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It’s still warm in Houston, but take heart in knowing that fall is truly on the way.  In addition to all of the toasty colors and spicy scents that we associate with fall, there are also ways that technology can be added to your home to bring out that homey vibe that fall evokes in all of us. 

When one thinks of fall and color, golden tones and the warmth those hues bring come to mind.  Our lighting design experts can help bring that warmth to your home with a system from Lutron.  Wake up to a warm glow, like the morning sunrise, and with scheduled lighting, let sunset gradually come to your home - following your natural circadian rhythm for better health and wellbeing.  But it’s not just about beauty and health, imagine the convenience and energy savings of having your lighting on a schedule.  You no longer need to worry about your family remembering to turn off lights on their way to work or school. 

Soon we will also notice the shortening of our daylight hours.  With our homes well-lit indoors, we also need to consider outdoor lighting, not only for beautifying your outdoor space, but also for safety.  Light up walkways, patios, and pools to keep you and your family safe all year long.

Fall also brings about a yearning to slow down and enjoy our homes more.  With stunning products like the Frame TV from Samsung, you can have the best of both worlds – a TV when in use and art when the TV is off.  Imagine your favorite fall scenes displayed in your living room.  The Frame can truly bring a room to life with beautiful art of your choosing. 

How about adding some fun technology to your outdoor space to take your family time to the next level?  With the cooler temperatures of fall, we can comfortably spend more time in our backyards and on our patios.  Imagine your family gathering on Friday evening for an outdoor movie.  With outdoor TVs from Seura, you can enjoy crystal-clear viewing while also feeling assured that your TV can withstand any kind of weather Mother Nature has in store for Houston this year.  Do you love to dine outdoors?  Set the scene perfectly with speakers from Sonos strategically placed throughout your outdoor space for amazing quality of sound, while not taking a thing away from the beauty of your yard.

It’s June in Houston and it is HOT out there.  For many Houstonians that means a lot more time spent poolside.  As most pool owners know, proper maintenance is essential for a sparkling clean and inviting dip.  However, what many people forget about is protecting the delicate pool controls and equipment that run your pool.  Do you know if you have surge protection on your pool equipment?  With our crazy Houston weather, it is essential to have this to not only protect your pool equipment, but also to prevent a lightning strike from entering your home and causing more damage.  Echo Workshop can help you design and install the protection you need to keep your outdoor oasis healthy and running smoothly, with no downtime this summer.

Now that we have your equipment protected, let’s consider some fun upgrades to enhance your outdoor space.  Fun times outdoors are always made more fun with your favorite music.  With a Sonance Landscape Series system you will not only get great sound, but also flexibility in design and great coverage for your whole outdoor area. 

Now let’s imagine a beautiful Friday evening in June.  The sun has set and it has cooled down a bit.  You and your family just finished a fantastic dinner and you’re now ready for movie night – in the pool!  With an outdoor TV from Seura, you not only get the very best picture, with screens that are three times brighter than indoor screens, but you also get a TV that can truly withstand the temperature extremes, dust, and bugs that Texas has an abundance of. 

Echo Workshop also has the very best to offer in lighting and shades.  Set the mood with color-changing lights or consider motorized shades to enhance your comfort on the patio.  With our exclusive design team, and outstanding products from Lutron, Savant, Control4, and many others, Echo Workshop can help you take your backyard and pool from dull to electrifying.

SEE ALSO: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIGHTING

IMPROVE PHYSICAL HEALTH

Research shows that the average person spends 85% to 95% of their time indoors, which is unhealthy. Circadian lighting has a positive impact on physical health. Our sleep patterns are heavily dependent on natural light. LED lighting mimics the sun's patterns to assist in the release of melatonin and dopamine to make people tired at night while suppressing these hormones and releasing cortisol to keep them awake during the day. A healthy circadian rhythm will improve their immune system and metabolic function.

IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

The health benefits of circadian lighting are not just limited to physical advantages. Lighting control has a positive effect on your mental health. Your customers will be able to adjust their lighting to invoke a particular mental state.

For example, cooler light that mimics sunlight in the morning will increases their productivity and alertness. Warmer, dimmed lighting will help them to wind down after a long day. Studies have also shown that circadian lighting can decrease depression instances caused by spending extended periods indoors. Attract potential customers with a home that will both house them and improve their health.

SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY

Lighting control will save your customers money by reducing energy costs. LED lighting reduces energy consumption by 85% and extends the life of their light bulbs so that they will spend less replacing bulbs. Lighting control also offers the option to dim their lighting, decreasing energy usage from 4% to 9% even when used at the highest setting. Homeowners can also schedule their lights to turn off when not in use, which further decreases energy consumption. Your customers will see the appeal of a home that offers a high return on investment.

1. ENERGY EFFICIENT

Although most home automation systems focus mainly on the convenience of smart technology, you can do more to reduce your overall carbon footprint and monthly energy bills with Lutron motorized shades. With a touch of a button, they can control the amount of sunlight coming into a room for a more energy-efficient surrounding.

Do you know that your AC works twice as hard to create a comfortable indoor climate during the summer's heat? You can create a weather-specific schedule such that your windows remain unobstructed when it's too hot, as your Lutron motorized shades or drapes draw to conserve the energy used for heating and cooling. By so doing, you reduce the amount of heat and temperature in your home while reducing the amount of energy your air conditioning will need to use to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Additionally, you can also create an eco-friendly and perfect ambiance by integrating your home's lighting and Lutron motorized shade system. The lights adjust accordingly to provide electricity, as will the shades when it's time to close at sunset.

2. CONVENIENT AND EASILY MANAGED

Unlike non-motorized blinds that you have to manually operate, anyone can use a remote to open and shut Lutron motorized shades. Additionally, manual blinds and shades might be versatile and fit any window; however, the panels or slats are expensive to repair and replace once they are heavily damaged. 

Because Lutron motorized shades are not manually operated, plus they are made to fit your window perfectly, they do not get tangled up, thus creating a clean-looking space.