November 5, 2018

Customizable Smart Home Technology

After decades of experience providing reliable plumbing, electric, and HVAC services, W.E. Brown has expanded their products/services to include smart-home technology. While the idea of smart-home devices may be intimidating for some, Jay Taggart (CEO of W.E. Brown) saw this addition as a natural progression for the company. After all, they have been installing the first piece of smart-home technology in Americans’ homes for years; the thermostat.

Your Home, Your Way
Smart-homes are fully customizable, giving homeowners the ability to choose different technological enhancements that provide comfort, security, and convenience. “It is basically setting up your home in a way that accommodates your lifestyle. It can be as simple as having a wifi thermostat, or as complex as having a house fitted with multiple advanced automations and a comprehensive security system. Clients will always have the option to expand their system later or adapt it to improve their lifestyle” Jay explained. What makes these enhancements truly “smart”, is that they are all fully integrated and controlled by the owner from one app. (Diagram Below)

smart-home-diagram-1550x985

Non-Invasive Installation
Luckily, installation is quick and non-invasive. “Most censors are surface-mount and wireless, with no drilling necessary unless customers prefer a built-in look. Electric installation is no different than changing a regular outlet or a switch to put a smart one in.” When it comes to client privacy, Jay explained, “once the system is set up, the customer maintains it 100% through their password protected app. All the video recorded by the cameras are only stored in the camera itself. W.E. Brown can install your system and help you maintain it, but we are not allowed to access it unless the owner gives us permission.”

Is Smart-Home Technology for You?
If someone was trying to make this decision, Jay would ask them, “what are things you do within your home on a daily or weekly basis that are repetitive? How many times have you forgotten to lock the front door or turn off an appliance? Many people would be surprised by the amount of time and energy they would save by having the ability to control and automate everything from the convenience of an app.”

Soon after fitting his house with smart-home enhancements, Jay began to see these benefits firsthand. “Having two teenagers, they are able to use a code to get in the door, so I don’t have to worry about them losing or giving someone a key. If the kids are coming home and we aren’t there, we have a camera that records the door when it is unlocked, so from my phone I can make sure my kids get home safely (and see whether or not they are bringing friends over). I have lights outside my house that come on at dusk and go off at dawn, and lights in my house that turn on and off when our cell phones come into geo range after dark. I have a friend who is really into cappuccinos, so he uses his smart outlet on a schedule to make sure his cappuccino machine is on and hot when he wakes up. Everyone is different, so they will have different things they find beneficial from a convenience, safety, and even energy saving perspective.”

Jay Taggart, President

 

Why use W.E. Brown for Your Smart-Home Needs?
Unlike other companies using general handymen, W.E. Brown uses trained, licensed professionals with experience in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC services. All of these systems go hand-in-hand with smart home technology, so we know how to make sure everything is installed correctly that your system is operating at peak efficiency. We provide the benefits of a hybrid system by offering both safety and convenience related products.

While we are happy to install convenience items such as light switches and receptacles, we give customers the freedom to install them on their own. We certainly do not want to sell something that forces customers to use us because they have to. We want customers to use us because they want to. We want our customers to know how committed we are to their happiness and satisfaction with the product itself.

Finally, we have been around since 1922 and stay true to offering exceptional customer service. We stand behind everything we offer our clients, meaning we will give them the same warranty as our other products, resolve any questions or issues, and take care of their systems for the long run. If customers decide to buy smart technology from us, they have a level of security knowing W.E. Brown will be here to support it over the years moving forward.”

Keep Reading

3 Myths About Home Cooling

3 Myths About Home Cooling

Here in Central Virginia, spring is in full swing! You’ve probably either switched from heating to cooling or cut off your system entirely, so it’s a great time to evaluate the health of your home comfort systems as they wind down from winter and prepare for warm days ahead.  Here are three AC myths to

Read More  
Planning a Home Renovation? Here’s Your Comprehensive HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical To-Do List

Planning a Home Renovation? Here’s Your Comprehensive HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical To-Do List

If you’re embarking on a home renovation project, it’s crucial to make sure you have a comprehensive plan for your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. This part of the renovation process may not be as glamorous as choosing new flooring or fresh paint colors, but these systems will keep you safe and comfortable for years

Read More  
How to Fix a Running Toilet…And Why You Should Address It Immediately!

How to Fix a Running Toilet…And Why You Should Address It Immediately!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably either standing in front of a noisy, constantly running toilet, or you’re curious how to avoid this homeowner headache.  A running toilet is an expensive maintenance task to leave on the back burner. You can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day, depending on the age and

Read More  
Winter Heating Tips: How to Stay Warm Without Breaking the Bank

Winter Heating Tips: How to Stay Warm Without Breaking the Bank

There are a few months of winter ahead of us here in Charlottesville, so keeping our homes warm and comfortable is a top priority. Here are some tips on how you can keep it cozy without just cranking up the heat and paying for it when the energy bill arrives. We’ve said it before, and

Read More  
Two Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality this Winter

Two Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality this Winter

As the weather gets colder and days get shorter, your family is likely spending a little more time indoors. It’s important to ensure the air circulating in your home is as healthy and dust-free as possible!  Even when it’s too cold to open a window, there are some ways to proactively protect your indoor air

