Wearing a mask, washing our hands, and social distancing are clear precautions we can take in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. And many have taken refuge from the virus by spending more time outdoors in the safety of fresh air. But how can we protect ourselves when were indoors? The answer likely lies in improving your buildings ventilation.

While there is no silver bullet for combating COVID-19, improving building ventilation will play a central role in shaping our indoor spaces in the current and post-pandemic world. Better ventilation will improve air quality and create healthier spaces. While occupants may not immediately or directly observe the change in operation, they will see long-term benefits through decreased exposure to airborne pathogens and cleaner, fresher air.

Assess Existing Systems & Determine Upgrades

While there are energy laws requiring building owners to regularly assess and adjust their building systemslike NYCs Local Law 87, the retro-commissioning and energy audit lawindoor air quality may require a closer look.

If youre concerned about indoor air quality, find an experienced ventilation expert. When they get to your property, they will assess your ventilation system, which may include various techniques such as visual inspection, camera drops, smoke tests, or blower-door tests. For exhaust systems typically present in multifamily bathrooms, kitchens, and corridors, system improvements may include cleaning and sealing the exhaust shafts, installing high-efficiency variable speed exhaust fans, and installing constant exhauster registers (CERs) in each apartment. They may recommend that the building operator disable any exhaust timers that may be present to increase ventilation. They may also recommend retrofitting the corridor exhaust shafts to supply air to positively pressurize the building.

In forced air systems with return air, your ventilation expert will start by investigating air filtration. Replacing your filters regularly ensuring that they have a tight fit and are well seated is the first line of defense in removing airborne particles that can carry the virus. Your ventilation expert may also explore increasing the filtration (defined by the MERV rating), which will allow for the removal of even smaller airborne particles. Building operators should also explore improvements that can increase the percentage of fresh outdoor air supplied in the space and reducing the amount of recycled air, which may have contaminates.

Energy Efficiency Impact

It is important to keep in mind that increasing ventilation rates often results in increased energy consumption via increased fan energy and/or increased heating and cooling loads. Thus, it is critical that design teams work with experienced energy consultants to design these systems and model expected energy consumption post-retrofit correctly. This will also enable decision-makers to see how different system improvements or renewable energy technologies may work to offset the increased consumption or lead to an energy decrease. For example, you can install Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) in supply/exhaust systems, which can recover the heating or cooling energy in the exhaust air and transfer it to the supply air. Or you can retrofit a system with an air-side economizer, which utilizes outdoor air rather than the cooling system to cool the building on moderate weather days.

Your energy expert can weigh the various scenarios to help you plan for any impact on energy performance. While these upgrades can reduce energy expenses, ventilation upgrades may often increase energy consumption. In such cases, remember the importance of providing a healthy and safe environment for your occupants. When it comes to central systems or owner-maintained systems, it is the owners responsibility to ensure that at least code-minimum ventilation is provided. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that the increase in energy spending may result from currently having an under-performing building that does not meet the occupants needs. In this new world we live in, that could cause bigger, more costly problems for you in the long run.

How Can Occupants Do Their Part?

What can building occupants do? Ensure all of your ventilation registers are unobstructed and cleaned regularlydirt and debris can significantly reduce ventilation rates. If youre unsure whether your bathroom or kitchen exhaust is working, try the toilet-paper test. Hold a tissue or one square of toilet paper up the exhaust registerif it sticks to the register, you are receiving at least some exhaust ventilation. If it falls, then you are receiving little or no ventilation.

What Next?

Curious about your ventilation system? Look through your Local Law 87 energy audit to see if there were any ventilation recommendations. If there were, thats a great place to start! If there were not, give your energy auditor or preferred ventilation expert a call and see the best path for your building.

Once your ventilation project is complete, its time for your occupants to enjoy their more comfortable, healthier, and safer space!

David Sachs is the director of existing buildings at Bright Power, New York, N.Y.

Original post:
Better ventilation = greater health and safety - by David Sachs - New York Real Estate Journal Online

At their best, smart home devices give you the ability to control everything in your home from anywhere via your phone. You can automate and schedule mundane activities, control gadgets with your voice and even keep an eye on your home remotely. Its liberating, and the technology is already here. And while there are a number of different ecosystems to build your smart home around (think Google Assistant or Samsung SmartThings), Amazon is filled to the brim with some of the best smart home products out there, from smart lights and security systems to smart speakers with built in digital assistants.

The sheer volume of smart devices on Amazon might seem overwhelming, but its really not that complicated or intimidating. Most smart devices are easy to set up and make automating your home as easy as talking to Alexa.

Amazon

Thankfully, you dont need any sort of grand plan when you start buying smart home devices. But its probably not a bad idea to start with a smart speaker or smart display like an Amazon Echo. They work on their own and dont depend on anything else. And as you expand your smart home, most other smart gadgets cameras, security systems, lights and more can be controlled by your smart speakers, so as you add components, its like stacking Lego pieces, each building on and enhancing the one that came before.

In this list, youll find the best-in-class products in a broad range of smart home devices. Keep in mind, though, that theres almost no limit to what kind of devices you can make smart. Many robot vacuums certainly qualify, for example, since you can control them via a smartphone or Alexa. And you can even find smartphone-controlled lawnmowers as well.

