Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

SANFORD, MI When the rainfall kept coming down and the water level in the nearby river began to rise, Rebecca Johnson was sure it was just the usual spring weather.

A look at the Sanford Dam on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, after heavy rainfall and the failure of the Edenville Dam upstream caused it to fail and flood the surrounding area. The village of Sanford is on the far left. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

She had no idea her life was about to turn upside down.

I look back now and I was so naive. We could have been packing things, said Johnson, who lives in Sanford, a village in Midland County that sits in the shadow of the Sanford Dam. They had it hyped up so much, but I was like, It floods every year, its not going to be that bad, the dams are not going to break.

Flashing red lights woke her around 4 a.m. on May 19 as firefighters went door to door telling residents to evacuate. They expected the Sanford dam and the Edenville Dam above it to fail after all.

Rebecca Johnson and her daughter Autumn Pontseele stand near a Christmas tree during a Sanford community tree lighting event downtown on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Johnson and her daughter, 18-year-old Autumn Pontseele, stayed put for awhile, until rising water began creeping up into their backyard. They escaped just in time.

Their home was one of more than 4,000 in Midland County damaged by flooding after the two dams failed and millions of gallons of muddy water poured downstream. Sanford, located just northwest of the city of Midland, was among the hardest hit areas.

When Johnson and Pontseele were able to return, they found their home full of squishy mud.

Rebecca Johnson takes a call as the rebuild continues in her home in Sanford on Friday, June 26, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Recovering from the disaster has taken months of hard work and some good fortune. As Christmas 2020 approaches, they are ready to celebrate in a residence rebuilt with the help of donors, family and volunteers.

See an extended gallery of photographs of their journey or buy images by clicking here.

Rebecca Johnson watches her stepdad Ron Eurich set up the electrical for the ceiling lighting in the kitchen area for her home in Sanford on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Their house did not sit even one day after the initial flooding before the cleanup began. Help swarmed in from coworkers at Big Boy, friends from Autumns old school, Samaritans Purse volunteers, SFT Remodeling, FEMA, United Way and many more.

Autumn Pontseele feeds one of their cats a treat while they all take cover in the garage as it rains in Sanford on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Crews began repairing their home less than a month after the Edenville and Sanford dams failed and damaged the structure as well as the family's possessions. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Throughout the whole process, the hardest part for Johnson was letting go of the damaged items that had meaningful memories attached to them. The pressure and time constraint to get everything out of the house to avoid mold caused many belongings to be overlooked and thrown into a garbage pile.

A pile of trash lies on the ground as construction continues inside of Rebecca Johnson's home in Sanford on Friday, June 26, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Everything sat at the road for days, and I hated seeing it every day. It was all our stuff, it was awful. I watched them take it away and I think that was worse, Johnson said. Its really real, thats it, well never see it again.

A look inside Rebecca Johnson's home in Sanford on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 less than a month after the Edenville and Sanford dams failed and damaged the structure as well as the family's possessions. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

They had to gut the interior of the home. Cutting the ruined drywall out, removing insulation, spraying for mold, ripping the beloved hardwood floor up and drying out the basement took many weeks.

Rebecca Johnson and Greg Yancer say goodbye to Johnson's daughter Hayley Pontseele and her fiance Kurt Lehmkuhle after finishing unloading the last storage unit in Sanford on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

They first stayed with Johnsons other daughter, Hayley Pontseele, before deciding to move to a hotel. After three weeks there, a disaster relief company paid for their stay at a Midland hotel. Red Cross took over the expenses at a different Midland hotel for the next two weeks before Johnson and Autumn Pontseele set up a camper in their yard.

Autumn Pontseele's dog Decker jumps for the ball as they play in the yard in front of a camper in Sanford on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. Pontseele has been staying in the camper since July due to the major flooding from the Edenville and Sanford dams failing in May. Reconstruction continues on their house, so the camper is home for her and Decker temporarily. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Both were taking classes while all of this happened. Once it began getting colder, Johnson moved in with her boyfriend, Greg Yancer, to be able to give Autumn and herself more space to continue their schoolwork.

Greg Yancer and Rebecca Johnson cook the first family meal in her newly finished home in Sanford on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

They tried to make the best of the situation.

We really didnt have any bad times. We made it fun as it was constant go, go, go. We didnt really have any woe is me feelings at all, Johnson said. I smiled the whole time, what else could you do?

Rebecca Johnson smiles as people pull in to her driveway with a trunk full of donated items for flood victims in Sanford on Friday, June 26, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Little did they know, a big break was coming their way. Angela Cole, a local attorney who lived in Sanford for over 40 years, was tasked to pick families in the area to receive funding assistance from the Rebuild Project, which is a partnership through the Midland Business Alliance and Three Rivers Corporation. Cole threw Johnsons name in the mix.

The company came by and surveyed how far along they were in the rebuild process, which included having a working bathroom, electrical set up throughout the home, floors ripped up, drywall hung and so on.

Rebecca Johnson works on wiring her home in Sanford on Friday, June 26, 2020. Johnson's home had to be stripped on the main level up four feet due to the major flooding from the Edenville and Sanford dam failures in May 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Johnson and Pontseele continued working on the home with the help of others as they waited to hear if they would be picked, and got the call shortly afterward. Midland Area Community Foundation and Three Rivers Corporation were going to cover the rest of the job up to $100,000.

Rebecca Johnson wires an electrical outlet in the kitchen area in her home in Sanford on Friday, June 26, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

There were so many reasons I provided Rebeccas name. She was already underway with her rebuild, was close to downtown and was a long-term Sanford resident, Cole said. Rebeccas attitude and joy humbled me. In every interaction she was so thankful and grateful for help in spite of all she had been through.

