>My original offhand glib remark is wandering off into the wilderness.

Thread drift caused by A/C draft :).

>My thermostats cost $$$ because Honeywell and Home Depot had to make a profit. Other than that the software (actually "firmware") has saved me more than the cost of the two thermostats.

My point exactly. After just one year with the new outside unit and the new thermostat, it feels so much better and out power bill has gone significantly down.