Smarter Side-Entry Lighting Using Existing Wiring Smart-home upgrades do not have to begin with a costly whole-house system. For this project, TekneFX is improving a side-entry laundry room and adjoining hallway with two smart dimmers, an existing door sensor, and the home’s existing switch wiring. Project Scope: · Replace the existing laundry-room switch with a smart dimmer. · Replace the existing hallway switch with a smart motion dimmer. · Reuse the existing Zigbee contact sensor on the side-entry door. · Control one recessed LED light in the laundry room and one in the hallway. · Program the door, motion, dimming, nighttime, and double-tap routines in the SmartThings hub. · Use the existing cabling and switch locations, with no new control wiring planned. How the Automation Works: The devices will be connected to the SmartThings hub, where the routines will be programmed and coordinated. Opening the side-entry door will turn both lights on at full brightness. Motion detected from inside will turn them on at 60%. During sleeping hours, hallway motion will activate the hallway light at 30% so it functions as a low-level night-light. A double-tap at the switch can also trigger a SmartThings scene that brings selected lights throughout the home to full brightness. Technology and Benefits: The dimmers use 800-series Z-Wave technology and support Z-Wave Long Range when paired with a compatible hub. Depending on the hub and inclusion method, they can operate through a traditional Z-Wave mesh or a direct Long Range connection. For the homeowner, the practical benefits are simple: more convenient entry lighting, safer nighttime movement, adjustable light levels, and a system that can grow over time.

Did you hear about the diversion issues United experienced at Palomar Airport this weekend? As a non-aviation observer, I heard a large jet initiate a go-around around 9:00 p.m. last night, marked by a surge in engine thrust. After completing the maneuver, the jet diverted to LAX. Based on my review of the flight data and audio recordings, weather appears to have been the cause. The airline’s procedures apparently require a missed approach when the tailwind exceeds 4 knots, with the wet runway cited as an additional factor. United also had two diversions Saturday night, while I did not observe any American Airlines flights diverting. About an hour later, I saw a United jet on a radar app circling over Julian for nearly an hour. The pilot asked ATC about the weather conditions and learned that the previous United flight had diverted because of the tailwind. Other jets landed in similar conditions, including an American Airlines flight around midnight. I believe another United flight may have returned from LAX, although I have no record of it. Overall, four or five flights diverted this weekend. I also recorded two go-arounds last weekend, one United and one American, after both approached too fast to land. Go-arounds are a standard safety procedure airlines use to ensure safe landings. However, it seems unusual for an operator’s procedures to require a diversion for such a low wind component. That restriction may have been part of the basis for approving operations at Palomar, or it may indicate that the runway is too short for big jets. Which would you prefer: funding a runway expansion to meet Category C standards or limiting aircraft size at the existing facility?

No Pain, No Gain? Have you heard that campaign slogan? It seems to be in every TV commercial I see, usually alongside an attack ad aimed at discrediting a candidate. Then come the giant mailers—apparently my mailbox has been promoted to campaign headquarters. One says a candidate “has friends in extreme places” and should be kept far from Sacramento. I was considering voting for that candidate’s opponent until I noticed a mailer with the attack on one side and an “elect me” pitch from “The Real Commonsense Leader We Need” on the other. I can’t remember getting this much political mail. Why are so many organizations backing this approach? Does it actually win votes, or just keep recycling bins in business? And then there are the four-page “No on Prop” ads. I’m not sure what to make of them, but they have convinced me to read up on everything on the ballot before I vote—which may not have been the intended side effect. I don’t have a favorite team in my purple corner of the world, but this should be another interesting election. Whoever wins, I hope plenty of people turn out and make their voices heard.