Read on for a look at some of the best overall smart home devices you can find on Amazon right now.

Smart lighting is one of the simplest and most useful additions to any smart home, and Philips Hue lights are among the most well-known and versatile. This starter kit includes the required hub (which plugs into your Wi-Fi router) and four A19 LED bulbs that fit in standard lamp and ceiling fixtures. Amazon customers like the ease of setup, such as one who wrote, The bulbs are pre-programmed into the hub. This is dead simple to set up, and another who remarked, I was pleasantly surprised that I got all of this up and running under ten minutes.

Once configured, you can control these Hue lights using the Philips mobile app, by voice from Alexa or Google smart speakers, or from stick-on wall switches. You can program lights to turn on and off based on time of day, whether youre at home, and more. And the Hue bulb-verse is large a single hub can control up to 50 lights and you can get Hue bulbs in a variety of sizes and styles, as well as in plain white light or colored lighting. And as one reviewer wrote, The color temperature for these lights is pleasing and comfortable. The features are excellent.

Amazons family of Echo smart speakers brings your home into the 21st century; you can listen to news or stream music, of course, but you can also ask questions that the Alexa AI can look up online, or use it to command any of the compatible smart devices in your home. There are tens of thousands of skills in the Alexa library, and Amazon adds new ones all the time. And the Echo Dot is an inexpensive, puck shaped, compact model that takes up almost no room on any tabletop or counter.

Amazon customer reviews are effusive. One reviewer writes, They can control almost everything, and another adds, I really couldn't ask for a more helpful device. It's even more handy when I found that I could get a battery base for it. (While not an official Amazon accessory, you can turn the Echo Dot into a portable smart speaker with any of a handful of batteries.) But a common theme among reviewers is summed up this way: When it arrived, I was amazed at the things it can do.Ill be adding one to every room.

Smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show 8 add the ability to watch video and see visual feedback when you talk to Alexa. The Echo Show 8 so named for its 8-inch high-definition display, not that its the eighth version is generally considered the optimal size among the models Amazon offers. Display is perfect size on the kitchen counter, writes one Amazon reviewer, and numerous customers call out that among Echo Show devices, this one sits in the sweet spot between price and screen size.

Not only is the screen bright and sharp, but the Echo Show 8 lets you see video from your Ring doorbell, if you have one, as well as watch exclusive videos from the Food Network. You can even use it to make video calls. And the display is highly configurable. One reviewer got the Echo Show 8 in part to replace a digital photo frame: Now I stream pictures from Amazon Photos and they look great on this screen. Another reviewer found she could customize the display to show just a picture and a small clock with the current temperature underneath it.

Smart plugs let you take existing dumb devices and control them wirelessly. Kasa Smart Plugs enable you to control floor lamps, coffee makers and other kitchen appliances even a small air conditioner. Not only are they inexpensive (you can often get a 2-pack like this one for $20 or less) but they give you multiple ways to control your devices. Says one Amazon reviewer, This smart plug is a great option for anyone interested in scheduling, voice commands and remote access to everyday devices up to 1,500 watts.

For even more options, you can use the app to automate whatevers plugged in, so you can start your coffee automatically each morning or schedule lights to turn on and off while youre away from home.

And unlike some smart plugs, these Kasa models dont deprive you of nearby outlets. Says an Amazon reviewer, They are small and unobtrusive, projecting about an inch and a half from the outlet. Because they are so compact, you can plug two of them in at the same receptacle, one above the other.

Even if you dont feel compelled to install a full smart home security system, you can probably see the benefits of a smart doorbell. The Ring Video doorbell upgraded for 2020 packs a 1080p high-definition video camera which you can use to see whos at the door from the comfort of your phone. And if you pay a monthly subscription, every time someone approaches your porch and trips the motion sensor, you get a video stored in the cloud.

Amazon customers applaud the fast setup Works great and looks great. Took 10 minutes to update and 5 to install, and reviewers also remark on the video quality. Picture is very clear. Picks up motion and people in the area.

This model connects to your homes existing doorbell wires. If thats not going to work for your setup, there are other versions of the Ring Doorbell that let you swap out rechargeable batteries.

These days, home alarm systems are much easier and less expensive. A DIY alarm system like the system from Ring can be installed literally in minutes and you can keep an eye on your home yourself using the mobile app, or subscribe to Rings 24/7 monitoring service. Said one reviewer, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cost effective way to monitor their home. The ability to self monitor my home was a plus for me. But also the fact that professional monitoring is only $10 per month is awesome.

This package is a 5-piece starter kit base station, keypad control center, range extender and one contact sensor and motion detector. You can easily expand the system with additional contact sensors and other accessories depending on the size and layout of your home. Reviewers applaud the ease of setup If you're somewhat tech savvy you won't have a problem setting this up. The materials provided were sufficient enough to guide me to setting up and installing this security system without any prior experience.

While many smart home products are pricey few cost under $100, for example the Wyze Cam Pan is astonishingly inexpensive, especially when you consider everything that it does. If you want any sort of security camera coverage inside your home, that makes this worthy of consideration.

