Buying a Clothes Dryer
The average clothes dryer lasts eight to 12 years. If yours is approaching that age, or if you are noticing it is not drying as efficiently as it used to, you might consider a new one. Here are some thoughts. Gas or electric? Gas dryers may cost a little more up front ($100 or so) […]
Back-up Generator Maintenance
Now that (knock on wood) the major snowstorms are behind us, and before we deal with that inevitable heat wave, we have rainy season. And as you know, heavy rains can lead to power outages, which is why it is so important to have a back-up generator. Back-up generators can last from 10,000 to 30,000 […]
Making Your Home a “Smart” Home
Like all other technologies, Wi-Fi can be very frustrating when it does not work. But when it does work, it can be wonderful. One amazing use of Wi-Fi is it enables your home to be “smart.” All you need is Wi-Fi and a smart phone or tablet, and you can do things to make your […]
Electric v. Gas Furnaces: Which One Should You Chose?
If you’re in the market for a new furnace, it’s important to do some research to determine which type is best for your home. Cost is obviously a big consideration when choosing which type of furnace to buy, but there are other factors that may weigh in your decision-making process, like the area you live […]
Electric Resolutions for 2019
Most people’s New Year’s resolutions focus on getting healthy, saving money, paying more attention to family, etc. All well and good, but how about putting a “charge” in your New Year’s resolutions by changing how you use electricity (sorry about the pun). Here are some thoughts: 1. Get the LED in. LED lights, while more […]
“Smart” Thermostats
Programmable thermostats (by these we mean thermostats which can be programmed but are not connected to the Internet) have been around for a long time now. And they have many advantages over standard models. For one thing, they save money on your utility bills by allowing you to set different temperatures for different times of […]
Buying a Backup Generator
We’ve been lucky this year that we have not had major thunderstorms or heat waves that have caused massive power outages. But you know the next emergency could be just around the corner. And if you don’t have a backup generator to keep your refrigerator cold and your computers and lights running, you could be […]
Boosting Your Wi-Fi Signal
You need Wi-Fi for so much more than just accessing the Internet from your computer. Want to binge a hot show on Hulu or Netflix? You need Wi-Fi. Want to turn on the lights in another room? You need Wi-Fi. Feeling a little warm and want to turn the thermostat down without getting up? You […]
Wireless Networks
”Alexa – turn the thermostat down.” “Siri – open the garage door.” “I just got a notice on my phone. Our smoke alarm just went off.” “Somebody just rang the bell. With my wireless doorbell camera, I can see who it is. If it’s a solicitor, I can ignore it.” Technology – wireless technology in […]
Chargers for Electric Car
At the end of November 2016, there were approximately 540,000 electric cars on the road in the United States. That accounted for only 0.22% of all cars on the road. But that number is certain to grow exponentially in the years ahead. If you are considering purchasing an electric vehicle, one thing you will need […]
