If the Power Company registers that you disconnected or bypassed your thermostat, they may immediately cancel your plan (turn off your electricity) or else add $Hundreds in extra fees for your violation.
Don't mess with their thermostat. Keep in mind that a thermostat is a dumb thermometer attached to electronic controls for your AC unit. A thermostat senses the temperature of the room (where it's located on the wall)... and then tries to regulate the house AC unit within pre-set limits.
It's easy to fool a thermometer into reading a bogus "house temperature", so it will keep running the heating or air conditioning while it keeps trying to achieve the pre-set temperature.
Simply taping a small incandescent night light with the bulb being next to the thermostat sensor (which is in a grilled vent area located on the bottom or side of the thermostat) can give you all the control you need. The night light bulb will heat the air around the temperature sensor by at least an extra 5 degrees. Find the right light bulb & distance from that sensor that works for you.
That way, if the power company tries to regulate your house to 78-degrees, the thermostat will regulate it to 78-degrees (which is what it's sensor will show)... but your house will actually be around 73-degrees. If the power company ever thinks about coming to check on it, just remove the night light. Let them check all they want.
People signed up for this. The get a break on their power cost if they give the power company the ability to shut off the AC during a critical electrical event. The Power company has their device attached to the AC Breaker, so they can shut off the AC and save some power so they don't lose the grid.
I can confirm that works. My parents have their thermostat right by their TV. The heat from the TV makes it seem warmer inside and keeps the AC going. Their power company regulates temps often in summer.
Supposedly they signed up for a program that gave them some measly savings upfront in exchange for the possibility this could happen. It’s still a look at the future the left dreams of.
If that is the case, my sympathy meter just went to 0. Admittedly, it was only about a 2 to begin with for allowing these spy devices into your home in the first place.
Things that are ok "smart" devices. TV's, because good luck getting a quality tv that's not "smart" and "smart" phones, because internet on the go is actually useful. That's about all I want for "smart" devices.
We were energy independent 2 years ago. Nobody had to worry about not having enough energy to heat or cool their homes. The only way things could get this bad this quickly is if it is being done on purpose. I understand it has to be this way to wake people up, but this is infuriating.
The controlled thermostats will be programmed to regulate your home to a specific "power company" controlled temperature, likely 78-degrees.
Set up a small hair dryer, blowing at slow speed, high temperature directly onto the thermostat. The thermostat will record that you have 90-degree + temperature in the house... and will keep the A.C. on full blast, continually trying to cool your home to 78-degrees.
Keep a separate thermometer nearby so YOU can see what your actual temperature is in the house. When it reaches 72-degrees (or whatever you want), then turn off the hair dryer. :>)
A cheaper way to do it - use a small incandescent night light (2-7 watts) or a safe dehumidifying rod (10-20 watts). They make heat, don't make noise, and will get the thermostat reading a very high temperature.
Doesn’t this assume that one has a power outlet near enough to the actual thermostat? My thermostat is eye level on the wall. Nearest outlet is one wall away.
Poor electrical design. Every wall should have an outlet, as you never know where you will place things in the future. Some electricians fail to grasp this. I know of a school library that shall remain nameless that was constructed with a computer station area around a support in the middle of the reading area. There were plugs for the internet, but no electrical outlets. They had to run an extension cord across the floor. It was the same for the check-in desk. There was no power for the computer.
Yep! They do the same bullshit here in CA. PG&E put “smart meters” on millions of homes. The purpose of “smart meters” was to get rid of meter readers (employees that would go house to house to read the meter so they knew how much to charge you), and secondly, to be able to control your thermostat during “energy emergencies”. I had PG&E remove the “smart meter” they put in my house and replace it with the original analog meter. Ironically, PG&E charged for this service!
This a lesson on READ THE FUCKING CONTRACT! These people agreed to have this done and let the power company intrusively control there temp. In exchange for a flashy wifi enabled spying device that you can control with an app!
They started letting us know back in June they were going to be changing our electric meter to a smart meter. I called and told them I don't want it. They said that's fine, it will cost 100 up front, NOT to have it installed, then an extra 40 a month on top of the ridiculous price they pay now. I said that's fine, you're not changing it, mfrs.🤬
well, we can add that to the ever growing list of shit we all were called crazy for saying was going to happen which then happened...
i don't know why people insist on calling anyone who has an ounce of common sense a "conspiracy theorist"... naw bitch we just hear the music change in a movie and know the bad guy is about to jump out from behind the bush.
