Home Technology - Houseopedia, LLC

Everything Old Is New Again: Vinyl Albums and Turntables

Vinyl record albums peaked in the 1970s. But their sales plunged in the following decades as magnetic tape, CDs and...

Perfect Position: Where to Place Your TV For Optimal Viewing

Once upon a time, all televisions came in clunky wooden cabinets we set in our living rooms. Today’s thinner TVs...

Washing the Workhorse: How to Clean Your Dishwasher

You probably use your dishwasher daily, so it seems counterintuitive that you must clean the appliance itself. But dirt and...

How to Keep Your Washing Machine Squeaky Clean

Believe it or not, your washing machine can get dirty. You may be running loads several times a week, but...

Why You Should Care About Microplastics

Microplastics are possibly the most universal pollutant on the planet. Many are so tiny they can’t be seen without magnification....

Digital Photo Frames Showcase Family Photos in Fabulous Focus

Digital photo frames are a great way to simplify your home decor while still enjoying cherished family photos. Benefits of...

Protecting Your Home With Fire Extinguishers

Fire can break out at your house even if you’re careful, so preparing ahead can save people and property. It’s...

Get Smart About Hiding Spare Keys

Everyone gets locked out of their home at some point. Once it happens, you get a spare key made. But...

Celebrate a Happy and Sustainable Holiday Season

Christmas and other winter holidays bring excitement and good cheer, but they also create waste: lots of it. It’s estimated...

Rural Satellite Internet Service: Limited, But Growing

Your home and business Internet service choices are limited if you live in a rural area. Speeds are slower than...

Guest Users: Your Wi-Fi’s Hidden Security Vulnerability

When a friend or family member visits, you may gladly share your Wi-Fi password. After all, you know and trust...

The Tangle Tango: Hide Those Unsightly Cords

The growth in Wi-Fi usage means we’ve seen a steady decline in the number of cords from our devices. Yet...

Stop That Chirping Smoke Alarm

Nearly every homeowner has experienced the maddening intermittent chirping of a smoke alarm, too often in the middle of the...

When That Expensive Appliance Purchase Goes Bad

Home appliances offer great convenience … until they don’t. So what should you do when that sleek new appliance has...

Circuit Breaker Basics

Most homeowners deal with their homes’ electrical circuit breakers only when a breaker “trips” and lights or electrically powered devices...

Your Guide to Home Security Cameras

The many choices for home security cameras can be bewildering. There are different types of cameras, different ways they are...

Solving Dead Spots With a Home Wi-Fi Extender

Sometimes the router in a home Internet system doesn’t cover all areas equally, leaving dead spots. If the simplest fixes...

Leak Detectors Prevent Disastrous Water Damage

Statistically, you are more likely to suffer expensive water damage in your home than a fire or burglary. Each year...

Fraud Alert: Beware of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scams

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, scammers are preying upon people’s fear of the virus to steal their money and...

Should You Shut Down Your Home Computer Network?

We all shut down our computers sometimes, if for no other reason than software updates require it. But what about...

Six Ways to Improve Laptop Speed

Now that many Americans are working from home, we rely on our home computers more than ever. It may seem...

Protecting Your Personal Information After a Data Breach

In today’s world of prolific online hackers, we all need to exercise due diligence to protect our personal information. The...

Steer Clear of Coronavirus Cyber Scams

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided cybercriminals a new way to scam people. Phishing e-mails that target those fearful of the...

Live a Life of Leisure With Smart Home Devices

We tend to think of new kitchen counters or a bathroom makeover when we talk about home improvement. But nowadays...

Best Practices for Video Conferencing

Use of virtual meeting platforms has exploded since the coronavirus pandemic began. Businesses, organizations and families are using video conferencing...

Outdoor Smart Home Technology

You might think that smart home technology is only for control of indoor devices, like thermostats, home theaters and security...

Solving Wireless Printer Problems at Home

Advancing technology allows you to send documents wirelessly from your computer to your printer. But that convenience disappears when the...

Creating Strong Online Passwords

Cyber hacking of consumers’ online data has become so common that strong passwords are now essential. What elements make for...

Stopping Robocalls on Your Home Landline

There’s no good time to receive an annoying robocall. Mobile phone carriers have apps to protect users, but how can...

Cleaning Up After Cutting the Cable Cord

Half of American households have cut the cord on their landline telephone service, and streaming Internet TV is chipping away...

Critical Information on Medical Alert Devices

Television ads targeted to seniors dramatize elders pushing a button on a medical alert device when they’re home alone and...

Faxes Without a Home Phone Line

Faxing was once a cutting-edge communications technology. Today faxes may seem like a quaint relic from the past, but some...

Is Air Duct Cleaning Really Necessary?

You see ads for air duct cleaning that promise purer home air and more efficient operation of your HVAC. But...

How to Take Care of Your New Refrigerator

Properly maintaining your new refrigerator is one way to help keep your family healthy and extend the life of your...

Electronics Recycling: Where and How to Toss

When decluttering your home for sale, remember that ancient desktop computer has got to go. But where? With new and...

