Forget ‘Smart Homes’-You Need a ‘Smart Office’

Smart homes are all the rage these days. You can control your home’s temperature, lighting, and even monitor it remotely. So this brings up the question-why does your office get left behind? The answer is that this doesn’t need to be the case. Using this technology for your office instead to create a ‘smart office’ can lower your stress and really save you time and money to boot. Here are a few ideas to achieve a smart office and how it can help you in the long run.

Smart Lights

Energy management is a huge thing these days and saving on electricity costs through lights is a great way to get it done. Smart lights have the ability to change lighting conditions based on what’s currently happening in the building. If there’s no one there then they will shut off. If someone is walking along a hallway when it’s dark, the lights can shut on and off in sequences as they move along the hallway so it uses only the light that you really need.

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Perceptions of Electric Cars

Based on the results of an Indiana University study, American drivers don’t understand electric cars and base most of their judgments about plug-in vehicles on preconceived and faulty notions. This lack of awareness could hinder the auto industry’s push to produce more electric and hybrid vehicles.

The study, run by Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, surveyed 2,300 adult drivers in 21 different U.S. cities. Misconceptions about price and mileage were most common.

Price Perceptions

Ask a car enthusiast about the price of 1986 Mustang parts, and he or she can probably give you an accurate response. Ask the same person about the cost of electric cars, and they’ll often be way off the mark.

People understand electric cars are more expensive than gas-powered vehicles, but they don’t realize the difference can be expressed in thousands of dollars. Instead, they expect to pay a few hundred dollars more for a plug-in car. So when people go shopping for electric cars, they’re shocked by the extra cost, which makes gas-powered vehicles seem more attractive.

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Natural Home: How to Incorporate More Earth into Your Life

By incorporating natural elements into your living space, you can create an environment that is relaxing to you and your family. Small changes to your decor can add ambiance and character to your home.

Bringing the outdoors in can be done on a large or small scale, and can be suited to any budget.

Earth-Toned Color Scheme
An easy way to create a warm and inviting home is to choose an earth-toned color scheme. Because earth tones complement one another, you do not have to choose a single shade for your living space.

If you are choosing an earth tone for your walls, consider the size of the room. Lighter tans, grays, and greens suit a small room well, while deeper shades work better for larger rooms.

You can create definition in a space by choosing a light tone and a dark tone. By using two complementary tones together, you will prevent your living space from looking drab.

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