Rebecca Johnson stands at the door of the garage with a couple of her pets to stay out of the rain while a friend of hers attempts to start their generator while work is being done on her home in Sanford on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Rebuilding was paused for about two months as paperwork was sorted out. Once it began, Johnson had to give her input for what she wanted for the floors, kitchen and bedrooms. She and her daughter had an idea of what they were going to do, but getting all-new items was an unusual experience for them.

Rebecca Johnson reacts to seeing her brand new kitchen cabinets for the first time for her home in Sanford on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. Throughout the years, Johnson has always lived in rentals and never had the chance to have brand new anything, so she is very grateful to have her home rebuilt after the devastation of the flood in May. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

The companies working on the home set Thanksgiving for the family to move back into the home. As of December, the home is occupied, though they are waiting on the countertops, which are to arrive in January as the pandemic caused a backorder on some of the products chosen for the house.

Theyve been able to empty out their two storage units filled with their belongings and the new project of decorating and putting things in their place has begun. Just in time for Christmas.

Autumn Pontseele moves a tote out of her and her mom Rebecca Johnson's storage unit on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

As things begin to settle down, they both say they will be on the job hunt in the new year. And they are both elated to still call Sanford home as their community continues to pick up the pieces.

Rebecca Johnson searches for the correct light switch covers for her home inside the local Sanford hardware store on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

We never thought about abandoning it, never thought about moving, Pontseele said. Weve already had two community events, even with nothing here. People still come down and celebrate.

Greg Yancer, Rebecca Johnson and her daughter Autumn Pontseele walk across the street during a Sanford community tree lighting event downtown on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

They are certain they couldnt have done it without the help of the community, volunteers, donations, and family and friends who chipped in over the last seven months.

From far left, Autumn Pontseele, her boyfriend Julien Plamp sits next to her on the right, Hayley Pontseele, Kurt Lehmkuhle, Rebecca Johnson, Greg Yancer and Trey Yancer sit together on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 for the first family meal after Johnson and Autumn were displaced from their home back in May due to the major floods in Sanford. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

I want to figure out a way to give back, Im just not there yet. Ill figure it out though, one way or another, Johnson said. I mean, how many times can you say thank you? They just made the whole situation better. We couldnt have done it alone.

Autumn Pontseele walks around in her newly decorated room on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Rebecca Johnson stands on her brand new porch at her home in Sanford on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Read more:

Pilot captures aerial footage of roaring water as Edenville Dam bursts in Midland County

Flooding near downtown Midland as seen by drone

Our whole life is gone says woman whose Sanford home was washed away in Midland floods

Gov. Whitmer addresses Midland after dam break and flooding: Were gonna get through this

More here:
Flood and mud destroyed their home, but now a Michigan family has reason to celebrate - MLive.com

No doubt you have received the important time sensitive mail regarding the future repair of your homes gas lines. Many Bossier Parish residents have seen the important information regarding your gas line mailers a thinly-veiled sales pitch from CenterPoint Energy for a home warranty program.

All interior gas lines are the homeowners responsibility, the mailing says, detailing the estimated costs for the repair or replacement of gas lines and components.

District 5 Commissioner Foster Campbell has asked the Louisiana Public Service Commission to investigate such home-warranty programs promoted to thousands of CenterPoint Energy and SWEPCO customers.

We owe it to the people we serve to look at this, Campbell said during the LPSCs monthly meeting, held Wednesday by teleconference because of the coronavirus.

I think SWEPCO and CenterPoint should be in the utility business, not the insurance business, Campbell added.

In his argument Campbell cited a 1991 LPSC order prohibiting utilities from directly engaging in the sale, installation or service of any type of residential equipment or appliance.

He said the Louisiana utilities appear to be using Connecticut-based HomeServe to skirt the order by employing HomeServe to shield the companies from direct involvement in activities prohibited by the Commission order.

Campbell said he has received complaints from Louisiana contractors concerned that HomeServe would hire low-bid, unqualified electricians and plumbers to do repair service on SWEPCO and CenterPoint customer homes.He also cited marketing materials from HomeServe using SWEPCO and CenterPoint logos and carrying messages that could be misunderstood by consumers.

If you get a letter from your utility you dont throw it away, Campbell said, especially if it carries messages like Important Information Enclosed and quotes deadlines to sign up.

Campbell asked LPSC staff to conduct a thorough review of the HomeServe offerings and report back to members of the Commission at their February 2021 meeting.

Read more from the original source:
PSC's Campbell Urges Investigation into Utilities Selling 'Protection Plans' for Wiring and Gas Lines - Bossier Now

Five Tips for Preventing Plant Fires in 2021

Fire may not seem like an immediate threat, but there are more than 5,000 fires in manufacturing plants every year.

2020 has been a landmark year for industrial facility safety. A slew of challenges and hazards have put the worlds safety systems to the test, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. After nearly 4.2 million acres of land burned in California alone, fire safety carries new urgency going into 2021.

Fire may not seem like an immediate threat, but there are more than 5,000 fires in manufacturing plants every year. These result in hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage and, more importantly, hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths. Thankfully, these incidents are preventable, and these five steps can help ensure facilities avoid them.

1. Train All Employees On Fire Safety

Carelessness is one of the leading causes of nonresidential fires, second only to cooking accidents. Facilities need to provide thorough fire safety training if they hope to prevent these incidents. All workers should understand where potential fire hazards are located and how to work in those areas safely.

If any employees work with flammable materials, they should know how to handle them correctly. Facilities should also take disciplinary action whenever an employee violates fire safety protocol to discourage carelessness. In addition to initial training, workers should receive periodic reminders about safety measures so they dont forget anything.

2. Keep The Plant Clean

Loose debris like combustible dust is responsible for many industrial plant fires, yet its easy to overlook. Even materials that are safe in larger quantities can be flammable in dust form, so cleaning is essential to fire safety. Employees must regularly clean any areas that generate dust, no matter the material.

