Hey everyone! I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation lately, and I wanted to share some of my experiences and tips with you. 
First off, I’ve been absolutely loving my Govee devices. Their outdoor stake lights, specifically the H705 model, have been a game-changer for me. I’ve had them for about five months now, and they’ve held up beautifully through rainstorms and even some pretty wild winds. I use them for about 2-3 hours each evening, usually on a 20% scene setting, which provides just enough light for me and my visitors to navigate safely. If you’re looking for durable, reliable outdoor lighting, I’d highly recommend giving Govee a try! 
On the automation front, I’ve been working on setting up a system to lock my front door automatically after a period of time if it’s closed. I’m using a Schlage Encode Plus lock paired with an Aqara contact sensor. The idea is to have Home Assistant lock the door after four minutes if the sensor detects it’s closed. I’ve attached some screenshots of the automation setup I’ve been working on, but I’m still tweaking it to make sure it works seamlessly. If anyone has tips or suggestions, I’d love to hear them! 
Another thing I’ve been experimenting with is energy monitoring. I’m using a GE/Jasco smart plug to keep an eye on my eBike and scooter chargers. It’s been really helpful to monitor how much power they’re drawing to prevent overcharging and to get a better sense of how long they typically take to charge. If anyone has recommendations for other zigbee-compatible plugs with energy monitoring features, I’d be grateful to hear about them! 
Lastly, I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone in this community for the incredible support and shared knowledge. It’s amazing to be part of such a positive and helpful group. If you’re just starting out with smart home tech, don’t hesitate to ask questions—I’m sure someone here will have the answer! 
Happy automating, and let’s keep making our homes smarter and more efficient! 