I hear you on the gadgets. I went a little overboard with the “smart” stuff when we moved in last year—thought it’d be cool to have everything app-controlled. But honestly? The only things I use are the video doorbell and the garage opener. The rest… half the time I forget the passwords or the app crashes. My partner is still convinced the fridge is spying on us.
But insulation, yeah, that’s one thing I wish I’d paid more attention to. Our place looks great, but I can feel a draft in the living room corner every winter, and it drives me nuts since I know it could’ve been avoided if I’d focused less on the tech stack and more on the basics.
Curious, did anyone here actually go low-tech on purpose? Like, intentionally skip the automation and just keep things simple? Wondering if it really makes life easier or if there’s something I’m missing.
Honestly, I’ve worked with folks who went super low-tech on purpose, and they usually seem less stressed about their homes. Fewer apps and gadgets to troubleshoot, less stuff that can go wrong. It’s not for everyone, but there’s something nice about just flipping a switch or opening a window without consulting your phone. Insulation, though—that’s one of those “boring” choices that pays off every single day. If you’re still building or renovating, I’d always put good insulation and solid windows above any smart gadget. Tech can be fun, but comfort is everything when you’re actually living there.
Couldn’t agree more about insulation—seriously underrated. When I built my place, I spent extra on spray foam and triple-pane windows. Not flashy, but my heating bills are way lower and the house just feels solid. Smart gadgets are fun, but comfort wins out.
Not flashy, but my heating bills are way lower and the house just feels solid.
Couldn’t agree more with this. People get all hyped about quartz counters and smart fridges, but honestly, nobody brags about their insulation—until winter hits. I’ve seen folks cheap out on envelope details, then regret it every single drafty January. Energy savings aren’t sexy, but they’re real. If you’re building, spend where it matters...your future self will thank you when the wind’s howling and your place is still cozy.
Title: Building Priorities—Comfort vs. Features
I get where you’re coming from about insulation, but honestly, I couldn’t help putting some budget toward the “fun” stuff too. When we built last year, my partner was all about the triple-pane windows and spray foam, but I really wanted a killer kitchen. We compromised—spent a bit less on the counters and splurged on better air sealing.
But here’s the thing: I don’t regret making it look nice either. The comfort is great (and yeah, our bills are lower), but I also love having a space that feels like us, not just a bunker. If you’re building, maybe don’t go all-in on one thing. You can have solid basics and still get some of those “flashy” upgrades people love to show off. Just gotta balance it out—otherwise you end up with a super-efficient house that doesn’t feel special to live in.
