House

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is a techie’s dream come true. There are so many electronic gadgets to play with that it’s nearly impossible to contain one’s excitement at times. Even better, every year brings something new and exciting.

The star of the show for 2020 is home security and home automation. According to Larry Anderson of Security Informed, the smart home market was a major focus for CES 2020. Among the 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry leaders were many smart home automation and security experts.

So why such an emphasis on home security and automation this year? There isn’t just a single reason. There are multiple reasons, five of which are discussed below. Suffice it to say that the results of CES 2020 will influence the home security and automation market for the next 12 months.

1. People Want to Be Safe at Home

It goes without saying that people want to be safe in their own homes. Up until five or six years ago however, installing a home security system meant calling a company, ordering their equipment, and paying for professional installation and monitoring. Going pro is still on the table in 2020. But so is DIY installation and monitoring.

Today’s wireless home security and automation systems are as easy to install as wireless modems and routers. Manufacturers know this. They also know that people want DIY systems. And as long as people want to be safe in their homes, equipment manufacturers will keep giving them what they want.

2. People Want Easy Installation

This second point is really a continuation of the first. Truth be told, people want easy installation. They do not want to have to pay professionals. Instead, they just want a system that works out-of-the-box. They want one they can set up in mere minutes to monitor for burglary, fire, and carbon monoxide.

3. People Want Smart Home Technology

You could make the case that a new interest in home automation is also fueling consumer demand. Simply put, people want smart home technology at their fingertips. Just having a smartphone is no longer good enough. Today’s consumers want smart speakers, remotely accessible video surveillance cameras, smart thermostats, and so forth.

Among the hottest smartphone technologies these days are smart door locks and thermostats. The smart door lock can be programmed for keyless entry. It can also be controlled remotely. As for smart thermostats, they can actually ‘learn’ a family’s lifestyle for on-the-fly adjustments. Smart thermostats save money year-round by more effectively controlling temperature.

4. Smart Speakers Continue to Amaze Us

Another thing home security and automation manufacturers have discovered is that smart speakers continue to amaze consumers. And why wouldn’t they? With a smart speaker on your kitchen counter, uttering just a single sentence will have a pizza delivered to your door in time for dinner. Your smart speaker can tell you the weather, read the news headlines, report the sports scores, and so much more.

Connect a smart speaker to your home automation system and you can control everything from temperature to lighting just by speaking. Vivint SmartHome recently published a blog about controlling Christmas tree lights with your voice. People love that sort of thing.

5. Smart Homes Save Money

Finally, home security and automation is a big focus for CES 2020 because smart homes save consumers money. A case in point is the smart thermostat. The smart thermostat is not just a programmable thermostat. It actually learns over time. You set it up with initial programming based on your schedule. For the next few weeks, the thermostat monitors activity in your home and compares it against that programming. Then it begins to adjust automatically.

You save money by not heating and cooling a home that sits empty all day. But that’s not all. You can also automate lighting the same way. You save money by not having lights on when no one’s home or when rooms are vacant.

Home security and automation are all the rage these days. If you attended CES 2020 you probably saw some great stuff. It is going to be a particularly good year for the industry.

Decorating the exteriors of your house? There is so much to be done! The door, garden, landing, porch, and the steps – each of them plays a role in making the surroundings of your property beautiful. Not only do they greet your visitors gracefully before they even enter your home, but they also give you a warm welcome every time you come home.

For years, people have considered things like solid paint colour, garden fountains, landscaping, and other expensive ways to make their house’s immediate surroundings impressive. However, there are many simple, natural, and offbeat ways to make the exterior of your house beautiful and lively. Here are some unique ideas to make the gateway to your home impactful.

• Incorporate Sand:

Think beyond permanent structures and create sand beds that not only look delightful but also add a great beach vibe to your home surroundings. In the backyard, you can get a feel of the coast by simply making sand bad and installing a hammock.

Builder’s sand, sharp sand, or coloured sand can do the trick. It’s easy to find these sand types, just get in touch with suppliers like Sand4U. The other ways to include sand in unique ways around your porch is to create a coloured sandpit in the garden. Little zen gardens on either side of the steps inspire a calm and cozy entrance into the house.

• Experiment with gravel:

With water shortage being a grave concern, a great area to explore is gravel. It is low maintenance, and it could provide great ways to decorate your surroundings. Gravel is easily available in many colours at affordable prices. Mixed tones of gravel might work well for almost all exteriors of your house. Gravel could help you create a unique and offbeat backyard, especially if you fashion it as a dried riverbed.