We’re considering adding the TekneFX MyHome client portal to our Scan-n-Plan service, and we’d appreciate feedback from our neighbors. Scan-n-Plan creates accurate digital documentation of a home’s existing conditions. It is typically used to prepare permit plans, but it can also help homeowners and contractors define the scope and estimate the cost of smaller projects that may not require plans. The question is: What should happen to this valuable information after construction is complete? TekneFX MyHome is designed to provide a secure, cloud-based place to store and share home-related documents for future maintenance, repairs, renovations, and estimates. A MyHome survey could include a conditions report documenting appliances and mechanical systems, along with thermal images showing temperature conditions. It would not replace a professional home inspection, but it could give homeowners precise, organized information to share with prospective contractors and service providers. With better information available before a site visit, service professionals could provide more informed preliminary estimates, homeowners could compare options more easily, and contractors could arrive better prepared. We’d value your input: · Would you find value in having your home’s plans, equipment information, reports, warranties, and other digital records available through an online portal? · Would you consider paying an onboarding fee and monthly subscription if the service included responsive support from a local person? · Would a trusted home concierge, someone who could help coordinate small repairs and represent your interests on larger projects, be useful to you? The idea is somewhat like a pay-as-you-go alternative to a traditional home warranty, without a large upfront cost or restrictions on who performs the work. We plan to test the concept over the next few months and, if there is enough interest, consider launching the service next year. Please share your thoughts below, especially what features would make this service most useful to you.

How Much Are ADU School and Impact Fees? ADU construction is increasing, and Sacramento continues to pass laws supporting it. One recent measure, SB 543; known as the “ADU cleanup bill” addresses permitting timelines and local fees. New construction often carries substantial school and infrastructure charges. For example, on a 900-square-foot conversion project I am working on, the city issued notice of significant pending fees. The homeowner chose to apply SB 543, effective January 1, which bases fees on interior livable spaceand excludes exterior walls and non-habitable areas. Under that standard, our plans show less than 750 square feet of interior livable space, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars in impact fees. If the space is under 500 square feet, no school fees apply. However, there is a catch: the “fee cliff.” When an ADU exceeds the exemption threshold, fees may apply to the unit’s entire area rather than only the square footage above the limit. SB 1117, known as the “Fee Cliff Fix,” is intended to address this issue by requiring jurisdictions to assess fees only on the square footage above the exemption threshold, rather than on the entire unit. I have followed ADU trends for four years and have seen many changes driving demand for this type of housing. As an advocate for single-family homes in planned communities, I question the benefits of increasingly permissive ADU laws. We need more housing, but is this the best approach? Should single-family neighborhoods be preserved for young families? What are your thoughts? How are ADU trends affecting your community?

Should I invest in new ceiling fans or upgrade the Wi-Fi network? Yesterday, I helped a neighbor troubleshoot her HVAC system after it stopped working. She would normally run the AC when she got home from work, but because a blown fuse had shut it down, she opened the windows and turned on a portable fan instead. Since the outside air was cool, the house stayed comfortable. That got me thinking about the home automation upgrade I’m planning and how smart controls could help reduce energy use during peak periods. I’d like the system to monitor the outside temperature and send an alert when it makes sense to open the windows and turn on an exhaust fan. I don’t have that fan yet, but I am considering automating our existing ceiling fans. Right now, they are controlled by wall switches and pull chains. It is a simple, inexpensive setup, but it works well for basic needs. My options are to replace the fans for about $250 each, install $30 Wi-Fi-compatible remote controllers in the fan canopies, or use $30 smart relays on a Z-Wave+ network. With the relay option, all fan control would run through a home automation device, with no local control. I am also considering adding a touchpad display with a midcentury look that my wife would enjoy using to control the system. Since this is an upgrade, I think it may be worth spending a little more now to plan ahead. That is where the home automation platform becomes important. I have not yet chosen a new system. I currently have many smart home devices running on SmartThings, but I want better programming options than it provides. If I choose Wi-Fi devices, they will add more traffic to a wireless network that is already struggling with a four-year-old router. I can either upgrade the wireless network or keep what I have and use remote relays instead. What do you think makes more sense: spend more to upgrade the wireless network, or save money by using programmable relays? The overall cost is similar once the touchpad display and smart the home hub are included.

