I understand your position here but you are familiar with ransomware scams it seems and also at least tech savvy enough to know you can restrict network access.

I understand your position here but you are familiar with ransomware scams it seems and also at least tech savvy enough to know you can restrict network access. However I do not feel you are representative of most homeowners who would be in the same situation, and my evidence by example is that ransomware is exceptionally profitable despite how well known the malware is and many reports and instructions on your options to respond are. Basically while I agree with your assessment on how to respond I think the fact that ransomware is stilk so profitable means that you are the exception in this case. I posit that the same persons who reluctantly pay ransoms for their phones/tablets/desktops/laptops would be all the more quick to pay if not paying meant an additional heating or electric bill on top of it. I don't know if utilities would be sympathetic to victims but I am not confident they would be. No, rationally there is no guarantee that payment unlocks the device or removes the attacker, but part of the attack is intending to induce an irrational state- it's likely why early ransomware pretended to be DMCA claims or FBI warnings. (Please forgive spelling errors as I am on a tablet)