The power company comes in and adds a radio-controlled switch to the unit, so they can shut the entire system down without touching the thermostat. We had one in another town for a while, but the retards wired it wrong so it didn't work. :) We don't have that here.
What I don't get is the fact that this doesn't even make any sense.
A well insulated house kept at 68 on a blisteringly 95 degree day will use less energy than an uninsulated or poorly insulated house kept at 78 on the same day.
Let's regulate everyone's temperature to 78? Sounds like a way to keep people miserable. The only advantage to the insulated home is electrical cost of the a/c kicking on less often, not them being more comfortable (which is why they did it in the first place).
I wonder if the masses will put 2 + 2 together and realize that they're paying for the corrupt, incompetent leadership of the Western world with brutal austerity.
There's a lot of people out there that still haven't woken up. Perhaps when they're freezing or boiling their collective asses off, they'll finally figure it out.
And just as an aside, I sincerely hope this gets some Coloradoans to get off their asses and protest. The elderly and pets can't handle living in 50 degrees in the winter and 85 in the summer. I'm sure this bullshit will come to CommieMinnesota soon.
I'm no tree hugger by any stretch of the imagination, but I've been toying with the idea of getting panels on the roof for a long time, purely for the sake of having some energy independence. Might be time to finally buy some.
Never thought about it until you mentioned tree hugger. I'm getting ready to put solar and a powerwall (or 2) at my house too. I find it funny that I had to actually have someone cut down a couple of tall trees so my roof will get more sun.
That has to be a hard decision for the greenies of the world.
Heh heh, I should probably be less self conscious about it than I am. But to me and I'm sure you as well, solar = independence and I'll take as much of that as I can get these days.
How much power is your array going to produce once it's up?
I have to get a solar company back out here after the last tree (which is actually 2 in a big V) is gone. I had a company out last year and I only had 35% of my roof with enough sun. Once this last tree is gone (and with the others I had cut down or trimmed) I should get enough to power my whole house and/or fill up 2 power walls. I'm in TX so there is plenty of sun, but part of my yard was so shaded from the tall and thick trees I couldn't even grow grass there.
I just know I want it installed before we lose the higher tax credit, and before my power contract is up where I get nights free. I was with a power company that was bought by Reliant. The old company was pretty cheap and Reliant has to honor that, but once June hits my power charge will likely double unless I can find another company that is similar to my old one.
At least now I have A LOT of firewood in case the winter is bad like in 2020. The tree guy cut the trees into firewood and brush, and he hauled the brush away. I actually saved money by him cutting the trees into firewood-sized pieces so he didn't have to haul it and pay to dump it. During that bad storm I was without power for 4 days (and it hit -2 F). I ran out of firewood quickly but neighbors brought me a good amount. I can return the favor now if necessary.
Why have a smart thermostat in the first place, we live in an old house and still have the one with the slide up adjuster. If we move to a new place, we'll replace any smart thermo/appliance with non smart tech no matter what we have to pay for it. I will not let control every aspect of my life, it's already too far now.
Haha, Colorado showing once again they're even bigger fags than California. When all of this collapses and there's nobody to stop me, I'm going to go make a coat out of those stupid fucking wolves they put in the northeast corner of the state.
Yep. A bunch of the electric companies were offering the Google Nest as a huge reduction. Like a really good offer. Like it was 50 bucks or something.
However, the caveat is that the nest would be controlled by the electric company and they could change our AC state at any time. I was like nah, and I bought the 1st generation Nest myself for $200 and gave the finger to the electric company.
If you sign up for a energy savings program, read the fine print.
There is no mention of what temperature the thermostat was locked at, but it was most likely reasonable.
I don't agree with tyrannical electric companies being able to do this, but the homeowners signed a contract, consenting to be governed in this manner.
If you don't like it, contact the company and opt out of the energy savings plan.
Yeah, that comment doesn't make sense. I live in an area that is very hot and humid for most of the year. I have lived in places with wall units and then places with central a/c. There is no question that central a/c units are vastly superior if you live in a hot climate.
Oh hells bells bella belle, that's just the way we like life on Louisiana's riviera, hot and sticky, add a bit of spice and call it paradise.
The old plantation homes were engineering marvels in managing temperatures before AC.
Houses built today are designed to use the most energy to keep them comfortable. I personally believe it's a intentional design to feed the utility company in perpetuity.
I spent many a happy summers in a AC-less plantation home in Terrebonne Parish.