Do you have a fire recovery plan? We do not often think about what happens after a disaster like a house fire, but preparation can make a major difference. I am currently working with a new client on a fire recovery plan. He originally contacted me for plans he could send to a Title 24 energy analyst. Because this is a like-for-like reconstruction permit, the building department requires a state-mandated Title 24 report before construction can be finalized. I reached out to a colleague who handles this type of work to see whether a simple scan report with building details would be enough, even though it is not a traditional permit plan set. He explained that as-built documents are needed, including property information, a floor plan, building sections, and a scope of work for the replacement items. This 1,500-square-foot home was completely gutted down to the structure. The drywall, insulation, and HVAC equipment have all been removed. No structural changes are planned because the project is a like-for-like replacement. The scope of work includes repairing electrical, plumbing, and stucco as needed; installing new insulation, drywall, windows, HVAC, and roofing; and replacing cabinets, plumbing fixtures, appliances, flooring, and interior and exterior paint. Demolition, including removal of fire-damaged furniture, cost $65,000. The demolition contractor also discovered asbestos in the drywall, which increased the cost. When complete, the total expense will be significant and may not be fully covered by insurance, but the home will be nearly new. To prepare the plans, I first need to complete a site survey to document the existing conditions. This is a two-step process: visiting the site, then converting the information into a working CAD file. I normally use a lidar app to speed up the field work, but because the drywall had been removed, the automated plan did not work in this case. I had to hand-measure each room, record window dimensions, and complete a full exterior survey. This took more time than it would have before the fire. If the homeowner had completed a Scan-n-Plan in advance, they would have had key information ready for both the insurance company and the building department. Instead, they have spent months trying to coordinate with both. Even with the permit in hand, I expect this project may take a long time to complete. What kind of fire recovery plan do you have? If you have been through a similar situation, I would appreciate hearing about your experience.

Was this fictional Nextdoor post about Palomar Airport expansion closed because of a personal accusation? Summary: The post supports expanding commercial flights at Carlsbad/Palomar Airport, possibly including larger aircraft such as 737s or Airbuses. The author argues that increased service could create more competition and lower fares, while viewing airport noise as an acceptable trade-off for better travel options. The discussion is divided: some neighbors welcome the convenience of flying from CLD, while others raise concerns about noise, larger jets, runway limitations, delays, and airport expansion. Likely Nextdoor guideline violation: Patrick H.’s comment appears most likely to have violated the guidelines: “Will another bet proposal, how long till your account is deemed to be using a fake name? Which C4FA member are you really?” The comment shifts away from the airport discussion and makes a personal accusation about another user’s identity, which could be considered a personal attack or disrespectful accusation under community guidelines. While it may be physically possible to modify the airport to accommodate a 737, the FAA’s preferred option, it would require significant funding. Given the current climate for federal funding of California projects, that seems unlikely anytime soon. The airport still needs major safety improvements for small regional jets, and it remains unclear where that funding would come from. On the noise issue, I do not know how loud a 737 would be or what conditions were like when the airport was at its peak. However, I do know that the larger E175 regional jets currently used by airlines are louder in my neighborhood than other aircraft of similar size. Yesterday, I measured JSX jets at an average of 73.5 dB, American Airlines at 78 dB, and United Airlines at 78.5 dB. Most corporate jets run around 70 dB, which the county noise report flags as exceeding the noise limit. I have followed these developments for two years and have contacted the county supervisor in the past with mixed success. I recently requested data on historic noise levels in our area but received no response, so I can only assume that noise from larger regional jets is now greater than it was before. I also requested information about aircraft pollution and was referred to someone at the APCD, but they never responded. While I am not convinced airline jets are a major contributor, I suspect the increase in general aircraft activity may be contributing to the sooty deposits some residents are seeing on patio furniture. What do you think North County, are you still seeing the slimy soot buildup on your patio furniture like we saw so often last year?

