These 'awesome' smart home plugs and light switches are up to 32 percent off today

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Want a smart home? We do too! Having the ability to control your household appliances and lights with your phone or the sound of your voice is flat-out amazing. But making your home "smart" can get expensive. Not today!

Amazon's Deal of the Day is on select Gosund and Nitebird products. Today only, you can save up to 32 percent on smart home plugs, light switches and more starting at just $16. It's the perfect time to upgrade since we're spending more time hunkering down at home.

But act fast, these sales expire at midnight. Shop the sales below and save:

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to convert your everyday appliances into smart home appliances, a good and reliable smart plug is the way to go. Luckily, this four-pack of Gosund Wi-Fi Smart Plugs are on sale for just $22, or $11 off. That's just $5.50 per smart plug and the lowest price we've ever seen on this four-pack.

Here's how they work: Just plug them into a wall outlet and plug in the appliance you'd like to "make smart" like a lamp or TV. Sync the plug to your home's Wi-Fi network and the Gosund app for Android or Apple iPhone, and that's it. You can now use the app to control your appliance or even Alexa or Google Assistant.

"These little mini sockets are awesome," shared a five-star reviewer. "All I did is download the app, open it, plug the socket in, waited a few seconds for the little blue light to flash...then the app asks me to accept and I can change the name of the socket, then click, bam, boom! Done! They can be up and running in literally seconds. Amazing."

The Gosund Smart Dimmer Switch is a hardwired solution to converting your home's lights into smart lights—and this four-pack is on sale for just $57, or $19 off. This is the lowest price we've ever seen on this four-pack, breaking down to $14 per switch.

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Working like traditional light switches with off and on functions, these Gosund Smart Dimmer Switches can also dim the lights to your needs. Simply control them with your phone via the Gosund app. They can even be used to control ceiling fans.

"The switch was easy to install, and the directions were clear. The Gosund app is very easy to use and set up schedules," added another Amazon shopper. "It linked easily to my Google Home. The dimming switch works well and looks sleek also. The switch remembers the last dim setting, too."

Want to give your TV some pizazz? This clever smart LED strip—which is on sale for $16, or $4 off—offers a colorful and bright light show that installs behind your set. These LEDs can be adjusted with the Nitebird smartphone app (or Alexa and Google Assistant), so you can turn them up or down to set the mood for movie night.

Since these LEDs can soften your TV's brightness, they're a great solution to eye strain. You can also sync music to them, so the beat and rhythms of your favorite songs will go along with the pulsing and colorful light.

"These are quick to set up and look really nice," shared a delighted five-star reviewer. "The music sync is cool but I think they work better just as ambient lighting. The app takes a few minutes to setup, but then it's really simple to adjust the light especially if you have it connected to Google Home."

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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✅Smart Light Switch: Best Smart Light Switch 2019 (Buying Guide)

Chinese Giants Baidu And Midea Launch Joint Smart Appliance Push

Share Share Share Share Print Email Homeowners in China and beyond will soon be able to use smart speakers to turn on the lights and control the microwave under a new partnership between Chinese search and artificial intelligence giant Baidu and smart device manufacturer Midea Group.

The two Beijing-based companies have announced a "strategic partnership" through which users can control Midea's array of smart home appliances through Baidu's lineup of smart Xiaodu speakers, according to a press release sent out by Baidu.

The partnership, in turn, will bring "smart home comforts to tens of millions of users and provide a full smart home ecosystem," the companies said.

Under their new partnership, the two companies will also sell bundles of their products, featuring Midea appliances and Xiaodu smart speakers. Midea touts itself as China's largest smart device manufacturer, with 70 million smart appliances on the market.

China's smart speaker market is growing explosively, with $235 million in sales during the first quarter, according to All View Cloud, a data analytics firm. China saw a 23 percent jump in smart speaker shipments in the first quarter, even with the shutdowns and quarantines triggered by the coronavirus.

