An automated misting system, also known as a mosquito misting system, is a pest control solution whereby pesticide is automatically sprayed onto an insect-infested area through self-operating nozzles at specific times of the day. A typical automated misting system includes things like timers, spray nozzles, tubing, a control board, a remote control, and a pump. These systems allow homeowners and commercial property owners alike to eliminate or significantly reduce the population of irritating mosquitoes, flies, and other insect pests on their premises.
Types of automated misting systems
There are a wide range of automated misting systems currently available on the market. You can choose from battery-powered, motor-powered, and electric-powered models. You can also decide if you want a drum-based or tankless system. Some systems require fixed installation, while others are portable. The prices of these systems vary, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000.
Installation
Installing an automated misting system is usually a straightforward process that you can do yourself. There are also pest control companies that install these systems on commercial and residential proprieties. Setting up the system involves placing the spray nozzles around the perimeter of your property and running the mist lines (tubing that supplies the mist formula to the nozzles) along fence lines or under eaves.
Benefits
Automated misting systems have many benefits. They eliminate the grunt work of having to walk around a property and apply pesticide manually. They also make pesticide delivery more precise and consistent. Moreover, they require minimal maintenance. Most systems use a natural pesticide called pyrethrin. Pyrethrin is a highly effective pesticide that has low toxicity in human and mammals. This allows you to use your automated misting system safely without worrying about pollution and adverse effects to your family or employees.
These days, we hear a lot of talk about home automation for the interior of the house, but what about the backyard? Back and front yards require a lot of maintenance to keep them presentable year–round and comfortable to be in. While some people enjoy do-it-yourself garden work, for many, convenient automated devices can take the grunt work out of backyard upkeep. Automation can also add a new level of comfort and efficiency to your backyard experience. Here are five ideas for automating your backyard.
1) Automated pest control
Consider adding an automated misting system to curb annoying mosquitoes and other insect pests. With these systems, unobtrusive misting nozzles are placed around the perimeter of the yard. The nozzles are programmed to release controlled amounts of pesticide at intervals throughout the day.
2) Automated water displays
A water fountain can be a soothing, magical feature of any yard, but if the level of water in the fountain is not carefully and consistently regulated, the fountain can go dry and end up being a receptacle for twigs and bird droppings. Many people find it a hassle to remember to manually fill their fountain or turn on the fountain pump. With automated water displays, the system can be programmed so that the pump turns on and off by itself at specific times of the day. The pump can also be turned on via a switch or remote control.
3) Automated backyard lighting
Outdoor lighting serves a number of functional, safety, and aesthetic purposes, from increasing visibility on decks, walkways, and patios, to illuminating dark corners of a yard, to highlighting attractive features like a pond or garden statue. Automated outdoor lighting control provides an easy way to control different lights in your yard depending on the mood you want to set, the time of night, or the conditions in your yard. These systems allow for instant scene control in your backyard with the flip of a switch or via dimmers. Lights can also be programmed to turn off or shine with less intensity throughout the course of the night.
If you are a homeowner, then keeping your family members and property safe is a top priority. It used to be that the best way to keep your property secure was to get a guard dog or leave the television on while away to trick potential intruders into thinking someone was at home. While these methods are still useful, modern-day home security technology provides even more protection and peace of mind. Nowadays, home security technology runs the gamut from do-it-yourself burglar alarms to expensive surveillance systems installed by a professional. Here are four of the easiest and most effective home security devices you can use to help put your fears to rest.
Closed circuit television cameras
Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras can be used to monitor areas of the home that are common break-in points for burglars, such as the front door, rear windows, and basement door. These cameras can also be installed indoors to monitor domestic staff, babysitters, or in-home caregivers. With CCTV cameras, homeowners have around-the-clock access to the video footage which they can view from anywhere in the world on a computer or laptop.
Motion detectors
Motion detection systems use infrared technology to detect the presence of an intruder. When the sensor detects motion, the system automatically turns on floodlights outside the home and sends an alarm signal to the receiver unit. Motion detectors can be installed both indoors and outdoors. Many of them can be programmed to respond only to human movement, so that pets do not end up repeatedly triggering the system.
Burglar alarm systems
Burglar alarm systems combine a number of security features. Along with video camera monitoring of the premises, they may include things like electronic access control (for doors), motion detectors, glass break detectors, door and window contacts, spotlights, and invisible force fields. Burglar alarm systems have alerting devices (sirens, bells, or flashing lights) that go off when the system detects an intrusion. Burglar alarm systems also come with a keypad. The keypad is placed in a central location inside the home and can be used to disable the alarm system by punching in a code.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) refers to a type of surveillance system whereby footage recorded by video cameras is transmitted to television monitors on which the footage can be remotely viewed. CCTV allows for continuous monitoring of multiple sites and real-time surveillance whereby footage can be viewed as it happens. CCTV systems also store video surveillance footage in digital file format for future reference.
There are a number of applications of CCTV in residential and commercial settings.