Homey has the potential to become an important tool for homeowners who want a simpler, smarter way to manage rising energy bills, especially here in San Diego, where electricity costs make energy awareness a real household priority. Smart home automation can help homeowners understand usage, reduce waste, coordinate solar production, and make better decisions without needing to become technical experts. That is the opportunity I see for Homey: a platform that could make advanced energy management practical, reliable, and accessible for everyday homeowners. In many ways, Homey today feels like the real-world version of the 1960s vision people saw in The Jetsons. George Jetson, the clumsy dad working at Spacely Sprockets, lived in a home where technology was supposed to make life easier. Jane, his stylish wife, expected convenience at the touch of a button. Judy wanted a modern lifestyle that kept up with her world. Elroy, the science-minded son, represented curiosity and the future. Rosie, the robot housekeeper, handled household chores, and Astro reminded everyone that even a futuristic home still needed warmth and personality. Homey has a chance to bring that same idea into today’s homes—not as science fiction, but as practical automation that helps real families manage comfort, convenience, devices, solar production, and energy bills. The difference is that today’s homeowner does not just want gadgets for fun. They need technology that solves expensive, everyday problems. Instead of a cartoon push-button future, Homey can become the practical control center that helps homeowners see what is using power, automate smarter habits, reduce waste, and make the house work better for the people living in it. That is why I am interested in Homey Pro. I recently installed an Aeotec HEM-8, and while the meter now works in SmartThings, the setup process was more difficult than expected. The instructions did not fully match the product, I had to reinstall the CTs, and the solar production readings still do not match my system’s performance. The app also feels limited for the kind of energy management homeowners increasingly need. Homey Pro appears to offer a more user-friendly path than Home Assistant, while still giving homeowners the flexibility to connect devices, automate routines, and better understand how energy is being used throughout the home. I watched several manufacturer videos and asked questions because I want to understand whether Homey Pro can truly deliver on that promise. One of the videos I commented on is here: youtu.be/Cmj3CJ6MQ98?si=MceB… I also checked the FAQ page for answers and tried to log in to my account, but the password reset process was frustrating. I already had an account and had downloaded the app on my iPhone, yet I still could not get access easily. After several reset attempts, the new password still would not work. For a product that depends on customer trust, setup confidence, and ongoing reliability, these early support and account-access experiences matter. They do not erase Homey’s potential, but they do show where the customer experience needs to be strengthened. The Amazon reviews also show why this matters. Since March 3, 2026, there have been 31 reviews, and 27% are one-star reviews. Some of those comments point to real opportunities for improvement, including: · Making setup easier for homeowners who are not advanced users. · Clarifying when Homey is a better fit than Home Assistant. · Improving first impressions so the product matches expectations. · Ensuring customers receive new products when they purchase new products. · Strengthening compatibility information and device guidance. · Making the experience feel as strong as the marketing. · Reducing complexity so more homeowners can succeed. · Improving reliability so Homey can become part of daily household energy management. Homey sounds promising because it is trying to solve a very real problem: homeowners need better tools to manage energy use, lower bills, integrate solar, and make smart devices work together without constant troubleshooting. If Homey can simplify setup, improve support, strengthen reliability, and respond directly to customer concerns, it could become a valuable energy-management platform for homeowners—not just a powerful hub for advanced users. My call to action for Homey developers is simple: please pay close attention to the comments from customers who are unhappy, because those comments are a roadmap for improvement. Offer clearer setup guidance, faster support, better account-access help, stronger compatibility tools, and practical solutions that help homeowners get maximum value from the product. Homey’s future can be very positive if the company turns customer frustration into better design, better service, and higher satisfaction.

I had planned to suggest this to someone who felt there were too many ballast blocks on a roof, but by the time I pulled the information together, the post on Linkedin had disappeared. So I’m starting a new one for X. Did anyone see the large roof fire in Boyle Heights that burned for four days? If the fire marshal mandates sprinklers under the panels, it could create an opportunity to use the BESS as ballast. IronRidge offers an online calculator that I believe is wind-tunnel tested. Their system uses half blocks weighing 15.5 lbs each, which can typically be purchased from an aggregate supplier. A slip sheet is usually placed under the ballast pan. I’m also not sure whether PanelClaw is still around, but they had a ballast block integrated into the mounting system. You may want to consider the PV Power Box Gen-II, which includes a roof-mounted single-axis tracker and a prefabricated fire protection system. In this configuration, the BESS acts as the ballast. My son, a well-known architect from Sacramento, created the initial renderings, but the device was never developed due to challenges with the tracking mechanism and R&D cost constraints.

