These days you can pretty much find any household appliance in ‘smart’ form. From smart refrigerators to smart televisions, these superior appliance models are truly revolutionising home living as we know it.
Of course, it was only a matter of time before air conditioners received the same smart treatment. You can now find smart air conditioning systems . But what exactly is smart air conditioning, and how is it superior to the regular air con formats that we’ve come to know and love?
In this article, we’ll give you the full run down on all things smart air conditioning.
What is a Smart Air Conditioner?
Smart air conditioners are air con units that aim to make your home life easier and more comfortable. They connect with other smart appliances within your home to create a sense of synergy and to better control the indoor comfort level.
Smart technology is typically seen in wall or window mounted units, as opposed to central cooling systems. Just like other smart gadgets, these AC units can be programmed and managed entirely from your phone. They allow you to have complete control over your home’s climate, regardless of whether you’re there or not.
How do Smart Air Conditioners Work?
Smart air conditioners have garnered their ‘smart’ label from their ability to connect to and work with your smartphone. Using Wi-Fi connectivity, your two smart devices are able to communicate with each other. This means you can have complete control over your air conditioner all from the convenience of your smartphone.
You don’t need a smart air conditioner controller for these systems. Your intelligent air conditioner can be turned on simply by using a smartphone, tablet, or similar mobile device. You can even hook up some units to a home assistant, such as Google Home or Alexa, for easy voice controlled activation.
While most other smart devices are limited to basic on/off operation controls, smart cooling systems are more complex. Alongside switching your AC on and off, smart units can also perform an impressive range of remote functions. You can control the temperature, set timers, and much more. Essentially, you’ll have full command over your home’s climate no matter where you are.
Benefits of Smart Air Conditioning
Let’s take a closer look at smart air conditioners and the ways in which they could enhance your home living experience.
Fantastic Convenience
How many times have you been nestled cosily into your couch before realising the room is far too hot for comfort? With a smart air con you won’t have to suffer the effort of dragging yourself up from your comfy position to go and manually turn on your system. Instead, you’ll only have to lift a finger to operate your smartphone and create your ideal room climate.
The convenience of smart air conditioning units doesn’t stop there. You can operate your smart home AC while you’re out of the house, too. Set your heating or cooling temp as you’re leaving work, and you’ll arrive home to the perfect indoor temperature. It’s never been easier to control your home’s air flow.
Compatibility
These days, a lot of homes have voice activated control systems like Alexa, Google Home and Siri. These smart home devices make day to day house activities easier than ever, and are fully compatible with smart air conditioner units. This easy compatibility means you can turn your cooling system on with voice activation. So, if you’re looking for an air conditioner that works with Alexa, you’ve struck gold with a smart system.
Unit Flexibility
Smart air conditioning units come in a wide range of different models. These include split systems, wall mounted, window mounted, and portable units. Thanks to this impressive range, you can easily find the perfect air conditioning system to suit the temperature requirements of you, your family, and your home.
Impressive Energy Savings
If you’ve ever been rushing to leave home in the morning only to realise you’ve left your air conditioner on in your hurry, a smart AC will be a real saving grace. As you can control the system remotely, forgetting to turn off your system will be a problem of the past.
Smart air conditioning systems can also be programmed to suit your daily schedule. You can set your air conditioning system to turn off when you’re out, and turn on just before you arrive home to produce the perfect climate. This essentially means you can create a comfortable room temperature with ultimate efficiency whilst also saving energy.
Preventative Maintenance
It’s easy to forget about organising regular air conditioning services. However, ongoing maintenance is necessary to keep your air con performing at its peak long term.
A huge benefit of these air conditioning systems is that they can keep track of this for you. Their smart app can monitor your usage and let you know when your AC is due for a clean up based on the energy consumption. You can then book in a service with a professional technician, keeping your smart AC in top shape.
Cons of Smart Air Conditioning
While smart air conditioning systems have a glowing long list of benefits, there are also some important downsides to be aware of.
Difficult to Install
Depending on the smart air conditioning unit that you go for, installation might be a tricky feat. Unless you’ve chosen a portable air conditioner, you will need to put your air conditioning installation in an expert’s hands. A professional HVAC technician can safely and correctly install your smart air conditioning unit. You’ll have convenient comfort year round in no time.
High Price Point
As these systems are a relatively new appliance on the market, they do come with an expensive price tag. Of course, this price will change depending on the size, make and model of your unit. However, you should be prepared to pay more than a regular AC for all of the smart capabilities.
Multiple Units Required
Unfortunately, smart AC systems don’t generally come in central cooling options. If you want to cool more than just your living room, you’ll need to invest in multiple units. This of course will not be a cheap endeavour, and so is definitely an important factor to keep in mind.
So, is a smart air conditioner the right AC for you? This depends on your own personal needs, as well as the needs of your home. But, thanks to this article, you should now have all the tools necessary to make the decision for yourself!
Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.