Good points here, but I'm still figuring out where to draw that line myself. Recently bought my first place and got tempted by these fancy smart thermostats and lighting setups. Seemed cool at first, but now I'm wondering...will they even be supported in five years? Or will I end up having to replace everything again? Definitely agree middle-of-the-road might be safer, but it's tricky knowing what's practical versus what's just flashy marketing.
Fair points, but I'd argue that even if the tech itself isn't supported in five years, the overall savings and convenience might still justify the upfront cost. A few things to consider:
- Most smart thermostats and lights do offer significant energy savings, so even if you have to replace them eventually, they've probably paid for themselves by then.
- Compatibility is improving—many brands now integrate with open standards or popular platforms like Alexa or Google Home. Even if your specific model gets discontinued, there's usually some workaround or third-party support.
- Also, keep in mind that traditional thermostats and bulbs don't last forever either. Regular bulbs burn out, thermostats break down...so replacing stuff periodically isn't really a new issue.
I totally get the hesitation though—it's easy to get caught up in marketing hype. Maybe just avoid going all-in on one brand or ecosystem right away? That way you're not stuck if something does become obsolete sooner than expected.
