When you leave your house to go to work or out with friends, there’s always that worry in the back of your head of leaving your door or windows unlocked. Maybe you forgot to turn a few lights on or off when you left or perhaps you left your straightener on and forgot about it. Thanks to the technological advancements with smartphones, you can easily control devices in your home with just a touch of a button or a swipe of the finger. If you are worried about doors being left unlocked or lights not turning off, all you have to do is check the settings for your home via your smartphone. Put your worries at ease with installing smart controls to automate your home.

If you are not sure about installing smart controls for home automation, check out these benefits they can provide:

Security Camera Access

We love our pets and we hate leaving them by themselves when we have to leave. Having home automation updates installed will give you access to camera feeds for your home. If you are worried about your pets, kids or house being broken into, you can check the status of your home through your smartphone. Security cameras can protect your family by recording clips when detecting movement or at specific times of the day or night.

Easy Temperature Adjustment

It’s easy to forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for work. When you come back home, it can be too hot or too cold and you end up waiting for the temperature to adjust in an uncomfortable home.  With a home automation system, you can adjust the thermostat a few hours before heading home. This also saves on money and energy and gives you a nice welcome after returning from a hard day’s work.

Provides Security with Automated Door Locks

This is one of the greatest benefits of an automated home system. Automated door locks help keep your home safe while you are not there. If you forgot to lock your doors while you headed to work, you can have the convenience of locking them via your smartphone. This is also a great benefit if your kids are home alone. Making sure the doors are locked while you are away is an added comfort for them and gives you peace of mind.

Saves You Money

A home automation system can help save you money in the long run. You will see your monthly utility bill decrease as a result of having control over household appliances left on in your family’s absence. The convenience of an automated home system can give you complete control and help you cut back on unnecessary costs as well as benefit the environment around you.

There are many benefits to having an automated home system installed. All of these benefits include two common factors: safety and security. You get peace of mind knowing that you can check on your home and family from the convenience of a smartphone. An automated home system lets you be in control of your home and saves you money on utility bills as well.

Our Top 3 Home Security Cameras

Many people believe that the only time they need to call an electrician is when something is wrong in their home. That’s not true! There are a number of quick and easy jobs you can call an electrician for that can make you more comfortable and make your home safer and more efficient—changes you can make without breaking the bank!

Light fixtures – want to remodel a bedroom, family room, or den? Before you start knocking down walls, think of what a difference new lighting will make! With so many designs and styles of lighting, including recessed lighting and track lighting, you can create a truly new look without even changing the paint!

Ceiling fans – there’s not a lot that a new ceiling fan can’t do. Adding a ceiling fan to your bedroom or living room can help lower your heating and cooling costs, improve airflow in the room, and even add a touch of style. There are a huge number of ceiling fan designs and styles to choose from, including those that double as lights. Fans circulate air and keep things from getting stuffy and hot in the summer months, and stuffy and cold in the winter months!

Click here to learn more about ceiling and attic fan installation »

Bathroom fans – adding or upgrading exhaust fans is an oft-overlooked home improvement job that can actually make your home much safer and more comfortable. Bathroom fans pull in moisture from the bathroom when you take a shower (or from steam in the kitchen when cooking), which prevents water damage and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. There are now bath fans available that include lights and heaters to add some warmth and light to your bathroom as well.

Upgrading your electrical system doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul of your home’s wiring or something equally major—a few minor tweaks can get you saving money and living more comfortably, day in and day out! If you’re interested in any electrical upgrades in your home, call Kolb Electric today!

Out with the old and in with the new should never end with your used electronics in a landfill. A growing concern across the globe, electronic waste, or e-waste, is rapidly creating a crisis. Only 11-14 percent of electronic waste in the United States ready for disposal is actually recycled or reused, while the remainder is creating environmental and health issues worldwide.

Don’t have time to deal with your e-waste? Don’t dump it. Contact Mr. Electric today. Proper disposal and recycling is essential to preserving our environment and the health of future generations. With the help of HirePatriots and Mr. Electric, we can quickly and responsibly handle all of your electronic waste needs.

Going green is no longer an inconvenience.  The fuel cost savings alone makes buying an electric vehicle a wise economic decision.  Let alone the environmental benefits.  Now add on the current $7500 federal tax credit on top of what several states offer and you have huge savings!  Not only do we carry the seal of a  Green Screened electrical contractor.  We are also authorized to install Tesla Charging stations.  These charging stations are not a do it yourself installation.  Tesla recommends hiring a licensed electrician and also a authorized Tesla electrician for installation.

Did you know there is a Tesla SUPER CHARGER located at the Hy – Vee on Jordan Creek Pkwy.  Currently its the only one in Central Iowa and 1 of 3 in the State of Iowa.  However plans are underway for additional charging stations.  The united states is covered with Tesla super chargers.  In fact to date Tesla says there is a total of 744 supercharger stations with 4,703 superchargers.  At a super charger location you can charge up to 170 miles in as little as 30 minutes.  Plug your Tesla in and grab a Starbucks or do some grocery shopping!