Residential Settings
1) Nanny cams
CCTV nanny cams are used to monitor hired caregivers in the home, such as a babysitter, governess, nurse, or nurse’s aide. Homeowners can use nanny cams to ensure their children and elderly loved ones are getting the attention and care they deserve. Nanny cams have the additional benefit of allowing homeowners to monitoring everyone who enters the home, such as maintenance workers or even party guests.
2) Front door cams
CCTV front door cameras are video cameras that allow homeowners to monitor the entrance to their home. They help control access to the home by providing a way to check to see who is at the door without having to open up or look outside. Front door cams help homeowners weed out unwanted visitors such as door-to-door salespeople and also boost security my recording footage of everyone who approaches the entrance of the home.
Commercial settings
1) Loss prevention
CCTV cameras are used in business places, such as retail outlets and banks, to help prevent losses due to shoplifting, robbery, or fraud. Loss prevention cams are also very useful in other places where theft can occur, such as in schools, restaurants, and museums.
2) Employee monitoring
CCTV cameras may also be used in settings such as daycares, nursing homes, mental hospitals, or assisted living facilities to make sure employees are providing responsible, quality care and not shirking their duties.
Nowadays, home security surveillance is becoming increasingly common as the technology to protect our homes becomes more widely available. Buying a security camera is as easy as visiting an online electronics retailer and places like Best Buy or The Home Depot carry home monitoring systems that the average consumer can afford. Also, many of these devices now come with do-it-yourself installation manuals and are easy to set up. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when installing home surveillance cameras.
1) Camera type
Today there are both wired and wireless home security cameras. Choose the camera type that works best for you and your home. For a hassle-free installation, a wireless camera is the best way to go since you won’t have to worry about drilling holes in your walls or running cables around your house. Nevertheless, there are factors other than the ease of installation that you will want to consider when deciding between wired and wireless systems.
2) Location
The best way to get optimal results from your home security surveillance system is to place the cameras in the right location. For outdoor cameras, it is recommended that cameras are visible since this is the best way to deter would-be intruders. Front door cameras that are placed on the wall over the entrance to your home send a strong signal to potential burglars. The entrance to basement stairs, rear windows, and side gates are also optimal locations for security cameras. For indoor cameras, never place a camera in a location where privacy can reasonably be expected, such as in a bathroom or guest bedroom, since this is against the law.
The powder room, or half-bath, is becoming a more and more popular feature of modern homes. These stylish compartments exude hospitality, providing house guests with a convenient, well-appointed washroom close to the main entertaining area.
If you are thinking of adding a powder room to your home, then you will need to know the basics of powder room design. Although there is always room for embellishments that reflect your personal style, below are the standard features of a powder room.
1) Commode
‘Commode’ is simply another name for the toilet fixture. Powder rooms always have a toilet so that guests can relieve themselves in a room separate from the family bathroom. This allows homeowners to keep the family bathroom private. Because powder rooms are typically small, a low profile toilet or round, small tank toilet can make more sense in a powder room rather than a larger, oval toilet bowl.
2) Vanity
The term ‘vanity’ refers to a bathroom unit consisting of a sink or washbasin set into a countertop which rests on a stand or cabinet beneath. In the later case, the term ‘vanity cabinet’ may be used. Sometimes the term ‘vanity base cabinet’ is used to distinguish a vanity cabinet that houses a sink basin from ‘vanity wall cabinet’, a bathroom storage unit not meant to house a sink. Vanity cabinets are useful because they provide space in an otherwise small room to store things like tissues, toilet paper, towels etc. Vanities can also serve the function of concealing plumbing pipes.
With powder room vanities, sink type can vary widely, from raised vessel sinks to oblong or oval undermount sinks. While the vanity is a feature found in most powder rooms, because space is often limited in a powder room, the vanity may be omitted altogether in favor of something more compact like a pedestal sink or a wall mounted sink.
3) Mirror
A wall mirror is an essential part of any smart powder room design. A mirror placed flush against the wall (powder rooms typically do not have medicine cabinets) over the sink will go a long way when guests want to tidy up. Mirrors also make a room seem bigger which is particularly appropriate in small-sized powder rooms.
It is safe to say that most kitchens have a counter and that the counter is one of the most prominent features of most kitchens. Often the kitchen counter is the focal point of the kitchen or even the entire home, a place for the family to gather for meals or have important discussions.
With any kitchen design project, the type of kitchen counter installation depends on a number of factors including the size of the kitchen, the intended function of the counter, budget, and personal style preferences. Here are three basic counter installations for you to consider.
Basic island
Islands are freestanding counters that are usually placed in the center of the kitchen. They liven up a kitchen inviting family members and guests to gather around them. Chairs or stools are placed around the island to allow for eating meals or doing homework. Islands work best in large kitchens with sufficient floor space. The island can either be either fixed or mobile. The base of a kitchen island can have cabinets, shelves, and wine racks to provide the kitchen with extra storage.
