4 Benefits to Nest Thermostats

Smart and green.

More and more aspects of the home are becoming advanced. Smart appliances coupled with sustainable products allow homeowners to increase efficiency, decrease energy usage, and save money.

Thermostats and heating systems are a major player in the home’s energy usage and costs. Nest Thermostats take the guesswork out of saving energy, making it the first thermostat to become ENERGY STAR certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Here’s why we decided to install Nest Thermostats in all the units at the Residences at 66 High Street.

No Programming Required

Programmable thermostats help you become more efficient with energy and save money. The problem is they can be complicated to figure out, and only allow for 2-3 changes throughout the day.

Nest Thermostats learn your schedule, your preferences, changes in the season, and even your home’s heating and cooling system. After a few days, the thermostat knows when to turn the temperature up or down. Once it learns your preferences, you don’t have to make any adjustments. The best part? You start seeing your monetary savings right away.

Control from Anywhere

Let’s say you are off of your typical schedule – you are working late, or are getting home earlier than expected. You have the ability to control the temperature from your phone. This ensures energy savings when the house is empty and comfortable temperatures when you arrive home.

Proven to Save Energy

Heating and cooling a house account for nearly 50% of all energy usage. Studies have shown that Nest Thermostats saves homeowners 10%-12% on heating and 15% on cooling. In addition, an Eco Temperature setting takes over when Nest Thermostat senses you are away for an extended time. This helps save even more, without the hassle of changing the programming.

Nest Leaf

The Nest Leaf collects and analyzes data from your home. Based on that data, Nest offers ways for you to save even more energy. A Green Leaf that appears on the thermostat is your signal – simply press it to learn about ways you can save.

This type of technology is the future of the Smart Home: saving energy and money, without the need to program.

Do you have a Nest Thermostat? Tell us about your experience with it!

December 31, 2019 1

Office Space: Collaborative Conference Rooms

What do you envision when you think of conference rooms? Many people still picture a large room with empty walls and a large table with chairs. In today’s collaborative workplaces, meeting areas and conference rooms are taking on many different designs.

Determine Size Needs

If you are designing your office space, first determine the need you have for meetings. Smaller rooms can be utilized for more intimate meetings with two to six people. These spaces can also be used for brainstorming sessions, focus work, one-on-one sessions and phone or video conferencing.

Large conference rooms may still be needed for management sessions or company-wide meetings, but the layout doesn’t have to be traditional. Consider comfortable seating surrounding a central area. Being in a relaxed space can make people feel more at ease, and therefore more willing to share thoughts and ideas.

Of course, the traditional conference room still holds its purpose for larger and more formal corporations.

Purpose of Meeting Rooms

There’s a variety of reasons companies need meeting areas. Are you bringing outside clients into your office? Are you holding management sessions to make decisions for the company? Do employees need space to collaborate on projects?

The purpose of your meeting areas will help you determine the style layout of each space. Many offices that rely heavily on collaboration opt for meeting areas with glass walls. Collaborative areas may also need items such as a large whiteboard for brainstorming.

For larger, company-wide meetings, consider using the traditional table and chairs with a focal point for presentations. A horseshoe or teardrop shaped table allows everyone at the table to see more easily.

Smart Conference Rooms

Technology is essential in any meeting space. To make your meetings as functional and efficient as possible, investing in the technology your team needs can save everybody time.

A wireless presentation system, such as an Apple TV, allows you to display presentations, share a computer screen, and do video conferences easily, making it the most common piece of technology for meeting rooms. For a large company, utilizing meeting room scheduling software eliminates double booking. Companies that want to take the whiteboard to the next level, interactive boards, such as Google Jamboard, allows for multiple users and transferring the project to a computer or mobile device.

350 Goose Lane Office Park allows tenants to design their office layout. The Horton Group works to provide what your company or office needs to

April 9, 2019 3

What makes the Nest Thermostat stand out?

We think a home should be comfortable and cozy. The right temperature sets the tone for this. Smart thermostats keep your home at your ideal temperature, without taking away from the aesthetic of your space.

In 2010, after assuming significant roles in the design and development of the iPod, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers founded Nest Labs. With the company’s founders experienced in revolutionizing one industry, Nest Labs sought similar success with the release of their first product – the Nest Thermostat.

Aesthetically, the minimalist, circular design makes the thermostat handsome and sleek. Yet the product’s true beauty lies in Nest’s innovation and obvious care for its consumers. The smart technology within each unit establishes Nest as a clear industry leader.

The Nest Thermostat is programmed to adapt to consumers’ schedules, adjusting temperatures accordingly to provide optimal living conditions. The thermostat can easily be controlled by the Nest mobile app if on vacation or away from home. By investing in innovation and adaptive smart technology, buildings can achieve far greater energy efficiency and lower energy costs. According to Nest’s website, the estimated average annual savings falls between $131 and $145.

At Horton Group, we are steadfast in our commitment to energy efficiency, as our mission is to provide high quality and sustainable space to prospective buyers and tenants. Nest thermostats are included in every unit at our current luxury residential development, The Residences at 66 High Street. Similar to Nest thermostats, behind the aesthetic appeal of our projects, innovative systems are in place to ensure a comfortable, cost-efficient and sustainable way of life.

To learn more about the Nest Thermostat, click here.

November 28, 2018 0