Lifestyle Smart Home

The Ring Video Doorbell is a wildly popular doorbell option because it combines home security with front-door alerting. However, when it starts a random buzz after only weeks or months of use, it becomes quite an unparalleled annoyance. This buzz can be in the outdoor unit itself, which is not as bad, or it can be in the home’s doorbell chime which is unbearable.

Don’t blame the haunts of Halloween, the ghosts of Christmas past, or the specters of past residents when your Xfinity  cable box inexplicably reboots. That isn’t to say that those couldn’t be causes, or that the haunt of a former prankster or an agitated poltergeist couldn’t be the culprit. It might just be best to start with more earthly or grounded reasons – speaking literally and figuratively.

If your Panasonic TV won’t turn on and you see a red light blinking on the bottom corner 10 times, you may be left feeling clueless. Why is this happening, and what can you do about it?

A Smart Life outlet is a device used to control the state of an appliance, i.e. turning a light off and on, from a user’s cell phone. It is also commonly referred to as a smart plug, These types of plugs came into existence in 2015. Since then, there have been other related products launched, such as smart light switches, smart bulbs, and even  smart doorbells. You can even control your space at a granular level by linking Smart Life outlets to your existing smart home hub, such as Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa.

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?

It’s disappointing when you’re trying to watch something on TV, and the Comcast cable box flashes the message, ‘Not Authorized.’ What went wrong?

The Pro 1 t705 is an effective and versatile thermostat that is ideal for many homeowners. It can run solely on batteries, a hardwire, or a combination of both for consistent performance. With that said, what are you supposed to do when your Pro 1 t705 thermostat is not working?

Home security devices are a hot commodity these days. They have come a long way from the days when a team of professionals had to install many hard wired devices and sensors throughout the home. In fact, home security has become so simple that you can take a product like Blink by Amazon out of the box and have it set up within the hour. But as you continue to strive for simplicity and ease you might find yourself wondering if you can use your Blink with your Google Home.

The continued boom of home security options has made it easier and easier to keep a home safe, and the owner informed. Smart technology allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell with a video on your cell phone.

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!

Arris is a company that manufactures and sells modems, among other telecommunications equipment and software. While it is a renowned business, the biggest user complaints lie within the Arris modems continuing to reset (and without warning). Why is this happening, and how can you fix it?

One of the advantages of an Ecobee thermostat is the ability to control it remotely. But to do this, the Ecobee needs a strong and secure Wi-Fi connection. So what happens if your Ecobee won’t connect to your Wi-Fi?

Installing smart devices into your home is a great way to make your life easier and upgrade your space. Products such as Nest make it easy and convenient to manage your home’s temperature.

Alexa is one of the most popular smart home hub services in the world, with thousands upon thousands of different products being made for use with it. Hue is one of the most popular smart light series in the world, and of course, it’s designed by Philips. Having owned Hue bulbs, I can tell you that they can be pretty hard to pair with Alexa.

Nest thermostats are great for people who want to have a little extra efficiency. They keep your home warm and nicely climate controlled. However, things don’t always work the way they should. There are going to be times when your Nest thermostat won’t heat up your home. What gives, anyway?

Your new HVAC unit is installed and tested. Everything looks good. The HVAC service technician was pleased to see you chose a Braeburn thermostat and told you these were some of the best on the market. Now the Braeburn thermostat flashes COOL, but the HVAC system isn’t responding. What could be the problem?

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.

Every  cable box has some type of minor variation, from its appearance to how they operate. One example of this is the boot process. Some cable box panels will have lettering and number sequences. The Time Warner Cable box, for example, uses an L- numeric series to indicate and reflect the cable box booting process.

POV: You’re watching Ted Lasso, and you can’t help but notice the picture on your TV seems unusually dark. Why does your Samsung TV keep dimming?

Like any electronic device, your Wi-Fi router won’t last forever, and its performance will suffer as it ages. The average homeowner replaces their router every 3 years, but they can last 5 or more years. How long your Wi-Fi router lasts depends on factors such as its location, condition, and usage.

The convenience of smart home technology has taken the world of home design by storm. Often, the first smart home technology that many households adopt are smart speakers with AI assistants like Alexa. These small, yet powerful devices can answer your questions, set timers, and more. Most importantly, they can easily play your favorite music on command.

When I first was gifted an Echo Dot, I’ll be honest. I wasn’t impressed. I thought that it was a Gen Z gadget and was all “crotchety old lady” about it. But, I quickly learned to love it. That’s why I flipped out when my Echo Dot started to be mysteriously silent. Ever wonder what causes that?

I love the idea of video doorbells, don’t you? It’s so nice to see a video of who’s outside your home and actually have proof of porch pirates. Video doorbells are a smart investment in home security, but most require you to pay a monthly subscription. Want to get a video doorbell that doesn’t need one? We have you covered.

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.

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?

It can be highly frustrating when your broadband connection starts bugging out and blinking red. It’s even more frustrating when there are different blinking lights, and you don’t know what they mean. So what does it mean if your AT&T broadband connection has a red light that’s blinking?

Right in the middle of your favorite TV drama, the screen on your Vizio TV suddenly turns black. The audio may or may not keep playing. Then, just as randomly, the screen comes back to life. If you have this problem with your Vizio TV, there are several possible causes for this strange behavior.

You only get to live alone for the first time once, and it’s important to make the most of it. But moving into your own place can also feel a bit daunting. There is all the stuff you need to buy, and a home aesthetic to think about.

