Some partnerships that we see in this industry make sense. Think Ketra and Lutron, Control4 and SnapAV, and countless others that have combined their strengths for a truly transformative product.

On that note, the strategic partnership with sister-company Racepoint Energy, Savant developed energy modules engineered to deliver both control and energy management functionality of electrical loads. Sonnen integrated its award-winning EcoLinx product with Racepoint Energy’s leading battery solutions, giving New York City homeowners an unprecedented way to monitor and manage energy consumption. Keep reading to see how this collaboration culminated in an inventive system that stores and manages energy as never before!

2019’s CEDIA Expo was abuzz with wellness trends, including biophilia. Originally referring to “the love of living things,” the term has expanded to the smart home industry, as you’ll find out later.

CEDIA showed us an entire “Wellness Pavilion” dedicated to big brands like Rayva, Delos and more, all displaying products that brought the outside in. So, why is this important? Humans spend the vast majority of our time inside, which deprives us of the light, fresh air and relaxing nature sounds we need. Biophilia, to a large extent, gives that back.

As CE Pro editor Julie Jacobson puts it, “Nature can make us whole again, and if you can’t get enough of the real stuff, you can fake it quite effectively. The research is pretty clear on the health benefits of certain nature simulations (applied in certain ways), such as circadian lighting, air movement and purification, climate controls, and nature scenes playing on ordinary TVs with a sound-system assist to play birds and streams.”

How can you achieve a more nature-like atmosphere in your New York City residence? In this blog, we’ll talk about how home lighting control, wellness retreats and cleaner air can make a big impact. Keep reading below to find out more.

When you think of home lighting automation, do you think of it as a luxury?  It is arguably a luxury to have it, but it has other benefits besides simplified and automated control of your indoor and outdoor lighting. The first tangible benefit is energy efficiency. Lighting control helps you light areas when needed and save energy when you don't.  Also, fine adjustment through precise dimming control helps with energy efficiency.

But another benefit to lighting automation exists that isn’t talked about as much. This benefit is enabled by modern LED lighting technology. Newer LED lighting allows for tunable white light, which is the ability to shift light from cooler (bluer) shades to warmer (amber and red) tones, mimicking daylight and sunset lighting. Color temperature was available in the past with specific bulbs, but they were fixed - if you picked a daylight shade, you were stuck with that all the time. LED tunable white light lets you vary the hue and intensity all along the color spectrum.

Even better, some LED lighting has a wide spectrum of color. You can have blue, red, green, or custom color lighting – dim or bright. There are both fun and useful aspects of this capability, but tunable white light has unexpected benefits in health and mood as well.

We are proud to offer Ketra lighting, the leader in tunable lighting. Moreover, Ketra is now part of Lutron, the leading home lighting automation vendor, so now you can automate and control your lighting for the best effects in your New York home.

Ketra’s scientists found that humans enjoy a “warm dimming” effect since it emulates how bluish, cool daylight transitions to an amber sunset. If you ever use “night mode” on your smartphone, you are using this same concept. The warmer tones of this mode help relax you more than brighter bluish light, so you don't overdo your screen time and keep yourself awake later at night.

How can Ketra tunable light make your home a little happier and healthier? Read on to learn more.

This year, make a resolution to enjoy yourself more. With a new home audio/video system, you and your family will savor your time together at home. After a long day in the office, you can come home and relax by listening to your favorite music throughout your home or watch the game with a crystal-clear picture. Also, you will be creating a great space for entertaining guests. Is your Westchester, NY home ready for 2017, or does it still have technologies from the early 2000s? Maybe it’s time to upgrade for the New Year. Keep reading to learn about the latest trends in the world of audio/video and find out how they could impact your home.