that, in theory, we love. But the reality is that we only had our Ecobee3 connected to it for a matter of weeks before it somehow lost its connection to the home network. We honestly didnt bother connecting the Ecobee4 to it, because if it works as well as it used to (which is about how well the Alexa integration works) theres little point. However, its worth noting that Apple is making changes to HomeKit all the time, and maybe the Ecobee4s iOS compatibility will be a worthwhile feature down the line. We do like this thermostat for the ways that it is future-proofed, even if they dont work particularly well together now.

But the biggest flaw in voice controlling the thermostat is that when the system is off, weve never been able to turn on the cool air (or heat) with our voices. We dont understand why Ecobee or Apple or Amazon havent enabled this, but some of us live in a house with windows, and if the window is open, we dont want the AC on so off is the default position. Maybe someday, connected home sensors will be smart enough to block the cool air from coming on if a window is open, but we are not there yet.

Otherwise, since the Ecobee3 and Ecobee4s interface and systems are identical, we can say in the years that weve used an Ecobee, weve had few complaints. It would be great if the Ecobee4 gave us the ability look at our HVACs performance via the app a minor complaint. Also, theres limited schedule-building capabilities in the app compared to the website. This might seem a minor point, but for those who would like comfort settings tailored to their tastes its a drag to have to go to the website to set that up.

Whether youre using the Ecobee4s schedules or geofencing to regulate your homes heating and cooling, the smart thermostat does a good job of turning systems on or off without an issue, saving energy (and money) if you configure and use it properly. Likewise, as an Alexa-connected device, it hears and responds well, rarely missing a request despite that its microphone and speakers are neatly tucked between the thermostat and the wall.

But the smartest tech baked into this system is the Ecobee4s remote sensors. These battery-operated satellites let you measure the temperature in rooms around your home. From there, you can perform a variety of heating and cooling-related fixes. For example, an obvious use is averaging the temperatures of rooms throughout your home, a function that helps ensure that one area isnt draftier than another. Also, through a follow me feature, the Ecobee4 can adjust your homes temperature based on where you go (so no need to measure the spare bedroom, if youre not spending time there). These two tricks alone make the Ecobee4 a great thermostat for older homes that may not have multi-zoned heating and cooling. With a nod to the voice assistant shortcomings and an eye towards its future maturation, we recommend Ecobee4, even if its big selling point is a bit of a bust. Due largely to its ability to connect with remote sensors, the smart thermostat performs extremely well, offering users an array of features and configurations that can make homes feel warmer and perform better.

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Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat hands-on review - Digital Trends

Q: How do I stop my wood-burning fireplace from smelling like smoke in humid weather? A faint smoke smell would be OK, but this is obnoxious. It seems worse when the air conditioner or even the washer and dryer are running. The smell wafts in from the chimney. We have a glass door installed, but it doesnt help.

A: Chimney smells stink up indoor air when the air pressure is lower indoors than out. Especially in a house built to be fairly airtight, this can happen when a dryer or other exhaust fan runs or if there are leaks in heating and air-conditioning ducts. To equalize the pressure, air moves down the chimney, into your house. Summer conditions add to the problem because the outdoor air is hot and humid, therefore heavier than drier, cooler indoor air.

In theory, closing the damper on your fireplace should stop the airflow where the air picks up the smell. But fireplace dampers often dont seal well. For a better seal, you could have a chimney sweep install a spring-loaded stainless-steel damper at the top of the flue. We called a company that estimated the job at $630.

Or, for $42.99 to $86.99, depending on the chimney width, you could install an inflatable device known as a Chimney Balloon, available at Amazon.com. It has mixed reviews, however, with some buyers reporting it punctures as easily as a water balloon. Filling a hefty plastic bag with insulation and stuffing that into the chimney opening at the base of the fireplace might work just as well and would cost less. Just be sure to remove it before you use the fireplace.

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If closing off the chimney doesnt stop the smell, call a heating and air-conditioning company to assess air balance in your home. It might help to pipe fresh air to combustion appliances, including the dryer if it is gas. Or you might benefit from a heat-recovery ventilator, which could introduce more fresh air in a way that its preheated or precooled so you dont waste energy. Sealing leaks in heating and air-conditioning ducts or balancing the system by adding more openings might also be part of the solution.

Q: Our KitchenAid Superba garbage disposal was installed in January 2011. For the past few months, it has failed to grind up and flush vegetable matter that it previously had no problem with. The blades rotate, chopping up the waste, but the waste does not exit the unit. I called the manufacturer for guidance. I was told to fill the disposal with ice to help with grinding. That helped some, but much of the waste remained in the disposal. Any ideas about why?

