If the switches are for lights, you could consider some other options. X10 is pretty dated, but the upside is the cost of 'socket rockets' is pretty low. Anyh

If the switches are for lights, you could consider some other options. X10 is pretty dated, but the upside is the cost of 'socket rockets' is pretty low. Anyhow, for a project like this, I don't have automation as much as I have control but I built a simple system to talk to a handful of protocols. https://github.com/dandroid88/webmote https://github.com/dandroid88/webmote Low cost, long enough range and not wired can be a bit tricky. If you are ok replacing sockets, putting an adapter in, replacing switches etc you can get the features you want, but probably not at your desired cost point. Those solution would steal a bit of power from the 110 lines. If you are trying to hack something with some relays, I would suggest a sleepy radio, plus a thing called a latching relay. A latching relay allows you to connect/disconnect without continuously applying power and instead only applying power when changing the configuration. Still though, the batteries are going to be a pain once you start using anything electromechanical or radios unless you are really careful at each step.