The Home Ownership Thread

[cross22]

Yeah older homes don't necessarily have a ground wire to all outlets. Some have metal conduit or sheathing that can be used as ground.

 

[Numbernine]

Yeah older homes don't necessarily have a ground wire to all outlets. Some have metal conduit or sheathing that can be used as ground.

Late 1990s isn't exactly "an older home"

 

[imatlas]

Cost differences are negligible to add a ground and color code the wire insulation.

Pennies add up when you build 10s of thousands of houses a year.

 

[UnFacconable]

How long ago was it built, and how the **** did it pass code?

In California, you need a detector on each floor and in each bedroom (plus hallways outside bedrooms). You don't need any in proximity to kitchen. Smoke alarms are intended to wake you up in the middle of the night when the batteries invariably go bad but aren't particularly useful to tell you when you have a fire when you are awake. I'm only half kidding!

We do have a sprinkler in the kitchen that would presumably kick in if there were a legitimate problematic fire as opposed to just smoke from cooking. The nearest alarm is maybe 30 feet away and in a different space and has almost never been triggered from cooking.

 

[nootje]

Yup. That’s what my realtor said.
But I don’t mind if he pays for a downgrade in order to be able to take all his screens and cameras with him.

The guy put cameras literally everywhere. Think bedrooms & Living included, outside completely covered of course. The same with TVs, every single room has one or two, it’s nuts.

I’m fine as long as I can control the screens, aircon and heating

Update on this whole situation.

We bought the place, contract will be signed this week.

The domotics where resolved quite simply. He can take his screens and the server with him, as those are the most costly to buy again. And in his seventies, learning a new system is not a fun experience.

Which means I will have to put in my own server and control system, which will cost me maybe 6-8k. I’m happy about that, as I didn’t relish the thought of having someone else’s install.

So now I have a sauna, pool and heated outdoor mancave. Now all I need is a fireplace with some fireglass.

 

[otc]

Which means I will have to put in my own server and control system, which will cost me maybe 6-8k. I’m happy about that, as I didn’t relish the thought of having someone else’s install.

Makes me feel really good about the $170 I paid for my HomeAssistant server!!!

 

[nootje]

Makes me feel really good about the $170 I paid for my HomeAssistant server!!!

Sure, but that’s only the software shell. I’d still need a server to power all KNX stuff. Basic one from Gira is already 1k. From there I’d already be able to control it with an app, so no need for additional software. Then add a Gira screen and you’re out another 1k.

The plus side is that I can integrate pretty much anything I want. Screens, lighting, heating, aircon, front door camera are already wired. If I want to automate the pool cover that’s easy too.

But I’ll admit, it’s over the top. But hey, it’s already there!

 

[otc]

Seriously though, I think KNX can fully integrate into HomeAssistant and then you can run everything including consumer devices that may not play well with the installer-grade stuff. A HomeAssistant server plus a KNX IP router (which may be left behind in your system) could do everything.

Downsides are many though. I don't know that there's a satisfactory screen alternative without a lot of DIY...and you probably have to DIY everything in the setup (maybe there are some HomeAssistant pros out there?)...and the pros are going to be much better at figuring out things like: What lights should be incorporated into a "scene", what controls should be available in this room, what defaults should be applied to physical controls, etc.

So I probably wouldn't advise...

 

[brokencycle]

Late 1990s isn't exactly "an older home"

I could be misremembering this current home vs our previous home that was built in the 50s, but the grounds were attached to the metal electrical box.

 

[sugarbutch]

Stick it to the man! https://paulwieland.github.io/ratgdo/

(Since there's no preview, this is a way to bypass Chamberlain's decision to chase that sweet, sweet recurring revenue by ending support for Homekit, etc., in favor a proprietary subscription-based service)

 

[Piobaire]

So now I have a sauna, pool and heated outdoor mancave. Now all I need is a fireplace with some American fireglass.

FTFY.

Congrats on the new place. Sounds lovely.

 

[Mujib]

I think I got it narrowed down to two options for the hallway lights over the art:

First one is called Light Stick; the other is the AJ wall lamp. I'm planning to do two over two or three framed pictures or artwork. I know the AJ light isn't exactly meant for art/pictures, but I think it could work. It obviously comes off the wall more, but I don't think that'll be an issue because it's going higher on the wall than a sconce normally would.

Any reason why I should go with one over the other?

 

[brokencycle]

I think I got it narrowed down to two options for the hallway lights over the art:

First one is called Light Stick; the other is the AJ wall lamp. I'm planning to do two over two or three framed pictures or artwork. I know the AJ light isn't exactly meant for art/pictures, but I think it could work. It obviously comes off the wall more, but I don't think that'll be an issue because it's going higher on the wall than a sconce normally would.

Any reason why I should go with one over the other?

Is the one on the left actually an art light? It looks like it shoots the light straight behind the bar. The art lights I have all seen angle the light down and toward the wall. The one on the left is going to leave your art unevenly lit and in a shadow.

 

[losrockets]

I think I got it narrowed down to two options for the hallway lights over the art:

First one is called Light Stick; the other is the AJ wall lamp. I'm planning to do two over two or three framed pictures or artwork. I know the AJ light isn't exactly meant for art/pictures, but I think it could work. It obviously comes off the wall more, but I don't think that'll be an issue because it's going higher on the wall than a sconce normally would.

Any reason why I should go with one over the other?

I'm not generally a fan of, and try to avoid, integrated LED lights because even though they claim a long lifespan, once it burns out you're probably replacing the entire fixture. That said, we installed Sean Lavin's Nyra chandelier above our dining table and it keep it running for several hours each day because we like it so much and have just accepted that we'll be working with the manufacturer to replace the lighting unit if/when it burns out.

But I don't love the AJ wall lamp in your space either because I think its angular and shiny appearance, attractive on its own, could potentially distract from the actual art itself (or its an option for great lighting/art synergy).

 

[Mujib]

Is the one on the left actually an art light? It looks like it shoots the light straight behind the bar. The art lights I have all seen angle the light down and toward the wall. The one on the left is going to leave your art unevenly lit and in a shadow.

Not sure. I was considering it because the sales lady suggested it in place of the Orizzonte light, which is an art light. I've sent her a followup email.