For a fraction of the price of most smart security cameras, the Wyze Cam Pan captures 1080p full high definition video and stores clips when it senses sound or motion for 14 days in the cloud for free something that generally costs extra. The camera can be tilted and panned in real time using the Wyze mobile app, and it even has extra features like night vision, voice control using Alexa and Google Assistant, and 2-way audio to speak to whomever is in the room with the camera.

As one Amazon reviewer wrote, There aren't many security cameras with all of the features that Wyze packs in and none at this price-point. Another agrees: This camera does so much that the ten-times-more-expensive Nest Cam IQ at a fraction of the price.

No smart home is complete without a smart thermostat, and the ecobee SmartThermostat is a favorite among Amazon reviewers. Not only is it a convenient modern way to control the climate in your home, but ecobee predicts you can save up to 23 percent on your annual heating and cooling costs compared to using traditional thermostat.

One of ecobees advantages compared to other smart thermostats is that its compatible with SmartSensors which you can place in various rooms throughout the house, and itll use those rooms to determine how to direct heat and cooling rather than relying on a single, arbitrarily placed sensor, probably in a hallway or back room.

In addition, the ecobee SmartThermostat has a gorgeous, simple interface. One reviewer said, The screen is glass and has a beautiful vivid touch display that gives it a high end look. Moreover, its programmable via your phone and can be commanded by voice with Alexa. It also integrates with other smart home devices, so you can configure it to change the temperature, for example, based on whether youre home or not. As another Amazon reviewer said, this smart thermostat has really impressed me with its rich set of features, options and ease of use.

Of course its possible to listen to music on a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo, but if youre something of an audiophile and music is important to you, youll want to round out your smart home with a whole-house smart sound system. Sonos leads the pack when it comes to this kind of sound system you can put Sonos speakers in multiple rooms and combine them so they all play the same thing, or play different content in each room. The Sonos One is an excellent speaker to get started with; a pair of them can give you excellent results in even a fairly large room, yet theyre quite affordable. Or, as one Amazon reviewer summarized: Sound great, look great, nice features, really nice small speakers. You can make a customized wireless sound system easily.

Sonos shines when it comes to sound sources. You can play your music library from a PC on your home network or choose any of dozens of streaming services, internet radio and more. Amazon Alexa support means you can control it by your voice as well as via a mobile app. Says an Amazon reviewer: I am using several Sonos One speakers and a couple of Sonos Fives in various rooms of my house. I have no problem controlling everything with either Alexa, Google Assistant, or my phone, and can play virtually anything including Pandora and other music services even SiriusXM and music on someones cell phone.

There are a lot of smart appliances you can add to your modern kitchen, including countertop ovens and Wi-Fi refrigerators with large LCD displays on the door. But your first smart appliance should almost certainly be a sous vide cooker like the Anova AN-500.

Sous video cooking in which you immerse food in a sealed bag in hot water thats maintained at a precise temperature lets you make, for example, perfectly medium-rare steaks in an hour. At the end of the cook, just throw them on a pan or grill to sear the surface, and serve. Anova takes the simple principle of sous vide cooking and adds Wi-Fi, which means you can start the cook remotely with an app on your phone, or monitor the cook so you know exactly when its done. As an Amazon reviewer writes, Very easy to use, you can set timers, adjust temp, right from your phone. Of course, you dont need to use the app, since you can set up the cook from the digital controls at the top of the stem.

And it is a reliable cooker, delivering consistent results. Says one Amazon reviewer, This is well worth the price! This is the way to cook beef, chicken or salmon. Delicious results. Another customer said, I've made steaks, fish, pork chops, soft boiled eggs, and vegetables and I can't describe how great it is to legitimately set it and forget it. I only wish they were cheaper so I could have multiple running at the same time for different parts of the same meal.

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The Best Smart Home Products On Amazon, According To Glowing Reviews - Forbes

Seven UKsinnovators in Smart, Zero Carbon Building Solutions have been selected for business acceleration at Energy Systems Catapult.Collaborating with Places for People, the Catapult Innovator Challenge will help SMEs unlock new routes-to-market, secure investment and breakdown barriers to growth.

The seven innovators that will get access to advanced energy system expertise from the Catapult plus specialist business support from a wider network of around 40 consultants, include:Amp X,Atamate,Clean Energy Prospector,Pumped Heat,Sero,Studio Victoria andWondrwall.

The Zero Carbon Housing Solutions, Smart Buildings and Estates challenge called for innovators working in one or more of the following areas:

Business Lead for Innovator Support and International at Energy Systems Catapult,Paul Jordan said, To achieve Net Zero, we will need to fully decarbonise our Buildings & Estates and the seven companies that well now be working with, all have the potential to make a sizeable contribution.

Im delighted to see such a range of solutions from digital platforms and building control, heat solutions and microgrids, to new business propositions like heat- as-a-service and digital twins. Our team is excited to be working with these promising innovators and helping them to accelerate towards full commercialisation.

A Catapult panel evaluated applications from across the UK. The seven companies chosen were:

Amp X is developing a transactiveready digital energy platform underpinned by autonomy, machine-learning, advanced data analytics and control systems aiming to provide flexibility services that can deliver cost and carbon savings for consumers, and to unlock new business models and revenue opportunities for different stakeholders across the system.

