GroovyOrNot.com - Home - Fixtures

Groovy - Honeywell Touch-Screen Thermostat

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:00:00 -0400

The Honeywell Touch-Screen Digital Thermostat was suggested to me by my heating guy, while we were attempting to weatherproof this 1963 house I'm remodeling. The turn-knob style is just too inefficient and not at all accurate, so he suggested this item as a remedy.

The Borg-green light is pretty cool and the touch-screen is awesome. I chose the option of the light staying on constantly, so I don't have to turn on a light to adjust a setting. You can read the tech specs yourself, but it's one of the most adaptive thermostats out there to just about any heating/ac system a home might have...so compatibility shouldn't be an issue. The original thermostat was for a one-stage furnace, but my furnaces is a two-stage furnace, so I noticed a drastic help after replacing with this model (and a drastic lowering of my gas bill!).

The programming options are extensive and very easy to do...mostly yes or no questions and then it does the rest. It allows you to program it to turn on/off throughout the day/night, as needed, although I haven't had a use for that feature yet since my hours are extremely inconsistent. A person or family on a fairly regular schedule will love this feature though and should notice the drop in the heating/ac bill. I noticed a drop in my bill and a more consistent temperature throughout my home after replacing my antiquated thermostat.

Click Here To View The Touch-Screen Thermostat

Groovy - Lutron Smart Dimmer with Remote

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 06:00:00 -0400

The Lutron Smart Dimmer with Remote is great for a sleek light switch and to accomidate the lazy man, like me! I can sit on my couch and control the lights with my remote control. This, accompanied with my Automatic Blinds, puts me on the road to becoming the laziest man in America

It's worked flawlessly in the three locations I've installed them in, so nothing more to really say about it. It's a dimmer with a wall switch and a remote control. I guess the only caveat is that this can't be used with fluorescent lighting (although I strongly encourage everyone to switch all light bulbs in their homes to compact fluorescent or LED's. I'll remain a bit hypocritical until they make a similar item for fluorescents, even if I have to install a new ceiling light).

Click Here to View the Lutron Smart Dimmer with Remote

Groovy - Roomba Vacuum Cleaner

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 06:00:00 -0400

The Roomba Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is old news as far as technology goes. I've had one for years, but thought some of you might like to see it in action. (I'll be reviewing the Scooba Floor Washing Robot, the floor washing version of Roomba, soon.)

Yes, it's more expensive than a regular vacuum cleaner but the convenience and wow factors more than make up for its cost. Although not for heavy cleaning, it does light sweeping/vacuuming on a regular basis with little to no energy (and no bags to replace).

I just showed a small area that I blocked off for this review, but it can cover tons of square footage before having to recharged on its recharging base. The infrared beam object shown came with my kit and, of course, you can order more. I have three of them because I have more areas than most people that need to be blocked off. One or two should be fine for most (you can always put something big/heavy to block it, as well).

I put it in a bad spot for the video because there's a piece of granite on the floor that has a flaw in it that looks like a speck of something, so when the Roomba when over it it appears as though it didn't vacuum it up....but that's not the case. It vacuums great...even pet hair.

Once in a while it will get caught on a floor vent or something odd, but it's pretty consistent about where it might have problem areas. I have a new version that its original model that does an amazing job of getting itself unstuck without needing me. If it gets stuck, you'll hear it stop and give an "I'm stuck" series of tones. It will also stop and tell you if its dirt chamber needs to be emptied or if it needs a recharge. There are warning lights that appear at different stages of the battery being drained that you'll easily memorize after a few uses. IRobot, the company who makes it, made it as user-friendly as I could've ever asked for.

The front of the Roomba is rubber, so it does no damage at all to walls, etc., in case you noticed it running into the walls in the video. After a couple of years of using this, I've never had it damage anything. It will, however, scare the crap out of your cats

Click Here To View the Roomba

Groovy - Automatic Towel Dispenser

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:00:00 -0400

I originally got the Kimberly-Clark Automatic Towel Dispenser for fun, but later discovered its use is very practical. I don't have to deal with guest towels anymore (batchelors will love this and so will the people visiting I put a roll of towels in it almost a year ago and, after many parties, cookouts, etc. it still has the same roll inside (and the original D batteries it runs on are still going strong!).

Click Here To View The Automatic Towel Dispenser

Groovy - Keyless Entry Touchpad DoorKnob

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 07:00:00 -0400

I love my Keyless Entry Touchpad DoorKnob (and it saved my butt one night)!

It's easy to install. Basically, you just switch it out with your current doorknob and then (very easily) program it with your own codes. After installed, you can use a key or the touchpad to open or lock it.

The model I got allows me to set multiple codes, which was useful when my contractor needed in the house and I was stuck in traffic. I just gave him a guest code I programmed in and he was able to let himself in. Afterwards, I just deleted that guest code and entered a new one for the future.

How did it save my butt? I locked myself out of the house one night and was able to get back in to get my keys. That instance more than paid for this great feature!

I also installed it on my home-office door. This allows me to lock this door when guests are over, while not having to deal with keeping the key on me (or in an area where someone else could get to it).

A few other things: It runs on regular batteries that have been going strong for over 6 months without needing to be replaced yet. It will lock anyone out for 15 minutes after entering in the wrong code three consecutive times.

Click Here To View the Keyless Touchpad Entry DoorKnob

Groovy - Faucet Light

nospam@example.com (Admin) — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:10:14 -0400

Ok, this Faucet Light has no actual purpose other than offering the "wow" factor. Considering the very low price and extremely easy installation, it's actually in the Top 3 most commented on items in my home.

All you do is take off the current filter piece and replace it with the provided one (they offer different sized pieces for different sized faucets, all in the package already so you don't have to guess.

Click Here To View The Faucet Light