Can we talk about how much money I wasted on a cheap smart thermostat?

I picked up a no-name smart thermostat for like $35 on Amazon last year. Thought I was being clever and saving cash. Set it up myself, watched a YouTube video, felt like a pro. But after 6 months, my electric bill actually went up by about $15 a month. Turns out the thing had a faulty sensor and was running the AC way more than needed. I finally swapped it for a $80 model from a known brand at Home Depot. My bill dropped $25 the first month. Has anyone else had a cheap gadget backfire on them like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

olivia_wilson18d ago

I bought a $20 WiFi plug once (what a mistake). It kept disconnecting and actually melted a bit near the prongs. That $80 thermostat sounds like a way better move honestly.

lucas_johnson17d ago

Cheap tech usually works fine though, and plenty of those $20 plugs last years without issues. Maybe yours was just a dud or you had a power surge, right?