Smart homes have been around for 20 years, but recent developments in technology have greatly improved them. Remote devices now control more than lights and thermostats. Now it’s easy to watch and control smart devices on your smartphone or tablet. That means you’re in charge even when you’re away from the house — which comes
When it’s time to replace your thermostat, there are many new and exciting options in thermostat technology to choose from. You can upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat and really customize your comfort. Manual thermostats still have their benefits, but smart thermostats are the wave of the future. In the spirit of fairness, it’s
The thermostat is a device familiar to every homeowner. And when it stops working, everyone in the household notices. If the heating or cooling suddenly turns off, one of the first things you should check is the thermostat. First, make sure it is set to “heat” if you want warm air and “cool” if you
Heating is expensive. According to the Energy Information Administration, up until 2009 more than 50% of energy was used in home heating. While this number continues to decrease thanks to more energy-efficient heating systems, the vast amounts of fuel used to power furnaces, radiators, water heaters, and boilers is still substantial. Running a heater throughout
Heating your home is your largest energy expense, “making up about 42% of your utility bill” (U.S. Dept. of Energy). Unfortunately, the same heating mistakes get made over and over again. While there are many things you can do to restore heat and improve the energy efficiency of your heating system, there are also a
The vacation you have been planning for 2 months is right around the corner and you can’t wait to leave. While your excitement is understandable, you don’t want to come back to a robbed or a damaged house. Preparing your house for your upcoming vacation is as important as checking your tickets before stepping
Thermostats give you the ability to set a temperature that you feel comfortable in. However, if your HVAC system gives you problems and affects the temperature in the room, it can cause discomfort. There are numerous reasons for your cooling system to behave in such a manner and it would be ideal to