This February has brought with it record-high snow falls and nearly record low temperatures for much of the Midwest and beyond. The Polar Vortex takes a toll on your home, and even your wellness.

In speaking with our area HVAC installers, they report that the recent frigid temperatures and piles of snow have put an enormous amount of strain on heating and ventilation equipment.

“As a result of furnaces working double time – literally, doubling the amount of heating hours this winter compared to average – we’ve received an unprecedented number of service calls relating to frozen pipes and furnaces not working,” said Scott Sherk, Co-Owner of Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical based in St. Cloud, Minn.

To get through the next month(s) of winter, consider a few of these high- and low-tech tips for improving your home’s comfort, and your own well-being.

Check your equipment

1. Change your furnace filter. Experts recommend we should be changing these at least once a month during these high-demand times.
2. Schedule a furnace tune up. Sherk will be proactively reaching out to its customers for discounted furnace tune-up to ensure the furnace can meet the demand next fall/winter (i.e., ignitors and flame sensors working properly).
3. Check the Humidification levels. Cold air has less moisture in it than warm air, which is why our skin tends to be drier and itchier in the colder months. When your HVAC contractor is tuning up your furnace, ask them to check the humidification systems as well. This will help ensure your home is comfortable and will prevent wood floors from drying and cracking, and will prevent general discomfort from the dry air.
4. Keep care of the roof. A winter roof can tell a lot about a home’s ventilation. To avoid ice dams and water damage when the snow melts, rake it off, if possible. Speak with your contractor or HVAC installer to determine if you have proper amounts of ventilation and installation for your home.

Stock up on Smart Home Solutions

1. Add smart lighting to your home. Caseta by Lutron or Phillips Hue offer light that can be customized based on the time of day. It’s recommended that exposure to bright light in the morning can help keep your circadian rhythms in check and it also helps address seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
2. Winter is a season for safety. States like Minnesota see an increase in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in Dec-Feb. To ensure peace of mind, ensure your home has several CO detectors placed throughout your home – or better yet, consider combination smoke/CO detectors.
3. Get Smart about your comfort. Smart thermostats have increased in popularity since they provide energy savings when homeowners are away, and comfort when they are home. Our latest smart thermostat delivers the right temperature to the right room at the right time.

Fuel the Body

Ride on. I’m a big fan of using my Peloton bike – especially during the winter! I can even use the new T10 PRO Smart Thermostat to deliver ideal temperature to my home ‘gym’ when I start my ride, and ensures that room doesn’t get overly humid.
When the weather gives us a break, walk outside. Studies suggest spending time in nature to clear your mind and soak in some Vitamin D from sunlight can improve mood. Fresh air is also important to improve your overall mental and physical health.
Ensure your home is getting enough light. Open the blinds or even remove your screens to allow more sunlight into your home. Here in Minnesota we (actually) get a lot of sunlight along with all the snow!

10 REASONS SMART HOME SECURITY IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR FAMILY

Choosing a home security system for your family is no easy task. These days, there are so many options out there—how will you know which one is the best to protect what is most precious to you? Here are the top ten things you should consider when choosing your own smart home security system:

1. Go beyond the doorbell.

Sure, some smart home technology shows you who’s at the door—which is great when you want to pretend you’re not home if the nosy neighbor comes over to “borrow some sugar,” or when you just don’t want to have to explain to a Girl Scout that you can’t be trusted to have boxes of cookies in your home—but knowing who’s coming and going can help put your mind at ease.

2. No installation appointment necessary.

DIY security systems are simple and easy to install on your own, so it’s one less “two-hour window” of your life you have to block off. The best part is it’s completely wireless, so no cords to trip over or worry about your toddler getting into.

3. Take out the guesswork.

How often do you find yourself wondering if the kids are actually doing their chores? With cameras, you can check in and see if your kids are completing their to-do list or instead playing another game on the iPad.

4. …And if they aren’t doing their chores, some systems even offer two-way audio, so you can let them know that it’s time to clean their rooms—NOW.

