You mean pushing several amps worth of current through the solenoid in a short pulse to apply enough power to pull the switch immediately?

Let's say I use my spare 9V DC transformer with 300mA limit to drive the IC - 5V regulator to the micro, a few gates, MAX232 and the solenoid relay. I guess tricks with using big capacitors and charge pumps to provide high current momentarily are allowed though undesired (cost & space). I control a typical european 230V 50Hz AC with up to 1A constant load, with spikes up to 5A. Load may be inductive (like a soldering iron)