Dr Irene Di Martino, Head of Amp X, said: Amp X is addressing the challenges of the energy transition as our vision of the future moves smart energy from automated to autonomous, turning the edge of the grid into the locus of provision of grid flexibility, stability and resilience.

Consumer engagement is a key barrier to demandresponse as a scalable nonwirealternative. The Amp X digital energy assistant will cater simultaneously for consumer preferences and grid needs, delivering demandsidemanagement at a very large scale through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Our solution will allow for optimal energy management and dynamic load shaping behindthe-meter in residential and commercial/industrial premises, enabling cost and carbon savings, though with no adverse impact on the needs and lifestyle of the end users.

Part of what we are wanting to validate with Energy Systems Catapult is what features of our solution work best for different usertypes and properties (ecosystems).

Our ultimate goal is to deliver an inclusive, futureproof, fully transactive grid, where virtualised local energy markets exemplify the full democratisation and decentralisation of the grid, with peertopeer trading through the active participation of every producer and consumer across the grid.

Atamate has developed a smart building platform that focuses on precise automated control and continuous monitoring of the internal environment to reduce energy consumption, simplify building management and optimise maintenance while increasing occupant comfort and security.

Joe Miles, Managing Director at Atamate said: Atamate offers value across a wide range of building types. This spans energy savings, security and building management, through to improving maintenance and the indoor environment.

We have produced a monitoring and control system that is: holistic with a common data platform to share information and control services; simple to install, live with and maintain; affordable with a quantifiable payback; and retrofittable.

We think Energy Systems Catapult can not only provide the independent verification and credibility that we want, but help us better understand which markets value which parts of our offering.

Clean Energy Prospector (Cepro) design, build and operate community microgrids for new build residential housing developments, allowing third-party providers to finance the cost of installing low carbon infrastructure, rather than the housing developer.

Cepros innovative business model means the cost of technologies needed to create zero carbon homes such as solar PV, heat pumps, battery storage and digital control systems are financed via a community Energy Services Company, mitigating costs for developer and helping to maximise the market attractiveness for zero carbon homes for individual house-buyers.

Damon Rand, Head of Product at Cepro, said: The UK builds 130,000 homes a year and only a fraction have solar PV, never mind heat pumps. By 2025 new build homes cannot install gas boilers but home builders have not yet worked out how to finance low carbon heating systems.

What we do is form community microgrids to enable external investment to come in and fund low carbon infrastructure, taking the risk and the cost off the balance sheet of the housing developer.

Were hoping Energy Systems Catapult can review our value proposition and business plan in preparation to take on investment and scale the business.

Pumped Heat has developed a Heat Battery using their innovative Warmstone solution a low cost and safe technology that stores off-peak or excess renewable electricity as it is generated to use later on-demand with conventional heating and hot water systems.

James Macnaghten, Co-Founder of Pumped Heat, said: We believe weve created the cheapest form of low carbon heating but we need that 3rd party performance verification of the product.

Energy Systems Catapult is a good referee. When you talk to people in the industry they ask you what do the Catapult think.

We are also hoping to get some system-level modelling to establish the size of the thermal storage market in the UK and market segmentation to refine our customer value proposition.

Seros mission is to deliver whole-life solutions for Net Zero that covers buildings, construction, energy, lifestyles and financing. They aim is to create a community of homes that can intelligently support the wider energy system and comfort-as-a-service offerings that cover heat, power and transport for consumers.

James Williams, Co-Founder & Managing Director of, said: Sero was founded because we saw homes as a future energy system solution whilst at the same time realising that the changing energy system provides the best pathway to Net Zero. We identified a clear opportunity to bring these elements together alongside innovating around the customer experience.

However we need a market shift towards lower carbon housing. This support from Energy Systems Catapult comes at a critical point in our growth to scale, we need to validate the good work weve achieved to date, gain a wider customer insight and use the expertise at the Catapult to accelerate our transition to scale.

Studio Victoria is a unique business that brings together specialisms usually associated with a number of different companies into a single interoperable solution.

By integrating data from sensors, drones, laser scanners, virtual reality, augmented reality and machine learning, they provide clients with data-driven Digital Twins that promote more efficient heating and cooling in buildings.

Javier Miranda, Managing Director of Studio Victoria, said: The uniqueness of our solution is the whole integration and interoperability of data feeds from a range of third-parties. But rather than dealing with 10 or 12 companies, you only have to deal with one, so were reducing cost and complexity.

The main thing we are hoping to get from working with Energy Systems Catapult is validation of our business model approach.

Wondrwall is a technology company that combine intelligent home automation, clean energy production and super-efficient heating systems, to help homes save money, time and the environment.

Wondrwall integrates carbon neutral domestic energy management, such as solar, batteries and heating solutions, with automated and intuitive control powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Matt Roderick, Director at Wondrwall, said: Wondrwalls innovative system is self-learning and adapts to your household routine, combining home automation, with clean energy and efficient heating throughout the home.

Weve deployed 12 different sensors such as temperature, humidity, motion, sound, smoke into a light switch; constantly monitoring to deliver data on occupancy, energy use and generation with time of use tariffs and weather forecasts. Combine that with artificial intelligence and weve developed a world leading intelligent system.