Baidu's Xiaodu devices, which utilize a cloud connection or infrared, will now enable homeowners and others to use voice commands to control an even wider array of smart appliances than was previously possible.

Under technology previously deployed by the two companies, Xiaodu smart speakers can be used to control a range of other smart appliances made by Midea, from the kitchen to the furnace in the basement.

With help from Xiaodu products and DuerOS, a voice assistant, homeowners and apartment renters alike can turn on the rice cooker, set the temperature of their refrigerator or start the dishwasher.

In addition, voice commands can also be used to switch on the Midea robo vacuum cleaner, the air conditioner, heat, the washer, water heater, water purifier, gas water heater and kitchen hood, the companies noted in their press release.

Last August, Baidu overtook Google in home assistant sales, taking over second place behind Amazon.

Shorewood Home For Sale Has New Kitchen

SHOREWOOD, WI — Take a look inside a desirable four-bedroom in a great Shorewood neighborhood. This home boasts a remodeled kitchen with granite countertops and new appliances, tons of cabinet space, hardwood floors throughout, grand entryway, new carpet in family room, back up generator, natural fireplace, upstairs laundry.

This home has all the charm of the north shore.

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.

502 Herath Lane, Shorewood, IL 60404 - Residential for sale

Chinese home appliance maker AUX rolls out washable air conditioning unit with removable core

Creating a new environment for indoor health

NINGBO, China, June 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AUX, a Chinese home appliance maker with air conditioner sales ranked among the world's top three for both 2018 and 2019, rolled out a solution on June 1. On that day, AUX formally debuted its washable air conditioner with removable core during its online event themed "keeping your air conditioner's core clean and creating a healthy indoor environment" at which the company's new product lineup was announced.

At the event, Gu Tangtang, Vice President of Home Appliances at AUX, said, "The washable air conditioner is the fruit of AUX Japan R&D Center's two years of research and development. AUX incorporated the concept of 'building blocks' into the air conditioner assembly and leveraged the futuristic technology behind some 1,300 patents to make the core removable and, hence, washable. Disassembling one air conditioner can easily be done by just one person in five easy steps with the entire process being completed in 30 seconds."

AUX Japan R&D Center engineer Yasuaki Miyama added, "AUX has completely overturned the structural design of the air conditioner, breaking away from the entire concept of how a traditional cooling device was designed, by fully deconstructing and re-imagining the entire internal composition of the cooling unit. We finally made a breakthrough in the structure after countless technological iterations with the result being the washable air conditioner with a removable core. The new design has overcome the challenges that air conditioner owners faced when it came to how to wash and clean the unit."

Besides the removable core feature, the new model comes with a wind-free mode and 56 °C high temperature sterilization. AUX has set the sales price for the highly customizable and configurable unit with the highest rating in terms of energy efficiency at 3999 yuan for the 1.5P version, an excellent cost for value when compared with quality products of the same class.

The launch of the new washable air conditioner with removable core will undoubtedly promote the rapid development of the world's HVAC industry and give a much-needed boost to manufacturing in general.

This year, the spread of COVID-19 has forced everyone to think of the importance of maintaining one's respiratory health and the importance of indoor air quality. When using an air conditioner to cool or ventilate a space, keeping the cooling unit clean is a common pain point due to the structural problems associated with traditional equipment. Air conditioner cores, including the air duct, the wind wheel and the tubes that transport the water are all areas where massive amounts of dirt and other pollutants collect. Especially in the cooling unit's core, these are all areas that can easily turn into breeding grounds for germs as well as the source of indoor air pollution, turning the air conditioner into the "invisible killer" that endangers human health.

 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinese-home-appliance-maker-aux-rolls-out-washable-air-conditioning-unit-with-removable-core-301067636.html

SOURCE AUX

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Pros and Cons of Using Reclaimed Wood on Your Next Home Improvement Project

Upcycling, or reusing discarded objects to create a higher quality or more valuable end product, is the new environmentally friendly approach to home renovations and can take many forms, such as salvaging reclaimed wood, repurposing antique appliances, using old windows to make a greenhouse, or repurposing old timber for a mantel.

