HVAC & Utilities

Efficiency and comfort go hand-in-hand with our HVAC & Utilities category.

Explore the world of Smart Thermostats, Power, Heating, Air & Ventilation, Cooling, and Water solutions designed to optimize your home’s energy consumption and create the ideal environment.

Discover how these smart devices can help you save on energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and maintain a comfortable living space.

Stay up to date with the latest trends, products, and best practices to make your smart home more sustainable and efficient.

9 Methods to Fix a Nest Thermostat that’s Short-Cycling

Nest Short Cycling

Several factors may result in the short-cycling of your HVAC system. The reasons can range from a defective thermostat, incorrect changes made to the wiring, or even problems directly related to the equipment of the HVAC system. The Nest thermostat has a “low-temperature differential” which means it is quite sensitive to small temperature changes, triggering the HVAC system to turn on and…

Troubleshooting a Frozen AC Unit: Steps to Defrost and Fix

troubleshoot a frozen ac unit

Should your air conditioning system begin to falter and freeze, especially in the intense heat of summer, it can turn into a serious nuisance. Taking swift action is essential to inhibit any further damage to your air conditioning system. When your AC unit is freezing up, it’s not just an annoyance, it’s a potential headache waiting to happen, especially when the sweltering…

How to Disable the Compressor Lockout in a White Rodgers / Emerson Thermostat

Toggle Compressor Lockout Mode 1 1

The main role of the lock feature in thermostats from Emerson or White Rodgers is to guard compressors against short cycling. However, with many contemporary compressors featuring a built-in delay system, the importance of the thermostat could potentially decrease. Also, during repairs, the compressor lockout mode can get in the way of testing, so having the option to disable and re-enable it…

Smart Water Systems & Devices for the Home

water

A family’s financial stability can be notably impacted by their water usage. Roughly 20% of a home’s expenditures are typically dedicated to water heating. In addition, unexpected occurrences such as pipe breakages can result in considerable destruction and hefty repair expenses due to water damage. The monetary strain from such instances could potentially escalate to amounts in the tens of thousands of…

Honeywell Thermostat Wi-Fi Setup Instructions (All Models)

WiFi Setup 1 1

A thermostat with Wi-Fi capabilities provides sophisticated features. It not only allows you to control the temperature from a distance for optimal comfort, but it also responds to voice instructions. Plus, this device simplifies the process of incorporating the thermostat into smart home systems like Alexa and Google Assistant. But if you’re still unsure of how to set up your Honeywell thermostat…

How to Program and Adjust a Honeywell Thermostat

program schedules

Initially, it’s quite reasonable to feel a little confused while trying to understand the operations of your Honeywell thermostat. But as long as the screen isn’t locked, you can easily adjust the temperatures like a traditional thermostat using the up and down arrows or + and – buttons.  That said, cycling between the temperature modes, fan settings, and schedule may take some…

10 Steps to Fix a Nest Thermostat Fan That Won’t Turn Off

Nest Fan

A continuously running blower fan in an HVAC system may suggest an issue that needs addressing. Typically, these systems initiate the fan only at the commencement of a warming or cooling phase. The fan is designed to automatically stop working once the target temperature is reached. So how can you fix a fan that won’t turn off? In the steps below, I’ll…

13 Ways to Fix a Nest Thermostat That’s Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

Nest thermsotat not connecting to Wi Fi 1

Boosting your Wi-Fi signal can often solve problems related to Nest thermostat connections. This boost can be accomplished by setting up a mesh network or employing Wi-Fi amplifiers. However, there are other tweaks you can make to improve that signal strength. So in this guide, I’ll show you how to carry these out and get your Nest thermostat back online. Fix a…

How to Program a White Rodgers, Emerson, or Sensi Thermostat

Program Schedule 1 1

A thermostat timer facilitates the upkeep of the perfect household temperature while also diminishing energy use. You can stick to the default schedule or create a custom one for the week based on your temperature habits and daily routine.  So in the guide below, I’ll show you step-by-step how to program your Sensi, White Rodgers, and Emerson thermostats. Programming a White Rodgers/Emerson…