Multi-level island
A multi-level island is a great way to make a kitchen counter multi-functional. With multi-level islands, the base countertop is used for food preparation; it is equipped with amenities such as a stove top, sink, and dishwasher. The elevated, “bar height” countertop on the other hand is used for serving and eating meals. It can also be used for other tasks like writing grocery lists or sorting through mail or as a place to set down flower vases and fruit bowls. Multi-level islands are a good way to get the most out of your kitchen counter.
Wall mounted countertop
Wall mounted countertops are countertop shelves mounted to a kitchen wall with brackets. They do not have a base or cabinets underneath them, and some are designed to fold up when not in use. Wall mounted countertops are usually small and thus best suited to small kitchens. They can be a minimalist dinning surface for one or two people, and can also be used for food preparation.
Most people don’t consider lighting to be a central aspect of a bathroom, yet lighting fixtures have a great impact on the overall aesthetics and ambiance of a bathroom. Sufficient, well-planned lighting is also important in a bathroom for functional reasons and should be part of any bathroom design.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting refers to the general lighting that uniformly fills an entire room. In a bathroom, ambient lighting can be provided in a number of ways. Ceiling-mounted light fixtures are a stylish way to furnish a bathroom with ambient lighting. This can include recessed ceiling lights or a flush mount fixture. Flush mount lighting fixtures come in a range of styles include bowl, box, and drum styles and in a variety of finishes including bronze, chrome, nickel, and stained glass. Another option for ambient bathroom lightning is an elegant hanging chandelier in a style consistent with the bathroom’s theme.
Task lighting
Task lightning is localized lightning in a specific area of a room that provides illumination for specific tasks. In bathrooms, task lightning mainly consists of light directed toward the mirror to reduce eye strain while applying makeup, shaving, putting on contact lenses, etc. Task lightning also minimizes shadows under the eyes, nose and chin producing a sharper reflection in the mirror. Task lightning can be done with either halogen lighting or a recessed downlight near the mirror, or by mounting scones directly onto the mirror. Another option is a pendant light above the mirror. Portable countertop lamps can also be a distinctive way to provide task lighting in a bathroom.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting is lighting that adds drama to a bathroom design or that draws the eyes to display features such as paintings, alcoves, or other visual points of interest. Wall sconces for example, can serve the purpose of highlighting the texture of a bathroom wall, or curved track lighting can be installed on the ceiling for pizzazz. Halogen spotlights or wall sconces can be used to draw the eye to features such as decorative bathroom alcoves.
When it comes to home automation technology, Control4 is a brand that most people have heard of. As a leading provider of automation solutions, Control4 manufactures a wide range of products designed to “control and automate lighting, music, video, security and energy” in a residential or commercial property.
Control4 products are designed to work with the electronics, appliances, security system, lighting system, heating system, and other features already existing in a home or business place. Control4 products are compatible with over 7,000 third-party electronic devices and are distributed and installed by more than 2,200 certified Control4 dealers in the United States. Many of the products can be installed by a professional within a few hours. Consumers can choose to start with a few features and increase the level of automation over time.
A typical Control4 home automation system includes a central hub called a ‘controller’, which connects and manages all the devices in the home, and any number of Control4 devices which may include wall keypads, touch screens, remote controls, cameras, door bolts, light switches and dimmers, media players, thermostats, apps, software, sensors and more. The integrated system is programmed to perform a customized range of “smart” actions such as automatically turning off the lights when a room in unoccupied or automatically closing windows blinds at a certain time of the day. Family members can use the system to communicate with each other in different parts of the house; parents can use it to monitor the baby’s room; and much more.
Control4 automation and control systems can go a long way in making your home more energy efficient, and add a new dimension of convenience and safety to any business or home environment.
An important element of home theater design is the display system. Life-like, immersive visuals are one of the hallmarks of any great theater experience and you will need a good video projection system to achieve this in your home theater. Understandably, aside from the quality of the display, factors like cost and portability will influence the type of projector you ultimately choose. Here are some things you need to know to ensure the quality of your home theater projection system.
1) Projector type
Currently, there are three types of video projectors for home theaters on the market: digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD), and cathode ray tube (CRT). In terms of the brightness of the display, DLP projectors have the brightest display and older CRT projectors are the least bright; however, with LCD projectors, the images are sharper.
Cost-wise, LCD projectors are the least expensive kind of projector you can buy; however, with DLP projectors, the replacement bulbs can cost up to a few hundred dollars. This goes for LCD projectors as well.
Where portability is concerned, LCD and DLP projectors are lightweight and small and so you can use them in other settings beside your home theater. CRT projectors on the other hand are larger and quite heavy; they usually require fixed installation.
2) Resolution
The higher the resolution on a home theater video projector, the more detailed and vivid the images on the screen with appear. Also, the higher the resolution, the more expensive the projector will be. “High-definition” is the term used for displays with a very high resolution, 1920×1080 pixels being the ideal. XGA resolution (1024×768 pixels) and WXGA resolution (1280×768 pixels) are considered standard for an optimal movie-viewing experience. SVGA (800×600 pixels) resolution and VGA resolution (640×480 pixels) are the best bet if you’re working with a low budget.
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