CliQ Updates
Hand adjusting a modern smart thermostat on a wall
Nest Thermostat End of Support: What Still Works One Year Later
Google ended support for the 1st and 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostats on October 25, 2025. One year later, here's what still works, your four options, and the wiring check... Read more...
Sacramento's Tower Bridge in fall colors, Sacramento, California
Are PG&E Rates Going Up in California? (2026)
PG&E lowered electric rates twice in 2026, but California rates are still 84% above the US average and new increases are proposed for 2027. Why PG&E bills run high, what... Read more...
Brooklyn brownstones in New York City in fall
Why Are New York Electric Rates Going Up? (2026)
New York's average residential electricity rate rose 14% in a year as natural gas prices pushed wholesale power costs up. Here's what's driving it, what changed for Con Ed, NYSEG... Read more...
Three AA alkaline batteries on a beige surface
How to Change the Battery in a Honeywell Thermostat
Set the System switch to Off, then slide out the battery holder or pull the thermostat straight off the wall. Here's which Honeywell models take AA vs AAA, what BATT... Read more...
Outdoor air conditioner unit with potted plants on top
Honeywell Thermostat Cool On Flashing: What It Means and How to Fix It
"Cool On" flashing on a Honeywell thermostat is compressor protection, not a fault. Wait five minutes without touching anything. If it keeps flashing, here are the three things to check. Read more...
Downtown Columbus, Ohio skyline in fall
Why Are Ohio Electric Rates Going Up? (2026)
Ohio's average residential electricity price rose about 12% in a year as PJM grid capacity prices jumped. Here's what's driving it, how to compare suppliers, how to apply for HEAP... Read more...
White digital thermostat on a wall
How to Reset a Honeywell Thermostat (Restart, Schedule, or Factory Reset)
Most Honeywell problems need a restart, not a reset, and your settings survive it. Here's how to restart any model, reset the schedule, or factory reset T4 Pro, RTH, FocusPRO,... Read more...
Empty basement with exposed beams and pipes
Honeywell Thermostat Not Working? How to Fix It, Symptom by Symptom
Start with the screen. Blank means no power, on-but-nothing-runs usually means mode, setpoint, or the 5-minute compressor delay, and settings that change back mean the schedule. Every common Honeywell problem... Read more...
Hillside homes in San Diego, California
Why Are SDG&E Rates Going Up in San Diego? (2026)
San Diego Gas & Electric's average residential rate jumped 11.4% in January 2026 and is now the highest of California's big utilities, with another increase requested for 2028. Why SDG&E... Read more...
Long Beach, California skyline and waterfront
Why Are SCE Rates Going Up in Southern California? (2026)
Southern California Edison raised rates again on October 1, 2026, after a 12.9% jump in 2025. What's driving SCE's increases, from the 2025 rate case to wildfire costs, plus peak... Read more...
Two AA batteries on a dark surface
How to Change the Batteries in an Emerson or White-Rodgers Thermostat
Set the System switch to OFF, pull the thermostat straight off the wall, and swap in two AA batteries. Here's how to tell which Emerson or White-Rodgers model you have,... Read more...
Colorful homes in the Houston Heights neighborhood, Houston, Texas
Why Are Texas Electric Rates Going Up? (2026)
Texas electric rates rose 3.4% in a year, driven mostly by delivery charges from Oncor, CenterPoint, and other wires utilities, plus record demand on the ERCOT grid. What changed in... Read more...
Woman adjusting a wall thermostat in a bright room
How to Set a Honeywell Thermostat (Temperature, Schedule, and Hold)
Pick Heat or Cool, press up or down, and press Hold if you want it to stick. Step-by-step instructions for setting the temperature, schedule, time, and keypad lock on Honeywell... Read more...
Downtown Boston at night with a snowy waterfront
Why Are Massachusetts Energy Bills Going Up This Winter? (2026)
Massachusetts heating oil hit $6.08 a gallon, up 73% from last year. Here's what's driving oil, gas, and electric bills this winter, who qualifies for fuel assistance and the new... Read more...
The Jersey City, New Jersey skyline at sunset
Why Are New Jersey Electric Rates Going Up? (2026)
New Jersey electric bills jumped 17% to 20% in June 2025 as PJM grid capacity prices hit record highs. Here's what drove it, where rates stand now, where to get... Read more...
