Smart home

  Soon you will no longer be able to buy regular incandescent light bulbs because they are too energy inefficient. The great thing about the “smart lighting” options from Philips is that they are extremely energy efficient. They can also be fully controlled using your wireless network. The control of the lights is so flexible it provides an amazing set of options for energy savings, for convenience and for enjoyment. So if you are upgrading your lighting, “Smart” lighting is a fantastic choice.

“Works with Nest” is a growing program of smart products that work with the growing line of Nest products and applications. Some of those products (including Nest’s) are available now at Best Buy, and all bring you closer to having control of your home even when you’re not around.  Increased safety, comfort and functionality are at your fingertips.  Read on to find out just what “Works with Nest” now.

  The Internet of Things will ultimately change all of our lives for the better, and the Philips HUE lighting system is a great place to start. Imagine being able to control every aspect of your home with your Smartphone or tablet, and even have aspects of your home control itself based on a set of rules that you can customize. Philips Hue can take you there and do much more. It makes your lighting fun and convenient, while adding a lot of utility that can make your house more secure.

With so many two-income families at work each day, home security is important. It can even provide safety for families that are at home. Someone tried to break-in to my home while we were asleep, and fortunately I woke up in time and was able to scare him away. That was before I had a security system! A security system is an excellent deterrent as there are so many unprotected homes burglars generally won’t  risk a protected one. I particularly like camera systems because they not only deter thieves but also vandals who get some sick joy out of destroying property.   I already have a Q-See Surveillance System installed in my house, but recently got a chance to test out a couple of Lorex Wireless Security Surveillance Systems and see how they compare. In fairness, the 2 Lorex packages that I tested out were smaller configurations, but with the same primary function – cameras that can monitor and record activity. All three systems have some significant differences that are worth knowing about.