"so builders will only run it if the thermostat requires it and most included ones do not." From what i can tell, this is wrong. I asked 30 builders in 3 state

"so builders will only run it if the thermostat requires it and most included ones do not." From what i can tell, this is wrong. I asked 30 builders in 3 states (a mailing list), and every single one of them basically agreed with the statement that they have put them in all homes they've built since 1990. The truth is, AFAIK, the largest homebuilders in the US do it as a matter of policy. The building code does not require running low voltage wiring (including RG6) anywhere, either, but most do it nowadays. I really think you are wrong about this :)