We wanted to work with Energy Systems Catapult to help with some modelling to better understand the size of the market. on our business model for the retrofit market.

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Seven SMEs win business acceleration place at Energy Systems Catapult - The Energyst

(MENAFN - GetNews) ASAP AIR AC and Heating is focusing on delivering a safe and reliable solution for all the air conditioning needs of people in Houston, ranging from AC installation to its upkeep and repair.

ASAP AIR AC and Heating is a family-owned and operated business that offers economical cooling and heating maintenance solutions. The HVAC contractor resolves all functionality issues with the HVAC equipment, ranging from gas furnaces and air handlers to residential and light commercial air conditioners. ASAP AIR AC and Heating delivers award-winning AC repair and maintenance solutions for homeowners and business owners in the Greater Houston area. The HVAC contractor does not subcontract its work out to other companies and only hires the most skilled and experienced technicians to serve its clients.

While sharing their experience at an online industry meet, the spokesperson of ASAP AIR AC and Heating stated, 'We have factory-trained, certified and licensed technicians that work at our clients' facilities, while taking care of the safety of their property. Our technicians diagnose and perform the necessary repairs or replacement on any branded air conditioner, whether it is from Carrier or American Standard. Rather, we sell the most efficient AC units from these and many other leading brands like Rheem, Trane, Lennox, Amana, and Goodman.

ASAP AIR AC and Heating's AC repair services in Houston include fixing a variety of cooling problems, such as frozen coils that may occur due to a leak caused by low refrigerant, or in some cases, blockage in the ductwork. Not changing the air filters regularly may also cause this problem. Another frequent problem occurs due to low refrigerant levels. An AC should not require refrigerant to be recharged. Running low on Freon generally means that there is a leak of some type that is repairable without significant expense.

Additionally, the spokesperson shared, 'At home, everyone craves for a comfortable and relaxed environment. However, if they fail to provide regular maintenance to their AC, they may have to face the heat. However, our experts prevent this situation for our clients and even provide emergency assistance 247. We install the best products in our clients' homes and offices so that these cooling units last longer and save on energy. This makes the life of our clients easier and comfortable.

When it comes to ac repairs in Houston , ASAP AIR AC and Heating ensures to resolve all simple to complex issues with ACs. This includes the repair of outside units that becomes non-functional. A blown breaker or power not being supplied to the AC unit properly can cause this issue. A similar problem happens when the fan on the outside unit does not work. Then, it overheats and may cause severe damage to the compressor. If it operates for too long without the fan, the compressor in the AC can burn up and the unit needs replacement.

About ASAP AIR AC and Heating:

ASAP AIR AC and Heating is a leading HVAC contractor that installs and maintains HVAC equipment, as well as delivers air conditioning repair services in Houston . The HVAC contractor has qualified professional technicians to resolve all air conditioner problems, ranging from wiring issues to non-functional units. ASAP AIR AC and Heating also offers highly cost-effective servicing for heating and cooling systems.

Contact Information:

ASAP AIR AC and Heating1009 Aurora Street,Houston, TX 77009, USAPhone: 713-862-1775Website: https://www.asapairhoustonac.com/

Media Contact Company Name: ASAP AIR AC and Heating Contact Person: Richard Fulks Email: Send Email Phone: 713-862-1775 Address: 1009 Aurora Street City: Houston State: Texas 77009 Country: United States Website: https://asapairhoustonac.com/

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ASAP AIR AC and Heating Offering Complete AC Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Solutions for Houston Residents - MENAFN.COM

How you can save some cash while adding comfort and safety to your living space. Sponsored by Sundance Energy Services

Summer is right around the corner which means now is a good time to think about cooling your living space.

Operating for 40 years with the mission to make everyones home the most comfortable, safest and healthiest place on earth, Sundance Energy Services has all you need to achieve that goal, starting with ductless air conditioning units.

The technology has been around a long time, so it's well-proven and if you look at what's installed in Europe and throughout the rest of the world it is by far the first choice, said Curtis Dahl, Sundance Manager. They're recommended by all of our utilities because they do such a great job of that saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint.

The units mount directly on the wall and do not require expensive remodels to install. They are gaining in popularity for that reason, and for their ability to also supply heat when the temperatures dip in the fall and winter months.

That being said, another great line of products Sundance has to offer are their decorative, gas-burning fireplaces.

They're high-efficiency equipment that provide heat even in a power outage, and of course add tremendous amount of warmth and beauty to any room they're in, Dahl said.

There are, generally speaking, three types of gas fireplaces to cover most any living situation:

All of them come with the ability to have thermostatic control, Dahl said. They will only heat your room to a certain temperature and not make it too warm and maintain that temperature. You also have some that actually will automatically raise and lower the flame height, so that it makes it so that the flame is on all the time.

Replacing your wood-burning fireplace or stove is among the best things you can do to improve the safety of your home. At one point, burning wood was the most common cause of house fires in the state. So, too, is the installation of modern smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, also available at Sundance.

There are also products available to improve the cleanliness of the air in your home.