The rest is here:
Five Tips for Preventing Plant Fires in 2021 - Occupational Health and Safety

Chandeliers, flush mount fixtures, and ceiling fans all have their place in lighting a home. But if youre looking to add additional illumination discreetly, without installing a fixture that extends downward into the room, consider recessed lighting. Recessed lights have a bulb contained inside an inverted cylindrical canister thats mounted virtually flush with the ceiling. This means they dont take up visual space; in fact, some are so unobtrusive, they dont compete with the rooms dcor at all.

The best recessed lighting for any setting will depend on the rooms purpose and whether you want all-over or directional lighting. Ahead, learn the ins and outs of recessed lighting and find out why the following products are considered tops in their class.

Recessed lights, sometimes called canister lights or simply cans, are ideal in rooms with low ceilings, such as in basements, where other fixtures would reduce headroom. When used with incandescent bulbs, canister lights present a risk of overheating. However, todays new LED lights generate no heat, so theres no worry about the lights housing causing the insulation to melt or presenting a fire risk. This is essential to keep in mind when installing recessed lighting. Read on for other important factors to consider when choosing the best recessed lights for you.

With most styles of recessed lights, only a thin bit of trim around the light extends below the ceiling, so most models are relatively flush with the surface of the ceiling. This offers a clean look, but it also provides less illumination than a traditional ceiling light, therefore you may need more than one recessed light to light the entire room.

Installing recessed LED lights in an existing ceiling is simpler than installing old-school incandescent cans, which needed to be attached to ceiling joists for support. Todays LED lights are lightweight enough to not need extra support and attach directly to the surrounding drywall through the use of spring clips.

Recessed light fixtures come in various sizes, ranging from tiny, 1-inch models to large, 12-inch fixtures designed for industrial settings. The most common size for home use, however, is 6 inches in diameter.

The trim on a can-type recessed light includes the outer ring, which installs after the light is in place to provide a finished look, as well as the cans interior housing, as the design inside the can contributes to the overall design effect.

Todays LED light bulbs use less energy than the incandescent bulbs of yesterday. However, many shoppers still associate a lights brightness with incandescent bulb wattage, so in addition to listing the actual watts of an LED bulb, youll often find a comparison to an incandescent bulb as well. For example, an LED bulb might use only 12 watts of electricity but be as bright as a 100-watt incandescent bulb, so its description might read: Bright 12W 100W-Equivalent Recessed Light. Most LED lights are compared to their incandescent equivalents, but a few are compared to halogen light equivalents.

The most common color temperatures for recessed lights are cool white and warm white, and both are suitable for general use throughout the home. Cool white is crisp and bright, making it welcome in kitchens, laundry rooms, and workshops, while warm white is soothing and well-suited to family rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. The color temperature of LED lights is rated on the Kelvin light scale that ranges from 2000K to 6500Kas the number increases, the light quality becomes cooler. At the bottom of the scale, the warm color temperature contains amber and yellow tones. As the light progresses up the scale, it becomes crisp white, and eventually takes on a bluish, cool tone at the upper end.

In addition to traditional white light, some recessed lights come with the ability to adjust the colors hue to set a specific mood in the room. These are known as color-changing LED bulbs, and they offer multiple color choices, such as green, blue, and purple shades of light.

Many of todays recessed lights are dimmable, meaning you can wire them to a dimmer switch. This feature allows you to lower the illumination to suit your moods and needs, saving energy consumption when you do.

Recessed lights that feature smart technology can be controlled by a wall switch or remotely from a smartphone, tablet, or PC if your home has a Wi-Fi network. If you dont have access to Wi-Fi, you can still enjoy smart lighting technology by choosing lights with Bluetooth connectivity for use with a smartphone.

To qualify as a top pick, a recessed light must be durable, attractive, and offer adequate illumination to meet your needs. The following recessed lights (many sold in sets) are suitable for various uses, and one or more are likely to be a bright addition to your home.

Photo: amazon.com

Get the equivalent of 110 watts of halogen brightness with the Amico Ultra-Thin Recessed LED Dimmable Ceiling Lights. Each light uses only 12 watts of electricity, and six lights will efficiently illuminate a 120- to 140-square-foot room. These 6-inch, thin lights (less than 0.5 inches thick) will fit in ceilings with clearances as shallow as 2 inches above the drywall. Users can adjust the color warmth on each light to correspond with the Kelvin lighting scale, ranging from warm white (2700K) to cool white (5000K) to create just the right atmosphere in the room.

Each light comes with an easy-to-wire junction box, requiring you simply match up the color of the Romex wire to the corresponding slot and push the wire into the box to lock it into place. The lights are secured in the ceiling via spring clamps. While these are considered DIY-friendly recessed lights, if youre not familiar with wiring principles, you should hire an electrician to install them.

Photo: amazon.com

To reap the benefits of LED can lighting and stay on budget, consider TORCHSTARs 12-Pack Low Profile Dimmable Recessed Lights. Each 4-inch light uses only 10 watts of electricity but provides brightness equivalent to an 80-watt incandescent bulb for ample illumination. The thin housing installs to ceiling drywall using spring clips, and each light features an easy-to-wire junction box that doesnt require attachment to ceiling joists.

Like other LED bulbs, the TORCHSTAR recessed lights remain cool to the touch, so you dont have to worry about them getting hot in the ceiling. The lights are compatible with most wall-mounted dimmer switches, allowing you to decrease brightness to suit your needs and conserve even more energy.

Photo: amazon.com

To control your recessed lights from a smartphone or with verbal commands, check out Lumary Recessed Lighting Ultra-Thin WiFi Smart LED lights. These smart lights sync with either Alexa or Google Home Assistant, so you can turn them on or off via your voice. You can also control them remotely from your smartphone or another digital device through the free downloadable app. If you have some wiring experience, installing the lights in a ceiling is DIY-friendly, and they dont require attachment to ceiling joists, as they remain firmly in place through the use of spring clips.

