Lifestyle Smart Home

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?

It is common for Ring Video Doorbells to have trouble keeping the lithium-ion battery pack fully charged. There are a few possible reasons for this, most of which can be solved by the Ring owner. 

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?

It’s a major drag when your AC stops working, but that doesn’t always mean it’s time to replace it. Sometimes, the fix is really quite simple.

DirecTV is a popular satellite TV service that offers more than 240 channels in most areas. A big downside of DirecTV, though, is that it sometimes it freezes.

RiteTemp is a new name in HVAC tech at just under 10 years old. Their thermostats are easy to use, energy-efficient, and reliable. With that said, what could be the problem if your RiteTemp thermostat suddenly isn’t working?

Whenever our phones or laptops aren’t working, we often blame the  WiFi. However, what if you notice the broadband light on your router is red?

If your Arris SURFboard modem is showing a “Sync Timing Synchronization Failure,” it can be confusing, to say the least. Why is this happening, and what’s the recommended plan to fix it?

Seeing a yellow light on your Verizon router may seem like the start of a long, complicated issue, but the truth is it’s a pretty straight forward fix. The loss of internet connection on a router can really only be caused by a few different things. Typically, it will either be a problem with your internet service or the router itself.

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?

Nest is one of the most trusted smart thermostat brands in the world, and it’s a reliable one at that. That’s why people tend to freak out when they notice their Nest thermostat not cooling. Could it be a busted Nest or something worse? Oh, it all depends on what your diagnostic reveals.

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?

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?

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.

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?

So, your television starts flashing an error message- don’t hit the panic button just yet! Why is your Sony TV blinking red 4 times, and what can you do about it?

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?

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.

The Ring Doorbell is designed to be hardwired into the existing doorbell transformer. This does two things. It allows the Ring doorbell to activate the home’s interior chime, and it trickle-charges the Ring’s lithium-ion battery pack.

When the red LED light on your Samsung TV blinks 6 times, and the TV doesn’t come on, you are pretty sure that there is trouble in paradise. Some other brands of TVs have extensive error code systems. Not so Samsung, so if your Samsung TV blinks the red LED 6 times, you only get a general idea of what is wrong.

There are modern, smart equivalents to almost any household device, and that includes light switches. Wemo switches are smart light switches that are infinitely useful, that is unless it is blinking orange. So, what are the best ways to fix Wemo switches that are blinking orange?

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.

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.

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.

A router blinking red is a common symptom of many different problems. Knowing what this means can help you get it back up and running ASAP!

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?

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!

You may have a brand new Vizio TV or have purchased a used model. Now you want to mount that Vizio TV on the wall in your home. You may even have an existing mount already in place. If this is the situation and you can’t find the screws that came with the mount or the Vizio TV, you have a slight problem. What size crews do you use to mount your Vizio TV?

Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without WiFi. As great as WiFi is, it isn’t always as reliable as one would hope, especially considering how expensive it is. So, why is my WiFi so bad at home?

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.

The invention of smart thermostats like Nest has made home life more comfortable and convenient. You can enjoy power-saving settings, quick performance, and an easy user interface. So, what are you supposed to do when your Nest thermostat keeps restarting?

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.

A Ring Doorbell is a valuable asset to many people, providing convenience and protection from your front door. If you consider this item for your home, you might wonder what a few of the pros and cons are. It can be tricky to find this information on the internet without extensive searching.

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?

Frequent ringing is a common complaint with Ring Video Doorbell owners. There are two ways in which the Ring doorbell may keep ringing, or ring too frequently. In the first case, the Ring itself is constantly sending alerts, even false alerts. In the second case, the house door chime keeps ringing when the Ring Video Doorbell is hooked up to it.

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?

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 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?

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.

Not only is it annoying, but it also makes watching your favorite shows impossible. When your Vizio TV begins to flicker quickly, the results are much less than satisfactory. Trying to watch the TV is impossible. Sometimes even trying to read the menu and set up screens can be difficult. Finding and fixing a strobe light effect on your Vizio TV becomes a priority.

A Ring doorbell acts as both a doorbell and a security device for homes and business properties. It allows you to see who is at the door and speak to them, too. You can accomplish all of this and more even when you’re away from home all through the Ring app. However, to make all this happen, your device must be connected to a secure Wi-Fi network.

You have made the decision to get a home security system. There are plenty of options out there but which one do you go with? In the end, you have chosen SimpliSafe for their reputation and comprehensive offerings.

Thermostats have come a long way in a relatively short time. Central air itself is still a relatively new invention in the grand scheme of things. The way that we control the settings have changed throughout the years, with smart thermostats currently being the best option out there.

So, you aren’t home but need to watch the season finale of Yellowstone- no big deal when you have the Xfinity Stream app. However, it suddenly keeps freezing on your phone, and you can’t help but wonder why this is happening to you (and of all times, right now!).

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.

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.

Smart thermostats like Ecobee allow you to control them from an app on your phone. No longer must you walk over to the thermostat to change it. But in our question for convenience, some may ask, “Does it work with Google Home?”

The Sony TV blinking a red light 6 times is usually an indication of error. While there are many possible causes and fixes, some require the user to be more technically inclined than others.

Roku TVs are a convenient way to stream your favorite platforms, connect to your cable, and watch free over-the-air channels. Setting up and connecting to these various outlets is easy and only requires you to follow the on-screen instructions. However, a common issue with Roku Tv antenna channels is they tend to go missing, even after set up.

Ring doorbells are great, and are some of the easiest smart home security systems to install. Unfortunately, things can happen that can screw you out of a good installation session. One of the worst things that you can have happen is a stripped screw that’s either stuck to your doorbell or that came with your install package. So, what can you do?

Looking to upgrade your home’s thermostat to a WiFi-enabled thermostat with more features? Honeywell offers several great options, including the Honeywell Wifi 9000 and the Honeywell 9580. However, these two options have many similarities. So, how can you be sure to choose the right one for your home? 

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?

Xfinity is one of the most popular cable providers in the United States. With their huge selection of channels and packages, they’ve got something for everyone. However, sometimes things can go wrong- like when your Xfinity remote isn’t working correctly.

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.

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?

Your thermostat is meant to be the “brain” of your HVAC system. It’s supposed to control the goings-on involving your AC unit, heater, and to a point, your ventilation. Once in a blue moon, your thermostat will stop working or will just shut off. So, what does it mean when your heater is still on when this happens? Should you panic?

With an average rating of 4.5 stars, both Nest and Honeywell Smart Thermostats perform well in the eyes of customers. However, they have their differences.

Prime Video not working on your Roku device can be earth-shattering. I mean, how are you supposed to watch the latest season of Billions?

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

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.