We install whole-house air filtration systems, which will eliminate all visible particles that get into the system and virtually all the pollen and most all the mold spores that are in your house, Dahl said. These systems are very efficient at killing pathogens -- they say over a 24 hour period up to 99% of the pathogens, and also they help us out with cooking smells or our pet smells in our homes by making these smell wonderfully clean.

Many of these energy-efficient products have manufacturer and government-backed rebates or credits attached to them:

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR NEW DAY VIEWERS:

For more information, visit the Sundance Energy Services website.

Sponsored bySundance Energy Services. Segment Producer Derek Haas. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5and streaming live on KING5.com.Contact New Day.

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Stay cool and comfortable this summer with these energy-efficient AC units - KING5.com

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With the mercury continuing to drop and cold days setting in across the country, many of us are thinking about the heating we have in our home. Does it heat the house well? How much does the heating cost each season? Is there a better solution? There are a number of heating options available for Australian homes, though it's important to choose one that will work best for you. Any built-in and long term heating solutions will require a qualified tradesperson to install. Stuart Tucker, chief customer officer at hipages recommends getting quotes from your local heating tradie to find your best options based on the climate you live in, size of your home, budget and lifestyle. Keep in mind that a combination of heating sources may be the right choice for your space. An expert will be able to talk you through all heating options available, their energy use and associated running costs. Here is Tucker's overview of heating options to consider. Space heaters to heat a small room Fan forced space heaters are a great idea for smaller rooms like a study or living area. These heaters are some of the least expensive heating options, costing between $38 - $700. Most space heaters are electric with gas options also available, though these are typically more expensive. Split system heating for an entire room Split system heaters have an outdoor unit that generates heat and an indoor unit that releases that heat throughout a room. These types of heaters can come in many different sizes and it's important to choose one that matches the square metres of your room. This will also determine the cost. Inexpensive split systems can be around $750 with large capacity systems around $3000. Multi-split system heaters for several rooms Multi-split heaters are larger units and have ducting that can deliver heat to several rooms of the home. These can be used for either heating, cooling or reverse cycle, costing around $3000. In addition, this system requires installation from a qualified tradesperson, which would typically cost $50 an hour though could increase to as much as $2500 for a difficult installation. Hydronic heaters built under the floor or in wall panels Hydronic heaters use heated water to generate warmth available as a wall unit or under flooring. The drawback is that they take longer to heat a room (about half an hour) compared to other instant options. A hydronic wall mounted heater usually costs between $10,000 to $15,000, including installation. Floor systems cost around $7200, but are best laid on new floors as installation under existing floors is expensive. Ducted heating for the entire home Ducted heaters are expensive but effective if you're wanting a solution to heat your whole home. If you have a large house, a good way to save money on ducted heating is to buy a zone system which allows you to choose the rooms heating will go to. Zone systems cost more to install but will save you money in the long run. A ducted heating system must be professionally installed and the cost, including installation, will be based on the size of your system. Fireplaces Traditional timber burning fireplaces are no longer considered old-fashioned and do still exist in homes today. They are effective for heating large rooms and do look great aesthetically within a home. As fireplaces require a brick chimney, they can be expensive to build and require ongoing maintenance from a chimney sweep. These days there are a number of alternative options to timber fireplaces which can be more affordable and may suit your home and lifestyle better. Gas fireplaces can generate as much warmth as a wood burning fireplace. They do, however, need a way to expel fumes, which can be done through flues that leave the house. Electric fireplaces generate less heat, but the unit itself is inexpensive and can be wall mounted. They often have a "fire" to make them appear more authentic. Whatever solution you choose in your home, ensure you consult your local professional. A heating expert will make sure your system will fit the room or space you desire, ensure it is installed properly for the safety of your home and that your chosen system will deliver the heating you require without breaking the bank.

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With the mercury continuing to drop and cold days setting in across the country, many of us are thinking about the heating we have in our home. Does it heat the house well? How much does the heating cost each season? Is there a better solution?

There are a number of heating options available for Australian homes, though it's important to choose one that will work best for you. Any built-in and long term heating solutions will require a qualified tradesperson to install.

Stuart Tucker, chief customer officer at hipages recommends getting quotes from your local heating tradie to find your best options based on the climate you live in, size of your home, budget and lifestyle. Keep in mind that a combination of heating sources may be the right choice for your space.

An expert will be able to talk you through all heating options available, their energy use and associated running costs. Here is Tucker's overview of heating options to consider.

Space heaters to heat a small room

Fan forced space heaters are a great idea for smaller rooms like a study or living area. These heaters are some of the least expensive heating options, costing between $38 - $700. Most space heaters are electric with gas options also available, though these are typically more expensive.

Split system heating for an entire room

Split system heaters have an outdoor unit that generates heat and an indoor unit that releases that heat throughout a room. These types of heaters can come in many different sizes and it's important to choose one that matches the square metres of your room. This will also determine the cost. Inexpensive split systems can be around $750 with large capacity systems around $3000.

Multi-split system heaters for several rooms

Multi-split heaters are larger units and have ducting that can deliver heat to several rooms of the home. These can be used for either heating, cooling or reverse cycle, costing around $3000. In addition, this system requires installation from a qualified tradesperson, which would typically cost $50 an hour though could increase to as much as $2500 for a difficult installation.

