Interesting point about the thermostat—I can totally see how that'd make a noticeable difference, especially with all the automatic adjustments. But I wouldn't underestimate the blinds either. Maybe it's just me being budget-conscious, but I've noticed that during summer months, good shading can really cut down on AC use during peak hours. Our place used to get super hot in the afternoons, and after installing smart blinds (we went with a cheaper brand), we definitely felt a difference in comfort and saw a slight dip in energy bills.
As for smart lighting... I've been curious about that too. But honestly, I'm wondering if just switching to regular LED bulbs and being mindful about turning lights off might be enough. Smart bulbs seem cool, but are they really worth the extra cost over standard LEDs? Would love to hear from someone who's tried them out already.