Key takeaways:
- 77% of surveyed homeowners recently installed a major system or are planning the next one.
- More than half of heating and cooling systems are replaced only after failing.
- 88% of households considering energy upgrades are looking at technology other than solar.
Soon after becoming a homeowner for the first time, many of us face a fraternity-like initiation into what I’ve come to refer to as the “recurring one-time” (ROT) expense. Those pesky (and sometimes crippling) expenditures that, when viewed on their own, seem like one-and-done costs of homeownership that won’t resurface for years, if ever. However, zooming out to a wider time frame quickly reveals how these unrelated costs can fuse together into an unavoidably recurring chain.
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A nonfunctional garbage disposal prompts a call to an electrician who instantaneously diagnoses the problem as a tripped breaker on the disposal itself that you didn’t realize existed. With a flick of a screwdriver, he resets the breaker and levies the idiot-new-homeowner tax — $180. A month after moving in, the hot water heater unexpectedly fails and drenches the basement — $1,200. The first chilly night of the fall, after constructing the perfect kindling crosshatch for your wood-burning fireplace, you realize the damper is missing, and you have no flue to open or shut — $400.
And so it continues with the ROT expenses. We can stay vigilant and try to mitigate as best we can, but we all eventually settle into acceptance of this as a trade-off of homeownership.
The good news for savvy homeowners, though, is that we have the opportunity to take back at least a little control over this chaos. Defined in a recent research study from Habitelligence as home tech, the core systems that combine physical world engineering with digital technology — home energy, climate control, and water & air treatment systems — can and should be viewed through a different lens.
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These systems can certainly come with some big, unwelcome price tags when it’s time for maintenance or replacement — but they also tend to be more predictable over time. And in a lot of cases, they actually offer a shot at real financial return. The truth is, most of us are already involved in managing at least one of these systems. According to the research, 77% of households are either planning an upgrade to a major home tech system or actively keeping an eye on one they recently installed.
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Core home tech: Activity by system type
Whether you’re in this continuum willingly or begrudgingly, this is where a shift in mindset starts to matter.
The fact is, for many households, it’s not just one system – they’re actively managing two or more at the same time. Whether it’s upgrading HVAC while also planning for solar and battery storage, or evaluating air quality solutions alongside water filtration, the data shows that a significant number of homeowners are juggling multiple priorities across the home tech spectrum. That level of engagement makes timing, coordination, and strategic planning even more important.
Extra active: Multiple systems in play
Highlighting the need for a more proactive approach to managing home tech, the research also reveals that more than half of homeowners say they waited for their heating or cooling system to fail before replacing it – a move that often turns a manageable upgrade into a high-cost emergency. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of waiting for systems to break, there’s an opportunity to treat these upgrades as strategic investments in long-term comfort, efficiency, and value. By recognizing the patterns and planning ahead, homeowners can time replacements on their terms, reduce stress, and make smarter, future-ready decisions.
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That mindset shift – seeing upgrades as building blocks, not just fixes – is already taking hold. Homeowners are prioritizing systems that offer more control, resilience, and adaptability. Battery storage is no longer a luxury – it’s a step toward energy independence. Smart panels, hybrid inverters, and advanced climate systems are part of a broader effort to make homes smarter, not just reactive.
This trend shows up most clearly in home energy. According to Habitelligence research, 88% of homeowners exploring upgrades are looking beyond solar, toward solutions that manage storage, usage, and optimization. It’s less about monthly savings and more about future-proofing – building infrastructure that evolves with emerging tech.
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When homeowners understand where their home sits today – whether it’s constrained or flush with empowering technology – they gain a new lens. They stop reacting to problems and start thinking several moves ahead. Upgrades stop being one-offs and start working together.
Ultimately, this isn’t about eliminating recurring expenses – it’s about reframing them. By embracing the continuum and treating home tech as an investment, homeowners create long-term value. Not just financially, but in how well their home supports their everyday life.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
