Interesting points raised here... I'm currently debating between investing more upfront for better responsiveness or starting small and upgrading later. Is there a particular area—lighting, security, thermostats—where responsiveness matters most in everyday use?
I've found responsiveness matters most with lighting, personally. I started cheap with bulbs that lagged a few seconds after voice commands—got pretty annoying fast, especially when entering dark rooms carrying groceries... Upgraded those first, definitely worth it. Thermostat delays never bothered me much.
"Thermostat delays never bothered me much."
Yeah, same here. Honestly, for anyone on a budget, I'd suggest prioritizing lights first—just grab one or two reliable bulbs for rooms you use most. Thermostats can wait... minor delays there aren't exactly life-changing.
"Thermostats can wait... minor delays there aren't exactly life-changing."
True, but have you noticed if those delays ever mess with your heating bill? I'm genuinely curious if the slight lag means your system runs longer than it needs to. Lights are great and all (can't deny the convenience!), but wouldn't optimizing temperature control save more money long-term? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but has anyone actually tracked if smart thermostats noticeably cut down their monthly bills?
I've actually noticed a difference since switching to a smart thermostat. Nothing huge month-to-month, but over a year it adds up nicely. Plus, tweaking schedules creatively can be kinda fun... definitely worth exploring if you're curious.