A growing trend in home renovations is utilizing reclaimed wood as an accent piece or wall, piece of furniture, or decor statement. Before you decide to use reclaimed wood in your next home improvement project, compare the pros and cons of using reclaimed wood to determine if utilizing this sustainable and unique resource is right for you or not.

What is reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood is any wood that has been previously used for other purposes but is no longer usable or needed. It's then deconstructed and repurposed for another project. Sources of reclaimed wood can include barns, homes, ships, boxcars, pallets, railroad ties, bowling alleys, or any other wood structures. New uses for the wood might include flooring, walls, countertops, desks, tables, swings, accent walls or finishes, or any other wood structures.

Pros of using reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood has a worn, almost rugged look that offers something freshly milled lumber just isn't capable of achieving. Every piece is unique, with different cuts, knobs, nail holes, and weathering in each board. Solid wood is a classic and timeless feature that fits with any decor.

There is a sense of history and story behind the wood, which can be very appealing to some homeowners. It could be salvaged from a sailboat that got damaged in a hurricane or from an old barn that was hand-hewn hundreds of years ago. It's certainly something different to talk about when you have guests over for dinner and can offer character to the property.

Most reclaimed wood has already gone through the drying stage and is well cured, making it very strong, with no chance of warping. Much of it was harvested from old-growth forests instead of the young trees harvested in today's times, making the wood itself stronger on that basis alone.

Reclaimed wood really stands out from the environmentally friendly standpoint. Instead of further deforesting the land and disrupting ecosystems, using reclaimed wood allows you to save trees and fossil fuels simply by revitalizing what has already been harvested. Homeowners and homebuilders can even get LEED certification for reusing materials in renovations.

Cons of using reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood, although sustainable, is still a finite resource. With high consumer demand, there have been counterfeit products -- newly cut low-grade timber -- sold as salvage. A Forest Stewardship Council or Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that your dealer is actually selling you authentic reclaimed wood.

In that same vein, high demand typically means high prices. Reclaimed wood can be expensive if you're purchasing through a dealer, which is how most homeowners will likely source their materials. On the flip side, if you're willing to deconstruct yourself and find an owner who's looking to get rid of the structure, you could potentially get it for free.

The character and uniqueness of each salvaged board can also be a negative aspect in its own right. Reclaimed wood boards are typically not standard cuts and can vary greatly in size or shape, which can make construction difficult even for experienced contractors. If you intend on preserving the character, things like knots in the wood or previous damage can make fitting it all together a challenge.

One of the biggest reservations many have about using reclaimed wood is the potential pest issues. If it isn't treated at all, you could wind up with an insect infestation in your home. If it's been treated with anything other than kiln drying, there are likely toxicity issues you could be bringing into your home.

In summary

There are pros as well as cons when using reclaimed wood on your next home-improvement project. If researched and authenticated, many of the negatives can easily be mitigated, although it's still likely to be a costly and time-consuming process. Reclaimed wood has a distinctive character that's hard to beat and can be used for floors, counters, walls, and just about anywhere. The decision is ultimately yours. Make sure to do your research and find a reputable dealer to work with, which will take much of the uncertainty out of the process.

Thoughts on Wooden Countertops - Pros and Cons.

Good Better Best: Cutting Carbon From Home Appliances

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This is the fourth in a series of five articles that help you find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. We consider the main carbon culprits in the average American's lifestyle.

When Americans overcompensated for the shortages during World War II in a burst of post-war spending, an appliance-filled kitchen became a worldwide aspirational symbol of American wealth and consumer culture. Appliances are still major purchases that use a lot of household electricity, and as a result, they are a significant source of Americans' carbon emissions.

Today, those appliances are considered necessities rather than luxury goods. And thanks to pandemic panic, Americans are buying more appliances than ever. If you are considering a new appliance, take a few steps to choose wisely for the planet and your family.