(Grandma's heaven)
Tall ceilings, large crawl spaces, ceiling fans, floor fans, attic fans. Operable transom windows above interior doors, gables windows in the attic. Breezy ways, bull runs, wrap around verandas, screen in porches downstairs and upstairs.
Many are not prepared for what is on the way, we should all rethink life with limited access to energy, as the idiots start their rolling blackouts.
Some rooms cool easily, some barely do. Regardless if duct cleaned. new unit. So we need to run it where the cooled rooms are icy cold to somewhat cool those other rooms. So theres excessive use needed to make up for disparity in cooling ability. And it costs a lot, we pay fortune in summer. And different fam members have different preferences so someone is always too cold or warm, no ability to vary by room. Unlike a split duct system/ ductless system that can be controlled by room. THIS is what I want too get when we can.
My central air fills my house right up with cool air. And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg either. Now the heat is another matter. The propane is getting expensive, and the heat goes up the stairs unless I block them during the winter.
I have in a box a 100 cd cd player, it will even play cassette tapes. It's about 22 years old. Just moved it all the way to florida. Now I'm glad I kept it.
I have a 100 CD player that came from a restaurant. The owner had a ton of oldies that I'd burned onto CD for him. He retired from the restaurant and gave me the player. It works fine, but it's stored away, as I can play almost anything you can name from my extensive MP3 collection, perhaps as many as a half million files.
I have been digitizing all the tapes into FLAC files. I'm also digitizing all the old VHS video. I'm also digitizing reels of audio tape and 8-tracks as well. I have equipment to play almost everything, including 78s and cylinders.
For those of use who are even slightly technically inclined, there are plenty of ways of getting the advantages of smart devices without the dystopian nightmares.
The key is to locally host everything and prevent the devices themselves from even being able to see the internet. And the server you host is open source. Google "Home Assistant."
It's what I do and it works fantastic. Sure, it may make me slightly more lazy, but it's great, and I built it.
Still have the old one that won't adjust temperature from our phones/multiple Temps during the day & night. It just senses the temp & turns on. If we ever get a problem with the smart device, we will be changing back quick.
I have a 1st generation nest that has no ties to the electric company. I also have my old thermostat control. If it becomes a problem, I will just revert to the old one.
Since I can control mine from the cloud with a 3rd party app, it would be easy enough with anyone on the server/has account access to mess with my controls.
1 pull thermostat off wall
2 connect red wire to yellow wire
3 enjoy your air conditioning
Recommend against doing that.
If the Power Company registers that you disconnected or bypassed your thermostat, they may immediately cancel your plan (turn off your electricity) or else add $Hundreds in extra fees for your violation.
Don't mess with their thermostat. Keep in mind that a thermostat is a dumb thermometer attached to electronic controls for your AC unit. A thermostat senses the temperature of the room (where it's located on the wall)... and then tries to regulate the house AC unit within pre-set limits.
It's easy to fool a thermometer into reading a bogus "house temperature", so it will keep running the heating or air conditioning while it keeps trying to achieve the pre-set temperature.
Simply taping a small incandescent night light with the bulb being next to the thermostat sensor (which is in a grilled vent area located on the bottom or side of the thermostat) can give you all the control you need. The night light bulb will heat the air around the temperature sensor by at least an extra 5 degrees. Find the right light bulb & distance from that sensor that works for you.
That way, if the power company tries to regulate your house to 78-degrees, the thermostat will regulate it to 78-degrees (which is what it's sensor will show)... but your house will actually be around 73-degrees. If the power company ever thinks about coming to check on it, just remove the night light. Let them check all they want.
I dunno about you but I'd just rather control my own air conditioning thanks.
Their thermostat should not be inside anyone's home period. It's bad enough they stuck smart 5g meters outside our homes, not happening inside.
those 5g meters piss me off. Those employees waltz onto the property and give me anxiety.
People signed up for this. The get a break on their power cost if they give the power company the ability to shut off the AC during a critical electrical event. The Power company has their device attached to the AC Breaker, so they can shut off the AC and save some power so they don't lose the grid.
I find it weird your energu companies can control what you powr in your house? We have nothing like that in aus
The clowns signed up for the service to gain a discount on their power bill then whine when it’s used.
Choices have consequences.
Fucking idiots.
I can confirm that works. My parents have their thermostat right by their TV. The heat from the TV makes it seem warmer inside and keeps the AC going. Their power company regulates temps often in summer.
I keep it at 80 anyway, but thanks for the tip!
