Thanks sambah for your comment. I realized after reading the posts above that a master switch is not wise. As per the scene control keypads, I would very much like to add those at a later date, which is why I have had so many questions on how to plan or pre-wire to add them later. We have gone to great effort to design a mult-layered lighting system (i.e. not just all can lights). In order to make best use of this lighting, a scene control fits the bill. A bank of light switches and dimmers is less user friendly than a single scene control keypad in all key rooms. And one of the scene you can control, is an all off button. Common lighting scenes are described in the link below for reference. Yes, it is an extra expense, but I want to use the various lights I have installed and to dim without having to adjust each control for each light. Carol https://www.electronichouse.com/home-lighting/smart-lighting-scenes-for-home-automation-systems/

When we built our current house in 1989 we included a bit of automation with a Stargate automation controller as the core. Installed lighting is all on central dimmers (and many plug in lamps were on X10 dimmers). Not having to run around turning lights off every night was alone worth the money for us. Some lights come on at certain times, others are part of scenes. Overall it works quite well and we'll do something similar in our new house. We've since added a Control4 system for AV, Thermostats, Security system access, garage door (open/close/status), backdoor lock, etc. (Stargate is great but getting old.) The features are useful (like being able to check that doors are locked, garage door closed, and thermostats turned down from iPhone). We'll not use Control4 again though. It's quite antiquated, buggy, and requires a tech to do even the slightest change. Just now starting to research alternatives. Be very careful about wireless anything. Hardwired is more secure, reliable and faster than wireless for computers, security devices/cameras, and other stuff. And wireless is getting increasingly problematic as more of our neighbors add wireless stuff and radio interference increases. You don't need to terminate everything now if you're trying to save money but do run lots of cables and take photos of where they are in the walls for future use. And yes, ethernet to every TV and AV cabinet. Plan for future expansion with a bunch of empty conduits. From wherever your central rack is to; attic, garage, any open spaces in the basement. This will make adding stuff in the future much easier. Automation done well is very useful, automation done poorly is just about useless.

In our latest build, I concentrated on: 1. Wiring, for now and the future. Upgraded as far as we could go-CAT6 (alas, residential fiber not yet affordable, 2 years ago) and made sure that we planned for things we wanted as well as what, perhaps, a future buyer might want. We are with Google Fiber, currently, but all fiber networks can work with this wiring. We'd lived through the "intercom" stage (early 80s) and wanted nothing like that. Control panels swerve all systems, are out of the way and except for an additional alarm system panel (panic room? :) ), none is in the master, nor is any of it visible. The whole house could be run by apps, for those who have the appetite for apps. I don't... Most importantly, we did the planning before the walls went in. 2. Concentrated on not putting in anything that might become obsolete, fast. At one point, our low voltage guy recommended a built-in iPad, to run the house. Lol- NO! 3. Put 240V in the car area. Electric cars are becoming more and more something people want, and are common in my city. HAH! We decided to test the technology, soon after move-in. Got an EV. Our public utility paid for half the costs of the station/install. We're having a blast with the car, and Federal credits made it stupidly affordable. Now- the Utility told us that if we sell too soon OR go solar, they "might" ask for their money back. Understandable because... 4. Made sure that solar is a reasonable option, without tearing our house apart. Go back to #1- it all matters, works. We're have a great rating for solar (because of design) and can easily do it. Didn't do it with the initial build, because that technology is rapidly changing. 5. Nest Thermostats- we have them. Took a minute for me to understand the programming, but it works great. 6. Made sure that our HVAC system had the best, cleanest and easiest to operate technology available. Without an app, it works with our windows, even, to prevent the "fogging" that happens when it's 100 degrees outside and 72 inside. Also works to control humidity in our really humid climate. 6. Not what you'd think of as "technology", but we have a very natural possibility of a third story rooftop deck. We don't want it (I HATE holes in roofs- problems abound, even in the best of cases), but somebody else might. So while the walls were open, we took the time to have a tiny bit of engineering, a bit of steel reinforcement installed, and presto! That space is ready to go, for anybody who wants to do it. All of this was done at really affordable prices, since it was planned for, installed in the beginning. All of it wrapped up in a really nice, long-term Builder's Warranty. Not nearly as affordable if you don't do it and then discover you want "more". That, then, becomes a type of a remodel remodel- hell on earth, for me! The only thing we installed that could become obsolete are ceiling speakers. We love music, and it plays through our home a lot. Can hook to the TV, so a football game (or movie) sounds like a home theater, without all the mess. Eh- the speakers could become out-of-date, but they're there, so a quick switch out and off you go.

There doesn't seem to be any problem with having an agreeable setting. The problem is a landlord who doesn't solve for 'comfort'. Comfort to the landlord is to avoid spending money (usually) . In all fairness the landlord may not be aware of this situation... talk to them. The response you get is usually quite telling. Comfort for the tenant is to not worry about nickels and dimes, they just want to be comfortable. Nuisances --- when you are paying for something as in a place to live. I believe you 'expect' to be comfortable. I know I would. Is anyone right or wrong in this situation? no. It's a matter of opinion and what comfort means to you. (It means different things to different people) I am a landlord as well... there is no 'agreeable' setting at my rental. The tenants pay the heating and cooling bill. I give them pointers how to operate the system 'efficiently' to keep operational costs lower. At the end of the day it is their decision on the comfort level they want, they pay the utility bill. Run the system however you see fit. (If the system breaks, I fix it. All systems break, regardless of brand.) There are no heating / cooling complaints at my rental. It works. ____________ What you can do... your best bet is to approach your landlord with the dilemma. Tell him there is no control for the rooms --- they are either too hot or too cold. If he blows you off, makes excuses. I believe the writing is on the wall. The advantage in renting is once your lease is up you have the option of looking for a new place. Then keep things like this in the back of your mind when making decisions choosing where you wish to lay your head at night. Landlords such as myself, know your plight first hand. I work to solve problems... I don't make excuses. Solve problem is defined as: the solution does not create new problems. I don't treat symptoms or brush them under a rug. Some clearly don't like my methods... and that's OK. I service the Katy, Texas area.