Carbon Footprints

The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a particular activity is known as its carbon footprint. Carbon dioxide emissions are a leading cause of climate change. So carbon footprints can serve as a useful shorthand for environmental impact.

There are many ways to calculate your family's overall carbon footprint, which can be higher or lower depending on the number of people in your household, the size of your house, how much and how you travel, and myriad other decisions you make throughout the year. On average, each American generates 18.55 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. This is 3.5 times the global average of 5.3 tons.

Transportation is the largest component of most household's carbon footprint, followed by the stuff people buy. After that, people's homes contribute the most carbon to the atmosphere: 17 percent through heating and cooling and 15 percent produced by the energy used by everything else in the home.

That 15 percent powers our appliances and electronics, and it is an area where we have lots of room for improvement.

Good

It's always good to start with the easiest changes. Most people have already made the switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Switching to LED light bulbs is just as easy, but more effective.

How you use your appliances can make them more efficient. Turn off the lights – and the TV – when you leave the room. Unplug electronics when you are not using them, too. Vampire power, the energy an appliance uses when it's turned off, adds up. Do you really need the TV to be powered all day long? It's not like the clock was set to the right time anyway.

There are lots of ways to make your refrigerator more efficient, from how you fill it to where you place it. Laundry hacks include running full loads of laundry with cold water and even using tennis balls in the dryer. Turn down your water heater and install low-flow faucets to heat less water.

Smart technologies and some small appliances can help you make your home less wasteful. But most of us have bought appliances we didn't really need. Save money and resources by resisting the urge to buy unnecessary appliances. Will that bread machine, seltzer maker, or electric toothbrush truly make your life easier? Or does it just increase your electricity consumption? Ask yourself these questions when the Best Buy salesperson pitches you on the latest technology.

Better

Start your path to doing better by redefining your ideas about what is "necessary." In Europe and Asia, clothes dryers are considered superfluous. Find eco-friendly ways – like canning and gardening – to boost your food security without putting an extra freezer in your garage. But don't get carried away – a modern, energy-efficient dishwasher can use less water and even less energy from heating water than handwashing dishes.

Buy the most efficient models of whatever you do need. Instead of coffee pods, use a regular coffee maker; instead of a regular coffee maker, consider a French press. Don't forget the energy your electronics use, too. Laptops use less energy than desktop computers, and there are now Energy Star models of most tech devices. There are no truly sustainable electronics yet, but when shopping for routers, smartphones, and stealth electronics, don't forget to consider efficiency and recyclability.

Although new appliances are more efficient than your old ones, manufacturing also generates a lot of carbon dioxides, so before you buy, make sure the efficiencies justify the upgrade.

Best

Even the best among us are unlikely to eschew technology altogether, but if you are willing to make some lifestyle adjustments, switch to low-tech home appliances like foot-powered washing machines, solar cookers, and hand-cranked kitchen tools.

Solar water heating systems are an investment but can slash your home energy use.

For the energy your home still uses, signing up for green energy and purchasing carbon offsets will reduce the impact of the electric power you pull from the grid. And if you're willing to make really big changes, you can achieve net-zero energy use at home by generating your own solar power.

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House of the Week: Billed as ‘home of the future’ this DeWitt Lustron is one of just 2500 ever built

DeWitt, N.Y. — While tidying up her home in anticipation of photographers coming around to shoot it before it went on the market, Diana Brownlie could not help but feel nostalgic.

"What a nifty house," she said to herself when she was finished.

Her home at 121 Manor Drive in DeWitt, near Le Moyne College, is also a unique part of American housing history.

There was a huge demand for new and affordable housing in the United States when American soldiers began coming home at the end of World War II. The demand created a housing shortage.

The Lustron Corporation of Columbus, Ohio, attempted to fill the void with what it called "the house America had been waiting for."

The Lustron was made from porcelain-enameled steel panels, that could be delivered to properties across the country and constructed in just a few days.

