G+_Scott Shipp Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 This might be the dumbest idea ever but here goes... how about some hacks to automate your morning routine. Maybe use some of the new home automation tools and connected electric outlets to start the shower so the water is hot, turn on the bathroom ceiling fan, read your emails to you while you are in the shower, start playing music for the kids so they wake up, make your toast, boil water for coffee (because you can't stand automatic coffee makers and have to do a French Press, Aero Press or Pour Over), start the car so it's warmed up and ready to go, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Will Pherigo Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 It's not dumb at all... And, I think it mostly exists already! As always it's just a matter of some combination of $$ and know how. You can already purchase hot water system modifications that provide "continuously on" hot water, and there are probably programmable units that would, say, be off during hours you don't take showers and start before you do. Anything you do to a plumbing system is not cheap, but if you are able to do it yourself, it makes it cheaper. I'd imagine one of those motion sensors that turns a light on/off could turn on the fan also. (Would require an electrician if you aren't comfortable with that or if don't know someone who would do it for you). I know you can attach your smart phone to various kinds of alarm clocks and there are apps that will not only play music at a preset time and volume prior to waking, but also even control "blue light" units that provide more "morning sunlight" if bedroom is otherwise shaded. As for boiling your water, a workable idea is just to take a clean coffee maker and fill it with water only the night before and tell it to brew at your desired time and leave the carafe heater on for a specified time. Aeropress coffee doesn't require (and it's not even desirable to have) boiling water, so you are covered there. Newer electric cars will start at a user specified time and heat your car up. Not sure about hybrids and gas/diesel powered ones (you'd want the garage door open if the engine is running, of course.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 yes... yeS.... YES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Will Pherigo Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Thanks for the confirmation, Padre! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Scott Shipp Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 Good thoughts on setting up an automated morning Will Pherigo. With all the new affordable home automation tools starting to become available I think there are some exciting possibilities. I could also see using the IFTTT with WeMo to automate several morning activities. It won't be long till we can "program" the most mundane chores throughout our day. I forgot to add, let the dog out to go to the bathroom and feed the pets (dog, cat, fish, etc) as other morning chores that could possibly be automated (especially with some of the wifi door locks out there now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Will Pherigo Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 That's all good brainstorming, but I would suggest looking at the bigger picture--and probably you have already.... Sometimes mundane is good. "Mundane" and "manual" have reality checks built in, connecting you to the real world -- and that is sometimes boring. Open the door to let the dog out.... That means running electricity to your door to do to unlock, open, close and relock it. It means a device to know when you pet wants to go out and in. A Pet door would be simpler.... You are certainly are right in looking to find things to automate! Though if you have kids, some mundane things are a good way to teach responsibility and perseverance, for example. Anything mechanically and physically manual will require installation of new electrical runs and programmable controllers. Opening a back door? You also might want to make sure there's no one unwanted waiting to come in. Unless money and skill are not an issue, automation makes the best sense initially where you already have electricity and you swap out a manual device for a programmable one -- like thermostats and lights. Those devices could save money also. That probably sounded all negative -- my apologies. Think big, but start with items you can easily get your arms around -- IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Russ Hall Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Maybe one just needs to get up a little earlier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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