If you’re looking for ways to save energy on your household bills, consider installing smart devices in your home. There are many ways to do this, from installing Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detectors to installing Smart Thermostats and Light Bulbs. Smart devices also let you manage your connected devices, like your lights, thermostat, and water heater. Learn more about these devices in this article!

Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detectors

Water can tell a story and leak detectors can alert you to this. Some are Bluetooth enabled and even have built-in LED lights. If a leak is detected, the detector will send an alert to your smartphone. Other types can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi system. If you’re unsure which kind of device is right for your home, check out the Honeywell Home App.

Smart water leak and freeze detectors can alert you to leaks and freezing pipes before they cause costly damage. They can detect leaks in pipes around sinks and hot water tanks and alert you remotely. They can even shut off your water supply when you’re not home to prevent wasteful water from running. Smart water leak detectors also detect temperature changes, which means you’ll save money by cutting down on water consumption.

These devices are one of the most affordable ways to protect your home from a leak. The device is placed around the leak. The water should make contact with it in order for the detector to send you an alert. Some devices will set off an alarm when a leak is detected, and others will turn off your water supply if it senses too much humidity. These devices may also detect when your pipes freeze, and shut them off automatically.

Smart Thermostats

Most homeowners can save as much as 10% on their energy bills by setting their thermostats seven to ten degrees lower. They can also reduce their air conditioning or heat usage during the day and lower their temperatures at night. But even if you are not a fan of making changes to your home’s temperature often, you can use a smart thermostat to keep your house temperature at a more comfortable level. These devices help you save money by automatically setting the temperature and remembering when to adjust it.

While it is true that smart thermostats can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling, the actual savings vary by model and home size. Some of the top-rated models cost more than $150. Some electricity providers offer instant rebates to encourage consumers to switch to these thermostats. One company, Ecobee, has an online rebate search tool. For more information, visit ecobee.com. It will show you if you qualify for a rebate.

Smart Light Bulbs

The installation of smart light bulbs in your home is relatively inexpensive, but you should be aware of the fact that they are vampire devices. They consume very little power when they are off, but they must be constantly connected to a Wi-Fi network or Wi-Fi router to stay on. In fact, the bulbs require less than one milliwatt hour of power per year. As such, your energy bill will be virtually non-existent.

Many smart-lighting options are equipped with motion-detection features, which automatically turn on the lights when someone enters a room. Some even send alerts to your smartphone when someone enters a room. These devices can be programmed to turn on and off based on schedules and the time of day. You can even set timers to control when they turn on and off automatically.

One of the biggest advantages of smart light bulbs is that they can be easily installed. They come individually or in 2-packs. For the installation process, you need to use a smart home hub such as the Wink or SmartThings hub. For voice control, the Sengled app is intuitive and provides detailed energy reports. The device is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. Its user interface makes it easy to use, and the app helps you save energy and money.

Smart Plugs

With the rise of smart appliances, energy-efficient plugs can help you save on your monthly electric bill. By installing smart plugs in your home, you can set your appliances to turn off when they are not in use. Smart plugs can be installed anywhere in your home, including your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and even your garage. These plugs will control appliances from your smartphone, making them energy-efficient, and will cut your energy consumption by up to 30 percent.

The convenience of using smart plugs is hard to beat. They allow you to remotely turn off and on your appliances, and you can monitor your energy consumption from any location in the world. Smart plugs will even alert you when energy use has exceeded certain thresholds. That way, you can take immediate action to minimize energy waste. Smart plugs can also be programmed to save energy for your smart home. Moreover, they are compatible with most popular voice control systems, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to switch off appliances. cotswolds

Smart Appliances

With a smart home, you can take advantage of a variety of energy-saving appliances, including lighting and window blinds. With these appliances, you can automate everyday tasks such as heating food, changing the temperature in your home, and turning on music devices. By making your appliances smarter, you can reduce your energy consumption and cut your monthly bills. And these appliances are easy to install, so you can start saving money immediately.

These appliances also help you monitor energy consumption and provide useful insights. For example, they can show how much energy is used by different appliances, and compare their consumption to that of nearby houses. Smart energy monitors can even give you suggestions on how to change settings to save energy. The technology can even give you remote control capabilities so that you can easily adjust the settings of appliances to save energy. Smart energy monitors are an essential part of your smart home.

