Reduce Your Reliance on the Power Grid with an Eco-Friendly Home

A study conducted in Utah in 2021 found that the state’s power grid may not have the reserve capacity to keep the lights and air conditioners on in an extended heat wave. According to Jeff Bousson, the climate program manager for Clean Energy Utah, extreme heat is the number one cause of death due to climate change, and now is the time to prepare.

The good news is that green energy is on the rise, and smart homes in Salt Lake City, UT, can take advantage of this. A power management system can sustain homes in the event of a power outage and help homeowners manage their day-to-day use of energy. According to Bosch, a technology company, up to 70% of a smart home’s energy demand can be met with these systems in a four-person household.

Let’s look at why we need these systems now and how they work. 

The Latest Technology Brings Better Content and AV Performance

It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time when home theater sound was mono, coming from one single space, a flat and narrow reproduction of sound. Dolby Stereo broke through the ranks with the release of Star Wars in 1977 but didn't make it into home theaters until almost a decade later. At the same time, cutting-edge technology consisted of 19-inch high-resolution color TVs.

Times have certainly changed. Today, we have 4K and 8K screen resolutions and 4K HDR laser projectors. The first 4K Blu-ray discs came out in 2016, and our home theater receivers can now handle side, rear, front, and overhead speakers plus subwoofers, delivering truly immersive audio. In 2022, many home theaters surpass the best movie theaters in town. 

Technology continues to advance. Let’s look at the latest trends and how home theater installations have changed in Salt Lake City, UT in recent years. 

Natural and Full Spectrum Tunable Lighting Creates the Perfect Environment

It’s been over 140 years since Thomas Edison perfected the incandescent light bulb, a form of lighting that’s still used in an estimated three-fourths of all light sockets in homes in America. This technology has enhanced our lives in unimaginable ways, creating a 24/7 lifestyle that enables us to work and play long into the evenings.

Today, however, there's increasing evidence suggesting our significant exposure to artificial light affects our health. Circadian rhythms, our body’s 24-hour internal time clocks which affect our mind, body, and behaviors, are to a large degree, influenced by light and darkness. When sunlight enters our eyes in the morning, it prompts the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to happiness and well-being. When night descends, our bodies produce melatonin, the hormone that readies us for sleep. When this cycle is disrupted, sleep and mood disorders, weight gain, and a challenged immune system may result. 

So, what does this have to do with lighting design in your Salt Lake City, UT, home? Everything.

The Combined Power of Home Automation and Energy Management Reduces a Home’s Carbon Footprint

With growing concerns for our environment, including climate change and carbon emissions, renewable and sustainable energy solutions have become increasingly important. One of the emerging areas of research and development is using renewable energy sources in smart homes through a power management system. These home energy management systems enable you to live a luxurious lifestyle while reducing your carbon footprint.

Let’s look at what these systems offer and how they’re reducing power consumption and increasing the use of green energy for homeowners in Park City, UT. 

Check Out High-Quality Downlights from DMF Lighting

When you think of "lighting design," what comes to mind? Typically, customers say they consider fancy chandeliers, custom pendant lights, or staged nighttime landscapes to be lighting design elements. Would you be surprised that downlights are great ways to add interest to your home's interior lighting design? 

For those homeowners wanting clean lines and flexibility in their lighting design, modular downlights from DMF Lighting are great options. Not only are they great for large spaces, but they also provide focused attention to specific features of your home.

Continue reading for three reasons to consider adding downlights to your Park City, UT home lighting design.

Remodeling Is a Perfect Time to Consider Implementing Whole Home Automation

We’ve shared the latest advancements in whole home automation and how it can dramatically change you and your family’s daily life in Park City, UT. Here, we're addressing some of our client's initial concerns. For example, some get excited about this level of luxury living but are skeptical about implementing a home automation system after their home's built. Their questions often revolve around prior investments in conventional home fittings and concerns about the possible disruption when cabling is routed through existing walls and ceilings. 

Fortunately, home automation can easily be integrated into existing structures. Let’s look at the process.