Smarter homes

How smart is your home? Sound like a dumb question? A smart home may be the answer to several of your unique needs in today’s demanding times. A smart home is like any other home except it’s wired to link your various appliances with a computer, telephone, PDA or other control device. The most simple example is your answering machine. You can program it to play messages from any telephone anywhere. But compared to that smart technology, today’s breakthroughs are nothing short of brilliant.

Imagine a trash can system that reads disposed labels and gives you recycling credits. It’s happening. Plans are even on the way for a trash can that orders replacements for your disposed products. Can you believe a refrigerator that monitors what’s inside and suggests appropriate recipes? It’s coming. How about a washer and dryer that text messages you when the cycle is nearly complete? Oh, did you leave the burner on when you left home? Just dial up your smart range and turn it off.

Who needs a cook when you’ve got a smart oven? Simply punch the digital keypad to specify what’s cooking, from 12 cookies to a 12 pound turkey, plus the temperature you want, and the oven takes over from there. The oven even tells you when the cooking is 80% done, in case you want to make any final adjustments. You can also tell your oven what’s in the cupboard and it will recommend recipes.

Another smart oven doubles as a refrigerator. Program it to start thawing your frozen meal at a given time, then when to start cooking it so it’s ready when you arrive home. If the meal’s done before you arrive, it turns back into a refrigerator to preserve your fresh-cooked meal. If you know you’re running late, get on the phone, call up your oven and reprogram it from anywhere you happen to be.



A new smart microwave oven takes over the remote controls for you. It reads bar codes on the frozen meal packages, veggie bags, and popcorn to automatically set the timing and heat. It lets you program in new food barcodes, plus it monitors expiration dates.

Many smart appliances are also connected to the manufacturer so they can be monitored for best performance. For example, the soft water system’s manufacturer can monitor your system right over the phone and make adjustments according to your water usage.

If you think your current shower is refreshing, try programming the size of the water beads themselves. Another new bath innovation lets each family member program their favorite showerheads, lighting, and steam settings, not to mention your choice of body sprays.

You’ll feel extra safe and sound with smart security devices. A door video phone provides a photo of the visitor at your door. And you can monitor your home’s entire exterior through security cameras that send their real-time images to any TV in your house, or virtually anywhere, via your laptop computer. And if your distance cousin arrives while you’re away, tell the door to open up for them.

So, where do you start? You don’t need to outfit your entire home at once. Start gradually and we’ll see that your initial system is adaptable for future expansion. We’ll also make sure different manufacturers’ products are all compatible. Just call us. A live, smart, real person will answer and respond to your needs.

How Dry You Are? How Moist Should You Be?

How Dry You Are? How Moist Should You Be?


Relative humidity is more than relatively important when it comes to healthy and comfortable indoor living. Plus, at the right levels, you can save money on your fuel bill.

Too much humidity is a bad thing, right? After all, it creates and promotes an environment where bacteria, mold, various fungi and dust mites not only grow, but flourish!

But hang on a sec…doesn’t dry air cause it’s own fair share of problems? You bet. In fact, excessively dry indoor air can weaken your immune system from harmful viruses and respiratory ailments.

The fact is, dry air and damp air both have their fair share of problems. So what’s the answer? A whole-house, combined humidification and dehumidification system where you can control and maintain the proper levels of relative humidity, which most experts agree are between 40%-55%.

Before going any further, let’s define the very term this article is all about:

“Relative Humidity” is the moisture content in the air as a percentage of the total
amount of moisture air can actually hold. So, at a relative humidity of 40%,
air is holding 40% of its full potential.

With a whole-house humidifier from Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical, you can maintain ideal levels of humidity all year long. In the process, you can save 5% or more on your annual fuel bill. More importantly, you’ll add immeasurably to your family’s indoor comfort while helping to prevent and control problems with asthma, allergies, colds and flus, and more.

Where do the energy savings come from? Cold air is dry, and in dry air, moisture evaporates from your skin. That, in turn, tends to cool you off. So, by setting the thermostat at 69° with a relative humidity of 35%, you’ll feel just as warm as you would in 72° air with 19% relative humidity.

Bottom line, you want to dehumidify your home in warm weather, and add humidity when it’s cold. In fact, act now, and save $100 on a whole-house humidification system from Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical.

Sprucing up the home!

When you’re in a decorating mood, consider an alternative to the furniture, department or home store – consider your friendly local electrician or plumber. They’ve got some great ideas that add beauty, comfort and convenience to your home.

Lighting can add as much impact to your home as painting it, maybe more. By installing tract lighting, you can add depth and soft shading to your walls while accenting decorations. Sconce lighting can also make a room appear taller while splashing comforting light tones along walls and hallways. Spot lighting can illuminate everything from framed photos to your favorite reading chair, while basking the rest of the room in warm, soothing shades of light.

Lighting also makes the great outdoors even more magnificent. Outdoor lighting adds curb appeal to passersby while it accentuates your home, lawn and outdoor décor to the delight of your guests. Landscape lighting lends beauty to trees and plants at night while featuring your home’s focal points. Light the walkways for safety, security and charming visual effects. You’ll find lamps specifically for porches, pools, cabanas and gazebos. Hanging lanterns lends even more allure to your evenings.

Somehow, the kitchen always becomes a social gathering center for guests, plus it’s crucial for resale value. The right lighting can make a big difference, however it has to combine task lighting functionality for food preparation with soft, general lighting for a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. An older kitchen may not be equipped for this new decorative, yet versatile lighting, so consider a modest electrical upgrade to open up new worlds of possibilities.



You probably associate plumbing with functional indoor necessities, but think again. Consider making a splash in the backyard with a cool, refreshing fountain. Or how about a relaxing, soothing hot tub under the stars? Add an entertainment center and wet bar and your back yard is like a vacation destination.

For the great indoors, install a whirlpool tub in your present tub space. Indoor rock fountains provide a calming effect and come in every size, from pebble basins to wall size. Bath and kitchen fixtures can add both style and resale value to your home. Replace your current faucets with matching styles throughout the home for a consistent and polished appearance. Pedestal sinks lend a distinctive look, but if your bathroom is small, you might opt for a cabinet mounted sink with a stone countertop. Install sconce lighting for both soothing illumination and the illusion of more space.

If your kitchen and/or bath appliances are old, they also show your home’s age and they consume too much energy. Today’s innovations add convenience, style and energy savings. Imagine a tap solely for instant hot water so you no longer warm up water on the burner for coffee, tea, soup or cocoa. A soft water system actually improves the appearance of your basins, serving ware and laundered items as it removes minerals and improves the cleansing performance. It also prolongs the life of your appliances. From refrigerators with door-mounted TVs to smart ovens you control while you’re away, today’s high tech creature comforts are astounding, efficient and affordable.

All your options are fun, but they can be dizzying. Just give us a call and we can help you assess your needs, your home’s opportunities and the best ways to give your home a comfortable, convenient and beautiful makeover.