Select from a range of 16 million light colors for a custom glow to set the mood. In white mode, each light is equivalent to an 80-watt incandescent bulb, however, in colored modes, the brightness will be dimmer. These Lumary recessed lights require an installed home Wi-Fi network.

Photo: amazon.com

Dimming the lights can set a mood and conserve energy, but not all LED lights are suitable for use with dimmable switches; in fact, wiring incompatible LEDs to dimmer switches can shorten bulb life. This Sunco, which can be as bright as a 75-watt incandescent light, works with a standard or a dimmer switch.

Whats more, if youre upgrading existing recessed lighting, this Sunco can make the job a breeze, as its designed for retrofitting an existing 5- or 6-inch can with no wiring is necessary. You simply remove the old bulb, screw the new light into the existing socket, and then position the spring clips for a snug, secure fit against the ceiling. Its broad surface trim will camouflage old trim or visible holes in the drywall.

Photo: amazon.com

Direct light right where you want it with the Maxxima Rotatable LED Downlight. This 6-inch recessed light features an adjustable head so you can shine a light on any area of the room. Its also readjustable, in case you later decide to accent the Picasso instead of the Renoir. The Maxxima recessed light is designed to retrofit an existing can light, and no wiring is necessary. All you need do is screw the new light into the cans existing socket. The Maxxima light is held in place via spring clamps that securely attach it to the ceiling drywall.

The light comes with a standard orange LED plug for connection to an existing LED can light, so if youre swapping out an old one, check to see if the current bulb has an orange plugif so, the Maxxima will fit right in. This recessed light uses only 11 watts of electricity, and yet emits as much light as a 75-watt incandescent bulb.

Photo: amazon.com

Install a ceiling full of these mini lights or place one strategically where needed as a task or accent light. The YGS-Tech 2-Inch Recessed Lights come with easy-to-wire junction boxes, and they dont require attachment to ceiling joists. They come in a four-pack and use only 3 watts of electricity per light, yet each produces as much illumination as a 35-watt halogen bulb. The lights are dimmable for further savings, and, as they use LED bulbs, they dont generate heat, so you neednt worry about the housing making contact with ceiling insulation.

Photo: amazon.com

If a standard lighting fixture comes into contact with water, it can throw a breaker, but with the HALO Recessed Wet Location Air-Tite Light, you shouldnt need to worry about splashes from a shower or tub. Thanks to a cover that seals tightly to the lights base for moisture protection, the HALO light is designed to withstand an occasional water spray and high humidity conditions without problem.

This 6-inch recessed light accepts a 60-watt-equivalent LED bulb (not included) and is designed to retrofit an existing recessed can light. Its waterproof trim locks firmly against the ceiling to give your bathrooms ceiling light a fresh, upgraded look.

Photo: amazon.com

If youre looking for can lights for an outdoor setting, consider Globe Electric Rust Proof Indoor/Outdoor Recessed Lights. Thanks to cans and trim made of aluminum, these lights wont rust or corrode, making them suitable for installation on the ceilings of covered porches or patios. They accommodate 50W equivalent LED bulbs (not included) and are designed to replace older can lights.

The light includes an easy-to-wire junction box and heavy-duty spring clips to hold it in place, so no need to attach the cans to the joists. Keep in mind that while the lights are rust-resistant, they are not watertight and shouldnt be installed where they could come into contact with direct water spray, such as from a sprinkler.

With the many types and styles of recessed lighting available, its not unusual to have some questions. Check out these answers.

Many of todays LED recessed lights are DIY-friendly and feature pre-labeled slots for inserting color-coded Romex wires. However, working with electricity always presents some risks, so if youre not familiar with wiring, hire an electrician.

To fully illuminate countertop work areas, recessed LED lights should be installed an average of 14 to 16 inches out from the upper cabinets edge. This offers the best angle of illumination.

It all depends on the look youre going for and the amount of illumination you want. Standard, 6-inch lights are the most common for whole-room lighting. If positioned closer together, 4-inch lights are also suitable for whole-room lighting and are well suited for accent and task lighting as well.

If you have a working knowledge of wiring, and youre simply replacing an existing light with a new recessed light, you may choose to install it yourself. If youre installing a whole ceiling full of new recessed lights and will need to fish wire through the joists, its a good idea to have an electrician do it. Your local building authority may also have rules that require LED installation by a licensed electrician.

Housing is the case that holds the lightbulb (or LED diodes), and many of todays recessed LED lights come with thin, lightweight housings compared to the more massive, older-style can lights.

Well lit rooms are more attractive than dimly lit ones, and while installing recessed lighting might not add monetary value to your home, potential buyers may be more likely to make an offer if your home is well lit.

Read the original post:
The Best Recessed Lighting for the Home in 2020 - BobVila.com

Smart thermostats make it easy to control your homes heating and cooling system from just about anywhere, and the Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat ST75 ($169) is no different, but in addition to phone and voice control, it offers a responsive color touch-screen control panel. Easy on the eyes and simple to install, the ST75 is a bit more expensive than our Editors Choice winner for affordable thermostats, the $129.99 Nest Thermostat. That said, the Sensi model adds support for Apple's HomeKit and Samsungs SmartThings home automation platforms, as well as native Siri voice control, making it an excellent alternative to the Nest Thermostat if you use any of those systems.

Available with a glossy black or glossy white finish, the ST75 is an attractive thermostat. It has a very thin clear bezel around its 4.2-inch full-color touch-screen control panel, and measures 3.4 by 5.6 by 1.0 inches (HWD) overall. It comes with mounting hardware, a welcome guide, an installation guide, and labels to identify your HVAC wires, and it's equipped with an embedded Wi-Fi radio for connecting to your home network.

The ST75 is compatible with single-stage and multi-stage oil, gas, and electric HVAC systems and systems with central air and heat pumps. It requires a C (common) wire, so if you live in an older house, make sure your thermostat wiring uses a common wire for power. The thermostat works with Apples HomeKit platform and Samsungs SmartThings home automation system, and it can be controlled using Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant voice commands. However, it doesnt work with IFTTT applets that allow it to interact with other IFTTT-compatible smart home devices.

