“At CES, we saw everything from ‘smart’ belts to toilets and even diapers. With so many questionable ‘smart’ gadgets on display, we must admit, it’s refreshing when something pops up that actually seems useful. Today, that item is a smart ceiling fan controller from Lutron Electronics. Best known for its high tech lighting systems, in […]

“Don’t let this happen to your home! Festive decorations, flickering lights, candles and Christmas trees are hallmarks of the holiday season. They also present fire risks that can turn a joyous time of year into disaster. The National Fire Protection Association is working to educate the public about potential fire risks during the holidays. According […]

“or the first time ever, Optoma’s HD29Darbee 1080p 3D DLP Home Theater Projector just dropped to $499 at Amazon. This discount saves you $150 off its regular price of $649, which had never fallen under $560 there until today. This projector offers 1080p Full HD resolution and a 30,000:1 contrast ratio with a bulb which […]

“There are a number of things that you need to do when choosing lights that are good for the environment. You need to look for lighting systems that: Don’t have too many LEDs Preferably have CFL bulbs (the energy savings pay for the cost of the bulb after 500 hours of use, while they last […]

“What to look for: If the home that’s caught your eye was built before the ‘70s, you might have more than lingering shag carpet and wood paneling to worry about. Hazardous electrical wiring such as knob and tube wiring and aluminum branch circuit wiring are two of the biggest offenders that could put your home […]

“DIY is an option for most home improvement and repair projects. But most of us pull the plug on DIY electrical work, and for good reason. It’s a dangerous task — and not only because of the shock hazards you can create while doing the job. If you do it poorly, you can also create […]

“For the past month, throughout St. Paul, thieves have been targeting light poles. So far, upwards of 8,000 feet of wire has been stolen. “This problem isn’t unique to St. Paul this happens in cities all across the country, especially when the price of copper goes up,” said Heibert. “People get desperate and try to […]

“The goal: Find the best ceiling fan. Veterans of the field guided us away from propellers with small motors that only circulate properly when set on high and toward more efficient models that pass the government’s recently updated energy standards. The verdict: Monte Carlo’s Maverick is the Prius of ceiling fans. Powered with an energy-saving […]

“When a major spring storm strikes, dealing with home damage caused by heavy rain, hail or high winds can be overwhelming. But you might have something else to worry about besides a leaking roof or flooded basement. Finding a qualified contractor to perform repairs can be challenging because of a widespread shortage of skilled tradespeople. […]

“There are all sorts of reasons why you might want to smarten up the lights inside of your home — the convenience of automation, for instance, or the novelty appeal of color-changing lights. You have more options than ever, largely thanks to the fact that lights like those make a great complement to popular voice […]