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Whistle Activity Monitor by Whistle Labs, $100 at shop.whistle.com This sleek device tracks your canine's health and well-being just like a human wearable. Attaching it to their collar enables you to monitor their exercise and meals via smartphone.
Whistle Activity Monitor by Whistle Labs, $100 at shop.whistle.com This sleek device tracks your canine's health and well-being just like a human wearable. Attaching it to their collar enables you to monitor their exercise and meals via smartphone.
Smartphone Control You may not realize it, but you probably already own a useful home automation tool: your smartphone. All you have to do is download one of the many home automation apps, and use it to link together your various technologies. Photo via Vivint.
Smartphone Control You may not realize it, but you probably already own a useful home automation tool: your smartphone. All you have to do is download one of the many home automation apps, and use it to link together your various technologies. Photo via Vivint.
In the kitchen, an SMA Sunny Beam solar monitor displays the number of kilowatts generated. Though the monitor doesn’t display real-time energy consumption, the family often operates in the negative. “It helps us understand what’s going on and seeing it reminds us to be energy-conscious,” David says.
In the kitchen, an SMA Sunny Beam solar monitor displays the number of kilowatts generated. Though the monitor doesn’t display real-time energy consumption, the family often operates in the negative. “It helps us understand what’s going on and seeing it reminds us to be energy-conscious,” David says.
S Plus sleep monitor by Resmed, $150 at resmed.com Sync this bedside device with a smartphone and answer a few simple qusetions about your day at bedtime, and wake up the next day with a detailed sleep-cycle breakdown, complete with suggestions for how to get a better night's rest.
S Plus sleep monitor by Resmed, $150 at resmed.com Sync this bedside device with a smartphone and answer a few simple qusetions about your day at bedtime, and wake up the next day with a detailed sleep-cycle breakdown, complete with suggestions for how to get a better night's rest.
The Wink Relay, seen here, shows the same control and monitoring interface visible on Pendl's smartphone. Here it's showing the interface related to activating/deactivating lights, though (depnding on what smart home devices you have) it can also open/close locks, control AC units, and more.
The Wink Relay, seen here, shows the same control and monitoring interface visible on Pendl's smartphone. Here it's showing the interface related to activating/deactivating lights, though (depnding on what smart home devices you have) it can also open/close locks, control AC units, and more.
Once activated, the sensors feed to a central information source, accessible through a web browser or on the Android and iOS apps. Should a pipe start leaking, or a rainstorm creep inside, the system will text or email you to altert you that moisture levels are rising.
Once activated, the sensors feed to a central information source, accessible through a web browser or on the Android and iOS apps. Should a pipe start leaking, or a rainstorm creep inside, the system will text or email you to altert you that moisture levels are rising.
"The importance of this outdoor connection was a very high priority for the clients," O'Brien explains. "They wanted the boys to be free, but wanted to keep an eye on them without them feeling like they’re being monitored."
"The importance of this outdoor connection was a very high priority for the clients," O'Brien explains. "They wanted the boys to be free, but wanted to keep an eye on them without them feeling like they’re being monitored."
In Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood, architect Tiffany Bowie built an efficient house for her father, Dave, a retired engineer. A prototype system by Kirio monitors the home’s energy use. Shou sugi ban cladding in a herringbone pattern provides a striking backdrop.
In Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood, architect Tiffany Bowie built an efficient house for her father, Dave, a retired engineer. A prototype system by Kirio monitors the home’s energy use. Shou sugi ban cladding in a herringbone pattern provides a striking backdrop.
A computerized control panel in the hallway allows the family to monitor and control the house’s energy consumption.
A computerized control panel in the hallway allows the family to monitor and control the house’s energy consumption.
The guest room offers some extra space with an added monitor for when Jules and her husband need some solo time to work during the day.
The guest room offers some extra space with an added monitor for when Jules and her husband need some solo time to work during the day.
Upon entering the home, a central gathering of clerestory windows immediately focuses the view. Architects Bridgett Shank and Megan Carter refer to this architectural feature as a ‘light monitor.’
Upon entering the home, a central gathering of clerestory windows immediately focuses the view. Architects Bridgett Shank and Megan Carter refer to this architectural feature as a ‘light monitor.’
A jack-and-jill bathroom, children’s bedrooms, powder room, and laundry room are in the space before the master suite, which includes a hallway with a polycarbonate light monitor.
A jack-and-jill bathroom, children’s bedrooms, powder room, and laundry room are in the space before the master suite, which includes a hallway with a polycarbonate light monitor.
A detail of the energy-use monitor in its packaging before we opened it up and ran through the house plugging in our electronics.
A detail of the energy-use monitor in its packaging before we opened it up and ran through the house plugging in our electronics.
If you already have a projector, white sheets and some popcorn are all you need to create your own outdoor cinema. Alternatively, you can set up a backyard screening with a monitor, TV stand, and an extension cord.
If you already have a projector, white sheets and some popcorn are all you need to create your own outdoor cinema. Alternatively, you can set up a backyard screening with a monitor, TV stand, and an extension cord.