The all-metal construction was virtually maintenance free, needed no painting or wallpapering, and featured an open floor plan with built-in appliances and cabinetry.

Their price, size and convenience made them perfect for returning soldiers.

The homes were said to be able to "defy weather, wear, and time."

Diana Brownlie's two-bedroom yellow Lustron, constructed in 1946, is one of just roughly 2,500 which were built before the company declared bankruptcy in 1950.

She admitted she had never heard of them before she came across her future home in 2007 but she appreciated the "good design" of the house.

(Her husband was Alan Brownlie, founder of Skaneateles' Brownlie Design, so she has experience in what she is talking about.)

She says the Lustron is "very accessible" and extremely easy to clean and maintain.

The home makes good and efficient use of its relatively small space with built-in storage, shelving, and closets so that it never "feels cramped."

The open concept allows for "great flow" between the spacious front living room into the dining room and galley-style kitchen.

"It is very easy to use and clean," she says, "and has virtually no dust."

Solidly built, the Lustron easily stands up to whatever weather Central New York has to offer.

"I've never been cold there," Brownlie said, adding that it is "surprisingly cool" in the summer.

She calls the property's private, fenced-in backyard, with its trees, garden, and man-made pond with fountain, her "sanctuary."

Her dozen or so years living in the Lustron has "pleased me to no end," she said, but admits that the time has to come to sell.

Brownlie says the house would be great for a young person just starting out or an empty-nester.

Or anyone interested in owning an authentic piece of American history.

For more information about this home, please contact realtor Shauna Teelin of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Her contact information is below.

THE DETAILS

Address: 121 Manor Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13214

Price: $89,900

Size: 978 square feet

Acreage: 7,500 square feet

Monthly Mortgage: $325 (based on this week's national average rate of 3.54%, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20% down payment. Fees and points not included.)

Taxes: $1,126 (Based on assessed value of $55,000)

Built: 1946

School District: Syracuse

Kitchen: The "galley-style" kitchen has "perfect convenience." Everything is right at your fingertips and yet "never feels cramped." Appliances include an electric stove and a dishwasher. There is ample storage in the kitchen and is there is a convenient pantry/laundry room just off it. Serving and clean-up is "very simple."

Living areas: This original Lustron home is solid and built to withstand the test of time. It is great for anyone looking for "one-level living." Visitors enter the home at the spacious living room. The home features built-in sliding doors in the walls for storage and pocket doors throughout. Owner says there are no "thresholds or bumps" and is wheelchair accessible. The dining room offers views of the backyard.

Bedrooms: There are two bedrooms in the house. The master bedroom is very large and has a his-and-her vanity with mirror. There are three sliding door closets with built-in shelving and several storage units built into the walls. There is a large picture window with cloth accordion-style blinds.

Bathrooms: There is one bathroom in the house.

Outdoors: The large backyard is private and with six-foot high fencing, is both dog-proof and deer proof. The yard is framed by mature trees and plantings. The owner is proud of her garden and calls the space a "sanctuary." It includes a man-made pond and fountain and is home to frogs and toads. There is a storage shed. The front porch has a privacy fence. Owner says the home is located in a "friendly" neighborhood and is close to "all conveniences."

Agent: Shauna Teelin

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Address: 7840 Oswego Road, Liverpool, N.Y. 13090

Phone: (315) 506-3369

Email: shaunateelin@howardhanna.com

Website: shaunateelin.howardhanna.com

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If you know of a beautiful or interesting house currently up for sale, please consider sending a nomination for it to be featured as a future House of the Week. Send an email with the listing to home@syracuse.com.

Do you know of any older homes in Central New York which have fallen on hard times but have a lot of potential should they be restored to their original grandeur? A fixer-upper with a lot of potential? Consider nominating them to our new feature, "Save this Home," in which we will spotlight grand houses of the past around Central New York that need to be saved. Send nominations to home@syracuse.com.

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