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It’s spring!  In Houston that means things are about to heat up fast.  At Echo Workshop we deal with the best in technology and can help you integrate the finest products to help keep you and your home cool.  Here are three of our favorite ways technology can help you beat the heat and even save you money.

Motorized shades are not only convenient, they can also be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home design.  They come in a multitude of colors and fabrics and can be customized to fit any size or shape of window.  To make them even more desirable, they can be integrated into your smart home system.  Imagine setting the thermostat, lowering shades, and turning out the lights, all with the push of one button.  Do you enjoy patio time, but not the bright sun in your eyes - or the mosquitos?  Then motorized outdoor shades are a perfect consideration.  These can also be integrated into your smart home system.  Picture lowering your outdoor shades, turning on your favorite playlist, and lowering the lights – the perfect setting for some dinner on your patio.    

With the increased temperatures of spring and summer, we can all expect an increase in our electric bills.  One way to reduce electricity costs is with automated thermostats.  Set schedules to fit the needs of your family throughout the day, keeping it cooler when you’re home and conserving energy when you are away.  Add to that the convenience of being able to adjust the temperature remotely from anywhere in the world, and it’s a perfect solution for you and your family’s comfort. 

Lastly, let’s not forget how technology can enhance your lifestyle and make staying at home fun.  Outdoor entertainment is a must in the spring and summer in Houston.  Have you been considering upgrading your outdoor space?  Perhaps you would like an outdoor TV, a sound system to play your favorite tunes when you are poolside, or even an outdoor theater.  Echo Workshop can help you design your space and choose products that your whole family will find easy and fun to use.  

Let Echo Workshop help keep things cool at your home this spring.  With the best products, an incredible design team, and technicians that go the extra mile to make sure you are not only happy with your products, but know how to use them, Echo Workshop is here for your cool summer fun! 

Technology Spring Cleaning

It's spring in Houston and things are starting to heat up. In the spirit of spring cleaning, we thought we would look at this annual tradition from a technology standpoint. After all, technology will last longer and function more efficiently if it is kept clean and cool.

One of the first rules of cleaning electronics is to never spray cleansers directly on the equipment. Using a feather duster or a microfiber cloth with a cleanser lightly sprayed on the cloth is our recommendation for cleaning. And always make sure the cloth you are using is clean to prevent scratching screens. To learn more, visit our YouTube page. https://youtu.be/I3RVOWMmkfY

Spring is also a great time to set an annual reminder to change out the batteries on the smoke detectors throughout your home, and if it has been greater than ten years you should consider changing the smoke detector units themselves out. Did you know that smoke detectors have a recommended lifespan? In this YouTube video, Luis talks a little bit more about smoke and heat detectors. https://youtu.be/uNFwDnjqLQc

How does the water taste in your home? How are your allergies? Have you been considering an air purification system to help mitigate the horrible pollen that accompanies the beautiful spring weather in Houston? It can get tracked in by your furry friends and your shoes. Echo Workshop offers both water and air purification systems to further clean things up for you this spring.

As always, Echo Workshop offers the most cutting-edge technology for your home or business. From motorized shades for your loggia, to Sonance Outdoor Speakers for around your pool, to smart thermostats so you can control the temperature of your home from anywhere in the world, Echo Workshop is here for all your spring technology needs.

Are you dreaming of more poolside fun?  Then let Echo Workshop take your outdoor experience to a whole new level with a Sonance Landscape System.  While you cool off in the pool, immerse your family in sound.  This system offers even, balanced coverage that is directed where you want the sound - at you and not your neighbors. 

Firepits are popping up in a lot of backyards.  They’re a great place to engage with family and friends.  With Savant and Control4 systems you can integrate great sound from Sonance, lighting from Lutron, and maybe even an outdoor TV for the big game from Seura. 

Although movie theaters are back open, many of us still love the idea of staying home and watching movies in a bigger and better way.  We have just the product to take your outdoor viewing experience to the next level.  The Stealth Patio Theater Outdoor Series replicates a true theater experience right in your backyard.  Does the idea of technology in your yard make you shudder; well, we can integrate a vertical lift system and hide it away so it doesn’t take away from the aesthetics of your space.  Consider adding in some automated shades to keep the bugs and dust at bay from Screen Innovations, relaxing lighting and comfortable seating, and you are all set for family date night all year long.  Not only that, you will be able to control all of your technology with a single integrated system from Savant or Control4.

Finally, let’s consider a space that many of us use year-round in Houston – an outdoor kitchen or bar.  There are so many dynamic elements that can be added in this area.  Imagine color-changing lighting that sets the mood for any occasion from Environmental Lights.  Add a TV from Samsung and speakers from Sonance, and you may not want to cook in your indoor kitchen ever again! 

Echo Workshop can bring your dreams to life with the best technology.  Let us help enhance your lifestyle with a space to play, entertain, relax, and bring your family together – al fresco!   

Maybe you're already dreaming of spring and summertime activities with your family and are thinking about enhancing your outdoor space. We have TVs from partners like Séura that are engineered to withstand Houston's extreme weather and reduce glare.  The picture is clear and bright in both direct sun and shade, making it perfect for poolside watching or movies in the evening with your neighborhood friends. 

If you're looking for a new experience, you may want to consider a projector?  We partner with entertainment gurus like Sony and Screen Innovations to provide the clearest picture and most up-to-date technology, making colors richer and blacks deeper, and also eliminating annoying glare.  And, again, you can hide the screen if you like.  Go with a motorized option and Echo Workshop can put the screen just about anywhere.

However, let's just think about all of the possibilities.  Have you been considering converting that unused room upstairs into a theater?  Perhaps you're building or remodeling.  Echo Workshop specializes in designing and building unique, high-end home theaters.  Of course, TV and projector selection is an important part of the process, but getting us involved will also give you great insight when choosing audio for the room, as well as other fun features.  Imagine walking into your dedicated home theater and with the push of a button your motorized shades descend, your lights dim, and your new Screen Innovations Black Diamond screen descends.  Add to that some comfortable theater seating or a theater bed from Elite Home Theater Seating and you are ready for a perfect night in with the whole family.

Echo Workshop is your premier Houston smart home company, with TVs and projectors to fit every lifestyle and budget.  Contact us today to learn more about these great products or how to get started designing and building your next home media project.