CliQ Updates
Can You Really Get Paid to Use Less Electricity? Demand Response for Homeowners, Explained (2026)
Can You Really Get Paid to Use Less Electricity? Demand Response for Homeowners, Explained (2026)
Demand response programs pay homeowners bill credits for easing off electricity during peak grid hours — usually through a smart thermostat. Here's how it works, how to find a program... Read more...
What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home? (Ranked)
What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home? (Ranked)
Air conditioning accounts for 19% of the average home's electricity use — and heating and cooling combined hit 31% before you've touched a single other appliance. Here's the full ranked... Read more...
Woman adjusting a smart thermostat on the wall of a bright modern home
The Best Smart Thermostat for Programmable Thermostat Owners
If you have a programmable thermostat, the upgrade to smart is simpler than you think — if you pick the right one. Most smart thermostats require a C-wire that programmable... Read more...
Battery-Powered Smart Thermostat: The Complete Guide (2026)
Battery-Powered Smart Thermostat: The Complete Guide (2026)
Battery-powered smart thermostats exist, but they're rare. Most "battery" thermostats are old-style programmable units without app control. Here's how the smart, battery-run category actually works — and why it's the... Read more...
Woman calculating finances at home with US dollar bills and a calculator
What's a Normal Electric Bill? (US Averages by Home Size and State)
The average US residential electricity bill was $142.26/month in 2024 — but "normal" depends on where you live and how big your home is. State averages range from $92.88 in... Read more...
A couple looking worried while reviewing bills at their kitchen table
Why Is My Electric Bill So High? (13 Reasons — and What to Do About Each One)
Your electric bill is high for one of 13 reasons — and most of them are fixable. We break down every cause, from HVAC inefficiency and thermostat placement to rising... Read more...
Which States Have the Highest Electricity Rates in 2026?
Which States Have the Highest Electricity Rates in 2026?
Homeowners in Hawaii, California, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts pay more than 30 cents per kilowatthour — nearly double the U.S. average. Here's what that means for your bill, and how... Read more...
Do I Need a C-Wire for a Smart Thermostat?
Do I Need a C-Wire for a Smart Thermostat?
Most smart thermostats require a C-wire to stay powered. CliQ doesn't — and not as a workaround. Here's what a C-wire is, what happens without one, and what your options... Read more...
How to Control Your Home's Temperature From Any Room (Without Rewiring)
How to Control Your Home's Temperature From Any Room (Without Rewiring)
The thermostat in your hallway says 70°. The bedroom says otherwise. Here's why one thermostat can't get the whole house right — and how to fix the one room that... Read more...
The Best Smart Thermostat Under $100 in 2026 (Honest Comparison)
The Best Smart Thermostat Under $100 in 2026 (Honest Comparison)
Comparing the best smart thermostats under $100 in 2026 — Amazon, Google Nest, Wyze, and CliQ. One table, honest specs, and the one question most reviews skip: does it need... Read more...
How Much Can a Smart Thermostat Actually Save You? (2026 Data)
How Much Can a Smart Thermostat Actually Save You? (2026 Data)
Smart thermostats save most US households $155–$237 per year based on current energy costs and independently verified savings rates from the DOE and EPA. At $69.99, CliQ pays for itself... Read more...
How to Install a Smart Thermostat (2026): Find Your Path in Under 2 Minutes
How to Install a Smart Thermostat (2026): Find Your Path in Under 2 Minutes
Most people think installing a smart thermostat is a weekend project. For CliQ, it's a Tuesday afternoon. Three install paths — including one that takes under 2 minutes with no... Read more...
How to Check If Your Thermostat Has a C-Wire
How to Check If Your Thermostat Has a C-Wire
Takes a few minutes and zero tools. Here's exactly how to check your thermostat wiring — and what your options are if the C-wire isn't there. Read more...
Smart Thermostats Without a C-Wire: The Complete Guide
Smart Thermostats Without a C-Wire: The Complete Guide
  The short answer: yes, you can get a smart thermostat without a C-wire. Some thermostats work around it using power stealing. Some require an adapter. And some — including... Read more...
Why Your Energy Bill Keeps Going Up (And What to Do About It)
Why Your Energy Bill Keeps Going Up (And What to Do About It)
US electricity prices are up about 25–30% since 2019. Your usage probably hasn't changed. Heating and cooling is half your bill, and it's the one part you can actually control. Read more...
Thermostat Wiring Including a C-Wire
What Is a C-Wire and Why Does Your Smart Thermostat Need One?
Short version: A C‑wire (common wire) is the dedicated power line that provides your thermostat with a steady 24‑volt supply. Old thermostats could survive on batteries and borrowed power. Today’s... Read more...
Is Your Old Thermostat Costing You Money Every Month? | 2026 Guide
Is Your Old Thermostat Costing You Money Every Month? | 2026 Guide
Heating and cooling is nearly half your energy bill. Learn the 3 reasons your old thermostat wastes money and how a smart thermostat fixes it. Read more...