Hydronic heaters built under the floor or in wall panels

Hydronic heaters use heated water to generate warmth available as a wall unit or under flooring. The drawback is that they take longer to heat a room (about half an hour) compared to other instant options. A hydronic wall mounted heater usually costs between $10,000 to $15,000, including installation. Floor systems cost around $7200, but are best laid on new floors as installation under existing floors is expensive.

Ducted heating for the entire home

Ducted heaters are expensive but effective if you're wanting a solution to heat your whole home. If you have a large house, a good way to save money on ducted heating is to buy a zone system which allows you to choose the rooms heating will go to. Zone systems cost more to install but will save you money in the long run. A ducted heating system must be professionally installed and the cost, including installation, will be based on the size of your system.

Traditional timber burning fireplaces are no longer considered old-fashioned and do still exist in homes today. They are effective for heating large rooms and do look great aesthetically within a home. As fireplaces require a brick chimney, they can be expensive to build and require ongoing maintenance from a chimney sweep. These days there are a number of alternative options to timber fireplaces which can be more affordable and may suit your home and lifestyle better.

Gas fireplaces can generate as much warmth as a wood burning fireplace. They do, however, need a way to expel fumes, which can be done through flues that leave the house. Electric fireplaces generate less heat, but the unit itself is inexpensive and can be wall mounted. They often have a "fire" to make them appear more authentic.

Whatever solution you choose in your home, ensure you consult your local professional. A heating expert will make sure your system will fit the room or space you desire, ensure it is installed properly for the safety of your home and that your chosen system will deliver the heating you require without breaking the bank.

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Home heating options to keep your house warm and cosy - The Canberra Times

ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen Price, Features and Real Customers Reviews.

Check The Updated Price of ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen:

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Top Features of ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen Are:

SAVE MONEY: Homeowners save up to 23% annually on heating or cooling costs, plus ecobee pays for itself in under 2 years (compared to a hold of 72 degrees)WORKS WITH ROOM SENSORS: Place them in the rooms that matter the most and have the temperature balanced throughout your whole home. Measuring both occupancy and temperature, sensors signal your ecobee Smart Thermostat to automatically switch to the right mode for comfort when youre home or for savings when youre not. 2-pack sold separately.EASILY INSTALL YOURSELF: It only takes about 30 minutes, thanks to an easy to follow installation guide and an in-app step-by-step walkthrough. Everything you need comes in the box, including a Power Extender Kit for homes with no common wire (C-wire).Power consumption:Less than 3.5 VACONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: Easily adjust your thermostat from wherever you are using your iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) or Android device. The ecobee mobile app is available in the App Store or on Google Play. Compatibility- Gas, oil, electric, dual fuel, Conventional (2H/2C), Heat Pump (4H/2C)PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS: ecobee3 lite works with your favorite smart home setups, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, and IFTTT.Power Source: AC. Contact Manufacture for any assistance contact in user manual

Verified Customers Reviews of ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen:

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ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen - The Report

One of Britains biggest foodservice suppliers, Brakes, announced it was nearing its target of 30 per cent carbon emissions reduction by 2025.

On World Environment Day, Brakes revealed a combination of reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in use of gas for boilers and heating and more efficient lighting had helped shave 3 per cent off its carbon emissions in 2019 alone.

Most effective however was the switching to natural refrigerants across its UK-wide network.

Brakes data revealed that changing to natural refrigerants saved the company more than 75 tonnes of carbon emissions in its first year of operation thats roughly equivalent to 75 flights from London to New York.

The savings prompted Brakes to install identical systems at Bodelwyddan and Thorpe depots.

Ian Hunt, Brakes Director of Engineering and Environment, said: The new equipment has worked brilliantly to reduce our carbon usage and weve been able to save around 75 tonnes of carbon which is the equivalent of an average car driving 24,000 miles around the world 13 times.

Brakes has long-since used natural refrigerants in its larger distribution centres, but until recently it has not been technically possible to scale such solutions down for smaller regional operations

Hunt continued: As the first wholesaler committed to rolling out more environmentally sustainable refrigeration across its entire network, weve seen the new system deliver not only better environmental performance, but we are also seeing other benefits such as a 25% reduction in the energy consumed at the depots.

Weve achieved our 2020 target of 20 per cent absolute carbon reduction, in fact already hitting 27 per cent reduction by end of 2019. And we believe that initiatives such as our refrigeration strategy mean that we are well on our way to hitting our revised target of a 30 per cent reduction by 2025.

Daniel Clark from isentra, which supplied the fridges, said: As well as the obvious carbon benefits, we have seen refrigerationelectricity usage down by almost half and the Global Warming Potential of the refrigerant has reduced to almost zero.

The newer technology also allows Brakes to benefit from the other upsides of this sustainable refrigeration technology, such as harnessing low outdoor ambient temperatures and benefiting from a free cooling effect.

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Brakes nearing 30 per cent carbon reduction - Fruitnet

Chloe Taylor - Contributing Write

Green or clean energy has been around for as long as we exist. It wasnt until the industrial age that we started to use some not so eco-friendly energy solutions and this was only because they were more efficient at that time. However, in the last couple of decades, green energy has slowly started to make a comeback and all thanks to advancements in technology.