These appliances can be controlled from a smartphone app. You can program when appliances will turn on and off remotely, and see total energy use. These devices can also be linked to your security system. This way, you can monitor the energy use of your smart appliances without worrying about their safety. The energy-savings of smart appliances can be substantial. The advantages of smart appliances are numerous. You can reduce energy bills by up to 30%.

Smart Home Security Systems

With a smart home security system, you can save energy and money while ensuring your home is safe and secure. These systems can be combined with other home automation features to help you save money and energy. Some of these smart home features include a mobile app that lets you view live or recorded video, smart video doorbells, and sprinkler systems. Smart security features can even integrate with smart plugs and thermostats to help you weatherize your home.

Besides saving money on energy bills, smart home security systems are also a way to reduce environmental hazards and mitigate theft. One example is automated temperature control, which can reduce energy bills significantly. Programmable thermostats can help you save as much as $180 per year by automatically adjusting the temperature of your home when you are not home. Many smart home security systems also allow you to manage these devices from a remote location. This way, you can adjust the thermostat for optimal comfort, turn off the lights, and lock the doors while you’re away.

Smart Sprinkler Systems

A smart sprinkler system can reduce water consumption by thousands of gallons each year and save a homeowner hundreds of dollars annually. Cyber Rain smart irrigation systems are customizable for any yard and can be controlled remotely using any Internet-connected device. Cyber Rain automatically adjusts the schedule to conserve the earth’s precious water resource by sensing when it’s raining. Users report an average reduction of 35 percent in water usage each year.

With smart irrigation, water waste is reduced to nearly zero. Sprinkler systems that automatically adjust to the weather conditions automatically set the perfect watering schedule. They can even be programmed to water your lawn before or after sunrise. Another great feature is the ability to monitor soil moisture and adjust schedules based on it. A smart faucet controller, for example, can be programmed to turn on or off when it’s time to water your lawn. aerialrepairs

Smart sprinkler systems can also reduce your energy bill by automating the irrigation system. Smart sprinklers can handle multiple irrigation zones and automatically compensate for changes in weather and soil moisture levels. Smart sprinklers can save an average of $150 per year on water bills. Moreover, you can build your own smart sprinkler system with the help of Arduino. Smart sprinkler systems can be very helpful for a smart home.

Smart Garage Door Opener

A smart garage door opener will help you save energy and money on your home’s energy bill by telling you when the garage door is closed and open. These smart devices are often integrated with smartphone applications, and can also be operated remotely. Most models come with battery backups, so they can continue to operate even when the power goes out. They also provide an extra layer of security, such as alerting you when the door is left open.

Some smart garage door systems can be added to your existing garage door. They are available in the market and will connect to your home Wi-Fi network through a hub. To use the smart garage door opener, you’ll need a smartphone with the same network ID and password as your home Wi-Fi. Smart garage door openers can be compatible with some brands of garage doors. They can also work with safety sensors in the garage.

Hometown Heroes Program

MUNCIE, IN—Woof Boom Radio and 104.1 HD1 WLBC take our role seriously as partners to those in the cities and towns we serve.  WLBC continues to assist some remarkable organizations in making a difference in our community with the WLBC Hometown Heroes Grant Program. Learn more by visiting hometownheroesprogram.org.

For consideration, the organization or cause must be one of the following:

• A 501c3 (or other designated not-for-profit organization) and can provide documentation
• An educational, government, or city agency
• In an emergency, crisis situation
• An event that is free and open to the public

Those requests that address improving issues related to health, education, and economic development will receive special consideration.  We also look to support programs or initiatives that address a specific social condition and have a plan that can accomplish stated objectives.

As a locally owned business committed to using our resources judiciously to give back to the community, we ask those groups seeking our support to help us determine how best to dedicate our efforts.  Each month one community organization will be the recipient of this grant.  Find out more information by visiting hometownheroesprogram.org.

This is not a cash grant but rather the commitment of WLBC resources – the station with a coverage area that reaches nearly one and a half million people. We can only award a select number of grants each year. Those organizations awarded a WLBC Hometown Heroes Grant will receive the most significant commitment of our resources. For the worthwhile causes that do not receive a grant, we will frequently support their efforts by providing access to our community calendar and announcements.

What’s is an Unlocked Phone anyway?

Unlocking your Phone could be a matter of a variety of things.
SIM unlocking your Phone helps you to get rid the network limitations on your Phone.