At TekneFX, I’m testing how an Aeotec home energy monitor paired with SmartThings can give homeowners without an existing smart home system a practical starting point: understand energy use first, then add automation over time. Next, I’ll compare this setup to Homey Pro for installation, automation, compatibility, and homeowner value.

Exploring the Future of Residential Energy Monitoring and Smart Home Automation I’m currently evaluating new service opportunities for TekneFX related to residential smart home automation, energy monitoring, and solar integration. As more homeowners add connected devices, solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, and smart thermostats, there appears to be a growing need for practical systems that make these technologies easier to understand, manage, and optimize. In my own home, I’m adding an energy monitor to a SmartThings-based automation system and comparing it with Homey Pro. I’ve used SmartThings for nearly a decade for lighting, fountains, programmable switches, and basic home alerts. It has been a helpful platform, but I am now looking more closely at how home automation can support energy awareness, solar production tracking, and better coordination between everyday household systems. The market includes several approaches. SmartThings is accessible for many homeowners, Homey Pro offers a more premium plug-and-play experience with advanced automation capabilities, and Home Assistant provides a highly flexible open-source option for more technical users. Each platform has strengths, but the larger opportunity may be helping homeowners determine which solution best fits their home, equipment, comfort level, and long-term energy goals. I’d be interested in hearing from homeowners, installers, energy professionals, and smart home users: which platforms are you using today, and how well do they integrate with solar, EV charging, thermostats, and other connected systems? Do you see a need for a service that helps homeowners evaluate, install, and manage smart home energy systems in a more practical way?

Check out my latest article: TekneSnP for Small Projects linkedin.com/pulse/teknesnp-… via @LinkedIn

TekneFX Small Projects Announcement: A smarter way to prepare small home projects for accurate contractor estimates TekneSnD for Small Projects, part of the TekneFX Scan-n-Plan service, helps homeowners prepare small repair, upgrade, and improvement projects before contacting contractors. Rather than relying on memory or quick phone descriptions, TekneSnD organizes the site details contractors need to understand the work, review the scope, and provide more useful estimates. The idea behind TekneFX began in 2023 as a service concept originally provided through RB Power Design. At the time, the goal was to help property owners and small-project customers bridge the gap between an idea, a jobsite condition, and a contractor-ready scope of work. What started as a practical documentation and planning support service continued to evolve as the need became clear: homeowners often needed help defining the project before they could get useful pricing. By 2024, that early concept had grown into what became the TekneFX Scan Plan service, a structured approach for scanning, documenting, and organizing project information before contractor estimating begins. The Scan Plan concept was documented in several 2024 YouTube videos, including one featuring voiceover narration by RB’s AI assistant, Jenny Filmora. Those videos helped explain how better front-end documentation can reduce confusion, save time, and make it easier for contractors and homeowners to discuss the same scope of work. TekneFX Small Projects is the homeowner-friendly version of that same idea. The service is similar in purpose to large lead-generation platforms like Angi or Thumbtack, but with one important difference: TekneFX does not sell your project to multiple contractors. Instead, an experienced local tradesperson or project reviewer performs an on-site evaluation, documents existing conditions, identifies important project details, and creates a clear scope-of-work statement that can be shared with contractors for estimating. The goal is simple: give contractors the information they need up front. A well-prepared project report can include photos, measurements, site notes, material considerations, and the specific work requested. That helps reduce confusion, saves time during the bidding process, and gives homeowners a better way to compare estimates. Important note: TekneFX does not perform the actual repair, installation, or construction work. The work itself would be completed by a qualified service professional or licensed contractor selected by the homeowner. TekneFX helps prepare the project information so the right contractor can estimate and perform the work with a clearer understanding of the scope. If you have been putting off a small project because you are unsure how to explain it, what details contractors need, or how to get comparable estimates, TekneSnD for Small Projects can help you take the first step with confidence.

