Best Thermostat Settings for Winter: Day, Night, and Away
The DOE suggests about 68°F to 70°F when you're home and awake, set lower when asleep or away. When to skip setbacks: heat pumps, older adults, frozen pipes.
Heat Pump and HVAC Troubleshooting
Heating and cooling equipment runs for hours at a time, so a problem costs you both comfort and money. These guides explain what is normal (like a heat pump defrost cycle), what you can safely check yourself, and which problems need a licensed HVAC technician.
All heat pumps & hvac guides
Electric Water Heater Not Heating? Causes, Reset Button, When to Call
No hot water usually means a tripped breaker, a tripped reset button, or a bad upper element. Lukewarm water points to settings, demand, or the lower element.
Heat Pump Defrost Cycle: What Is Normal and When It Signals a Problem
Steam, a whoosh, a stopped outdoor fan, and a 3 to 15 minute pause in heat are normal in defrost mode. How often it runs, and the signs that need a pro.
Heat Pump Emergency Heat vs. Aux Heat: What They Mean and Cost
Aux heat comes on by itself and is usually normal in cold weather. Emergency heat is a manual backup for a broken heat pump. How they differ and what they cost.
Heat Pump Freezing Up in Winter? Normal Frost vs. Ice That Needs a Pro
Thin frost that melts during defrost is normal. Thick ice, an iced-over top or fan, or ice that stays after defrost is not. What to check and when to call.
Heat Pump Not Heating or Blowing Cold Air? Normal vs. Real Problems
Lukewarm air, brief cool air during defrost, and long run times in a cold snap are often normal. How to tell, what to check safely, and when to call a pro.
Heat Pump vs. Gas Furnace Cost: Which Is Cheaper in Your State?
At U.S. average prices for January to July 2026, a gas furnace heats for less than a standard heat pump. See every state's cost of heat and the break-even math.
