Lifestyle Smart Home

Nowadays, a home isn’t a home without modern technology infused throughout. There are smart thermostats, security systems, curtains, and even smart light bulbs. Smart light bulbs are becoming more popular these days. After all, they have several benefits, including increased security and lower energy costs. But if you are looking to install new lights outside your home, you might wonder if you can use smart bulbs outdoors.

Vizio is one of the most respected brands of TV on the market. Many people prefer Vizio TVs because of the high quality, clean pictures, and reliable service. However, even Vizio TVs can have their issues. One common issue is the Vizio TV power light blinking with or without an image on the screen.

Ring Doorbells are an advancement in technology that many people want to get their hands on. Unfortunately, this has led to an uptick in the number of doorbells that get stolen off of doorsteps. If you are concerned about this or it has happened to you, you might be curious how you can prevent this case of theft.

Roku is easily one of the most popular streaming platforms currently on the market. Users swear by Roku’s easy-to-use features and a wide variety of free movies, TV shows, music, and more. But it can be frustrating when it stops working — like when you notice your Roku remote blinking a green light.

Nest has several error codes that may appear on the screen to let you know something is amiss. While it can be alarming, there are usually plenty of ways to troubleshoot the problems yourself.

For as smart as they are, smart thermostats occasionally do some silly things. Ecobee users noticed their thermostats sometimes blew cold air instead of hot air. When you’re expecting heat on a chilly day, cold air is most unwelcome. So, why does this happen?

Samsung TVs have a good reputation for the quality and clarity of the images on their TV screens. However, like any electronic device, the complicated systems in these Samsung TVs are subject to problems. One common problem seems to be dark streaks or areas on the TV screen.

A loud blast from your Samsung TV is enough to send you through the roof. If the volume’s stuck on 100, how are you supposed to comfortably catch up on Virgin River?

When it comes to trying to pare down the high price of energy, people are getting crafty. They’re getting eco-friendly materials for their homes. They’re adding insulation. Oh, and they’re also getting some devices that make it easy to help curb your energy use, such as energy monitors. You might be wondering what’s getting your bill high. Should you get a Smappee or a Sense?

Not another error sign… When the DS light on your Arris modem starts to blink, what’s to blame, and how can you fix it ASAP?

Having any sort of internet issue can be frustrating, mainly because we’re so dependent on it in this day and age. But luckily, we have up-to-date devices that can tell us what’s wrong with the connection. Take a Cox Panoramic, for instance– sometimes you will see the Wi-Fi blinking orange. But what exactly does that mean?

Many typical issues come with getting a new TV. Those common issues can include things like connection and setup to  mounting the television. In most cases, these are less like problems and more like learning curves. And like every new television, often even with the same manufacturer, there are new things to figure out. That includes learning how to deal with issues like when Vizio TV legs are too wide.

Making the move to a home security system is becoming a necessity these days. SimpliSafe, one of the top choices on the market, oftentimes ends up being one of the first names thought of by new customers. Setup is relatively easy and their products are reliable.

Have you ever felt that the room temperature was cooler than what your thermostat showed? Nest users have reported issues with their thermostat thinking it’s warmer than it is. A difference of a degree or two is perfectly normal. Anything more than that, though, and there may be a problem.

Nest thermostats display several different messages that alert us of an issue with the device. One such message is that Nest is “delayed.” When something is delayed, we think of it as working intermittently. It’s often not as fast as we want it to be, which can be frustrating.

Huawei, a Chinese-based company, has established itself as a credible innovator in the mobile phone industry. This leaves many Americans are wondering- does Huawei work with Verizon?

Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night because your Honeywell thermostat won’t go below 70? This can be frustrating, especially during those scorching summer months. We’re here to help!

One of Amazon Alexa’s most popular skills allows users to play their choice of music on command. However, it seems some people have been experiencing issues with Alexa performing this task a bit too well.

Countless homeowners will do anything to update their technology and appliances. Smart technology has crept into every aspect of the home, and that includes lighting fixtures. So, can smart bulbs be used in any lamp?

Honeywell has been manufacturing thermostats for decades, and it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the older models are different from the ones that are being made today. Despite their differences, every Honeywell thermostat can be reset, it’s just a matter of how.

Honeywell is one of the top names for thermostats and smart home equipment. As one of the top smart thermostat companies in the world, you should expect your thermostat screen to be reliable. When your screen stops responding, it’s a major blow. What can you do when your smart thermostat’s screen is not responding?