The thermostat supports geofencing and will adjust your heating/cooling settings based on your location. You can have the thermostat send push alerts when your homes temperature and humidity levels reach a certain threshold, and have it alert you if there are heating and cooling issues. You can create a custom 7-day heating and cooling schedule using the intuitive touch screen, or you can use the Sensi mobile app for Android and iOS devices. As with the Nest Thermostat, the ST75 lacks the remote room sensors that you get with more expensive thermostats, such as the $249 Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control.

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Programming the ST75 is easy thanks to its touch-screen panel. It remains dimmed until you touch it, when it lights up and displays the current room temperature in large white numbers in the center against a gray background. The background turns orange when actively heating the house and blue when cooling. Off to the right is the Set To temperature, with up and down arrows for changing the temperature setting. To the left is the current temperature, and just below that is the room humidity reading. At the very bottom of the screen are operating mode (heat, cool, off, aux, auto) and fan mode (auto, on) indicators.

The Menu button in the top left corner takes you to a screen where you can access settings and options. Here you can adjust Sleep mode settings, turn on a back-glow LED for extra lighting around the thermostat, toggle Wi-Fi on and off, set the current date and time, and create heating and cooling schedules for each day of the week. Use the Advanced Settings button to configure dehumidifier and circulating fan settings.

The mobile app lets you do everything that the touch panel does and more. It opens to a screen that shows the current temperature and humidity, and has set point arrows off to the right. At the top of the screen is your local weather with high and low temperatures, and along the bottom are buttons for Mode (heat, cool, off), Fan (on, auto), Schedule, and Usage. Use the Schedule button to create heating and cooling schedules, and tap the Usage button to view daily and monthly usage reports.

Other controls allow you to set temperature setpoint limits, enable geofencing, edit your account information, change passwords, set up email and push notifications for important reminders (filter changes, HVAC maintenance, humidifier pads) and system issues, and access the online help center. Here you can also look for and sign up for energy-saving programs, receive new program notifications, and check the thermostats firmware version.

As with most smart thermostats, installing the Sensi ST75 is relatively easy, but it does require working with low-voltage wires. If youre not comfortable working with electrical wiring, you may want to find someone who is, or hire a professional to do the job for you.

I started by downloading the app and tapped Install Sensi Thermostat With HomeKit, which tells the app to use your existing HomeKit data and Wi-Fi information (you can also choose to create an account and set the device up manually if you don't use HomeKit). I selected the Touch Thermostat from the list and was presented with a screen telling me what tools I would need (screwdrivers, a drill, and wire strippers). At this point, you can opt to watch a video tutorial showing you how to install the thermostat. I tapped Next and followed the instructions to turn off power to my thermostat at the breaker and remove my old thermostats cover. I took a picture of the wiring, disconnected the wires, and removed the mounting plate. In the terminal screen, I selected the terminals that had wires attached to them and then selected my furnace type (gas electric, boiler/radiant). I labeled my wires before disconnecting them from the old terminal, and removed the terminal base.

Using the included mounting screws, I attached the ST75 terminal base to the wall and connected the wires. The base has a neat LED terminal light that helps you see what youre doing. Once the wires were connected, I snapped the thermostat onto the base and restored power to the circuit, at which point the touch screen lit up and displayed the main control screen. I tapped the Menu button in the upper left corner of the screen, selected Wi-Fi, and scanned the HomeKit code using my phones camera. After 30 seconds, the thermostat was connected to my home Wi-Fi and I gave it a name and location. I created a Sensi app account, registered the thermostat, and the installation was complete.

The ST75 worked well in testing. The touch screen is responsive, bright, and easy to navigate. The thermostat responded quickly to temperature changes using the app and the touch screen, and always adhered to my schedules.

Alexa and Siri voice commands to raise and lower the set temperature and turn the thermostat on and off worked as intended. So did the geofencing feature, which sets the thermostat temperature back three degrees when you leave a certain perimeter.

If youre looking for an affordable smart thermostat that works with multiple voice control and home automation platforms, put the Sensi Touch ST75 on your short list. Its easy to install and offers a responsive touch screen for viewing temperature and humidity readings, and programming heating and cooling schedules. You can also control the ST75 with your phone, with Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands, and as part of your HomeKit or SmartThings home automation system. If you require an affordable thermostat that will interact with numerous third-party smart devices, our Editors Choice, the Nest Thermostat, works with IFTTT applets and is around $40 less. But if you need a thermostat with HomeKit and native Siri support, the ST75 is a terrific alternative.

The rest is here:
Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat ST75 Review - PCMag

House Fires in Michigan Attributed to Remote Working

The holiday season combined with the influx of people working from home has contributed to a large increase in residential fires in Michigan.

The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society urges people to take precautions to prevent residential fires amid a 78% rise in multi fatality fires, according to the Detroit Free Press.

It is reported that 112 people died in residential fires in Michigan this year. The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society points to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the dramatic increase in fires. Because more people are working from home, they are plugging in more electronics, which strains the electrical systems and increases the likelihood of fire.

COVID-19 has kept a lot of people confined and numerous electrical devices are being plugged in everywhere, said Kyle Svoboda, district chief of Plainfield Fire Department. When you add on various holiday decorations and lighting, problems can occur. Electrical safety needs to be a top priority to help prevent electrical incidents and house fires.

The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society recommends that people inspect the electrical cords in their homes for frayed or town wires, use extension cords carefully and replace any damaged electrical equipment.

Originally posted here:
House Fires in Michigan Attributed to Remote Working - Occupational Health and Safety

Police have seized 80,000 worth of cannabis from a house in Bedworth.

They carried out a drugs raid at a property in Celandine Way and discovered the cannabis factory in operation.