Read More  
<strong>3 Signs Your Heating System Needs to be Checked</strong>

3 Signs Your Heating System Needs to be Checked

Are you receiving high electric bills or noticing strange noises or smells from your heating system? When our customers call us and mention warning signs like this, we recommend a service check immediately!  Bad Smells Strong, foul odors are a common warning sign of a heating system that needs attention. The bad smells could be

Read More  
5 Signs You Need to Call A Plumber

5 Signs You Need to Call A Plumber

Most people only call a plumber in crisis mode or when installing new fixtures. However, there are some common signs of wear and tear that shouldn’t be overlooked! #1: Slow Drains and Persistent Clogs Do you have a stubborn drain that always holds water? This is likely due to hair, grease, debris, or other debris

Read More  
Cozy and Cost-Effective: A Checklist to Help Prepare Your Home for Fall Heating Savings

Cozy and Cost-Effective: A Checklist to Help Prepare Your Home for Fall Heating Savings

Here in Central Virginia, fall is quickly approaching! While the fall season brings many fun activities and autumn treats to look forward to, it also means dropping temperatures and rising heating bills. We’ve gathered our best tips for preparing your home for the fall and winter seasons to help you be as energy-efficient as possible!

Read More  
Electrical Safety 101: Essential Tips for Homeowners

Electrical Safety 101: Essential Tips for Homeowners

As a homeowner, you want to feel safe and equipped to fix common, simple issues. However, when it comes to electrical, many of us don’t know much except where the breaker box is located. If you don’t know where your panel is…this is your sign to go find it! Breaker boxes are often located in

Read More  
10 Indoor Air Quality Tips for the Summer

10 Indoor Air Quality Tips for the Summer

Maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment is essential year-round. However, we’ve found that managing indoor air quality can be trickier in the summer when you’re less likely to bring in fresh air through open windows. Here are 10 tips that will help you optimize your HVAC system’s performance, control humidity levels, and minimize indoor

Read More  
How to Program Your Thermostat for Optimal Comfort AND Efficiency

How to Program Your Thermostat for Optimal Comfort AND Efficiency

Each year, more homeowners make the switch to programmable thermostats. Why? Because these devices can make it easier to stay comfortable and use your HVAC system as efficiently as possible. Here’s how we advise our customers to strike a balance of comfort and energy efficiency:  Make a Small Temperature Change  The Google Nest team recommends

Read More  
What’s Really Better? Central Air Conditioning or a Ductless System?

What’s Really Better? Central Air Conditioning or a Ductless System?

Are you building a home or adding an HVAC system to your existing home? You’ll need to choose either central air conditioning or a ductless system. While there are pros and cons to both systems, the choice depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. Cost Considerations Since ductless systems are less expensive and less complicated

Read More  
Ways to Reduce Allergens and Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Ways to Reduce Allergens and Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Does your family struggle seasonally or year-round with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory difficulties? It may be time to think about ways to improve your indoor air quality. Deep Clean to Get Rid of Potential Allergens To help alleviate allergy symptoms, it’s best to eliminate dust mites and pet dander from your home by cleaning

Read More  
5 Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Never Neglect

5 Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Never Neglect

When life gets busy, it’s easy to forget or ignore routine home maintenance tasks. However, identifying minor problems can keep issues from turning into major, expensive repairs. Here are five home maintenance tasks you should never overlook:  Fix leaky faucets: Fixing leaks is about more than just saving water and avoiding flooring or wall damage.

Read More  
Introducing the 2023 W.E. Give Back Program

Introducing the 2023 W.E. Give Back Program

W.E. Brown has thrived in the Charlottesville area since 1922 and every year, we try to find ways to give back to this amazing community where our customers live. This year, we’re partnering with our friends at NBC29 to host the W.E. Give Back Program. The goal of this program is to recognize and give

Read More  
3 Reasons to Consider Buying a Generator this Winter

3 Reasons to Consider Buying a Generator this Winter

During the cold winter months, owning a generator can bring peace of mind. Being without power in frigid weather can be inconvenient and even dangerous. Here at W.E. Brown, we believe that investing in a generator is a step you can take to ensure that your family stays safe and that you don’t have to

Read More  
Troubleshoot a Tripped Circuit Breaker.

Troubleshoot a Tripped Circuit Breaker.

When a breaker trips in your home, it’s due to overcapacity or a short: The breaker trips, stopping the flow of electricity as a safety measure. A tripped main breaker will cut the power off to your entire house. SOME COMMON CAUSES CAN INCLUDE: too many appliances; appliances that require too much electricity; damaged breakers;

Read More  
Troubleshoot uneven heating.

Troubleshoot uneven heating.

Routine maintenance makes sure your heat pump is working at peak performance. But if one room is typically colder than the rest of your home, here are a few DIY tips you can do to help. Test your thermostat. Affix a thermometer on your wall next to your thermostat. Place a towel behind the thermometer

Read More  
Troubleshoot a clogged toilet.

Troubleshoot a clogged toilet.

To ensure that your toilet doesn’t overflow, remove the lid from the toilet tank and close the rubber flapper—unless you have a pressure-assisted tank. You may also reach behind the toilet and turn off the water supply. (Make sure you turn the supply back on when you’re ready to flush again.) PLUNGER Grab a heavy-duty

Read More  
What is emergency heat?

What is emergency heat?

What is emergency heat—and why do I need it? As a follow-up to our recent blog “My A/C won’t keep my house cool enough on a 95-degree day,” we’re taking a look at how heat pumps use emergency heat to perform adequately during the winter. Emergency or auxiliary heat is a supplemental heating component installed

Read More