Furnace Not Turning On? Check Your Thermostat First
Furnace Not Turning On? Check Your Thermostat First
Most furnaces that won't turn on in the fall are fine. The thermostat is still on Cool, set too low, out of batteries, or on Hold. Here's the two-minute check,... Read more...
Thermostat wires protruding from a white wall after the thermostat has been removed
C-Wire Adapters for Thermostats: Which One Works With Your Wiring
Most C-wire adapter guides tell you what an adapter does. None of them tell you the two things that decide whether one will work in your house: how many wires... Read more...
Close-up of two AA batteries on a dark surface
Do Battery Thermostats Need a C-Wire?
Most battery-powered thermostats still need a C-wire, because the batteries are backup, not the power supply. Here is the difference, brand by brand. Read more...
Exposed low-voltage electrical wiring coming out of a white wall during a home renovation
Can You Add a C-Wire? Adapter, New Wire, or Skip It Entirely
Yes, usually. Repurpose a wire for free, fit a $25 to $50 adapter, or pay $100 to $200 to run new wire. Which options you have depends on your wire... Read more...
stuck in bed, too cold
Programmable Thermostat Not Following Its Schedule? Here's Why
Your thermostat ignoring its program is usually Hold mode. The seven real causes, how to fix each one, and how to tell when it's the HVAC system instead. Read more...
White digital programmable thermostat mounted on a wall displaying the current temperature
The Best Programmable Thermostats in 2026 (Honest Comparison)
The five programmable thermostats worth buying in 2026, what each costs, and the two things most roundups leave out: Honeywell has discontinued most of its classic RTH line, and phone... Read more...
Close-up of a hand holding a remote control to adjust indoor climate settings
What Is a Programmable Thermostat? (And What It Can't Do)
A programmable thermostat runs a fixed schedule you set once at the wall — no app, no remote changes, no idea whether anyone's home. Here's exactly what it can and... Read more...
Smart electricity meters installed on a residential exterior wall
What Is a Tiered Electricity Rate? (And Why It's Making Your Bill Worse)
Tiered electricity rates charge more per kWh once you cross your monthly baseline allowance. Here's how the tiers actually work, how they differ from time-of-use rates, and what actually helps. Read more...
What's the Difference Between a Smart Thermostat and a Programmable Thermostat?
What's the Difference Between a Smart Thermostat and a Programmable Thermostat?
A programmable thermostat runs a fixed schedule. A smart thermostat adds remote control and automatic Away detection — but usually needs a C-wire yours may not have. Here's the real... Read more...
Person controlling home temperature from a smartphone app
Remote Control Thermostats: What "Programmable + Wi-Fi" Actually Gets You
A "remote control thermostat" — Wi-Fi or smart — is just a programmable thermostat you control from your phone. Here's what the Wi-Fi layer actually adds over a basic programmable,... Read more...
How to Program a Thermostat (Any Brand)
How to Program a Thermostat (Any Brand)
A step-by-step guide to programming any programmable thermostat: the universal five-step method, brand-specific steps for Honeywell, Emerson/Sensi, Lux and White-Rodgers, the temperature settings that actually save money, and why so... Read more...
Afternoon sunlight streaming into a bedroom, illustrating how sun exposure makes some rooms warmer than others
Why Is Every Room in My House a Different Temperature?
One thermostat in one hallway is making the call for your whole house. Here are the 7 real reasons your rooms don't match — sun exposure, leaky ducts, the stack... Read more...
How Do I Choose a Smart Thermostat? A No-Nonsense Guide
How Do I Choose a Smart Thermostat? A No-Nonsense Guide
A no-nonsense framework for choosing a smart thermostat: check HVAC and C-wire compatibility, look past the sticker price to subscriptions and add-ons, be honest about the install you're willing to... Read more...
Can I Install a Smart Thermostat Without an Electrician?
Can I Install a Smart Thermostat Without an Electrician?
In almost every case, yes — smart thermostat wiring is low-voltage and designed for DIY. Here's the honest breakdown of when you can install it yourself, the two situations that... Read more...
White digital thermostat mounted on a wall
What Is the Easiest Smart Thermostat to Install in 2026?
Most smart thermostat installs fail for one reason: the C-wire. Here's how the top options compare on installation difficulty — and which one removes the problem entirely by design. Read more...
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 CliQ... 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...