• The green area of your casa:

You can never go wrong with grass. Be it the front porch, garden, pathway, or the backyard, a little green never hurt anybody! if anything at all, greens only soothe our eyes. Ideal for games, picnic, camping and all fun times, the grass is a natural and inexpensive way to decorate your exteriors. Don’t have the patience to deal with maintenance and irrigation, you can also go for the synthetic turf. Use natural or synthetic grass and make a mixed arrangement of furniture.

• Mulch:

Mulch is one of the best tools for landscaping for the front yard, back yard or even the garden. Besides looking beautiful, it is very beneficial for the health of your plants as it helps you deal with weeds. Put in on the pathway or edgings as it could give your planting beds an impeccable look. Laying mulch around each planter could enhance even the most humble-looking garden.

• Fashionable plants:

Plants are natural and bring not only beauty to the surroundings but also health benefits for you and your loved ones. Incorporating plants can add a unique architectural dimension and over-all impact to your outdoors. The more is the variety of plants and flowers around your house, the higher will be the appeal. Use tall planters to enhance the entry path towards the house, and use tiny succulents and cacti to add little fine details to your patio and the porch.

• Flower boxes:

Custom flower boxes on the porch and along the driveway add beautiful colours. They almost function like little gardens that can be upgraded now and then with flowers of the season.

• Carve out the shrubs:

A hedge or a boundary made out of hardy plants creates a great design while providing a natural cover to your private space. Cut your shrubs into a flattened pyramid, a topiary shape or simply a rounded top for the best effect.

Building a new home is an exciting undertaking, but the task isn’t simple. There are many things to consider when designing and building your forever home, and it’s good to know what you’re in for before you start the process.

If you’re looking to expand your understanding of what it takes to build your home, you’re in the right place. Read through a few construction tips and tricks that will help make building your new home a more manageable task to conquer.

Get your mind right

Before you begin the process, you need to prepare your mind to handle what is to come. There is no such thing as a perfect build, and you can count on something to not go exactly as planned.

You can count on spending more than you initially expected, so budget loosely. Your mental approach to your home build will make a huge impact on the experience. Go into the process with a flexible and resilient mindset, and you’ll be happier along the way.

Be present during the build

Being present during the building of your new home is crucial to quality. Your builder will be more likely to be very thorough with their work when they know you will be around to check for issues regularly.

You don’t want a crack in your foundation after just a couple of years after the build is complete, so you are responsible for keeping watch over the process. Require high-quality work for your builder, and make sure you have the dough to pay them well.

Have a realtor by your side

It’s highly recommended that you go into the process of building your new home with a competent realtor by your side. A realtor will help you be wise with your money, and they’ll be there to mediate when issues arise with the build.

You’re paying your realtor handsomely for the work that they will do during the process, so it’s wise to take full advantage of the advocacy. Let your realtor handle tough situations that arise as your build progresses.

Be nice to your construction manager

You should always be nice to your construction manager. They have a lot on their plate, and it’s wise to keep them in high regard.

Your construction manager has a lot of power over the build of your home and how fast those things are completed. A disgruntled manager may not be as efficient.

Make sure you’re prepared to spend

The most important element of your home building budget is your contingency. Always set up a contingency fund when you’re building a new home. You never know what issues could arise to blow your initial budgeting plans out of proportion, so it’s wise to be prepared.

 

Cities around the world are becoming more and more concentrated by the day in terms of their populations. More and more people are moving there for the career and social opportunities they provide, and this drums up a swelling concern for the effect that it can have on energy consumption and pollution – which when clustered can have long-term damaging effects on health.

So, how do we combat this, and stop cities from falling back into the same smog that filled London streets during the Victorian industrial era? With young trailblazer, Greta Thunberg announced as TIME’s person of the year for 2019, climate change is becoming a growing concern that’s getting harder to ignore, and for a good reason.

Luckily for that ozone layer of ours, steps are being made in cities to make them more environmentally friendly, carbon-neutral, and forward-thinking for the urbanites of tomorrow. For those interested in how smart homes and cities are helping to tackle pollution, here is a shortlist of techniques and practices that are already being put into effect.

 

Smart building techniques

Nowadays, as modern apartment buildings slot into cities efficiently, they are constructed with forward-thinking materials and sensibilities to make sure that they don’t waste energy and contribute too much to additional pollution/wastage. Modern student apartments, for example, built around cities in the UK by investment companies such as RWinvest, are built to be top-end and eco-friendly. This not only makes them a desirable place to live for tenants that want to be environmentally conscious but also making them an attractive prospect for investors that want to purchase property in a city that has longevity and won’t have as many issues down the line.

