Installing simple, cheap devices such as water-saving taps and toilets can reduce consumption by up to 50%.

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She recommends upgrading from the exposed-light-bulb-and-chain look and installing a simple orb fixture.

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For the glass wall overlooking the street, Ms. Lutz insisted on installing window coverings, strung on simple hospital-track metal fixtures, for privacy.

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But the company pays much less for the hardware and since the Pano product is fully centralized, installing and supporting it is correspondingly simple.

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Accenture's researchers are also dreaming up ways for the elderly to share digital scrapbooks online with their grandchildren, and smart systems that talk you through simple home-improvement tasks, such as installing a new light fixture.

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He said simple measures, including fitting water-resistant skirting boards and installing plug sockets further up the wall, would help property owners minimise the risk of damage.

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