Officers from Bedworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, along with colleagues from Nuneaton, were behind the sting yesterday morning (December 15).

They seized what has been described as a 'large number' of cannabis plants with a street value of 80,000.

A man, aged 20, was arrested and remains in police custody.

PC Stacey Naughton, Bedworth West beat manager, explained the set-up of the cannabis factory could have put lives at risk as there were several 'loose live wires'.

"The age old debate of whether this type of drug should be legalised or not, is irrelevant," PC Naughton said. "It is against the law, that we joined to upheld. This property was an absolute fire risk due to the massive overloading of plug sockets, the electric meter had been bypassed and there were several loose live wires within the property that could spark at any point.

"The property is adjoined to others and as such puts many lives at risk which clearly was not a consideration for those that wish to line their own pockets and make a monetary gain whilst risking the lives of others blissfully unaware of the danger they are in."

PC Naughton added that they will continue to put a stop to the drugs network in the area, adding "Our ultimate goal is to preserve and protect life and who knows if today we have prevented something that may have cost someone their own life in the near future."

It is the latest drugs raid in the area.

As we reported in our newsletter officers 3,200 plants at a factory on the industrial estate in the town last week.

Anyone with any information on the find in Bayton Road should contact Warwickshire Police via its website or by calling 101.

Details can be passed onto investigating officers via the independent charity Crimestoppers, which is free to call from a landine and confidential, on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can stay up-to-date with all the latest crime stories from across Coventry and Warwickshire by joining our crime group on Facebook.

To sign up for our newsletter, delivered free to your inbox, click here.

Original post:
Cannabis plants worth 80k discovered in house with 'loose live wires' - Coventry Live

Source: Friends of Mission Canyon

[On Tuesday], utility crews completed the removal of surplus utility poles and wires along the popular Tunnel Road Hiking Trail in upper Mission Canyon. This action was the product of several years of advocacy by Friends of Mission Canyon.

The hiking public will immediately notice a different look and feel for the lower section of Tunnel Trail explained Marc Chytilo, counsel to the community group Friends of Mission Canyon (FOMC). The removal of the overhead wires and eight telephone poles from just north of the trailhead to the bridge opens up views for hikers and eliminates a significant fire hazard.

FOMC developed the technical justification for removal of the electrical service, which served a telemetry station for a part of the citys water system. In 2019, after FOMCs repeated requests, the City agreed to use other methods to manage these facilities and informed SCE that it no longer needed the service. The removal was completed on December 15, 2020.

Residents of Mission Canyon are grateful the City agreed to terminate this service and seek removal of the overhead infrastructure explained David Lebell, President of the community group Friends of Mission Canyon.

This project is unrelated to SCEs unpermitted December 2019 grading project, which caused significant impacts to the trail and throughout upper Mission Canyon explained Chytilo. SCE is under orders to restore the habitat it impacted and remediate all the damage it caused by pushing debris off the road and into Mission Creek. SCE will also need to mitigate for impacts from trail closures, scarred cliffs and hillsides and increased fire risks.. President Lebell continued: We have asked SCE to move additional utilities underground in the upper canyon to reduce fire hazards and compensate for the visual impacts from their grading. The Tunnel Trail project demonstrates the benefits of removing overhead utilities in highly scenic and fire-prone areas.

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Poles and Wires Removed on Tunnel Hiking Trail - Santa Barbara Edhat

COVID-19 diagnostics

A mockup of an at-home test

MAMMOTH BIOSCIENCES

Much of the world became aware of the disease now known as COVID-19 in January, and impressively, a diagnostic PCR test became available the same month. Weve since seen an explosion in potential variations on that assay, including saliva tests, which bypass the need for scarce swabs, and a slew of techniques that could be considerably faster and cheaper than PCR, including breath tests, at-home antigen tests, a diagnostic that combines loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and CRISPR, and even an AI model that detects telltale signs of COVID-19 from CT scans.

While diagnostics gave us hard numbers on SARS-CoV-2s devastating sweep, the rapid development of vaccines against it allowed us to imagine the pandemic coming under control. mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were among the early leaders of the vaccine race, training the spotlight on a newer technique that had been attempted for other diseases but had not yet made it to the market before 2020. The principle is to deliver a stretch of viral mRNA to recipients cells, which go on to manufacture viral proteins from the transcripts, provoking an immune response.

The year also saw researchers experimenting with other innovative ways of producing vaccines. In one examplewhich, unlike with mRNA vaccines, would avoid the need for cold temperatures during transport and storageresearchers showed that a flu vaccine delivered orally as a thin film induced an immune response in mice.

A colony of spotted wing Drosophila flies entomologist Hannah Burrack maintained at home

COURTESY HANNAH BURRACK

The pandemics effects on science were far-reaching, and necessitated adaptation as many researchers were shut out of their labs in a bid to prevent infection. Among the creative means scientists devised to continue their work was Cut&Tag@home, a protocol for profiling chromosome components that Steven Henikoff of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center devised in his laundry room.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have proved a boon to research, but most labs grow the cells in expensive commercial media that require frequent tending to replenish the stock. In a paper at the start of this year, researchers described a DIY recipe for a medium with ingredients that cost a fraction of what commercial alternatives do, and that only needs to be changed every 3.5 days, enabling caretakers to have weekends off.

Neurositys Notion headset, released in 2019, is one of a handful of consumer brain-computer interface devices that scientists are adapting for their EEG research.

STEVE GONG

Collecting data on humans brain activity typically requires researchers to put their subjects into expensive MRI or PET scanners, or to affix wires to their skulls for a traditional EEG setup. But advances in brain-computer interface (BCI) technologymuch of it made with an eye toward the consumer market for devices that could be used for applications such as gaminghold the potential for neuroscientists to gather a wealth of brain activity information as subjects go about their daily activities. The field continued to advance this year with the release of two new BCI headsets, NextMind, which decodes visual attention, and the Neurosity Notion 2, an upgraded iteration of a product that, while designed for coders, can also be used to collect research data.

