【Smart Home】How to Control Your Air Conditioner via Wi-Fi?

The summer weather in Hong Kong can be scorching, with temperatures often averaging over 30°C. Unless you possess the heat tolerance of former Observatory Director Lam Chiu-ying, who famously endured temperatures of 32°C without using air conditioning, an air conditioner is practically a necessity for every household. If your home is equipped with a conventional air conditioner that can only be controlled using a standard remote, you might worry about forgetting to turn it off when leaving, leading to increased electricity bills. Moreover, turning on the air conditioner only upon returning home often means waiting a while before the house reaches a comfortable temperature. If you're looking to control your air conditioner via Wi-Fi to eliminate these concerns, this article from Moorgenzine is perfect for you.

Key Points of This Article:

• Traditional methods of controlling air conditioners
• Controlling air conditioners via Wi-Fi
• How to set up and connect your air conditioner to Wi-Fi
• The most effective method: opting for smart air conditioners

Traditional methods of controlling air conditioners

Conventional air conditioners are typically controlled using infrared remote controls. While infrared remotes help reduce costs, their major drawback is the need for a direct line of sight between the remote and the air conditioner. Even though this can be somewhat extended, it's often insufficient. Moreover, obstacles like walls, furniture, or corners can prevent effective control even with a clear line of sight.

As a result, many people prefer not to use infrared remotes and opt for direct control using the switches, which is faster and more convenient than dealing with unresponsive remotes.

For a deeper understanding of how infrared remotes work, you can refer to the technical article "How Do Traditional Infrared Remotes Work? Are They Still Relevant in the Smart Home Era?"

Controlling air conditioners via Wi-Fi

If you have a conventional air conditioner at home and want to control it remotely via Wi-Fi, there are two main methods:

Smart air conditioner controllers

A smart air conditioner controller is an external device typically installed on walls or other locations with a clear line of sight to the air conditioner receiver. On the other hand, the smart air conditioner controller can also connect to the household's Wi-Fi network, allowing remote control of the air conditioner through the corresponding mobile app or smart home platform. This enables remote control of the air conditioner from a distance.

In addition to remote control capabilities, the smart air conditioner controller can also automatically adjust the air conditioner based on temperature and humidity measurements, transforming a conventional air conditioner into a smart one.

Universal smart remote controllers

Smart air conditioner controllers are external devices typically installed on walls or other locations with a clear line of sight to the air conditioner receiver. These controllers connect to your home's Wi-Fi network, allowing you to remotely control your air conditioner via corresponding mobile apps or smart home platforms.

In addition to remote control, smart air conditioner controllers can also automatically adjust temperature and humidity, effectively transforming conventional air conditioners into smart devices.

Universal smart remotes, on the other hand, can replace all the infrared controllers in your home, such as TV remotes and air conditioner remotes. These remotes act as intermediaries, receiving commands from mobile apps or smart remotes via Wi-Fi and transmitting them to conventional air conditioners using infrared signals.

Furthermore, some smart remotes, like the Moorgen smart remote, have a traditional remote-like appearance and can be customized with different font sizes, symbols, and button layouts. This makes them user-friendly even for elderly family members who may not be accustomed to using mobile apps.

For a deeper understanding of how smart remotes work, you can refer to the article "Smart Remote Controller: Control All Infrared Smart Appliances Throughout Your Home".

How to set up and connect your air conditioner to Wi-Fi

Setting up and connecting both types of smart controllers is straightforward:

1. Place the smart device in a location with a clear line of sight to the air conditioner.
2. Connect the smart device to Wi-Fi.
3. Download the corresponding mobile app.
4. Follow the instructions in the app to set up the smart controller to control the air conditioner.
5. If using a universal smart remote, you can configure which button controls the air conditioner.
6. After setup, remember to test if everything is functioning correctly.
7. With a universal smart remote, you can control your air conditioner at home, and even when you're away, you can control it via the mobile app over your home Wi-Fi network. The smart controller will mimic the infrared signals of traditional remotes to operate your air conditioner.

The most effective method: opting for smart air conditioners

The biggest difference between smart air conditioners and conventional ones is that, in addition to built-in chips for automatic control, smart air conditioners can also connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to effortlessly control your home's air conditioner anytime, anywhere via the corresponding mobile app, smart home platform app, or smart panel.

For a deeper understanding of smart air conditioners, you can refer to the article "Smart Home: Air Conditioning Edition - How to Turn Your Home Air Conditioner into a Smart One."

After reading this Moorgenzine article, you should have a deeper understanding of how to control your air conditioner via Wi-Fi. If you have any questions about smart homes, feel free to contact Moorgen at any time. Additionally, if you want to experience firsthand the lifestyle improvements brought by smart door locks, you can visit Moorgen's showroom located in North Point, Hong Kong, and experience the “Real Smart Home" for yourself.