Supposedly they signed up for a program that gave them some measly savings upfront in exchange for the possibility this could happen. It’s still a look at the future the left dreams of.
If that is the case, my sympathy meter just went to 0. Admittedly, it was only about a 2 to begin with for allowing these spy devices into your home in the first place.
$25 a year bill credit for this 'service'
Considering the prevalence of fat lefties, they're sure to enjoy being extra sweaty to "save the Earth". It'll be the REEE heard round the world.
Be careful with those soundbars and tvs. They now come with mics that record everything like the Amazon and Google devices.
Even if there are no microphones or they're disabled, sound can be recorded through speakers.
In my town, it was a google nest for like 50 bucks.
Things that are ok "smart" devices. TV's, because good luck getting a quality tv that's not "smart" and "smart" phones, because internet on the go is actually useful. That's about all I want for "smart" devices.
We were energy independent 2 years ago. Nobody had to worry about not having enough energy to heat or cool their homes. The only way things could get this bad this quickly is if it is being done on purpose. I understand it has to be this way to wake people up, but this is infuriating.
I approve this message.
Yep, things are the way they are because that's how they want them.
Solar/batteries, hydroelectric?
This
Easy way to combat the problem.
The controlled thermostats will be programmed to regulate your home to a specific "power company" controlled temperature, likely 78-degrees.
Set up a small hair dryer, blowing at slow speed, high temperature directly onto the thermostat. The thermostat will record that you have 90-degree + temperature in the house... and will keep the A.C. on full blast, continually trying to cool your home to 78-degrees.
Keep a separate thermometer nearby so YOU can see what your actual temperature is in the house. When it reaches 72-degrees (or whatever you want), then turn off the hair dryer. :>)
You're welcome.
This is the way. Winter time, throw some ice in a bag and clip it to a fan directed at thermostat.
A cheaper way to do it - use a small incandescent night light (2-7 watts) or a safe dehumidifying rod (10-20 watts). They make heat, don't make noise, and will get the thermostat reading a very high temperature.
None of this works if the Company disables them all together during "emergencies"
Doesn’t this assume that one has a power outlet near enough to the actual thermostat? My thermostat is eye level on the wall. Nearest outlet is one wall away.
Poor electrical design. Every wall should have an outlet, as you never know where you will place things in the future. Some electricians fail to grasp this. I know of a school library that shall remain nameless that was constructed with a computer station area around a support in the middle of the reading area. There were plugs for the internet, but no electrical outlets. They had to run an extension cord across the floor. It was the same for the check-in desk. There was no power for the computer.
Start by shutting off the energy and A/C in Washington DC
Yep! They do the same bullshit here in CA. PG&E put “smart meters” on millions of homes. The purpose of “smart meters” was to get rid of meter readers (employees that would go house to house to read the meter so they knew how much to charge you), and secondly, to be able to control your thermostat during “energy emergencies”. I had PG&E remove the “smart meter” they put in my house and replace it with the original analog meter. Ironically, PG&E charged for this service!
Yes. We are changing our meter back to analog. Costing us an extra $30 bucks a month.
They signed up for the program.
No one forced them to participate.
Hope the 'incentives' were worth it.
This a lesson on READ THE FUCKING CONTRACT! These people agreed to have this done and let the power company intrusively control there temp. In exchange for a flashy wifi enabled spying device that you can control with an app!
exactly why I don't have a "smart" thermostat. It is a voluntary program now, but that will change.
Someone send a fruit basket to that power company. Theyre making our case for us.
OK but when the fuck did Conservative Treehouse start calling everyone "Comrade"?
It's tongue in cheek and meant as dry gallows humor.
The left isn't trying to hide their communism any more.
This is why they came around and installed "smart" meters without your permission or consent.
They started letting us know back in June they were going to be changing our electric meter to a smart meter. I called and told them I don't want it. They said that's fine, it will cost 100 up front, NOT to have it installed, then an extra 40 a month on top of the ridiculous price they pay now. I said that's fine, you're not changing it, mfrs.🤬
well, we can add that to the ever growing list of shit we all were called crazy for saying was going to happen which then happened...
i don't know why people insist on calling anyone who has an ounce of common sense a "conspiracy theorist"... naw bitch we just hear the music change in a movie and know the bad guy is about to jump out from behind the bush.
da dum... da dum... dadumdadumdadumdadum! 🦈
Hahahahahaha. No smart thermostat for me.
In regards to smart home devices, I keep my house retarded.