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Top Technical Advances of 2020 - The Scientist

DUBLIN, Dec. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "More Electric Aircraft Market by End User (Civil, Military), Aircraft System, Component, Application (Power Generation, Power Distribution, Power Conversion, Energy Storage), Aircraft Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing), Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global more electric aircraft market is estimated to be USD 1,504 million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 3,359 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 17.4% during the forecast period.

Recent technological advancements in the field of power electronics, fault-tolerant architecture, electro-hydrostatic actuators, flight control systems, high-density electric motors, and power generation and conversion systems have fueled the adoption of MEA.

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the aviation industry adversely due to air travel restrictions on domestic as well as international flights across countries, resulting in the sudden decrease in the air traffic. This is expected to negatively impact the more electric aircraft market in the short term; slow recovery is expected in Q1 of 2021. The aviation industry could take 2-3 years to recover from the financial effects of COVID-19, leading to lower air travels and passenger traffic compared to previous estimates.

Based on aircraft system, propulsion segment projected to lead more electric aircraft market during the forecast period

Based on aircraft system, the more electric aircraft market is segmented into propulsion system and airframe system. Electrification of various propulsion and airframe systems enables aircraft to reduce carbon emissions and the overall operational cost. The rising focus of major OEMs such as Airbus on the development of electric propulsion systems is expected to drive the propulsion system segment during the forecast period

Based on application, power distribution segment projected to lead more electric aircraft market during the forecast period

Based on application, the more electric aircraft is segmented into power generation, power distribution, power conversion, and energy storage. The power distribution system is highly flexible, fault-tolerant, and is controlled by a redundant microprocessor system. In this system, electrical power is supplied to the primary power distribution system, wherein the contactor control unit (CCU) and high-power contactor are located across generators, auxiliary power units (APU), batteries, and ground sources.

Based on end user, the civil segment accounts for the largest market size during the forecast period

Based on end user, the more electric aircraft market is segmented into civil and military. The civil segment is estimated to account for a larger share in 2020 as compared to the military segment. Carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions, high fuel consumption, and high maintenance costs are some of the challenges in the civil segment.

Europe is expected to account for the largest share in 2020

The more electric aircraft market has been studied for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Africa. Europe is estimated to account for the largest share of the global market in 2020. The aviation industry in Europe is aiming to use new advanced materials, such as gamma-titanium aluminides and single crystals, with improved mechanical properties in aircraft; these advanced engines help aircraft reduce their fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and noise. Key manufacturers of more electric aircraft in Europe include Rolls-Royce (UK), Safran Group (France), Airbus (Netherlands), and Thales Group (France).

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights4.1 Attractive Opportunities in More Electric Aircraft Market4.2 More Electric Aircraft Market, by Application4.3 More Electric Aircraft Market, by Major Countries

5 Market Overview5.1 Market Introduction5.2 Market Dynamics5.2.1 Drivers5.2.1.1 Optimized Aircraft Performance5.2.1.2 Reduction in Operational and Maintenance Costs5.2.1.3 Reduced Emissions and Noise Pollution5.2.2 Restraints5.2.2.1 Heavy Investments and Longer Clearance Period5.2.3 Opportunities5.2.3.1 Advancements in High-Density Battery Solutions5.2.3.2 Emergence of Alternative Power Sources for Electric Power Generation5.2.3.3 Development of Advanced Power Electronic Components5.2.4 Challenges5.2.4.1 Thermal Management in Electrical Systems5.2.4.2 Reliability of Electrical Systems in Harsh Environments5.2.4.3 Economic Challenges Faced by the Aviation Industry due to COVID-195.3 Range/Scenarios5.4 COVID-19 Impact Analysis5.5 Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customers' Business5.5.1 Revenue Shift and New Revenue Pockets for More Electric Aircraft Market5.6 Market Ecosystem5.6.1 Prominent Companies5.6.2 Private and Small Enterprises5.6.3 End-users5.7 Pricing Analysis5.8 Value Chain Analysis5.9 Porter's Five Forces Analysis5.10 Technology Analysis5.10.1 Fuel Cell Technology5.10.2 Electric Actuation System5.11 Case Study Analysis5.11.1 More Electric Architecture by Honeywell5.12 More Electric Aircraft, by Aircraft Type

6 Industry Trends6.1 Introduction6.2 Aircraft Electrification Technology Roadmap (2016 to 2040)6.3 Industry Trends6.3.1 Electrical Systems in Aircraft6.3.2 Shift from Hydraulic Landing Gear & Braking Systems to Electric6.3.3 Electric-Powered Aircraft6.3.4 Electrical and Electronics Technologies6.3.4.1 Machine Technologies6.3.4.2 Power Electronics6.3.4.3 Energy Management6.4 Advanced Batteries6.4.1 Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S)6.5 Electric Motor-Driven Smart Pumps6.6 Impact of Megatrends6.7 Innovations and Patent Registrations

7 More Electric Aircraft Market, by Aircraft System7.1 Introduction7.2 Propulsion System7.2.1 Development of Propulsion Systems by Oems is Expected to Drive this Segment7.2.2 Fuel Management System7.2.3 Thrust Reverser System7.3 Airframe System7.3.1 Increasing Demand to Ensure Safety During Flight Operations is Expected to Drive this Segment7.3.2 Environmental Control System7.3.3 Accessory Drive System7.3.4 Power Management System7.3.5 Cabin Interior System7.3.6 Flight Control System

