I like tools and I like them to be simple and reliable. When it comes to tools in use by others (such as heating, lights), I also want them to be easily service

I like tools and I like them to be simple and reliable. When it comes to tools in use by others (such as heating, lights), I also want them to be easily serviceable without me. This rules out any home automation I've seen. The cloud-shite, well, an obvious no-go. Roll your-own server and integrations: complicated and looking around user groups, pretty fragile. Simpler off-the shelf stuff: barely does more than what I already can accomplishment with non-automated tools. Anyone I talk to doing this, seems to be using it as a toy first and last. Which is fine, but to me, not ready for anything other than wasting my time. I'm not wasting time of others in my house with it.