 

The modern smart building

The next generation of ‘smart buildings’ across cities and towns worldwide are being built with technology interweaved into their inner workings, allowing for features such as their heating and security systems to be controlled remotely. Rather than the many spinning plates involved with managing and maintaining a commercial building. For example, a department store with modern designs of tomorrow (being put into new builds) will allow everything to be automated, turning on-and-off in succession and as and when it’s needed. This will save a lot of money in the long run for investors and owners, while also being more accessible, more safe and secure, and most importantly, more environmentally friendly. Some city planners are also adding the capability for their buildings to communicate with others in a given area if needed, sending warning signals or synchronising data to make the city as a whole a more coherent entity. The only risk involved here is with privacy concerns from the average person living in an urban area, as cities are without a doubt the areas with the most surveillance.

 

The smart consumer – Want to pay closer attention to things like energy wastage and water consumption in your own home, while saving yourself a little bit of money in the process? Smart home appliances and tech is readily available nowadays and can be easily integrated into your existing home. You could start by getting a smart meter, and using it to monitor where you’re wasting the most amount of energy and at which specific points in the day. You could also invest in some smart kit, such as a smart assistant and thermostat, allowing you to keep on top of your home and have more control over it. Being more energy conscious and efficient are traits that seem to go hand in hand, and it often pays to be more green.

Organizing a closet depends on your motivation. If your closet is organized, you can easily find the item of clothing you want to wear. You can color-code or arrange your clothes depending on the season, even. Of course, the amount of organizing you can do in your closet depends on the space of your wardrobe, its size, and your lifestyle.

Given those conditions, you can still organize your closet despite its size and the number of clothes you have. Here are some of the things you could do.

• Gather the organizing supplies you’ll need, such as baskets to sort your clothes, marker pens and paper, paper bags, and trash bags.
• Remove every item inside your closet.
• Give your wardrobe a thorough cleaning. If you only clean your closet occasionally, it will have lint and dust buildup. Dust the hanging walls, rods, shelving, and baseboard. Sweep the floor, run the mop over the floor space or use a vacuum. Wipe the bins or baskets with a clean cloth.
• Separate the items you have taken out of your closet. Put them in the proper baskets, which you’ve labeled sell, recycle, keep, and donate. You could add another basket for everything else, such as receipts, tickets, loose change, cash, paper clips, and other small items.
• Bring back the things you want to keep. Group similar items together so you can quickly find what you need. Position the clothes you often use in front of the wardrobe and store seasonal items such as sweaters, jackets, and parkas at the back of your closet. Use closet organizers for small items and things that you can roll up or fold.

Things to keep in mind

Get everything that you need ready, so you do not run in and out of the room to get the right stuff. Do not attempt to clean out your closet when you are tired or have limited time.

• When you sort your clothes, remember to check every pocket. There might be some items left inside the pockets of jeans, trousers, and jackets.
• Throw away the items that are badly stained, out of style, or cannot be used/repaired. If you have clothes or shoes to donate, see to it that they are in good condition and wearable.
• Keep only the things that you need. Do not keep things you have not used for most of the year, and clothes and shoes that have gone out of style.
• Your closet has limited space. You can have more storage area if you purchase closet organizers. Some can hang from the door or the hanging rod. Some are plastic boxes with covers. It would be a good idea to identify the contents of each box, so you don’t have to take everything out to find what you need.

Enjoy a clutter-free closet by buying only the clothes you need and having a schedule for cleaning your closet regularly.

Do not just throw away the things that you do not need into a dumpster. Get in touch with a junk removal Miami company for the proper disposal of clutter, trash, and junk.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/closet-organization-hanging-4572626/

 

Did you know that ancient Greeks and Egyptians invented the first heating and air-cooling systems? Since then, technology has evolved and inventors have introduced more precise temperature control. It’s been 400 years since the first thermostat was invented, and today’s models propose many features to maximize your indoor comfort.

How easy would it be to have your home set at the perfect temperature at any time? Well, it is now possible. Smart thermostats allow you to program your indoor temperature with your smartphone or tablet. So, if, for instance, you forgot to turn it off when you leave for an extended period, you can do it remotely. The new smart thermostats can even be programed differently according to your daily activities. New technologies help you relax, improve your comfort and allow you to save money. You will use fewer energy thanks to the right temperature setting and programming. Another advantage of smart thermostats is to alert you when a repair or maintenance is needed. They will remind you to contact your HVAC and heating specialist to schedule an appointment. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.

