15 hours agoWired vs Wifi: Skip Wifi in Favor of Ethernet Where You CanMay 15, 2022 Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Wifi hater. But Wifi shouldn’t be your default method for connectivity. Obviously there are a lot of places where you must use Wifi. Debbie and I have rented apartments and homes throughout our career moves, making it difficult or…Smart Home8 min read
May 8Make the ‘Switch’ to Smart HomeMay 8, 2022 Debbie and I continue to work on our new home plan as the supply chain inflated price of materials has delayed our start. This has actually given me more time to run through potential needs scenarios and apply some really deep thinking on solutions. One of those…Smart Home10 min read
May 1Sink Porch Pirates with Smart Home TechnologyMay 1, 2022 There are few things that can upset you faster than discovering the packages delivered to your door have disappeared. In fact, 11 percent of Americans have had at least one package stolen from their home in the past year and a half, according to a survey of…Smart Home10 min read
Apr 24Amazon and Nest Can Make Your Dumb Smoke Detectors SmartApril 24, 2022 As Debbie and I continue to work through the details of our home planning, there are aspects that are not as fun or glamorous as others. But it doesn’t mean they’re any less important, especially where life safety or the law are concerned. Smoke and carbon monoxide…Smart Home6 min read
Apr 17Smart Home Air Purifiers — Safety, Comfort and Odor-ControlApril 17, 2022 The world of air purifiers can be confusing, but the bottom line is that the best units can improve your quality of life. In much of the country as many have transitioned to work from home, air quality has become a bigger concern. From smoke-filled air caused…Air Purifier11 min read
Apr 10No Green Thumb? No Problem. Here’s a Robot to Help …April 10, 2022 As Debbie and I were running some errands this weekend, we noticed a lot of activity at a local nursery. It got us talking about our outdoor and landscaping plans for our new home project. Part of our plan includes planting a small vineyard toward the back…Smart Home6 min read
Apr 3Mistakes To Watch Out For With Your Smart HomeApril 3, 2022 Debbie and I first started incorporating smart home technology in our Minnesota home 6 years ago. I took the approach of developing my smart home plan from head-end to end-user — head-end defined as where the internet was terminated for use. As it was an existing home…Smart Home12 min read
Mar 27Next Generation Smart Home TheaterMarch 27, 2022 Debbie and I have been going through a checklist of sorts on a variety of new home topics ranging from light fixtures to artwork we’ll display. Regarding artwork, Debbie’s been busy inventorying what I’d have to admit is a pretty broad collection we’ve acquired over the years…Smart Home6 min read
Mar 20Home Theater: Make the Right ConnectionsMarch 20, 2022 As I’ve written in the past, my approach to smart home includes a mixture of both wired and wireless solutions, depending on the technology. And to drill down deeper, I prefer to wire everything possible in order to maximize bandwidth, security and wifi. This applies to more…Home Theater11 min read
Mar 13Backyard Smart Home Tech to Save You Time and EffortMarch 13, 2022 After writing last week’s post about smart home technology options to get rid of pests, it got me thinking about outdoor summer plans. With the ability to eliminate the concern over mosquitoes at family barbeques, pool parties or simply playing catch with the grandkids, it got me…Smart Home7 min read