Magnavox universal remotes simplify your life by combining controls for all of your audio-visual equipment in a single device. As convenient as this is, when the remote stops working, things get a bit complicated. You have to juggle individual remotes or manually adjust each piece of equipment.

The Honeywell RTH230B is easy to use, and it works reliably most of the time. Thermostats of any kind can quit working optimally or at all at the most inconvenient times, and they can be tricky to troubleshoot. So, what does it mean when your Honeywell RTH230B isn’t working, and what should you do?

When you install a smart lock, you expect it to work. I mean, they’re supposed to be the leader in security. This is doubly true if you got a smart lock from a company like Schlage. Schlage has been a major mainstay in the home security field for ages. So, how do you fix a Schlage smart lock that isn’t working?

There’s nothing worse than when your Vizio TV keeps turning off after a few seconds in the middle of Monday Night Football. It’s time to get to the bottom of this before you lose your cool.

Verizon is a great service provider, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always be free of problems when it comes to their internet. There are many things that can happen when you have hardware or wireless service involved, which is why there are indicator lights on the router and modem. But what if there is a red globe on your Verizon router? How do you fix it?

The Ring Doorbell 2 uses motion detection sensors and a camera to help homeowners optimize home safety. When the motion detection stops working, homeowners no longer receive push alerts when someone approaches the door, and the camera does not kick on to take video footage. 

Home security systems like ADT are designed to help homeowners and renters feel safe and protected against dangers of the outside world. When you lose power for one reason or another it is important to reset the system to ensure your ADT system works continuously.

Alexa kind of revolutionized the way that many of us run a home. With the sound of your voice, you can ask Alexa to turn on the lights, lower the temperature, or even order you a new batch of food. Getting your smart home equipped is great, especially when you pair it with a smart thermostat. So, what thermostats are out there that work with Alexa?

Ring doorbells are a great security measure that Ring allows you to have. The device gives you video and audio alerts of activity outside your home, even if the doorbell isn’t ringing.

Whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, an LG soundbar is a great way to enhance your experience. That is until your soundbar subwoofer keeps cutting out for no reason. This problem is extremely annoying and inconvenient. If you want to get back to your listening experience, you’ll have to solve it in a timely manner.

In today’s world, there are so many different devices to plug into your Vizio TV. Many people have an Xbox or PlayStation they use via an HDMI port. So, how do you stop your Vizio TV from constantly changing inputs?

Thermostat shopping is a rough time, especially if you are not used to talking about HVACs. There are a lot of ways that shopping can go wrong. Sometimes, it’s not even a matter of shopping. Rather, it’s hard to figure out what type of thermostat you have. Knowing whether you have a single or double pole thermostat can help you out a lot. Let’s discuss what buyers should know.

I’ve often found myself going to ask Alexa a question only to realize I was nowhere near one. Smart devices make life much more convenient, don’t they? Ecobee is a home automation company that specializes in smart home devices. One such device is their smart thermostat.

It can be a bit spooky when your Vizio TV starts turning itself on by itself. Several issues can be at the bottom of a Vizio TV that seems to have a mind of its own. A Vizio TV that turns itself on isn’t a common problem. However, if you are experiencing these issues, there are some common causes.

 It doesn’t take long to tell a difference in the temperature of your home. Maybe you noticed your home wasn’t as comfortable as usual and discovered a blank display screen. If this is the case, you’ll want to diagnose the problem quickly.

Ah, the dreaded error blink code- you hate to see it but can’t avoid it. Most Emerson TVs are easy to use and dependable; however, sometimes, they won’t turn on and blink red. Why does this happen, and what are your options?

Heater season is upon us! If you have an Ecobee thermostat, you may notice an alert pop up after running the heater for a few weeks: “Aux heat running too long.” It should be noted that “Aux” stands for auxiliary, a secondary heating system. Once the temperature outside reaches a certain low point, your compressor switches over to auxiliary heat.

Many people do not want to use cable anymore because of all the streaming options available to them. If you have decided to use an Amazon Fire Stick to do your streaming, you may have some questions. One question is whether you can use multiple Fire Sticks in one house.

If you have a Google Assistant, you can utilize routines to make your day-to-day life easier. In fact, 72% of people who own voice-activated technology say that it is an integral part of their daily routine.

Modern TVs are generally low-maintenance, better looking, and more reliable than ever before. However, even some of the best TV brands on the market, such as Insignia, are prone to confusing errors. So, what does it mean when your Insignia TV keeps turning off?

