I am very envious of my brother’s new home. My older brother, Mark, has a really great job and he makes a ton of money. He recently built a home from the ground up, and he spared no expense. The house is over three thousand square feet and it’s outfitted with every modern luxury. He installed a home automation system which links all of the appliances and essential systems to a single control. Through his smartphone, he has access to the door locks, lighting, security cameras, sound system, washer, dryer and a smart thermostat. The smart thermostat includes voice control, learning capability and sensors in each room. After installation, the thermostat built a program according to Mark’s typical schedule. It then began to adjust automatically, conserving energy while he’s at work, yet welcoming him home to perfect temperature. Plus, the sensors in each room know when the space is occupied. Because my brother’s smartphone is linked to the sensors, the thermostat knows if he heads home earlier than usual. The home is equipped with a forced air furnace and central cooling system with zone control. There is a separate thermostat in each room which allows customized settings. It’s no problem to keep the living room warmer than the kitchen. And, if Mark is unhappy with the temperature, he can simply tell the thermostat to make a change. He can even ask the thermostat to provide the current indoor temperature or weather forecast. He further gets an alert if there’s a power outage, problem with the HVAC system, or sudden temperature fluctuation. Not only is his home way more comfortable than mine, he pays far less every month on his energy bills.