Probably the biggest breakthroughs have been made with solar panels. Not so long ago these devices were far from cost-effective. If you wanted to install a couple of solar panels on your roof, you had to spend quite a lot of money and on top of that, they were not so efficient.

Luckily, things have changed. Todays solar panels are much more advanced and offer a more reliable energy output. Justifying installing one has never been easier. However, in case you still have some doubts, here are a couple of things that will alleviate them.

The number one reason why you should install solar panels is their environmentally friendly nature. Our environment is suffering a lot because of our way of living, and we should do everything we can to minimize those effects. Hence, choosing to convert your place of living into a well-maintained solar home will surely be of great help to the environment.

Besides biodegradable materials and eco-friendly cars, solar panels are the way to go. Clean energy is more important than most people think. CO2 emissions have skyrocketed in the past couple of decades and if we dont do something about it, the repercussions will be huge. Sure, you wont see the immediate effects after installing solar panels, but a few generations from now people will live in a much healthier environment.

If the eco-friendly side of solar panels hasnt persuaded you, then maybe their cost-efficiency will. Solar energy is practically free, you just need a way to harness it. After the initial costs of installation, solar panels will begin to pay for themselves.

Think of them as an investment. You pay upfront for something that will return the invested money in the near future. Solar panels will not only return you the money, you will actually make a profit on them in a form of savings. With solar panels, your house will have completely free electricity, heating, cooling, etc. and your energy bill will be significantly smaller.

Even though it takes some time for solar panels to become fully cost-effective, its still an investment worth considering, especially in uncertain times like these, when the environment has been under a constant threat due to global warming and over-consumption and rampant industrialization, mainly in African and South-East Asian countries, such as Indonesia and Philippines. Therefore, choosing solar panels is a great way to do your part and contribute to a more eco-friendly future. Installing a zero-carbon SMA inverter will surely improve the quality of your solar panels and help you get your moneys worth in the long run.

As we said before, solar panels have been around for a number of years. This concept and idea have been developing and evolving for a long, long time and finally, we have come to the point where solar panels are not just some niche market that only few households can afford.

The technology has become widespread and the cost of production has become more economical. On top of that, governments all across the world have started to encourage potential buyers with federal and local subsidies, making these products attractive for homeowners more than ever. So now is probably the best time to go to solar panel shopping.

Also, you can just install one solar panel and use it to heat your water or run it as a backup when the power is down. There are a lot more options, but we recommend checking it with some of the companies that offer solar panel installation services. Trust us, if you create a good solar panel plan, you can almost cut your energy bill to zero.

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Solar Panels: Why Is Now the Right Time for Them - GREENandSAVE

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Smart thermostats are the most popular smart home device overall of more than 20 different devices according to new research published in Strategy Analytics report Smart Home Survey - Device Segment Analysis - Smart Thermostats.

Strategy Analytics reports smart thermostats are most popular in the US where almost 50% of US smart homes have one. The devices are also the most popular smart home device in the UK and Germany; smart thermostats are the second most popular device in France, close behind surveillance cameras.

Nest is the most popular brand overall, followed closely by Honeywell. After the top two, the smart thermostat competitive landscape is wide open. In the UK, Centrica Connected Homes Hive thermostat is the most popular, almost twice as popular as Nest. In the US, ecobee is in nearly 20% of smart homes. Rounding out the top brands in Germany and France are Netatmo and tado.

Jack Narcotta, Senior Industry Analyst in Strategy Analytics Smart Home Strategies advisory service, said, The popularity of smart thermostats isnt that surprising, given that the devices embody many of the best practices for all smart home devices. Theyre widely available, theyre increasingly simple to install, theyre becoming easier to set up and activate, and brands apps take full advantage of consumers smartphones when it comes to thermostat operation and creating heating or cooling schedules.

Bill Ablondi, Director of Strategy Analytics Smart Home Strategies advisory service, added, Nest and Honeywell arguably created the smart thermostat market. Nest has a sizable presence in retail channels, where its brand enjoys high visibility among consumers. Honeywells massive network of dealers set the stage for its presence in the smart home market, and Honeywell spin-off Resideo will help those dealers evolve Honeywells first-generation offerings for the consumer market. Smaller brands such as ecobee, Hive, Netatmo, and tado will have to get creative to successfully compete with the top two brands.

About Strategy AnalyticsStrategy Analytics, Inc. is a global leader in supporting companies across their planning lifecycle through a range of customized market research solutions. Our multi-discipline capabilities include: industry research advisory services, customer insights, user experience design and innovation expertise, mobile consumer on-device tracking and business-to-business consulting competencies. With domain expertise in: smart devices, connected cars, intelligent home, service providers, IoT, strategic components and media, Strategy Analytics can develop a solution to meet your specific planning need. For more information, visit us at http://www.strategyanalytics.com.

For more information about Strategy AnalyticsSmart Home Strategies: Smart Home Strategies (SHS) Home Page

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Strategy Analytics: Smart Thermostats Most Popular Smart Home Device - Nest and Honeywell on Top - Business Wire