How can they directly monitor a thermostat? Sounds kinda Big Brother to me.
The power company comes in and adds a radio-controlled switch to the unit, so they can shut the entire system down without touching the thermostat. We had one in another town for a while, but the retards wired it wrong so it didn't work. :) We don't have that here.
They can kiss my ass.
I'm wondering that as well, does the power company supply a thermostat or require you to have a smart thermostat and access to it?
Time to buy an el cheapo mercury model at a hardware store...
Huh??? How?
They just added a 5G receiver to all of our power boxes here so they can cut it off by street etc. it’s looking bad gents
HAM radios will be a thing again.
Sounds like the power company... puts in glasses has too much power.
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
What I don't get is the fact that this doesn't even make any sense.
A well insulated house kept at 68 on a blisteringly 95 degree day will use less energy than an uninsulated or poorly insulated house kept at 78 on the same day.
Let's regulate everyone's temperature to 78? Sounds like a way to keep people miserable. The only advantage to the insulated home is electrical cost of the a/c kicking on less often, not them being more comfortable (which is why they did it in the first place).
As Royce Lopez calls it “Landlocked California@
I wonder if the masses will put 2 + 2 together and realize that they're paying for the corrupt, incompetent leadership of the Western world with brutal austerity.
There's a lot of people out there that still haven't woken up. Perhaps when they're freezing or boiling their collective asses off, they'll finally figure it out.
And just as an aside, I sincerely hope this gets some Coloradoans to get off their asses and protest. The elderly and pets can't handle living in 50 degrees in the winter and 85 in the summer. I'm sure this bullshit will come to CommieMinnesota soon.
I'm no tree hugger by any stretch of the imagination, but I've been toying with the idea of getting panels on the roof for a long time, purely for the sake of having some energy independence. Might be time to finally buy some.
Never thought about it until you mentioned tree hugger. I'm getting ready to put solar and a powerwall (or 2) at my house too. I find it funny that I had to actually have someone cut down a couple of tall trees so my roof will get more sun.
That has to be a hard decision for the greenies of the world.
Heh heh, I should probably be less self conscious about it than I am. But to me and I'm sure you as well, solar = independence and I'll take as much of that as I can get these days.
How much power is your array going to produce once it's up?
I have to get a solar company back out here after the last tree (which is actually 2 in a big V) is gone. I had a company out last year and I only had 35% of my roof with enough sun. Once this last tree is gone (and with the others I had cut down or trimmed) I should get enough to power my whole house and/or fill up 2 power walls. I'm in TX so there is plenty of sun, but part of my yard was so shaded from the tall and thick trees I couldn't even grow grass there.
I just know I want it installed before we lose the higher tax credit, and before my power contract is up where I get nights free. I was with a power company that was bought by Reliant. The old company was pretty cheap and Reliant has to honor that, but once June hits my power charge will likely double unless I can find another company that is similar to my old one.
At least now I have A LOT of firewood in case the winter is bad like in 2020. The tree guy cut the trees into firewood and brush, and he hauled the brush away. I actually saved money by him cutting the trees into firewood-sized pieces so he didn't have to haul it and pay to dump it. During that bad storm I was without power for 4 days (and it hit -2 F). I ran out of firewood quickly but neighbors brought me a good amount. I can return the favor now if necessary.
There have been entire forests leveled for windmill installations. Retarded.
Why have a smart thermostat in the first place, we live in an old house and still have the one with the slide up adjuster. If we move to a new place, we'll replace any smart thermo/appliance with non smart tech no matter what we have to pay for it. I will not let control every aspect of my life, it's already too far now.
Haha, Colorado showing once again they're even bigger fags than California. When all of this collapses and there's nobody to stop me, I'm going to go make a coat out of those stupid fucking wolves they put in the northeast corner of the state.
I gather that this applies to those who have central air conditioning and "smart" [sic] thermostats to control it.
Gotta love Democrat run slave states
They SIGNED UP for exactly this situation- voluntarily. In exchange they got a slightly lower bill
So they enjoyed the lower bill; but now they bitch when the terms they PRE-agreed to, are exercised
You can use the Ecobee without agreeing to the terms.
Yep. A bunch of the electric companies were offering the Google Nest as a huge reduction. Like a really good offer. Like it was 50 bucks or something.
However, the caveat is that the nest would be controlled by the electric company and they could change our AC state at any time. I was like nah, and I bought the 1st generation Nest myself for $200 and gave the finger to the electric company.
I guess some people did not do the research.