Keep or Trash Appliance Manuals?

Most people today are trying to eliminate paper clutter from their lives. So is it really necessary to keep instruction...

Inkjet or Laser? Picking a Printer for Home Use

Inkjet printers are a common choice for home printing, but laser printers that serve the more demanding business market are...

Guard Your Personal Info When Disposing of a Computer

When you buy a new computer, you may plan to sell, donate or recycle your old one. But you’ve got...

A Home Safe Room in Time of Storm Danger

A safe room in your home could save your life and those of your loved ones in the event of...

Cleaning Your Computer: From Gross To Gleaming

Working from home usually requires a laptop computer for portability and productivity. But it doesn’t take long before skin oils,...

How to Increase Your Home’s Security

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates between 2 million and 3.7 million homes are burglarized each year. Is a security...

Hush! Sound Barriers for Your Home

Urban living offers conveniences such as nearby shopping, entertainment, and public transportation. The flip side of those amenities is the...

Is a Service Contract Worth the Extra Cost?

When purchasing a new appliance or electronic gadget, you’ll likely be asked to purchase a service contract for an additional...

Router Troubleshooting: Steps to Rev Up Your Wifi

Have you noticed your Internet speeds slowing recently? Maybe the movie you are streaming stops to buffer more often, or...

Upcycling Gives Old Products New Life

Recycling has been around for decades. But have you heard of upcycling? Learn how this practice turns everyday items headed...

Preventing Package Theft from Your Porch

The ease of online purchasing is one of life’s simple joys. One of life’s most vexing aggravations is having that...

Benefits of Home Air Purifiers

Home purification systems can improve quality of life for those with asthma and allergies. Let’s look at the benefits of...

How to Digitize Old Video Tapes and Photographs

Your children’s precious years are preserved on tape and in photo albums. Or are they? Old video tape degrades over...

The Home of the Future Is Available Today

Thanks to the latest in “smart device” technology, and three technology giants, it’s possible to turn your house into a...

A Modern Twist on Fostering Neighborhood Goodwill

Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to loan your neighbor a tool, buy cookies from the Girl Scout...

Eight Ways to Protect Your Home While on Vacation

Nothing could sour your vacation memories like arriving home to find your house burglarized. Here are eight easy steps to...

Five Steps to Secure Your Home Wifi Network

Protecting your online privacy and your wifi network is a must for every homeowner. Guard your personal and financial information...

A Checklist: Being Prepared for Home Emergencies

Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes strike indiscriminately, which means every homeowner should be prepared for life-threatening emergencies. Here are ten...

Control Your Home with a Smartphone

Thanks to smartphone technology, homeowners can take control of the major systems in their houses with the tap of a...

How to Buy a Laptop Computer

If you are in the market for a laptop, the choices are better, but more confusing than ever. Here’s how...

The Pros and Cons of Wall-Mounting a TV

It’s playoff time, and you’ve treated yourself to a brand-new wall-mounting television with all the bells and whistles. Before you...

Homeowner’s Guide to Modems and Routers

When consumers sign up for internet service, they’re faced with a barrage of choices and questions. While you’ve probably heard...

Wiring Your Home for Sound — or Not

While the latest in home theater systems features wireless technology, plenty of audiophiles still want to wire their homes for...

Television Technology: Getting Better All the Time

Advances in television technology move so quickly these days that it’s hard to keep up with what’s truly the latest...

Advances in Headphone and Earbud Technology

Digital technology is revolutionizing home entertainment, including headphones and earbuds. Listen up, audiophiles. Bluetooth technology has matured, making wires and...

Check Out What’s New In Home Audio

Today’s home theater systems are a seamless integration of high-definition television and high-resolution sound, all connected wirelessly and conveniently controlled...

Bigger TVs Changing the Look and Feel of Family Rooms

As technology has evolved, the once-popular television armoire is disappearing from American homes. What’s new in home entertainment storage and...

No Home Should Be Without Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Similar to smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors are an essential warning device in every home -- perhaps even more so....

High Tech Security Right at your Front Door: The Future is Here

Welcome to the future of the front door. The classic wood door with a knocker will probably always exist, but...

Tune In For Latest Home Theater Trends

There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies or gaming on a big-screen, high-definition TV. With technology and home furnishing trends...

Home Security Systems Turn Your Smartphone Into a Crime Fighter

The explosion of internet connectivity and smartphone apps have revolutionized home security. No longer is it necessary to rely on...

Streaming TV Offers Cheaper Options than Cable and Satellite

Thanks to the internet and smartphone apps, watching television will never be the same. So-called streaming TV is far cheaper...

Life After Cable TV: Lots of Money-Saving Options

If you’re thinking about “cutting the cord” on cable or satellite TV, the alternatives are plentiful and available at a...

Fire Safety: Your Family is Counting on You

Although no one wants to contemplate a cherished home being destroyed by fire, it’s an important topic to address --...

Make Home Safety a Top Priority With This Handy Checklist

Most people know about the more obvious home safety measures, such as having working smoke detectors. But there are plenty...