Technology for Thought In Remodeling
The 2015 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas was full of innovations, as always. From new materials for countertops and cabinetry to sleek faucets and door handles, the industry continues to meet consumer demand for exciting choices in home design products. While we contend that a “smart home” is really a home that meets the owners’ needs, a couple of technology-driven items caught our eyes for the “cool” factor. See if they meet your remodeling needs.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen or considering new countertops, look into TechTop, a surface that has a wireless charging capability. From LG Hausys, a countertop surface manufacturer, this technology allows you to charge your mobile phone or tablet simply by placing it on the surface that’s embedded with Qi inductive charging, the universal standard for wireless charging of battery-operated mobile devices. It will first be available for commercial use, but it’s likely to move into the consumer market soon.
From the commercial market comes the “fastest residential oven in the world,” which has been proven in commercial kitchens around the world. Viking Range introduced the Viking Professional TurboChef 30” Double Oven that claims it is up to 15 times faster than conventional methods. It works by blowing heated air through the oven cavity at speeds up to 60 mph! According to Viking, foods retain more moisture with this cooking method.
Capitalizing on energy efficiency, a basic criteria of a smart home, WarmlyYours Radiant Heating partnered with Honeywell to introduce the Lyric thermostat. It features Honeywell’s round thermostat with a “smart” twist. It knows when residents are home and adjusts the home’s temperature to keep them comfortable. It can be controlled from remote locations and features a motion sensor and touchscreen interface.
Finally, a new Bluetooth-enabled door lever and lock will keep your smart home secure. Emtek introduced the LISCIO Keypad Leverset that has buttons on the lever that can be programmed from a smart phone. Homeowners can program up to 20 user codes for the lock and keep track of who is accessing it. So much for leaving the key under the mat.
