Smart Home on the Range

Nuclear Reactors for Home Use: A Practical Future or Science Fiction?

Nuclear Reactors for Home Use

As concerns over energy sustainability grow in the face of an aging grid, homeowners are increasingly exploring alternative sources of power. One potential source that is gaining traction is the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) – nuclear reactors adapted for home use. A notable development came in the late 2000s with Toshiba’s introduction of…

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Latest

Articles
How to Make Smart Homes Guest-Friendly

Smart thermostats, Smart TVs, Smart outlets, Smart security cameras, Smart phone charging stations, and Smart lights are just some of the many Smart Home features those looking to upgrade their homes might consider. But what about when guests come to visit? Those features might be nice for you, but they can leave guests in the…

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Articles
Smart Vacuums: The Perfect Housekeeper for a Smart Home

Smart Homes are getting smarter, and the market size for innovative dwellings could reach $503.1 billion by 2032. That sure is a lot of floors to clean. And in the world of smart homes, technology gets to play housekeeper. Bring on the smart vacuums! Tod Caflisch, Owner of Smart Home on the Range and Lumen…

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Articles
Is Amazon Sidewalk the Next Step in Smart Home Development?

In episode two of Smart Home on the Range, a podcast devoted to the step-by-step design and construction process of a new smart home and other content, Tod Caflisch walks us through some of the mysteries surrounding Smart Home devices and one of Amazon’s newer technologies, Amazon Sidewalk. Caflisch started his renovation projects about seven…

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Architecture & Design
Is There a Right or Wrong Smart Home Lock?

Home security is nothing to mess with, so picking the right smart home lock is critical. But how will you know which one to choose when there are so many options—full replacement deadbolts, adapters for existing deadbolts, doorknob replacements, and various trigger options such as fingerprints and geofencing? Wait! Back up. Why even consider…

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Latest

K-12 education
What K-12 Education Tries to Do—And Where It Misses
March 26, 2025

As America reevaluates what its public schools are truly for, new questions emerge about the purpose, performance, and priorities of K–12 education. A system once centered around teaching the “three Rs” now juggles responsibilities as diverse as social services, values instruction, and community governance. Yet, despite these ambitions, a growing chorus of education experts…

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veterinary
Building a Stronger Veterinary Community: Vetcetera at WVC 2025
March 25, 2025

In the ever-evolving world of veterinary medicine, the path from student to professional can feel overwhelming. Between grueling board exams and the emotional toll of animal care, aspiring veterinarians and vet techs are often in need of more than just textbooks—they need a support system. That’s where digital platforms like VetPrep and VetTechPrep have stepped…

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modular microgrids
AI-Powered Modular Microgrids Reduce Energy Chaos and Boost Local Talent
March 25, 2025

As climate instability worsens and aging U.S. infrastructure faces growing strain, energy resilience is no longer a future-facing issue, it’s a present-day necessity. A 2024 analysis found that U.S. counties experienced an average of 999.4 power outages over the past decade, affecting more than 540,000 customers per county, with disruptions occurring nearly every week….

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microgrids
Modular Microgrids Replace Full Grid Overhauls in Fossil Plant Transitions
March 25, 2025

Detroit is no longer just the Motor City. It’s becoming a hub for clean energy innovation. As climate change forces global shifts in infrastructure, the spotlight is turning to advanced, decentralized solutions like microgrids. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that microgrids could help improve resilience and reduce emissions, especially in aging urban power…

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Latest Branded Column

Nuclear Reactors for Home Use
Articles
Nuclear Reactors for Home Use: A Practical Future or Science Fiction?
May 25, 2023

As concerns over energy sustainability grow in the face of an aging grid, homeowners are increasingly exploring alternative sources of power. One potential source that is gaining traction is the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) – nuclear reactors adapted for home use. A notable development came in the late 2000s with Toshiba’s introduction of…

Read More
How to Make Smart Homes Guest-Friendly

Smart thermostats, Smart TVs, Smart outlets, Smart security cameras, Smart phone charging stations, and Smart lights are just some of the many Smart Home features those looking to upgrade their homes might consider. But what about when guests come to visit? Those features might be nice for you, but they can leave guests in the…

Read More
Smart Vacuums: The Perfect Housekeeper for a Smart Home

Smart Homes are getting smarter, and the market size for innovative dwellings could reach $503.1 billion by 2032. That sure is a lot of floors to clean. And in the world of smart homes, technology gets to play housekeeper. Bring on the smart vacuums! Tod Caflisch, Owner of Smart Home on the Range and Lumen…

Read More
Is Amazon Sidewalk the Next Step in Smart Home Development?

In episode two of Smart Home on the Range, a podcast devoted to the step-by-step design and construction process of a new smart home and other content, Tod Caflisch walks us through some of the mysteries surrounding Smart Home devices and one of Amazon’s newer technologies, Amazon Sidewalk. Caflisch started his renovation projects about seven…

Read More
smart home locks
Architecture & Design
Is There a Right or Wrong Smart Home Lock?
April 21, 2023

Home security is nothing to mess with, so picking the right smart home lock is critical. But how will you know which one to choose when there are so many options—full replacement deadbolts, adapters for existing deadbolts, doorknob replacements, and various trigger options such as fingerprints and geofencing? Wait! Back up. Why even consider…

Read More