I think a WiFi thermostat that gives you data is worth it. I use the ecobee 3 and like seeing HVAC run times, cycles per day, efficiency, etc. A lot of the other “smart” stuff seems silly and more of a novelty with little functionality.

Honestly we will only do smart systems that are closed - home network and encrypted access on phones, nothing like the typical Nest/Samsung nonsense. They’re a security nightmare.

We like automation, but not internet-of-things style.

Amanda -

I went hogwild wiring last build. I never used most of the wires. In the end, a lot of things aren't worth doing because it is kinda of a parlor trick. And then wireless is the ticket to mass production (and low cost) and you can do that later.

I like automation for energy savings. I like it for turning lights on and off at certain times. But there isn't that much else that really gets me.

I had whole house audio last time - not doing it again.

I had a security system that told me that all the doors were locked - that was fantastic. This time I am just building less doors. The security had automation - mostly I used it for energy savings. Easier to just plan and insulate better.

We are currently building a house and I'm running a couple drops of CAT6 to each room to be able to hardwire any devices that are stationary and will need internet access. (i.e. chromecast, xbox, etc.) Worst case I can install a dumb switch if I need more hard wires for a space like behind a TV. We will have smart door deadbolts, we had one in our previous home and it was great. They will be on exterior doors and programmed to lock automatically when the door closes via door sensors. It increases security by keeping doors locked but also by being able to open them back up when you ran out to grab the mail or something like that.

I had some smart switches that I found useful and will implement some again in targeted areas when I can program them to turn on/off at specific times for our schedule. I wake early for work and had one light in the kitchen turn on at 5:00 am then turn off when I opened/closed the man door to the garage. Smart switches for christmas/holiday lights are fantastic. I set them to turn on at dusk and turn off 30 minutes after my sons bed time.

I do think I'm going to do some whole home audio via the monoprice system. Its got 6 zones and 6 inputs so plenty of options for each space. Probably wire for speakers in the kitchen/dining, great room, garage shop, master bathroom, second bath and unsure about the other zones. We do have 2 google homes and 3 google home minis already so those will cover audio in the bedrooms. We've been pretty pleased with them and have added more when they go on sale or during promos.

I explored going hog wild with wired sensors for the new house when we first started looking at building. While I think some stuff would be awesome, lights triggered by motion on stairs and in main floor spaces, I don't think the hassle and cost will be worth it at this point. I'm hoping to stick to more practical and useful things. I don't want to have to replace batteries all the time so I'm not planning to put standalone sensors on a million things. The konnected.io board that ties the cheap "security system" wired sensors to wifi and smart hubs intrigues me though and I may use that to wire the exterior doors for open/closed detection.

I will have a smart sprinkler controller. I'm looking close at the RainMachine since it doesn't require cloud access but still will reach out for forecast and rain info. I've also looked at running opensprinkler on a raspberry pi. My goal for this is to have the system adapt to the weather and by doing so hopefully reduce excess watering. We do have fairly extensive landscaping plans so I'm not sure how this will go. Adding a smart component to a sprinkler system doesn't add *that* much additional cost and I think when dialed in could/would save enough money to offset the cost.

Thermostat will be Ecobee. We had an Ecobee3 at our former house which I removed and brought with us. Our new house will have 2 hvac units so we'll be buying another ecobee as well. I haven't decided on which unit and would like to get another ecobee3 since I don't use Alexa (built in on the 4) and want a few more feature than what the 3 lite provides.