A: This is a three-fourths-horsepower model thats still sold. It has a five-year limited warranty that would cover a repair visit to your home if it were still in effect. But the warranty expired about 1 1/2 years ago, a sign that its probably time to replace the unit. The current cost is $279 at Lowes and perhaps even less from other retailers.

If youre reasonably handy, you could probably install a new unit yourself. KitchenAid provides installation instructions that appear straightforward. Lowes could install it for about $120, a spokesman said.

First, you might try repeating the ice trick a couple of times. Disposals sometimes work poorly because of a buildup of grease and other debris. Ice particles whip around in the mechanism and pick up the gunk, helping to clean it.

Also try another cleaning method that the manufacturer suggests in its care manual: With the unit off, place a stopper over the opening and fill the sink halfway with warm water. Mix one-fourth cup baking soda with water and dump it in. Turn on the disposal as you remove the stopper. If youre lucky, the force of the water, plus the bubbling action and grease-cutting properties of baking soda, will help restore the units performance, and eliminate any foul odors. After the sink drains, remove the sink baffle and clean it by hand or in the dishwasher. Replace it before you operate the disposal again.

Continued here:
Stop the fireplace smell from invading your home - The Oakland Press

Depot employees earn DoD award

An innovative engineering solution developed at the Tobyhanna Army Depot was named one of the best value engineering proposals in the Defense Department for fiscal 2016.

Team Tobyhanna personnel accepted the Value Engineering Achievement Award for the team engineering category during a recent ceremony at the Pentagon. The proposal will save the depot more than $12 million over the next three years.

Dr. Clinton Holder came up with the idea for an in-house testing capability for the detector/cooler bench assembly, a major component of the Long Range Advance Scout Surveillance System. Holder joined forces with electronics engineer Christopher Antall, Dallas, electronics technician Jeffrey Borosky, Wyoming, logistics management specialist Bret Hunt, Moscow, and electronics engineer James Waters, Clifford Twp., to develop a capability allowing the replacement of certain components rather than the entire DCB. Holder, an electronics engineer who worked in the Production Engineering Directorate, retired in July.

Dress for Success

Dress for Success Lackawanna is announcing enrollment for Retail Jobs Trajectory, a job-training program funded by the Walmart Foundation. This specially designed program helps entry-level employed women gain professional skills by providing them with the tools and resources needed to successfully advance in their careers.

Dress for Success Lackawanna was chosen as only one of 20 Dress for Success affiliates to pilot this new program for the worldwide organization.

Goodwill donation

FNCB Bank, locally based for more than 100 years, recently presented representatives from Goodwill Industries with a $1,000 donation for the Choose Your Future Program. Choose Your Future is a career development program designed to help low-income high school students gain exposure to and transition into the world of work.

Lawn volunteers

Grasshopper Lawns, a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, participated in Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery on July 17. This marks the 21st year that industry professionals have worked to help care for this national burial ground that serves as the final resting spot for more than 400,000 military service men and women and their spouses. It is the 21st consecutive year for Grasshopper Lawns participation.

Every July, hundreds of landscape and lawn care professionals come from across the nation to the cemetery to participate in the event organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. They volunteer their time mulching, upgrading sprinklers, cabling and installing lightning protection for the trees, pruning, planting, liming and aerating the soil.

EEC applications

Lackawanna Colleges Environmental Education Center is accepting applications for its Conservation and Natural Resource Officer certificate program. The program is set to begin Sept. 6 and ends Dec. 15.

During this 15-week accelerated program, students will complete five undergraduate-level field biology courses at the LCEEC, located on 211 acres of diverse habitat in Covington Twp.

The curriculum focuses on the conservation and interpretation of the natural environment. The program includes instruction in subjects such as environmental interpretation, wildlife management, freshwater ecosystems, dendrology, ornithology, and recreational use of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. Students will experience both classroom and hands-on field training throughout the program.

Habitat award

Habitat for Humanity presented the 2017 Golden Hammer Award to Christine Chissler Fazzi, Tracy Chissler Perry and Patty Chissler Phillips Pavlock at a recent home dedication in Wilkes-Barre. The Golden Hammer Award honors those who have shown exceptional commitment to help further the organizations mission.

The four-generation Chissler family home on Espy Street remained vacant for years after the passing of their father. Since the siblings had settled elsewhere, the sisters donated the home to Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity. The Chissler sisters were also very active as volunteers and often donated lunch at the job site during their family homes restoration.

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