8 More Electric Aircraft Market, by Component8.1 Introduction8.2 Engines8.2.1 No-Bleed Engine Architecture is Used for Engine Cowl Ice Protection and Pressurization of Hydraulic Reservoirs in Mea8.3 Batteries8.3.1 Lithium-Sulfur and Lithium Titanate Batteries are the Future of Aircraft Batteries8.3.2 Nickel-Based8.3.3 Lead-Acid-Based8.3.4 Lithium-Based8.4 Fuel Cells8.4.1 Increased Efficiency of a Fuel Cell Can Reduce the Fuel Load on Aircraft8.5 Solar Cells8.5.1 Airplanes Equipped with Solar Cells Can Fly Without Liquid Fuel8.6 Generators8.6.1 Enerators Convert Mechanical Energy into Electrical Energy and are Widely Used in Light Aircraft8.6.2 Starter Generator8.6.3 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)8.6.4 Variable Speed Constant Frequency (VSCF) Generator8.7 Actuators8.7.1 Actuators Helps in Achieving Physical Movement Through Conversion of Electrical Energy8.7.2 Electric8.7.3 Hybrid Electric8.7.3.1 Electro-Hydro-Static Actuators(Eha)8.7.3.2 Electro-Mechanical Actuators (Ema)8.7.3.3 Electrical-Backup Hydraulic Actuators8.8 Electric Pumps8.8.1 Adoption of Electric Pumps is Increasing for Next-Generation Aircraft8.9 Power Electronics8.9.1 Growing Focus to Reduce Aircraft Weight with Higher Electric Power Generation Capacity Expected to Stimulate the Demand for Power Electronics8.9.2 Rectifiers8.9.3 Inverters8.9.4 Converters8.10 Distribution Devices8.10.1 Need for Distribution of Electricity with Minimal Leakage of Power Drive the Demand for Distribution Devices8.10.2 Wires & Cables8.10.3 Connectors & Connector Accessories8.10.4 Busbars8.11 Valves8.11.1 Valves are Intended to Regulate Gas Levels in the MEA Engine8.12 Landing Gear8.12.1 Growing Adoption of Components in Landing Gear Driven by Electric Energy is Expected to Drive the Market

9 More Electric Aircraft Market, by Application9.1 Introduction9.2 Power Generation9.2.1 Increasing Demand for More Electric Architecture Fueling the Growth of the Power Generation9.3 Power Distribution9.3.1 Ability to Detect Voltage and Provide Prompt Load Shut-Off Drive this Segment9.4 Power Conversion9.4.1 Increase in Operational Efficiency & Weight Reduction Drive the Demand for Power Conversion Systems9.5 Energy Storage9.5.1 Increasing Use of Advanced Battery and Fuel Cell Systems Boosting the Demand for Energy Storage

10 More Electric Aircraft Market, by Aircraft Type10.1 Introduction10.2 Impact of COVID-19 on Aircraft Type Segment10.2.1 Most Impacted Aircraft Type Segment10.2.1.1 Fixed Wing10.2.2 Least Impacted Aircraft Type Segment10.2.2.1 Rotary Wing10.3 Fixed Wing10.3.1 Frequent Modifications in Aircraft Architecture Expected to Fuel the Demand for More Electric Architecture in Fixed Wing Aircraft10.3.2 Narrow Body Aircraft (NBA)10.3.3 Wide Body Aircraft (WBA)10.3.4 Regional Aircraft10.3.5 Fighter Jets10.3.6 Business Jets10.4 Rotary Wing10.4.1 Fans in Rotary Wing Aircraft are Powered by Distributed Electric Systems Using Conventional Gas Turbine Engines10.4.2 Medium Helicopters10.4.3 Heavy Helicopters11 More Electric Aircraft Market, by End-user11.1 Introduction11.2 Impact of COVID-19 on End-user Segment11.2.1 Most Impacted End-user Segment11.2.1.1 Civil11.2.2 Least Impacted End-user Segment11.2.2.1 Military11.3 Civil11.3.1 Increasing Demand to Reduce Aircraft Weight Has Propelled the Growth of Civil More Electric Aircraft Market11.4 Military11.4.1 Development of New Technologies and Electric Equipment to Strengthen Military Operations Drive this Segment

12 Regional Analysis12.1 Introduction12.2 Impact of COVID-19 on More Electric Aircraft Market, by Region12.3 Global Scenarios of More Electric Aircraft Market12.4 North America12.5 Europe12.6 Asia-Pacific12.7 Middle East & Africa12.8 Latin America

13 Competitive Landscape13.1 Overview13.2 Ranking of Leading Players, 201913.3 Market Share Analysis of Leading Players, 201913.4 Company Evaluation Quadrant13.4.1 Star13.4.2 Emerging Leader13.4.3 Pervasive13.4.4 Participant13.4.5 More Electric Aircraft Market Competitive Leadership Mapping (Startups)13.4.5.1 Progressive Companies13.4.5.2 Responsive Companies13.4.5.3 Dynamic Companies13.4.5.4 Starting Blocks13.5 Competitive Scenario13.5.1 Mergers & Acquisitions13.5.2 New Product Launches13.5.3 Contracts, Partnerships & Agreements13.5.4 Collaborations14 Company Profiles - System Integrators and Component Manufacturers14.1 Safran S.A.14.2 Honeywell International Inc14.3 Raytheon Technologies Corporation14.4 Thales Group14.5 GE Aviation14.6 Bae Systems14.7 Embraer S.A14.8 Liebherr14.9 Magnix14.10 Ametek.Inc14.11 Nabtesco Corporation14.12 Elbit Systems14.13 Bombardier14.14 Moog Inc14.15 Astronics Corporation14.16 Rolls-Royce plc14.17 Eaton14.18 Parker Hannifin Corp14.19 Amphenol Corporation14.20 Meggit14.21 PBS Aerospace14.22 Avionic Instruments LLC14.23 Eaglepicher Technologies, LLC14.24 Pioneer Magnetics14.25 Wright Electric15 More Electric Aircraft Adjacent Market

16 Appendix

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More Electric Aircraft Market by End-user, Aircraft System, Component, Application, Aircraft Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 - PRNewswire