Smart Homeowners
Daily tips and resources to help you improve, care for and protect your home.
I will give you something every day so you can live smarter. With my team of experts, weโll cover what matters to you: security, energy efficiency, maintenance, home improvement, finance and insurance.
Reflections on 9/11
Iโll wrap up my outdoor lighting series tomorrow, but this morning I have a few thoughts related to 9/11 that I wanted to process. The other day I was listening to a podcast where the hosts were discussing the impact of major world events. One suggested that 9/11, coupled with the growth of the Internet, […]
๐กย Let there be lights! Part 3
For affordable and versatile outdoor lighting set ups, weโll divide those into two categories a) smart and b) automated/remote controllable. Today weโll look at smart options. Why it matters: For maximum flexibility and integration going forward, youโll want to stick with smart options. ๐ผ๏ธย The big picture: โSmartโ lights, plugs, etc. are connected to the Internet. […]
๐กย Let there be lights! Part 2
Todayโs focus is on the Philips Hue premium lighting system. Why it matters: If youโre willing to make the investment, Philips offers the largest eco system of lighting products with superb light quality and multiple options for easy automation. You can start small and grow your system over time. ๐ผ๏ธย The big picture: Adding smart outdoor […]
๐กย Let there be lights! Part 1
Today Iโm starting a short series on outdoor lighting. The outdoor decorating season has begun โฆ whether you find that exciting or annoying. ๐ Why it matters: Outdoor lighting is about more than decoration and beauty. Outdoor lights increase your homeโs safety and security. ๐ผ๏ธย The big picture: With so many low voltage and low wattage […]
๐โย Apple Watch fall detection
A crazy little moment on our walk the other day led to an Apple Watch fall detection alert on Danielleโs watch. Sheโs ok after being clotheslined by our dog who was lunging at a German Shepherd who was apparently looking at him wrong. ๐คฆโโ๏ธ Why it matters: Falls are a big deal, especially as we […]
๐ย Labor Day success story
Thanks to my friends at HOMR.io, I got to focus on the things I wanted to do on Labor Day. Instead of battling my pool to get it ready for our family gathering, I worked on the yard and smoked some ribs! ๐ โ๏ธย How it works: HOMRโs 24/7 concierge team manages the vendor relationships Iโve […]
๐ชย All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity
Setting aside a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.โ โ Peter J. McGuire, General Secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners History hasnโt solved whether carpenter Peter McGuire or machinist Matthew Maguire is the rightful author of Labor Day as a holiday, but […]
๐ย Water heater wars
When I wrote about water heaters yesterday, I wasnโt aware of the proposal by the Department of Energy for new Energy Efficiency Standards. Why it matters: The new rules are eliminating an important category of tankless hot water heaters, the more affordable non-condensing version. But itโs not too late to make your voice heard. ๐ย Skip […]
๐ฅ๐ฟย Are you in hot water?
Hot water is one of those luxuries that you never fully appreciate until you travel to places without it! Yes, even in the summer. ๐ ๐ฅ The bottom line: Federal tax credits and utility rebates make the best options even more affordable. ๐ฌ Zoom in: Two great options are tankless natural gas and electric heat […]
๐ญย ERCOT, Oncor & you: Part 5
Letโs conclude this series with the most important question for backup power. What do you want? Why it matters: The best backup solution for you depends on โฆ you. ๐ผ๏ธย The big picture: You can have backup for everything from one or two essential loads (refrigerator, internet, medical device) to your whole home. That can last […]