How do you feel about AI being used for customer communication in a service business? My wife and I recently purchased a new car from Kia North County. We already knew which vehicle we wanted, so the main thing we needed was a clear out-the-door price before moving forward. I contacted five dealerships online over several days before deciding to visit one in person. At the time, I thought I was communicating with actual salespeople. But when we arrived, the person I had been texting, the one who told us to come down, had no idea who I was. Fortunately, Camille in the internet sales department stepped in and saved the day. She was helpful, professional, and accommodating. Without her, we probably would have left and driven to Temecula. That experience got me thinking about how AI should be used in business communication, especially in a service business like mine. I am currently changing my business name, building a new website, and looking for better ways to use technology to make the process easier for customers and more manageable on my end. One idea is to use AI as the first point of contact when someone submits a request through my website. The AI could ask follow-up questions, help narrow down the project details, and make the process faster before I personally step in. I could do this by phone, of course, but I am also thinking about how to scale communication if demand increases. So here is my question: Would you be frustrated if a service company used an AI assistant for the first step of communication, especially if it could not answer everything right away? Or would you stick with the process if you were interested enough in the service? I am going to keep developing this AI email process, but I do not want to miss the mark with real customers and neighbors. I would really appreciate your feedback. Are you open to AI helping with the first step of customer communication, or do you still prefer talking to a real person right away?

Why are Scan-n-Plan services valuable? Creating a basic floor plan from a room scan is now easier than ever. With a little practice, anyone using a LiDAR-capable phone or tablet can capture a room layout. I use Magicplan as my preferred scanning platform because it provides the tools needed to produce accurate existing-condition plans—but scanning is not a one-click solution. Room dimensions still need to be verified with a tape measure or laser tool, and site conditions can affect scan accuracy. This verification step turns a quick scan into usable project information. The real value comes from knowing how to use scanning apps correctly, confirm measurements, and convert the results into reliable as-built documentation. That is where a proprietary process makes the difference. TekneSnP Scan-n-Plan by TekneFX is a specialized planning service for homeowners, builders, designers, and contractors who need dependable as-built documentation. Depending on the project, we can prepare a simple room-measure report, a detailed scope-of-work document, or a complete set of existing-condition drawings, including floor plans, roof plans, elevations, and base CAD files for future improvements. We can also provide 3D renderings when needed. Whether you are gathering estimates, planning a remodel, preparing permit documents, or organizing a larger improvement project, well-prepared plans help reduce confusion, improve communication, and support better decisions. TekneSnP Scan-n-Plan bridges the gap between a simple room scan and the practical documents needed to move a project forward. Watch this video to learn more about TekneSnP: youtu.be/Fft78GvQ-QI?si=wL1F…

Question for PV + EV owners: How are you managing solar, charging, and energy costs? I recently had a conversation with a neighbor about the best time to charge an EV. My first thought was late at night, when SDG&E rates are typically lower. His approach was different: he prefers to charge during the day when his solar system is producing power. That got me wondering how other local EV and solar owners are actually managing this. Are you charging based on time-of-use rates, available solar production, battery storage, or some combination of all three? If you have a PV system and an EV, I’d appreciate hearing what works for you: · Do you charge mostly during the day from solar, at night when rates are lower, or both? · Do you use monitoring equipment or an app to know when you have surplus solar production? · Are you using Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla, Wallbox, another EV charger, or a different energy management system? · Do you have battery storage, and if so, how does that affect when you charge? · Is your charging automated, or do you manage it manually? · Have you seen meaningful savings, or has it been more complicated than expected? I’m especially interested in real-world experience from homeowners, because the equipment and utility rules have changed a lot since I was actively designing and servicing residential solar systems. Many newer systems now include monitoring, EV charger integration, batteries, and energy management apps, but I’m curious how useful those tools are in everyday use. If you’re willing to share, what setup do you have, how do you decide when to charge, and what would you change if you were starting over today? Any lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.