We ended up around 8k for ours, but we were pretty careful about prioritizing eco-friendly materials. Totally agree about tech complexity—have you considered something like a simple humidity-triggered vent window instead? Less fuss, and no false triggers...
"have you considered something like a simple humidity-triggered vent window instead? Less fuss, and no false triggers..."
Funny you mention that—I went the high-tech route once thinking it’d be great for resale value. Ended up with a "smart" fan that kicked in randomly at 3 AM... simpler really is smarter sometimes.
Funny you mention the smart fan mishap—I had a similar experience with a motion-sensor faucet. Thought it'd be sleek and convenient, but it kept randomly turning on when no one was around. Eventually swapped it out for a classic manual one. Sometimes the simplest solutions really do outperform the fancy tech... Did you find the humidity-triggered windows reliable long-term, or did they need frequent adjustments?
"Sometimes the simplest solutions really do outperform the fancy tech..."
True, but I've had pretty good luck with humidity-triggered windows in my old Victorian. Took some tweaking at first, but once dialed in, they've been surprisingly reliable. Maybe it's just about finding the right brand or setup? Tech can be finicky, but when it works, it's a lifesaver—especially in older homes where ventilation can be tricky.
I've found the same thing with tech in older houses—sometimes it's just about patience and fine-tuning. When we renovated our bathroom, I insisted on installing one of those smart ventilation fans that automatically kick on when humidity hits a certain point. At first, it was kind of a headache getting the sensor setting just right—it either wouldn't turn on soon enough or would run forever afterward—but eventually, after some trial and error, we got it dialed in perfectly. Now it's like magic: showers don't fog up the mirror, and there's no mold creeping into corners anymore.
But yeah, I totally get what you're saying about simplicity too. My parents' place still uses a basic manual timer switch for their fan, and honestly it works great without any fuss or extra cost. Sometimes I wonder if the extra tech is worth the effort... Have you noticed if those humidity windows helped lower your energy use at all? Curious if others have seen noticeable efficiency improvements with similar upgrades.
