The Fun Times Guide > Home Building/Remodeling > cutting edge

Stream Movies and More To Your TV via Power-line Networking

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I wanted to stream Netflix movies to our new flat-panel TV. I thought I had it all figured out until I had a conversation in November 2010 with an experienced tech geek that worked in the Best Buy home theater department that suggested I go with power-line networking rather than Wi-Fi. I had already purchased the flat-panel TV with all of the needed inputs, and then some, and thought all I needed to do was buy a Blu-Ray (BD) player with built-in Wi-Fi and I would be good to go. Technically, I … [Read more...]

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Take A Virtual Tour Of The 2011 Net-Zero Concept Home

Are you interested in learning all you can about building a net-zero home? Are about to embark on a home building project of your own and you've come to realize that it would be a very wise move to reduce your carbon footprint by building a home that is an energy miser.There is a very cool, virtual tool available to you that can give you a jump start in your quest to build your next home.Builder magazine, KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia combined forces to put together a net-zero home … [Read more...]

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Prodigy Home Automation Controller Puts You In Control

My 15-year-old son and I have been out Christmas shopping the past couple of weekends and had a blast. The coolest item that we came across was a home automation controller used for home theater rooms and more. More on that in a bit. We spent about 7 full hours browsing over the course of both days. Q: How many presents (for other people) did we buy, in total, on both trips? A: Absolutely zero   … [Read more...]

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SawStop Table Saw: A Finger-Saving Breakthrough In Woodworking Tool Technology

There is a table saw (cabinet saw) on the market that is revolutionizing the industry. Why? Because it has a finger-saving technology that is amazing and ingenius. You may not have heard of it before but it is the table saw that all of those single-digit...digit shop teachers should have had all along.photo via sfslim on flickrWhen I first heard about the SawStop table saw from a friend of mine, and then watched the video of how it works (a.k.a. the hot dog test), I felt compelled to spread the … [Read more...]

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FlatWire Gives DIYer’s A Novel Solution To Hide Sconce Wiring

We saw this really cool product on television the other day. It was among the Top 18 Products - Popular Mechanic's Editor Choice Awards at the 2009 Consumer's Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year. It's a product called FlatWire . We could have used this product a few years ago as a solution to put a pair of sconces on our wall without the "hide the wire encased in a decorative metal bar that extends vertically down the wall" solution. I thought I should take a look at … [Read more...]

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Big Ass Fans Keep You Cool and Comfortable

"Now that's a Big Ass Fan!" That's what you're likely to say when you walk into a room that has one of these fans installed, which is appropriate since the name of the company that makes the world's largest fans is Big Ass Fans. No joke!Big Ass Fans (Lexington, KY) makes the world's largest fans for industrial, commercial and residential use. They take their fans seriously, but not themselves so much. How could you not have a good sense of humor and name your company...well...The Big … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Green Homebuilding, Home & Garden Tagged With: , , ,

Considerations Regarding Magnetic Induction Cooktops

I've never personally seen an induction cooktop until just recently while at the 2008 Fall Atlanta Home Show. Induction cooktops are very expensive (approx. $3,600-$4,000+ for Viking brand 6 coil units, as pictured on the right), but they have an unmistakable cool factor to them, not to mention the technology involved is cutting edge and they are highly energy efficient cooking appliances.The induction cooktop I saw was made by Viking but the induction coils are made for Viking by a company … [Read more...]

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Ultra-High Tech Refrigerated Wall Oven is a Marvel of Engineering

Imagine a wall oven that refrigerates your prepared entree inside of the oven during the day until you begin the cooking process via your internet browser from anywhere in the world (but just close enough to be home for dinner). Now that's cutting edge! It's not just state-of-the-art stuff...it's award-winning state-of-the-art stuff...many times over. Imagine having to login to your oven to prepare the evening feast. Then you get...'Did you forget your password?' 'Please … [Read more...]

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HGTV 2008 Green Home Has Plenty To Crow About

HGTV recently gave away a multi-million dollar dream home in Islamorada, FL and now they're giving away their very first eco-friendly Green Home located in Bluffton, SC near Hilton Head Island. My persistent daily entries DID NOT pay off for the Islamorada giveaway but maybe they will for this one. It won't hurt to try and it would be well worth the effort. I must admit...I admire much of what HGTV does. And why wouldn't I? They provide an abundance of informative programs and … [Read more...]

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Mellow Mushroom In Knoxville Goes Solar

This post veers a little to the left away from homebuilding towards a commercial retailer but that's alright with me. Why? Because it has to do with solar energy being harnessed by Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers in Knoxville and any homeowner with a south-southwest roof line that's clear of trees can harness the sun's rays, too. I was reading Lynnette's pizza post over on sister site The Fun Times Guide To Franklin/Nashville (TN). On a whim I spent a few minutes looking into the Mellow Mushroom … [Read more...]

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