[badtension]

Making thermostats that are aware of dynamic energy pricing or, better yet, are in part controlled by the energy company (I want my house to be 21-24 C, I don't care when the cooling happens) would give us massive flexibility.

All power hungry devices should at least have that capability (maybe other than the kettle, lol). This is literally a cost of $20 hardware in many cases.

[bluGill]

In most houses the HVAC and water heater are the only devices that the user can accept not being in full control. Everything else is like the kettle: when you turn it on you want it on now.