🎄 What to Ask for This Christmas

Let’s say — purely hypothetically — I’m Jeff Bezos. Nothing at Amazon excites me after I got bored with space, but now I’m back, starting a new company that uses AI to make things better. I want to create software that can observe and measure things in the physical world that conventional AI hasn’t been trained for. It is called the Prometheus Project. Prometheus refers to the Titan in Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, symbolizing the bringing of technology, knowledge, and civilization. The Prometheus Project, which has not yet even created a website, raised 6.2 billion dollars in initial funding!

I mention it because measuring things in the real world accurately so it can be fed into a Green Home AI model is the biggest hurdle for creating a green home retrofit plan (plus it provides an excuse to starting talking about gifts). Accurate data points, clearly labeled, is exactly what AI needs to make right assessments and recommendations. Right now, a home energy auditor might bring $10,000+ worth of professional gear to a home site and use their BPI certified knowledge to find the problems and recommend a plan for a home. However, this means there’s a big gap between what the average person can measure and the “intelligence” of an architect, building engineer or energy auditing professional.

That’s where the latest measuring tools combined with AI can level the playing field.

For example, even the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score, a program we hold up for its simplicity, will work better with a Laser Distance Tape Measuring Tool that provides accurate measurements of a home’s conditioned space. Luckily, these tools and a bunch of others can be found on Amazon and ordered in time for Christmas.

Best of all, it doesn’t take a Jeff Bezos Christmas budget to find quality tools that will work, something that will help you or you favorite contractor get started and cost less than a billion dollars, in range of a few dollars to $500 in fact.

🛒 The Home Energy Nerd’s Christmas Wishlist

Here’s some tools to put in an Amazon cart or better, request from Santa directly:

1. Laser Distance Measure
   For measuring floor area, ceiling height, and window sizes.
   Example: Bosch GLM 20

2. Thermal Imaging Camera
   Attaches to your phone. Reveals where your home is losing heat.
   Example: FLIR One Pro (USB-C or Lightning)

3. Wall Scanner (Radar)
   Detects pipes, wires, and studs without drilling holes.
   Example: Walabot DIY 2

4. High-Powered Flashlight or Headlamp
   For crawling into attics and under floors like a true energy hero.

5. Blue Painter’s Tape (2-inch width)
   Mark key measurement spots or label things for clean data collection.

6. Safety Gear (N95 Mask + Safety Glasses)
   Because energy nerds should live to tell the tale.

Optional: Tripod, extra phone battery, extension ladder (for attic access).

🌟 Final Thought: Observe, Label, Then Let Software Do the Work

When evaluating a home, don’t stress about getting every R-value or efficiency stat perfect. Focus on three simple things:

• What is it made of? (materials)

• How big is it? (area or count)

• How old is it? (year built or installed)

If you can see it, measure it, or find ways to take a picture of it, our AI can probably work with it.

You don’t need to smash your walls open. You just need to give the right data to the right software. And by giving these tools as gifts, you’ll be helping yourself, other homeowners or deserving general contractors be armed with more of the tools they need to fill a role that is all but impossible to fulfill due to labor shortages, especially out in rural areas.

You don’t need to break things to see behind walls. (AI generated photos)

Merry Christmas. 🤖🎄