Newest and Most Innovative Improvements and Fixes to Your Home

March 3, 2014

By: Sarah Boha

In the year 2014, technological advances have aimed to make our life easier, cheaper and faster; home living is no exception.  Simple fixes and making your home life more convenient have never been more possible.  The following are only a few of the fixes and technology that I recommend you should try in your home.

If you’ve got a few holes in your walls within the 1-4” diameter; kiss spackling goodbye with Wall Rx Multipack Repair Kit.  No messy mixing or spackle jobs, with Wall Rx it takes three easy steps to make a hole vanish and all of your tools are included in the kit.  Simply place the provided disc over the hole, next, place the screen included with your kit over the disc.  Smooth out all the edges of the frame sold with the kit and once that’s completed remove the frame to reveal a repaired wall.  Finish the job a little sandpaper; also provided in the kit.  As seen on the ABC show Shark Tank, this innovative alternative to patching holes in your walls is available at Lowes,  http://www.lowes.com/pd_372741-37352-103-4-24-MK_0__?productId=3539734&Ntt=wallrx&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dwallrx&facetInfo=.

Has your heating bill been higher with the polar vortex this year?  Try Nest Learning Thermostat with Built in Wifi.  Nest Learning Thermostat works just like the thermostats of the past; just think of it as a “smart thermostat”.  Nest learns your schedule and remembers what temperatures you like, keeping you comfortable at all times.  By memorizing your schedule, Nest can help you save on energy consumption.  With an ability to control the temperature in your house with your phone and wifi connection, you can have a greater hold on your how much money you’re spending on your heating bill.  Never heat an unoccupied home again with Nest, also available at Lowes, http://www.lowes.com/pd_86217-22742-T200577_4294821952%2B4294721318__?identifier=Heating-Cooling%2FThermostats&cm_cr=Thermostats-_-Web+Activity-_-Thermostats+TF+page+revamp-_-SC_Thermostats_TopFlexible_Area-_-10690065_1_&cm_sp=-_-HeatingCooling%7CPopularCat-_-Merch%7CPopCat_Thermostats_Learning&productId=3878572&rpp=32&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&searchQueryType=1.

Leaky facets and skyrocketing water bills – it may be time to upgrade the facets in your home.  Look for facets with the WaterSense seal from the EPA; under this certification, products meet criteria to conserve water and lower your bill.  Since 2006, the EPA WaterSense seal has conserved 487 billion gallons of water and has saved $8.9 billion in water and energy bills – why wouldn’t you want to invest to be eco-friendly and keep money in your pocket?  Great examples of a WaterSense sealed product are the KOHLER Mistos line of facets and shower heads.  These KOHLER products use 30% less water and come in finishes that will compliment your home.  Available at The Home Depot, http://www.homedepot.com/p/KOHLER-Mistos-8-in-Widespread-2-Handle-Bathroom-Faucet-in-Vibrant-Brushed-Nickel-K-R37026-4D-BN/202527784?N=5yc1vZc8d3Z1qh.

Keys have been around for centuries guarding your most valuable possessions and granting sole entry to the key holder.  Made entirely of metal and subject to the fate of most pocket sized items – becoming lost.  Now there is an innovation for available for your home called UniKey.  All you need to unlock your door now is your smartphone; no more fumbling, no more looking for that little piece of metal security.  You don’t even need to take your phone out of your purse or pocket; simply be within walking range of your door and press to open.  Another feature that your old keys couldn’t do is grant a onetime pass entry for guests coming into town and your housekeeper.  Never again will you have to leave work or cut your errands short to let someone into your house.  No smart phone?  UniKey has a key fob that will do just the trick.  For more information and where to buy this upgrade to the lock system, visit, http://www.unikey.com/.

Today, minor fixes to your home and investment upgrades are easy and convenient to implement in your home.  These improvements save you time, money and in many cases, make your home “green”.  With simple repairs and investments such as the Wall Rx or energy efficient sinks, the equity in your home will hold.  Visit the EPA’s website to find appliances that will work in your more convenient, energy efficient home.