Smarter Homes & Buildings

Hosted by ASHB (Association for Smarter Homes & Buildings)

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Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Join industry experts and leaders from around the globe as they discuss everything smart home and building.

Listen to episodes

31 recent

May 21, 2026Episode 432 min

Smart Homes for Special Needs: Technology Supporting Autism, Aging & Independence

In this episode of the Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, host Nicholas Fonteix of Loxone sits down with Daniel Lopez of Grizzly Tech to explore how smart home technology can support neurodivergent individuals, aging populations, and other communities with specialized needs.Drawing from his personal experience as a father of a son with autism and Down syndrome, Daniel shares how simple smart home tools like lighting controls, sensors, audio systems, and automation routines evolved from practical solutions at home into impactful applications for schools and assisted living environments.The conversation explores wandering prevention, sensory-friendly environments, independence through automation, aging-in-place solutions, and how smart home technology can move beyond luxury and convenience to deliver meaningful human impact.

April 27, 2026Episode 321 min

From Invisible to Actionable: Unlocking Real-Time Energy Insights in Buildings

Energy is one of the biggest operational costs in buildings, yet it often goes unseen and unmanaged until it’s too late. In this episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, Shana Longo of Legrand is joined by Matt Trudeau and Shawn Lebrun of Modern Energy Advancements to explore how real-time, granular energy data is changing the way buildings are operated.The discussion looks at how organizations can move beyond traditional utility bills to gain immediate visibility into energy use, identify inefficiencies at the circuit level, and respond before small issues become costly problems. From uncovering “phantom power” and avoiding equipment failures to improving preventative maintenance and extending asset life, the conversation highlights practical, real-world outcomes.The episode also explores the human side of energy management—how transparency, behavioral insights, and even gamification can drive meaningful change across teams. With sustainability goals becoming more urgent, the ability to measure, manage, and prove ROI is becoming essential.

January 29, 2026Episode 227 min

Seeing the Unseen: How Water Visibility Is Changing Facility Management

Water is often treated as a fixed utility cost in buildings until something goes wrong. A frozen pipe. A hidden leak. A surprise water bill. In this episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, Harry Kohal of TMA Systems sits down with David Benaiges, Vice President of Intelligent Water Solutions at Watts Water Technologies and lead behind the Nexa platform, to explore why water deserves far more attention in facility management.The conversation looks at how extreme weather, aging infrastructure, rising water costs, and workforce turnover are reshaping water management in commercial buildings. David explains why a single main meter is no longer enough, how deeper water visibility can uncover major cost and risk savings, and why water data is quickly becoming a competitive advantage across hotels, multifamily, healthcare, and other large facilities.They also discuss practical options for existing buildings with limited budgets, how technology can support overstretched facility teams, and how water intelligence can integrate with existing BMS and maintenance systems without overwhelming users.

January 13, 2026Episode 138 min

The Role of Lighting in the AI-Powered Home

Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO of Parks Associates, joins Derek Richardson, Founder and CEO of Deako, for a wide-ranging conversation on how lighting is becoming a core layer of the intelligent home.The discussion explores how Deako’s plug-and-play lighting approach is removing long-standing barriers to adoption by simplifying installation, reducing costs, and making future upgrades easier for homeowners and builders alike. From there, the conversation looks at the broader evolution of lighting, including the growing role of sensors, automation, and AI in shaping more responsive and intuitive home environments.Elizabeth and Derek examine how lighting infrastructure can support energy management, safety, security, and health and wellness use cases, from adaptive lighting that responds to daily routines to sensor-driven insights that enable aging-in-place and proactive care. They also touch on market adoption trends, builder strategies, and why future-proofing lighting during construction or renovation is increasingly seen as a practical investment.The episode closes with reflections on leadership, communication, and what it takes to scale meaningful innovation in the smart home market.

November 9, 2025Episode 432 min

Building Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity 101 - Tools and Methods

In this episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, host Greg Walker, CEO of the Association for Smarter Homes & Buildings (ASHB), sits down with Louis Parks, CEO and Chairman of Veridify Security, for the first installment of a three-part series on Building Cybersecurity. This conversation, titled Cybersecurity 101, introduces the fundamentals of protecting building systems and connected devices, highlighting how operational technology (OT) networks differ from traditional IT systems, the vulnerabilities common to BACnet and Modbus, and why cybersecurity has become an essential part of modern building operations. It’s a practical and insightful discussion for anyone looking to understand the evolving risks and defenses shaping today’s smart buildings.

