Living in the northeastern part of the country presents some unique challenges.
We get every type of weather extreme.
The winter conditions tend to last for more than six months per year and bring temperatures well below zero and feet of snow. Blizzards, sleet, hail and dangerous wind chills are common. The spring and fall tend to be wet and chilly and our summer seasons are short but especially hot and humid. We rely heavily on heating and cooling and temperature control adds up to around fifty percent of the household energy expenses. There is the worry of a heating failure during the middle of winter and plumbing pipes freezing and bursting. There is the fear of the sump pump malfunctioning during a spring rainstorm and the basement flooding. Plus, we spend a great deal of time and effort shoveling snow. I didn’t realize that a home automation system would make the severe climate less difficult. I invested into a home automation system for the security features. I wanted automated door locks, surveillance cameras, window sensors and motion-activated security lights. The automation system includes a smart thermostat with learning capacity. The thermostat automatically adjusts according to my family’s schedule and preferences. It raises or lowers temperature depending on room occupancy and has significantly reduced my monthly utility bills. Plus, I get reminders when it’s time to schedule maintenance and change filters. The automation system also controls a snow melt system installed beneath the driveway and walkways. It starts up in response to dropping temperatures and moisture. Heat spreads across the pavement to melt away snow and ice and eliminate the need to shovel.
