I went with sensors in the main rooms, mostly because I was worried about hot and cold spots—our living room gets blasted by afternoon sun, while the bedrooms stay pretty chilly. The difference was honestly bigger than I expected. Before, the schedule alone just didn’t cut it; I’d have the thermostat set for “comfort” but still end up sweating in one room and freezing in another. With the sensors, it actually balances out, especially on those weird spring days when the sun’s doing its own thing.
That said, I did try just scheduling at first to keep costs down. It worked okay, but only if everyone stuck to the same routine (which never happens). If you’re on a budget, maybe start with sensors in the rooms you use most and see if it’s worth expanding later? I found the investment paid off faster than I thought, just in terms of not fighting over the thermostat all the time. Curious if anyone’s tried the DIY sensor hacks—are they actually reliable, or just more hassle?
With the sensors, it actually balances out, especially on those weird spring days when the sun’s doing its own thing. That said, I did try just scheduling at first to keep costs down.
Sensors really do make a difference, especially in homes where sun and shade play favorites. I’ve seen “just scheduling” fail more often than not—families just don’t move like clockwork. Starting with the main rooms is a smart move. As for DIY sensor hacks, I’ve seen mixed results. Sometimes they’re more trouble than they’re worth, especially if you factor in time and reliability. If you’re already seeing less thermostat drama, you’re ahead of the game.
I get the appeal of DIY sensor hacks, but honestly, if you’re spending hours troubleshooting, are you really saving money? I’d rather invest a bit more upfront for reliability. Curious—has anyone tried integrating window sensors for passive heating/cooling adjustments? Seems like a logical next step.
I get the appeal of DIY sensor hacks, but honestly, if you’re spending hours troubleshooting, are you really saving money?
Honestly, I’ve had the opposite experience. DIY sensors can be a pain at first, but once you get the hang of it, the troubleshooting gets way faster. I’ve probably saved a few hundred bucks over the years doing it myself. As for window sensors, I rigged a couple up to cut the AC if a window’s open—works fine, just needs a bit of patience up front. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s doable if you’re stubborn like me.
As for window sensors, I rigged a couple up to cut the AC if a window’s open—works fine, just needs a bit of patience up front.
That’s pretty much how I started too. If you’re careful about what you buy and don’t mind a little trial and error, it’s not that bad. I usually sketch out what I want first, then look for cheap sensors online—AliExpress is hit or miss, but sometimes you get lucky. The first setup took me a weekend, but now I can swap out a sensor in under 10 minutes. For me, the savings add up, especially when you’re doing a whole house on a budget.
