I've had similar experiences, and while I do appreciate the convenience, I sometimes question if the savings really match up with the hype. A couple of thoughts:
- Ours once decided we were home at 3 AM—cranked up the heat to a cozy 72°F. Woke up sweating wondering if the house was haunted or something...
- On the flip side, it does make life easier when you forget to adjust things before leaving for work or vacation. Being able to fix it remotely is pretty handy.
- Still, considering the upfront cost, I'm not fully convinced it's saving us enough money yet. Feels more like a "nice-to-have" than a real budget-saver so far.
I guess it's about balancing convenience vs. cost. Maybe it'll pay off more in the long run...or maybe it's just another gadget we convince ourselves we need. Jury's still out for me.
"Feels more like a 'nice-to-have' than a real budget-saver so far."
That's pretty much my take too. From a builder's perspective, they're great for comfort and convenience, but the actual savings depend heavily on your home's insulation quality and HVAC efficiency. Results definitely vary...
Totally get the comfort angle—honestly, that's why I went for one. It feels pretty luxurious to tweak the temp from bed on a chilly morning... But yeah, savings-wise, it's been minimal at best. Maybe if your home's already dialed in efficiency-wise, the thermostat is just icing on the cake. Curious though, has anyone noticed better results pairing these with other smart home tech (like automated blinds or sensors)?
I've noticed similar results myself—comfort is definitely the bigger selling point for me too. However, pairing my smart thermostat with automated blinds and occupancy sensors did noticeably boost efficiency. The blinds adjust automatically to sunlight, reducing heating or cooling demands, and sensors help avoid heating empty rooms. Individually, each device offers modest savings, but together they form a more cohesive system. Still, the upfront cost means it'll take a while before the savings offset the investment... if ever.
"Still, the upfront cost means it'll take a while before the savings offset the investment... if ever."
Yeah, that's the tricky part for me too. I love the idea of blinds adjusting themselves, but does the convenience really justify the cost? Curious if anyone's seen noticeable resale value bumps from these setups...