5. Get hands-free control.

Now, some home security apps even offer facial recognition, where a family member or trusted friend (say, dog walker) can be recognized immediately once they enter your house, and the system will notify you and disarm. You can even add voice assistants like Amazon Alexa to recognize voice commands, so you have a truly hands-free security system.

6. Rest easy.

Some smart security options have advanced sound analytics that can detect a baby’s cry, so you can use it to monitor the nursery. Now, if it could only interpret the crying…

7. Easily monitor your home.

With some systems’ smartphone apps, you’re alerted right away if someone has entered your home unexpectedly—and with some base stations containing a camera, you can plug and play whenever and wherever you need it.

8. Night vision isn’t just for spies.

Night vision is a valuable feature, so if you hear something go bump in the night, you can easily check what’s going on right away on your smartphone app.

9. Home security at an affordable price.

Most traditional security setups come with a lofty price and a monthly contract. DIY security systems are designed to be affordable and expandable, so just like your family, you can start small and expand if you want to.

10. Easy to use.

Anyone who can use a smartphone will be able to figure out most DIY smart home technology, which means it’s easy for the whole family to use. No codes to remember and no panicking when you forget them—just a straightforward home security system to simplify your life and give you peace of mind so you can worry about the things that really matter, like what to make for dinner or when the next season of your favorite show is coming out. With Honeywell’s Smart Home Security system, you get all of these features plus the added benefits of Amazon Alexa integration, a base station camera with 30-minute backup battery capabilities, and facial recognition for peace of mind. Honeywell also offers expanded video storage subscriptions, so you can be sure that all your video clips are kept secure and easily accessible in the cloud. Stay equipped with Honeywell Smart Home Security.

These days everything is smart and connected – our phones, our homes and our cars. With just a few simple voice commands or clicks of an app, you can check the weather, sports, traffic and your personal calendar of events. Yet with all of that data at our fingertips, approximately 75% of U.S. broadband households don’t know what is happening with their most important investment – their home.

According to PARKS Associates research, approximately 22% of broadband households have a professionally monitored security system, while roughly 2% of broadband households have a self-monitored security system.

During the past month, our Cheddar @ Home partners have highlighted several of Resideo’s professional and DIY home security solutions, and our product experts discussed future advancements within the industry and how you can begin to integrate some of these new home security features into your own home. With these systems, you can keep a close eye on your house whether you sought the help of a professional or installed it yourself. So how do you know which type of solution is right for you?

A ‘Do it for Me’ Solution

One of the confusion points with smart-home technology is that there’s so much of it. You could fill your entire house with smart devices from several different companies…and it can be hard to find options that work together and are compatible with each other. A professional home automation and security dealer can design an entire system that helps provide peace of mind and incorporates other benefits to simplify and enhance your daily life. For example, not only can a professionally monitored solution detect the sound of a smoke alarm or identify when an intruder is trying to break in, but it can help automate your lights, locks and create “scenes” for when you go to bed at night. It will even alert you if you leave your garage door open when you’ve left for the office.

A professionally monitored system can also help save your life. Resideo’s new SiXCOMBO functions as a monitored smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, and includes a one-go-all-go feature. For example, if a sensor in the basement detects smoke, heat or carbon monoxide, it will sound all of the home’s sensors/alarms, alerting your family so they can get out fast. At the same time, the monitoring center is notified and contacts first responders quickly to minimize damage.

A ‘Do it Yourself’ Solution

A self-monitored smart home security system includes wireless sensors and cameras, all linked to an app that you can monitor yourself. This may be a great option if you’re renting a home or just beginning to explore smart home solutions.

Honeywell Home™ Smart Home Security

Resideo offers a self-installed and self-monitored awareness system that integrates with all popular smart-home ecosystems, and even has Alexa integrated in the camera base. The system also is compatible with a variety of Resideo’s Honeywell Home™ security cameras.

In the age of smartphones, it can be tough to keep up with every new feature and app. Resideo’s professional and self-monitored solutions – and network of independent professional installers – help offer peace of mind, so you can spend more time with your loved ones.