The word smart technology might be impressive, but be reassured. You don’t need to be a technician to manage your smart thermostat. They are easy to use with their digital and touch screens navigation. Built to propose intuitive programming, they are easy to operate with voice control. Estimations show that in the next five years, 70% of consumers will have a smart thermostat. It is a smart choice.

One of the most important appliances in your home is your furnace. Furnaces help to keep our homes warm and regulate the temperature when we are away for prolonged periods of time. However, unless you’re a professional, it may be difficult to tell when it is time to schedule the required maintenance. That said, the following is a list of reasons you may need to schedule furnace maintenance today.

Lack of Heat

One of the main reasons to schedule furnace maintenance is the lack of heat. If you have no heat at all or your unit seems to be underperforming, a lack of sufficient heat is a clear sign that your furnace needs to be serviced, if not outright replaced. However, given that they do not work if there is a power outage and many furnaces have on/off switches, it is best to check and make sure there isn’t some simple issue preventing it from properly functioning.

Clinks and Clonks

Another telltale sign that your furnace needs to be serviced is that it is making strange clinking noises. While all appliances make some level of noise, a furnace that seems to be banging, hissing, clicking, etc. is likely malfunctioning. For instance, a hissing noise may mean there is air escaping from your system, while a clicking noise may be an indication of a faulty flame sensor or even an issue with the gas flow. If you notice your furnace seems to be making much more noise than you’re used to, it is definitely time to call a trusted professional to have your furnace serviced immediately.

Rising Energy Costs

Another reason to have your furnace serviced is that you are dealing with increased energy costs as compared to previous years. This is because a malfunctioning furnace will fail to perform at optimal capacity, causing an increase in the amount of energy it takes to heat your home.  While this sometimes can be attributed to a price hike or an increase in usage, if you are paying far more to heat your home than you have in previous years, it is a good idea to have your furnace serviced immediately to rule out any issues with malfunctioning.

To Protect Your Family’s Health

Lastly, one of the best reasons to have your furnace serviced is that you want to protect your family. A malfunctioning furnace can cause issues such as electrical shortages, electrical fires, carbon monoxide leaks, a decrease in air quality, and more. If you have a concern about one or more of these issues, it would be best to schedule furnace maintenance as soon as possible.

Overall, there are plenty of reasons to have your furnace serviced. In addition to the listed reasons, experts assert that your furnace should be serviced annually, no matter if you are concerned or not. Either way, if you find yourself in need of furnace maintenance for any reason, this is not a DIY-friendly project. Be sure to contact a professional furnace repairman you can trust.

 

While a lot of people are happy to make the interior of their home look good, they often fail to consider their home’s exterior. If you would like your home to look good, you need to make sure you spend some time on its exterior. The good news is this article can help you with that.

Replace the Roof

If your home is looking like it needs a little love, consider replacing the roof. This will help it appear to be in better condition. It will also ensure that your home is well insulated. If you cannot afford to replace all of the roof you might want to replace the worst tiles or shingles. A newly fitted roof will help your home to look a lot more modern.

Clean the Driveway

If you would like a simple solution to tidying your home’s exterior you should consider power washing the driveway and any pathways that you have. A quick wash can make a world of difference as it gets rid of all the dirt and grime. It can also bring out your driveway’s natural color and make pathways look new once more.

Replace the Windows

If your windows are old you might want to consider replacing them. New windows will add more character to your home, especially if they are the same style as the property. New windows can also add a touch of security as they’re likely to be harder to smash. Replacing the windows will instantly transform your home and make it look more modern.

If you cannot replace the windows consider painting them so they look clean. White or cream are usually the best colors to use.

Paint the Front Door

Your front door says a lot about your home. If your front door is dirty or its damaged people will not have a good impression of your home. If you cannot afford to replace your front door or you simply don’t wish to, consider painting it. Exterior paint can breathe new life into your door. Consider painting the door a different color and cleaning any glass. Your door will look as good as new.

Clear Away That Clutter

Clear away any clutter that is kept outside your front door. Store your bins in a locked container or make sure they’re stored neatly. Clear away any leaves and trash. Sweep up stones that have made their way onto the pathways and weed any bits of grass that are growing in the middle of the path. A tidy front garden or entrance to your home makes a world of difference.