Carriers tend to network lock your Phone to help ensure that any device discounts or subsidies they give you at the time of purchase are recovered.

With a SIM unlocked Phone, you can put a SIM card from any carrier that uses the network bands that your phone hardware supports and easily switch between service providers.

Reasons Why You Can Unlock Your Phone:

You bought a second hand phone and it’s locked:

It won’t work on the carrier that you want to use it with. Buying second-hand phones is a perfect way to save money on a new product. Many that keep up with the latest and greatest choices also sell their gently used gadgets at a great price. But if you don’t use the same carrier as the seller, you could be in trouble. Unlocking your Phone will allow you to use it with the supported carrier of your choice!

You’re trying to switch carriers:

If the Phone you use comes with a contract, there is a high probability that the provider may have locked it to their network. If you’re looking for a better service or a cheaper service plan, you’re likely to need to unlock it before switching to a different mobile service provider.

You want to save money while you’re traveling abroad: 

While several carriers sell international call plans and roaming packages,few can compete with pre-paid SIM rates. Unlocking your Phone will allow you to pick up a SIM at your destination and enjoy calling and checking your emails without thinking about a stunning bill when you get home.

Now that your bill is paid, you want complete access to the phone. When you have finished your service agreement with your carrier and you paid for your Phone, so you should be able to use it as you wish. Unlocking it will now provide you with these additional options.

You’re trying to boost resale value:

Unlocking your Phone before selling it is an easy way to raise your Phone’s asking price. Taking a few minutes to get through the unlock process, not only saves the customer the trouble of doing it themselves, but also opens the pool of potential customers to every carrier that your phone supports. On top of all that, it will be easier to sell it and you’ll get a more money.

What you’ll need to start the unlocking process:

Irrespective of the method you want to unlock your Phone, there is a fair probability that you will need one piece of information.
For GSM phones,the IMEI is the specific ID number linked to your computer that you will need to unlock.
The MEID serves the same function for CDMA phones.  They’re both used in similar ways.

How ot find the IMEI number:

Dial the IMEI display code: The IMEI / MEID will be displayed on most mobile devices by launching the dialer and entering “* # 06 #.”

Check Device Settings: On Apple Devices,tap Settings- > General- > About- > IMEI / MEID will show the details.
On Android devices,tap Settings- > About Phone- > Status will do the same thing. You might need to scroll around to find the details.

Check the back of the handset: one of the many iPhone models, the IMEI / MEID is displayed in a small print on the back of the Phone.

Check the SIM tray: Some manufacturers are printing the IMEI / MEID on the tray that you insert into the SIM slot of the handset.

Check under the battery: If your Phone has a removable battery,you could find the IMEI / MEID on the sticker underneath.Check the original packaging: if you keep the original package on your computer,there is usually a label on the outside that contains your IMEI / MEID.

How to Unlock your phone from the carrier?

Unlocking your Phone is not as difficult as it might sound. Current US laws make it fully legal to unlock your Phone.

In most cases,your carrier will make a fast phone call for you free of charge. However,most of them require:
Your account will be in good standing at the time of the unlock order.Any outstanding balances or terms of your service contract shall be met in full.The Phone is from the carrier you contact to unlock.The military deployment is an exception to this. A number of carriers can unlock a phone with evidence of deployment.
Some carriers may allow you to temporarily unlock your Phone for the duration of your trip if you intend to travel abroad.
Most would, however, recommend an international roaming plan instead.

If you bought the Phone from a flea market or from a classified site or even on eBay, it might pose problems when it comes to unlocking.
Some carriers won’t even help to unlock your Phone unless you’ve had an account with them in the past.
But don’t worry, you can still use third-party unlocking services. If this is the case then we recommend the following service www.safeunlockcode.com/es

Most prepaid providers and MNVOs (Boost Mobile,Cricket,MetroPCS,etc.) adhere to the unlocking policy of the network service provider.
When enabled,many prepaid customers will require a defined period of service between 90 days and 12 months before the sim card slot is unlocked for other carriers.

There are a few things you’ll want to find before we get started.

Most carriers would like most or all of this information to start the unlocking process:

• The name of the account holder on your PhoneSafety password of the account holder

• Your phone number is on your account

• The IMEI of your phone

With the above information you should be able to contact your carrier to have your phone unlocked.

Good luck!