May 5, 2025Episode 358 min

Basement Flooding Isn’t Inevitable: How Technology Can Save Your Home

In this episode, host Walt Zerbe sits down with Roy Spencer, Founder of Perma-Seal Basement Systems and Basement Defender, to discuss the critical, yet often overlooked, threat of water damage in homes. Roy shares his 46 years of experience in basement waterproofing, innovations like daily sump pump testing, and why traditional waterproofing methods often fall short. Learn how proactive systems like the Basement Defender can prevent catastrophic basement floods, costly repairs, and insurance headaches. Whether you’ve dealt with water damage before or are hoping to avoid it entirely, this conversation offers essential insights for every homeowner.

March 19, 2025Episode 237 min

The Science of Light: How Circadian Lighting Enhances Sleep, Mood & Performance

ASHB sits down with Robert Soler, Chief Scientist and Founder of BIOS Lighting, to explore the profound impact of human-centric and circadian lighting on sleep, mood, and overall well-being. With a background in NASA’s research on lighting for astronauts, Robert shares insights into how the right kind of light can boost productivity, enhance focus, and even improve mental health.In this episode, we discuss how modern lighting has distanced us from natural light cycles, the science behind circadian rhythms, and the role of innovative lighting solutions like BIOS’ SkyView in bringing the benefits of natural daylight indoors. Learn why traditional lighting may be disrupting your sleep, what to avoid in your home and workplace, and what the future holds for intelligent lighting systems that adapt to human biology.Tune in for an enlightening conversation on why lighting isn’t just about visibility—it’s about optimizing health and performance.

January 15, 2025Episode 138 min

A Smarter Approach to Whole Home Protection with Moen

In this episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, host Walt Zerbe, Senior Director of Technology and Standards at CEDIA, talks with Mason Hall, Vice President of Connected Products Fortune Brands Innovations. The two dive into the latest trends in smart home technology, focusing on smart water solutions and their role in combating water scarcity across the U.S. Mason highlights Moen’s Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff as a key tool in preventing water damage, saving homeowners money, and providing peace of mind. The discussion also explores the impact on the insurance industry and how the Moen Smart Water Network supports sustainable home practices.For more information, visit moen.com and be sure to check out Moen at KBIS 2025, booth N805, from February 25-27.Additionally, for more insights from CEDIA, visit www.cedia.org, and don’t forget to listen to The CEDIA Podcast, available on any player by searching "The CEDIA Podcast."

September 16, 2024Episode 941 min

The Road to Decarbonization: Strategies for Critical Environments

In this insightful episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, host Paul O’Malley, Founder of Paul O’Malley Associates, sits down with Dan Diehl, CEO of Aircuity, and Walt King, Managing Director of Thrive Buildings, to delve into their experiences in delivering decarbonization programs for critical environments. They discuss essential topics such as the importance of organizational alignment, the integration of technology in building management systems, the impact of utility rebates, and the strategic approaches to portfolio-level efficiency and sustainability. Listeners will gain valuable insights into optimizing building performance, enhancing safety, and achieving significant energy savings through innovative solutions.

August 16, 2024Episode 832 min

Beyond Traditional Appraisals & Unseen Liabilities: Rethinking Commercial Real Estate

In this episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, James Carlini and Darrin Mylet delve into the uncertain future of major U.S. cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco as their commercial real estate markets continue to face significant challenges. With increasing vacancies and plummeting property values, the duo argues that traditional property appraisals fail to capture the full scope of liabilities that now weigh heavily on urban commercial spaces. They explore how the pandemic has irrevocably altered the landscape, with many cities facing a downward spiral, and discuss the critical need for 21st-century assessments that take into account factors like technological obsolescence, crime, and the realities of remote work. Carlini and Mylet emphasize that without these updated evaluations, cities and their commercial properties risk sinking further, while also offering insights into potential paths for revitalization.