Window units
This sounds like unnecessary bitching.
If you sign up for a energy savings program, read the fine print.
There is no mention of what temperature the thermostat was locked at, but it was most likely reasonable.
I don't agree with tyrannical electric companies being able to do this, but the homeowners signed a contract, consenting to be governed in this manner.
If you don't like it, contact the company and opt out of the energy savings plan.
Maybe not in YOUR world lol - In mine it's unbearable.
Sorry I read your comment as 78 isn't bad 🙈
I see you've never lived in Florida.
Smart meters are used by the not so smart. Also central air conditioning systems are a scam.
Will you elaborate? I am not sure I understand, are you saying central Air Conditioning is a scam? What about it is a scam?
/s no, no, he's got a point. Central A/C does not blow cold air into a building on a hot day.
Most confusing comment of the day award goes to... Copperselectrons.
Yeah, that comment doesn't make sense. I live in an area that is very hot and humid for most of the year. I have lived in places with wall units and then places with central a/c. There is no question that central a/c units are vastly superior if you live in a hot climate.
Yep - live in the south south - it's hot and humid and window units are more costly on the power bill than central units.
Oh hells bells bella belle, that's just the way we like life on Louisiana's riviera, hot and sticky, add a bit of spice and call it paradise.
The old plantation homes were engineering marvels in managing temperatures before AC.
Houses built today are designed to use the most energy to keep them comfortable. I personally believe it's a intentional design to feed the utility company in perpetuity.
I spent many a happy summers in a AC-less plantation home in Terrebonne Parish. (Grandma's heaven)
Tall ceilings, large crawl spaces, ceiling fans, floor fans, attic fans. Operable transom windows above interior doors, gables windows in the attic. Breezy ways, bull runs, wrap around verandas, screen in porches downstairs and upstairs.
Many are not prepared for what is on the way, we should all rethink life with limited access to energy, as the idiots start their rolling blackouts.
Pay today play tomorrow.
Stay cool my Cajun Cousin
When my grandmother was alive - she had a huge attic fan that ran all summer - awesome breeze and never hot lol
Soon to be a great revival of common sense, sounds like you have a head start, ended up with that smart gene from granny, bless her soul.
If not but for my ancestors...
The cupcakes, the powderpuffs and the snowflakes won't have a clue.
Some rooms cool easily, some barely do. Regardless if duct cleaned. new unit. So we need to run it where the cooled rooms are icy cold to somewhat cool those other rooms. So theres excessive use needed to make up for disparity in cooling ability. And it costs a lot, we pay fortune in summer. And different fam members have different preferences so someone is always too cold or warm, no ability to vary by room. Unlike a split duct system/ ductless system that can be controlled by room. THIS is what I want too get when we can.
My central air fills my house right up with cool air. And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg either. Now the heat is another matter. The propane is getting expensive, and the heat goes up the stairs unless I block them during the winter.
Time to dust off the old boom box and find the tapes and CDs!
I have in a box a 100 cd cd player, it will even play cassette tapes. It's about 22 years old. Just moved it all the way to florida. Now I'm glad I kept it.
I have a 100 CD player that came from a restaurant. The owner had a ton of oldies that I'd burned onto CD for him. He retired from the restaurant and gave me the player. It works fine, but it's stored away, as I can play almost anything you can name from my extensive MP3 collection, perhaps as many as a half million files.
I have been digitizing all the tapes into FLAC files. I'm also digitizing all the old VHS video. I'm also digitizing reels of audio tape and 8-tracks as well. I have equipment to play almost everything, including 78s and cylinders.
For those of use who are even slightly technically inclined, there are plenty of ways of getting the advantages of smart devices without the dystopian nightmares.
The key is to locally host everything and prevent the devices themselves from even being able to see the internet. And the server you host is open source. Google "Home Assistant."
It's what I do and it works fantastic. Sure, it may make me slightly more lazy, but it's great, and I built it.
I have upgraded mine to one I picked up online.
Still have the old one that won't adjust temperature from our phones/multiple Temps during the day & night. It just senses the temp & turns on. If we ever get a problem with the smart device, we will be changing back quick.
I have two portable cooling units no house AC. heh.
I have a 1st generation nest that has no ties to the electric company. I also have my old thermostat control. If it becomes a problem, I will just revert to the old one.
I have window units 👀
It is a really good idea to keep that backup.
Since I can control mine from the cloud with a 3rd party app, it would be easy enough with anyone on the server/has account access to mess with my controls.