Honestly, half the time, the “upgrade” means you need a plumber and an electrician just to install it. And don’t get me started on what happens when they stop supporting the software...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with some of the newer “smart” fixtures. My digital shower’s been running smooth for two years—no hiccups yet. Maybe it’s luck, or maybe it’s picking the right brand? I do agree, though, if you’re not into tech, it can be a pain when things go sideways. Still, I kinda like being able to set my temp before I even step in.
Still, I kinda like being able to set my temp before I even step in.
That’s the part that always makes me pause—how much control is too much? I mean, on one hand, being able to set everything from your phone sounds handy, but what happens if a tenant can’t figure it out or the app glitches? Have you ever had to troubleshoot for someone else, or has it all been smooth sailing?
I’ve had mixed experiences with “smart” upgrades in rentals. Some tenants love them, others… not so much. One guy called me at midnight because his smart thermostat locked him out after a power outage. Ended up having to walk him through a reset over the phone. Not exactly ideal.
Curious which brand you went with for your digital shower? And do you have a backup in case the tech fails—can you still use it manually? That’s always my worry, especially since support for these things seems to disappear faster than you’d expect.
Also, when you were getting permits for your reno, did anyone ask about the smart fixtures specifically? I’ve heard some inspectors get weird about anything that connects to wifi or needs its own breaker. Or was it just business as usual?
Just trying to figure out if all this new tech is worth the hassle long term, or if it’s more trouble than it’s worth…
I totally get where you’re coming from. The “how much control is too much?” question keeps popping up for me too, especially after a few late-night calls about smart locks and thermostats. It’s great when it works, but the second there’s a hiccup, you’re tech support whether you like it or not.
One guy called me at midnight because his smart thermostat locked him out after a power outage.
Been there. Had a tenant who couldn’t figure out how to reconnect the WiFi on a smart oven—took longer than I’d like to admit to walk them through it. That’s why I’m always wary of anything that doesn’t have a manual override. If the app or the cloud goes down, you need some way to just turn the thing on and off.
As for permits, in my area inspectors mostly cared about electrical load and GFCI protection, not so much about the “smart” part. But I’ve heard stories about other cities where they get picky about anything with WiFi or extra breakers. It’s probably worth double-checking local codes if you’re adding more of these.
Honestly, I think it comes down to your tenant base. Some folks love the tech, others just want things simple. If you’ve got a backup plan and can still use the shower manually, that’s a huge plus. Otherwise, yeah, it can be more hassle than it’s worth long-term.
That’s a good point about manual overrides. I’ve seen way too many setups where everything’s “smart” but if the app glitches or the WiFi drops, you’re out of luck. For anything plumbing-related—showers, toilets, even those fancy touchless faucets—I always push for a way to operate things the old-fashioned way. It’s not just about convenience; it’s a safety thing too. If there’s a leak or a valve issue, you want to be able to shut things down fast, not wait for an app update.
Permitting is a mixed bag, honestly. Around here, inspectors are mostly focused on code compliance—proper venting, GFCI, making sure nothing’s going to flood or short out. But I’ve had colleagues in other cities get flagged for “unapproved” smart valves or wireless controllers. It’s worth double-checking, especially if you’re adding anything that could impact water shutoff or emergency access.
I get the appeal of all the tech, but sometimes simple is just safer. At least with a regular shower valve, you know what you’re getting every time.
Manual overrides are a must, especially for anything critical like water shutoff. I’ve been on jobs where the “smart” system failed and nobody could figure out how to stop a leak without tearing into the wall. That’s just asking for trouble. Some of these new valves don’t even have a physical handle anymore—drives me nuts.
Permitting really does depend on the inspector. Around here, as long as you’ve got a mechanical backup and everything’s accessible, they don’t care if it’s smart or not. But I’ve heard stories from folks in other counties where they’ll red-tag you for using anything not specifically listed in the code book.
Curious—did your inspector even ask about any of the tech you used, or were they just focused on the basics? Sometimes I wonder if half of them even know what a smart valve is...