Energy efficiency was a guiding design principle behind the project. The house is powered by thirteen large solar panels as well as deep geothermal wells. All the mechanical systems can be monitored and controlled remotely.
Energy efficiency was a guiding design principle behind the project. The house is powered by thirteen large solar panels as well as deep geothermal wells. All the mechanical systems can be monitored and controlled remotely.
Spencer Greene and his daughter, Anya, go for a dip in their Palo Alto, California, home. The three-inch-thick acrylic pool window allows the parents to monitor their children’s swims from the LC4 chaise longue.
Spencer Greene and his daughter, Anya, go for a dip in their Palo Alto, California, home. The three-inch-thick acrylic pool window allows the parents to monitor their children’s swims from the LC4 chaise longue.
A third floor walk-up, sized at only 376 square feet, has been renovated into the home for Jack Chen of Tsai Design. A multifunctional built-in conceals this TV screen, and a pull-out work station and computer monitor are hidden in the adjacent cabinet.
A third floor walk-up, sized at only 376 square feet, has been renovated into the home for Jack Chen of Tsai Design. A multifunctional built-in conceals this TV screen, and a pull-out work station and computer monitor are hidden in the adjacent cabinet.
Ample storage is built into every corner of the home, from the stair treads to the kitchen bench. Since the client moved into the home, a ceiling fan and portable heater have been sufficient on both the warmest and coldest days. The smart energy monitoring system, Smappee, shows a consistent ambient temperature within the house of 20°C.
Ample storage is built into every corner of the home, from the stair treads to the kitchen bench. Since the client moved into the home, a ceiling fan and portable heater have been sufficient on both the warmest and coldest days. The smart energy monitoring system, Smappee, shows a consistent ambient temperature within the house of 20°C.
A good deal of the home’s energy is harvested via a Sun First photovoltaic system that’s backed up by 24 Concorde AGM deep-cycle batteries. An emergency shut-off system from MidNite Solar can be controlled remotely, while Sunny SensorBox monitors offer tracking of wind speed and temperature.
A good deal of the home’s energy is harvested via a Sun First photovoltaic system that’s backed up by 24 Concorde AGM deep-cycle batteries. An emergency shut-off system from MidNite Solar can be controlled remotely, while Sunny SensorBox monitors offer tracking of wind speed and temperature.
Active systems, in addition to thoughtful orientation and structural planning, help the structure become ultra efficient. The primary heating source throughout the house is radiant flooring connected to a geothermal system. Tedesco specified the Uponor Climate Control Network to operate the systems. "Every heating zone can be scheduled for setback," he says. "Then, through the communication and coordination of zone operation from main control panel that monitors the entire system, equipment and zones are cycled in harmony. The entire climate control system including the geothermal, ERV, A/C, and heat pumps is balanced to maintain optimal performance and occupant comfort. The Lutron Maestro lighting control, home entertainment, and security system can all be monitored and controlled remotely through a web-based program provided by the equipment supplier. The entire system has wireless access points throughout the house to ensure conductivity." The media room sofas are Ikea's Karlstad model, the rug is by Bev Hisey Textile Design, and the pendant is the Caprice by Viso.
Active systems, in addition to thoughtful orientation and structural planning, help the structure become ultra efficient. The primary heating source throughout the house is radiant flooring connected to a geothermal system. Tedesco specified the Uponor Climate Control Network to operate the systems. "Every heating zone can be scheduled for setback," he says. "Then, through the communication and coordination of zone operation from main control panel that monitors the entire system, equipment and zones are cycled in harmony. The entire climate control system including the geothermal, ERV, A/C, and heat pumps is balanced to maintain optimal performance and occupant comfort. The Lutron Maestro lighting control, home entertainment, and security system can all be monitored and controlled remotely through a web-based program provided by the equipment supplier. The entire system has wireless access points throughout the house to ensure conductivity." The media room sofas are Ikea's Karlstad model, the rug is by Bev Hisey Textile Design, and the pendant is the Caprice by Viso.
Windows in the roof monitor let in natural light and ventilation.
Windows in the roof monitor let in natural light and ventilation.
Windows in the roof monitor let in natural light and ventilation.
Windows in the roof monitor let in natural light and ventilation.
Awair Air Quality Monitor by Bitfinder
Awair Air Quality Monitor by Bitfinder
The Airmega mobile app lets you remotely change settings on Wi-Fi enabled units and monitor the air quality in your home anytime, from anywhere. It also can give you real-time air quality notifications, filter lifetime monitoring and a scheduler.
The Airmega mobile app lets you remotely change settings on Wi-Fi enabled units and monitor the air quality in your home anytime, from anywhere. It also can give you real-time air quality notifications, filter lifetime monitoring and a scheduler.
Awair Air Quality Monitor by Bitfinder
Awair Air Quality Monitor by Bitfinder
Awair Air Quality Monitor by Bitfinder
Awair Air Quality Monitor by Bitfinder
An interior window enables the dog to monitor its surroundings.
An interior window enables the dog to monitor its surroundings.
Diwaniya Main Hall - Light Monitors
Diwaniya Main Hall - Light Monitors

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