Smart Communities Chicago
Smart Home
Are Solar Panels and Smart HVAC Actually Worth It in Chicago? We Did the Math
Smart Communities Chicago · May 24, 2026
The national solar and smart HVAC payback numbers don’t apply in Chicago. Here’s the actual math for this climate — with the caveats that most articles leave out.
Smart Home
How Smart Home Technology Changed What I Expected When I Bought New Construction
Smart Communities Chicago · May 24, 2026
Four years ago I thought “smart home” meant a Nest thermostat and a video doorbell. Here’s what I learned after touring dozens of new construction units in Chicago and actually buying into one — and what I’d look for differently if I were starting over.