POV: You just sat down to veg out on a Friday night, and unfortunately, Hulu activate isn’t working. What can you do to fix it?

If you’re an AT&T customer, you already know how quickly you can reach the limit on your personal hotspot. This can leave you without internet connection when you may need it the most and potentially saddle you with extra money on your bill. For many people, the solution to this problem has been simply to switch service providers and be rid of AT&T once and for all. That said, if you’re not wanting to go through the hassle, we’ll tell you how to bypass an AT&T hotspot block.

We have been taught to unplug electric items and appliances during storms. And we are advised to use power strips with breakers to help protect appliances and equipment from getting damaged. When the storms pass, and we get ready to turn everything back on though, there is always that moment of hesitation. Then we have those “what if” thoughts, such as what if the  cable box doesn’t turn on?

Modern electronic thermostats are a marvel of convenience. Thermostats, such as some Emerson models,  communicate with your HVAC system to give you information about your system’s current status. It is important to understand how the thermostat communicates with you. A flashing snowflake icon on an Emerson thermostat may be a normal occurrence or may indicate a problem with your HVAC system

Signal codes are a series of numbers technicians use to diagnose and troubleshoot DISH network problems. A common DISH signal code is 11-11-11; knowing what this means will help you better understand the problem and how it can be fixed!

Smart thermostats like the Nest provide the ultimate custom and efficient HVAC experience. That doesn’t always mean that they are easy to understand, especially when it comes down to minutia such as temperature swing. So, what is the default Nest temperature swing?

As a loyal Spectrum customer myself, I know how annoying internet interruptions can get. There are a few simple techniques I learned over the years to prevent this from reoccurring!

Thermostats have as much of a variety and wide selection as any other household appliance. It can be difficult to navigate the world of thermostats with so many options between smart, analog, and programmable thermostats. So, what exactly is the less widely known millivolt thermostat?

Countless homeowners have done everything that they can to transform their houses into smart homes. It’s easy to overlook certain simple devices that make it easier to go about your day as a homeowner, such as smart plugs. So, do smart plugs save energy?

Troubleshooting a thermostat can be tricky between all of the messages and error codes that they display. Many homeowners have scratched their heads the words “cool on” flash on the display yet the thermostat won’t work. So, what does this message mean, and what can you do to fix it?

Samsung TVs, particularly the new generation of Smart TVs, have an excellent reputation. Purchasers of Samsung TVs give above-average comments and reviews. However, a few known issues occur with the display screens and graphics on some Samsung TVs. In particular, the appearance of black horizontal lines on the screen is mentioned

Losing the sound for even a few seconds on your Samsung TV in the middle of your favorite show is frustrating. Invariably, the sound interruption happens at the most exciting or critical point of your show. There are several reasons your Samsung TV may intermittently lose its sound or volume.

All Ring doorbells, except for the Ring Doorbell Pro and the Ring Doorbell Elite, run on batteries, even if they are hardwired to the home. The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion pack that charges via a USB cable. The battery charge should last an average of 6 to 12 months, but frequent use discharges them sooner.

As the proud owner of an Amazon Echo, I can tell you that Alexa became a pretty good part of my nightly routine. The majority of the time, it makes my life easier. Once in a blue moon, though, you’ll hear it say “Sorry, something went wrong.” When this happens, we’ll have to troubleshoot ourselves before we call Amazon’s customer service.

As we continue to progress into the future, the regular use of smart technology throughout homes and businesses has steadily increased across the globe. In fact, there are around 40 million Alexa users in the United States alone and over 100 million around the world as of 2021.

Google Home is one of the most popular, most efficient smart home hubs out there…Until it’s not. It can be great unless it doesn’t work. A common glitch we often hear with it is the concern-raising “Something went wrong” error. This seems alarming, but in most cases, it’s not something to get too freaked out about.

Those who have  Vizio TVs love their televisions. And there is a good reason for that because Vizio has become recognized as a leader in TV technology. Just ask the thousands upon thousands of satisfied Vizio customers, and they will tell you, from the screen quality to the interactive technologies, that these are wonderful TVs.

The best way to catch up on your favorite shows is by recording them when they air and saving them for a later date. However, you need your recording device to be working properly for this to happen.

An internet connection is no longer considered a luxurious service; it’s an absolute requirement. With so many of us relying on it for essential services like news, banking, and even working from home, we want a reliable connection 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But, what do you do if your Orbi Wi-Fi connection isn’t working correctly?