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Emily Ross

Smart Home & Energy Writer

Emily researches smart home technology, home energy systems, and backup power solutions for HomeGear Guide. Her work focuses on helping homeowners understand how connected devices and energy products compare and what to look for before investing.

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Relevant Experience & Background

Emily has covered smart home and consumer electronics for several technology publications. She specializes in translating technical specifications — HVAC compatibility, wireless protocols, power output ratings — into clear guidance for homeowners. She has researched and written about generators, solar panels, battery backup systems, and whole-house surge protection for residential audiences.

Articles by Emily Ross

Smart thermostat mounted on a living room wall displaying temperatureSmart Home

Best Smart Thermostats for Energy Savings and Comfort

Compare learning and programmable smart thermostats with remote sensors. Understand C-wire requirements, HVAC compatibility, and which features actually save energy.

Jan 18, 2025Read Guide
Video doorbell camera mounted beside a front door with a porch visibleSmart Home

Best Video Doorbells for Home Security and Package Protection

Compare wired and battery-powered video doorbells. Understand resolution, field of view, storage fees, smart alerts, and which power source fits your home.

Jan 22, 2025Read Guide
Smart lock with keypad installed on a residential front doorSmart Home

Best Smart Locks for Keyless Home Entry

Compare Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Z-Wave smart locks with keypads and fingerprint readers. Understand deadbolt grades, battery life, and keyless entry options.

Feb 3, 2025Read Guide
Outdoor security camera mounted on the exterior wall of a houseSmart Home

Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Home Monitoring

Compare wire-free, wired PoE, floodlight, and budget outdoor cameras. Understand resolution, night vision, power source, storage options, and IP weather ratings.

Jan 25, 2025Read Guide
Home security system control panel mounted on a wall near a front doorSmart Home

Best Home Security Systems for DIY and Professional Monitoring

Compare DIY no-contract, professionally monitored, and self-monitored security systems. Understand sensor types, cellular backup, and smart home integration.

Feb 8, 2025Read Guide
Smart garage door opener motor unit mounted on the ceiling of a residential garageSmart Home

Best Smart Garage Door Openers for Remote Access and Security

Compare belt drive, chain drive, wall-mount, and retrofit smart garage door openers. Understand HP ratings, drive types, smart features, and compatibility.

Feb 12, 2025Read Guide
Smart smoke detector mounted on a ceiling in a residential hallwaySmart Home

Best Smart Smoke Detectors for Early Warning and Alerts

Compare hardwired, battery, and voice-alert smart smoke detectors. Understand ionization vs photoelectric sensors, CO detection, wireless interconnectivity, and app alerts.

Feb 15, 2025Read Guide
Smart home hub device sitting on a table with smart devices in the backgroundSmart Home

Best Smart Home Hubs for Device Control and Automation

Compare Matter-compatible, Z-Wave, voice assistant, and budget smart home hubs. Understand protocol support, voice integration, automation, and local vs cloud processing.

Feb 18, 2025Read Guide
Smart home devices connected through different wireless protocols with a central hubSmart Home

Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi: Smart Home Protocols Compared

Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi each serve different smart home needs. Compare range, power consumption, mesh networking, and compatibility to choose the right protocol.

Jun 25, 2025Read Guide
Heavy-duty dual fuel portable generator connected to an exterior transfer switch inlet boxHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Portable Generators for Home Backup and Outdoor Use

Compare portable generators by running watts, surge capacity, dual-fuel options, and clean inverter power to keep your essential household circuits running during outages.

Apr 1, 2025Read Guide
Installed whole home standby generator with sound enclosure and concrete pad outside a residenceHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Home Standby Generators for Automatic Whole-Home Backup

Compare automatic home standby generators by kW capacity, fuel supply, transfer equipment, and installation requirements to keep your whole home powered during outages.

Apr 10, 2025Read Guide
Portable solar generator with solar panel charging outdoors on a sunny dayHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Solar Generators for Clean, Quiet Portable Power

Compare solar generators for clean, quiet portable power. Understand battery capacity in watt-hours, inverter output, solar input, charge time, and LiFePO4 vs NMC chemistry.

Feb 17, 2025Read Guide
Battery power station on a desk with devices plugged in during a power outageHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Battery Power Stations for Home Backup and Portable Power

Compare battery power stations for home backup and portable use. Understand capacity in watt-hours, AC output, battery chemistry, charging options, and UPS functionality.

Feb 24, 2025Read Guide
Whole-house surge protector installed next to a home electrical panelHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Whole-House Surge Protectors to Safeguard Your Electronics

Compare whole-house surge protectors for your electrical panel. Understand joule ratings, kA surge current, response time, LED status, NEMA ratings, and installation.

Mar 3, 2025Read Guide
Home battery backup system mounted on a garage wall near an electrical panelHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Home Battery Backup Systems for Energy Independence

Compare home battery backup systems for energy independence. Understand capacity in kWh, power output, battery chemistry, solar integration, backup duration, and installation.

Mar 10, 2025Read Guide
Row of solar panels installed on a residential roof on a sunny dayHome Energy & Backup Power

Best Solar Panels for Home Rooftop and Ground Installations

Compare residential solar panels for home rooftop and ground installations. Understand wattage, efficiency, monocrystalline vs polycrystalline, temperature coefficient, warranty, and degradation rate.

Mar 17, 2025Read Guide
Portable generator operating safely outdoors at least 20 feet from a home with a transfer switch connectionHome Energy & Backup Power

Portable Generator Safety: Carbon Monoxide Risks and Safe Operation

Portable generators produce deadly carbon monoxide. Learn safe placement, transfer switch requirements, and the dangerous mistakes that cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Jun 28, 2025Read Guide

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