With a little bit of work, you can make your home’s exterior look good. You don’t have to spend very much money, you just need to know how to go about it. Replace the roof if you need to, clean your driveway and update your windows. Paint or clean your front door and, finally, clear away any clutter. Your home’s exterior will look so much better!

 

Over the years the average home needs a lot of maintenance and repairs. You may have to fix boards on a wood deck, refinish or paint the kitchen cabinets and install new screens to keep the bugs out. There may be remodeling projects that add to your home’s value and make it a more beautiful place to live. And, occasionally, you will face a major repair that is both costly and critical to keeping your house safe and sound.

It is estimated that the average home needs a new replacement roof every 25 to 30 years. When it’s time for a new roof you’ll need to carefully select the best contractor for the job. Your new roof is one of the biggest home investments you will make and choosing the right company for the project will save you money in the long run.

When you are screening and meeting with contractors and getting bids for your new roof, there are important things to look for and evaluate to assure that you select best firm for the job.

How Long Have They Been in Business

Roofing contractors can come and go, and in some states the average roofer lasts only a couple of years. You want to make sure you select a roofing company with a proven track record of serving customers in your area. Find out how long your roofing contractor has been in business and how many new roofs they have installed over the years.

Is Your Contractor Licensed

While the laws in every state are different, in general a roofing contractor must be licensed to operate in the state. Check with your state Department of Consumer Affairs or Contractor’s License board make sure their license is current and valid. These state agencies may also track complaints and adverse actions against the contractor so you can see how reliable and professional they are.

Do They Have Both General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance

A professional roofing company should carry both worker’s compensation and general liability insurance. If they don’t have workers compensation insurance and one of their workers is injured replacing your roof, it’s likely the worker would come after you and your insurance to settle the claim. The contractor’s general liability insurance covers damage to your house and property. You should not hire a contractor without knowing they have the proper insurance policies in place.

What is the Warranty on the Roof

With the high cost of this project you will want to assure that the contractor offers at least a 25-year warranty on your new roof. You should also ask the roofing company for references for roofs done over the years and call some of the older customers to find out if they have ever had any problems with their new roof.

It’s important that you spend the time necessary to select the right contractor to install your new roof. By carefully researching your options, screening the companies and following up on references you will help assure that your contractor is professional and that the job will be done right.

 

It’s always a big change when your child gets ready to graduate from high school and head off to college. First, there are SAT or ACT admission tests and all the pressure that goes with taking those. Then the process of screening and selecting which college is right for your child begins. Don’t forget about figuring out how to actually pay the tuition and boarding. There will be campus visits and countless college application forms, and anxious days waiting for the acceptance letter and the celebration that goes with that good news.

Even once your child has selected their favorite university and been accepted, there are still a lot of items on the off-to-college check list. One of the biggest decisions to consider is where your child will live while they are attending college. Often students and their parents choose off-campus student housing over the typically crowded and outdated dorms. If your child will be living in off campus apartments, there are some key items to evaluate as you make a final decision that is right for all of you.

Affordability

Sending your child to college or university is very expensive, so it’s important to save money where possible. The best student off-campus housing providers will offer quality choices at a variety of price levels. You can often save money by renting an apartment that is shared with several roommates. Since all of the apartments have kitchens, you can also save significant money over the very expensive dorm student meal plans.

Location

When you live off-campus, choosing the right location is a top consideration. Ideally you should be within walking distance of the campus so you don’t have to deal with on-campus parking issues. It’s also great to be a quick walk away from grocery stores, coffee shops and other services you will need. Many students find that if they choose the right off-campus location they will not even need a car.

Safety

As a parent, one of the key issues you will want to evaluate is the safety of the apartment complex and the surrounding neighborhood. You should always visit the proposed rental locations, and walk through the complex and parking lot to see whether it feels good there. It’s also a good idea to drive the neighborhood during the day and again at night to see how everything is cared fo and how safe it is. You can also look online for safety statistics for the area.

Lease Terms

In most cases, parents will be asked to guarantee the lease. You should check which utilities are included with your monthly payment and look for any hidden charges. It’s also critical to find out whether you can sublet the apartment in the event that your child’s plans change. Without the ability to sublet you could be fully liable for paying the remaining amount on the lease even if your child was not residing there.

Moving from high school to college is a milestone event. After years of living at home, your child will be heading off to a completely new journey in life. By helping your child carefully evaluate their off-campus student housing options, you will be sure that you are giving them a great start to their college days.