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.

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?

About 90% of all households in the United States have a heating and air conditioning system, which makes it one of the most popular—and essential—pieces of home equipment. That makes thermostats a hot commodity, too, as they play an important role in making sure your HVAC system runs properly.

When I used to be in my twenties, I lived in really sketchy neighborhoods. One was an apartment building that had doors on the inside of the building. It was a time before Ring doorbells. Since then, I’ve wondered whether or not people there installed them inside the building. Is it even possible?

The SimpliSafe brand offers a wide variety of high-quality home security products, including smoke detectors, flood indicators, and alarm systems. Their equipment features innovative smart technology that’s designed to enhance user control in an easy and discreet way.

Ah, a Roku device- your one-stop-shop for all things streaming. If your Roku light starts blinking, that throws a pretty big wrench in your Saturday night plans (that may or may not have included leaving the couch).

Comcast and Xfinity are the top most popular internet providers in the country. They have professionals that show up and a 24-hour help service line. But what happens if your modem starts acting up and blinks green?

When your internet goes out, you may have a problem that you can fix from the comfort of your home. Cox internet is often very dependable, but like most companies, minor difficulties can occur. So, what do you do when Cox internet keeps going out on you?

Cox Communications is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers dial-up, DSL, and cable internet service to homes and businesses across the United States. Regardless of their reach, no service provider is error-free (although we wish that were the case). What should you do when your Cox modem is blinking orange?

Anyone familiar with computers and software knows the frustration of updates. Computer-driven smart TVs like the Vizio are no different. Manufacturers routinely put out updates to TV firmware to bring enhanced operations and new features to TVs. However, you may experience your Vizio TV getting stuck during the download process.

Do you want to join the 11 million customers who’ve made the switch to an Ecobee smart thermostat? Maybe you’re worried it won’t be compatible with your HVAC system’s wiring.

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?

Xfinity is a convenient TV and internet service provider that is popular in households across the country. Despite their longstanding success, you are bound to experience some issues with your cable box from time to time. One of the most common problems people experience with their Xfinity box is it saying “boot” constantly without turning on.

If you have recently bought a Vizio smart TV and have taken a look at the remote, you have probably noticed something a little strange right off the bat: there is no menu button on a Vizio remote.

The Internet plays such a pivotal role in our everyday lives. One of the biggest modern inconveniences is when it stops working. Why does your Internet go out every night at the same time, and what can you do to fix it?

Kasa is a brand that is hellbent on making smart homes easier to access than ever, and it’s a system that works with most major hubs. Unfortunately, it still has its kinks it occasionally deals with. One of the more common annoyances that we tend to see is an alert saying that there’s a “device unreachable” in your system. What gives?

You love to watching TV and movies with your Roku. But once in a while, the device comes disconnected and your shows suddenly stop. So, what does that keep happening? And what can you do about it when it does?

If you’ve ever come into my home, you already know that I’m a huge fan of Spotify. Specifically, I’m a fan of playing my Spotify on Alexa. The thing is, I’m married and my husband has an account too. That leads us to a question many people have wondered: can you have multiple Spotify accounts on a single Alexa?

Thermostats are a modern convenience, but they are only useful when you understand what they do. The fan setting on a thermostat can make all the difference when it comes to energy bills, air circulation, and indoor comfort. So, what does the fan setting on a thermostat do?

When one smart device can talk to another, it’s just the best. Ecobee has the ability to pair with other devices like Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. In addition, Ecobee has touch screen capabilities so you can interact directly with the thermostat.

You can get all of your programming needs met online and pay a fraction of the price while still enjoying your favorite shows! How can you get rid of the pesky broadcast TV fee? Is it possible?

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.

White-Rodgers is a company that’s pretty well known for being reliable, especially when it comes to its selection of thermostats. Though they generally work well, there are always times when things don’t go as planned. If you notice your thermostat acting unresponsive, you might have a problem on your hand. But, what’s going on?

One of the most commonly praised aspects of  Vizio TVs is the experience they offer. From excellent picture screen quality to great sound quality, Vizio TVs have found a home in homes all across the country.

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?

Having weird lights appear on your router can be highly unsettling, primarily if you work from home or depend on your internet for daily activities. It’s essential that you get your internet back up and running as soon as possible; however, the initial steps you take highly depend on the equipment from your service provider. So, what do you do if you have a Spectrum router that’s blinking red?

Deciding on a home security system is no small task. If it’s too cheap, it can seem suspicious. But sometimes, the systems that cost a fortune have way more equipment than you need. And then there’s the growing desire to connect all appliances to smart devices. Enter Nest and SimpliSafe.

The Vivint Smart Thermostat plays an important role in the brand’s home security lineup. It uses sensors to determine when you’re home or away. With that information, it adjusts the temperature in your house. But what happens when your digital thermostat stops working?

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.

When it works perfectly, AirPlay allows users to stream content from Apple devices to other multimedia devices. If you have a Vizio TV, you can display audio, video, photos, and anything else from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop directly to the TV. Unfortunately, technology rarely seems to work perfectly. That’s why we’re going to talk about what to do when Vizio AirPlay is not working.

Deciding whether or not to upgrade your lighting to smart lighting is a big decision. There is, of course, the initial investment. At $30 or $40 a bulb, switching your entire home over to smart bulbs is no small price to pay. But the benefits are numerous.

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.