Less to break, and if something does go wrong, it’s usually an easy fix.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I swapped out a fancy dimmer for a regular toggle after the “smart” one started flickering every time the shower ran. Sometimes the old stuff just works, and it’s way cheaper to replace if it ever does go out. My wallet appreciates it.
Sometimes the old stuff just works, and it’s way cheaper to replace if it ever does go out. My wallet appreciates it.
Preach. I’ve lost count of how many “smart” gadgets I’ve had to dumb down after they started acting up. Swapped a motion-sensing faucet for a regular one when it started randomly spraying me like I owed it money. Sometimes, less really is more. At least with the basics, you know what you’re getting—and you don’t need a PhD to fix it.
Swapped a motion-sensing faucet for a regular one when it started randomly spraying me like I owed it money.
That got a laugh out of me. Had a similar thing with a “smart” thermostat—thing kept disconnecting from WiFi and randomly cranking the heat in July. Ended up putting the old dial one back in. Not as flashy, but at least it does what I tell it.
I get the appeal of new tech, but honestly, half the time it just means more stuff to troubleshoot. When I did my bathroom, I stuck with regular fixtures. No touchless, no Bluetooth speakers in the mirror, none of that. Maybe I’m just old school, but I’d rather swap out a $20 part than spend hours on support calls or firmware updates.
Sometimes I wonder if all these upgrades are just making things more complicated than they need to be.
Had a customer once who insisted on a “smart” shower system—voice controls, app, the whole nine yards. Thing would randomly start blasting cold water at 2am or refuse to turn off unless you rebooted it. Ended up swapping it for a regular mixer valve. Sometimes the old stuff just works better, and you don’t need a software update to take a shower. I get why people want the fancy features, but honestly, less can go wrong with the basics.
Sometimes the old stuff just works better, and you don’t need a software update to take a shower.
Honestly, I’ve swapped out more “smart” shower valves than I can count. Folks love the idea until it’s 6am and their phone’s dead, so no hot water. If you want reliability, stick with a solid mixer. Fewer headaches, less cursing at your plumbing.