Turn Your AC Into a Smart Air Conditioner – A Guide to Smart Home Integration

If you want to upgrade your air conditioning system without spending thousands on a new unit, there are devices on the market that can help. These devices allow you to turn your current window or portable air conditioner into a smart AC solution that can be controlled with a smartphone app and the voice assistant of your choice.

1. Smart Thermostat

Whether you have an electric heating system or air conditioning unit, a smart thermostat can help you save energy by optimizing the temperature settings and scheduling.

Look for a model that integrates with other smart home systems, like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri. These compatibilities allow you to control your AC using voice commands.

Schedules can be set on an hour-by-hour basis to fit your unique lifestyle. The device can switch on before you wake up or after your work-out. It can also shut off when you leave the house — or when you’re sleeping at night — to reduce unnecessary energy usage.

Many brands incorporate geofencing into their features to save even more energy. This technology allows you to set a virtual boundary around your location, so when you cross it, your AC will automatically switch off. This can be especially helpful if you’ve forgotten to turn off your AC when you leave the office or go on vacation.

2. Smart Plug

Rather than spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an entirely new smart AC system, you can easily give your existing window or wall unit 21st-century smarts. Several devices are on the market that will turn any regular air conditioning into one that is voice controlled and can be set up with automations that make it run according to schedules that fit your lifestyle.

Some smart plugs are ZigBee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi based and work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Sensibo Smart AC Plug, for example, has built-in temperature and humidity sensors and seven-day scheduling that you can manage through a smartphone app. You can also configure it with IFTTT and geofencing to turn the device on or off based on your location or when you get home or leave for work.

When choosing a smart plug, look for ones with features that are important to you, such as warranty or infrared range. You’ll also want to find one that integrates with your preferred smart home ecosystems, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or HomeKit.

3. Smart Fan

If you’re looking for an easy way to upgrade your existing air conditioning unit, consider a smart fan. This device sends infrared signals to your AC to control the settings of a room via a smartphone app.

You can schedule your AC to operate based on your daily routine, adjust the fan speed, and use geofencing to automatically turn the device off when you leave home. It’s a great option to save on energy bills, too.

Most smart fans have a companion app that allows you to control the device from anywhere in your home, while some integrate with voice-command devices like Alexa or Google Assistant and hook up to IFTTT (If This Then That). Some even include motion sensors for energy savings when your home is unoccupied. You can also pair your smart fan with a smart thermostat to optimize energy use and maximize savings all year round.

4. Smart Sensors

If you want to make your entire air conditioning system smart, look for a controller with built-in sensors that can connect directly to your AC unit. These sensors have the power to transform feedback signals into valuable digital insights for your organization.

Unlike base sensors, these devices are integrated with smart capabilities like data processing and analytics. This means that they can provide advanced features to help you achieve smart AC control and optimize your energy consumption.

Depending on your needs, these sensors can also enable shared access with other users in the same household or building. This feature can be particularly useful if you manage rental properties or an Airbnb, where guests might need access to your smart air conditioner. They can also support voice commands, geofencing, and Siri Shortcuts to give you even more control over your AC. Mysa’s new Smart AC Controller, for example, has an internal sensor and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.