"Smart" Window/Portable Air Conditioners

[yuandrew]

I was toying around with the idea of modifying/rigging an old "window shaker"* so I could control it using an external thermostat such as the NEST or Honeywell VisionPro WiFi but then I came across the GE Aros.--

http://www.quirky.com/shop/752

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quirky-A...U-Window-Air-Conditioner-PAROS-WH01/205064945

Developed under a joint partnership with New York Based Quirky and GE Appliances, the Aros is a window A/C unit with Wi-Fi connectivity and could be controlled via a smartphone app. It pretty much seems to do for window shakers what the NEST thermostat does for central air.


I searched around some more and found two other A/Cs with similar features. One other window unit is the Friedrich Kühl series which could be equipped with the optional Friedrichlink WiFi module (not available yet though) for smartphone connectivity and control.

http://friedrich.com/products/residential/window/kuhl
http://friedrich.com/friedrichlink/

The other one I found is the Haier Aero (known as the Haier Tianzun in Asia) which appears to be a portable/self-contained unit (the type which vents the condenser through a hose leading out a window) that has Apple MFi connectivity for use with iOS devices and has some design elements from the Dyson "Blade-less" fan. It was announced this January at CES but doesn't appear to be sold in the US yet.

http://www.cnet.com/news/haiers-new-air-conditioner-is-the-first-apple-certified-home-appliance/


* "Window Shaker" = a term used to describe a window A/C unit which vibrates and rattles the window frame it is installed through

-- We have (or should I say had) central air but it somehow developed a mysterious slow leak a few years back and all the Freon is now gone and my parents don't want to repair or replace it; dad thinks I should just get use to the heat and mom thinks it would be more energy efficient to get some window or portable units and cool just the rooms we are in vs the whole house.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Central ACs were a good idea but many under run them because it's all or nothing and all is expensive. Then when something goes wrong, repairs are silly so they end up an even bigger waste.

Portable ACs are worse, putting all the heat and noise right next to you. Avoid if you can.

Window ACs don't have a thermostat problem, they have a circulation problem. Augment with a good floor fan (see 14" air king) or big air cleaner (I like whirlpool). Fridgidaire has some good models.

Mini splits are the best if you plan to be there a while. And fredrich has a self install model. Solves all the problems above, in a single quiet package.

 

[KDM]

Yes the ductless mini splits are extremely quiet and efficient. SEER ratings are way above anything you will get from a traditional central AC system.

 

[idleprocess]

I'm surprised that there are no UI hacks on the apparently standard interface for most window and portable units. I would think that a microcontroller with an IR diode and a logical map of the UI could suffice without modification, otherwise one could wire up a harness to the display and know the status in realtime for external control.

 

[KDM]

Yes external thermostat controller would be the best solution. Instead of the temperature being monitered at the equipment its regulated from where the controller/sensor is mounted. That's one good thing about the mini splits the remote acts as a room temperature sensor and can be placed accordingly.

 

[markr6]

* "Window Shaker" = a term used to describe a window A/C unit which vibrates and rattles the window frame it is installed through

LOL...I always liked "BOOM BOX", usually reserved for the through-the-wall a/c units in hotel rooms.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Yes external thermostat controller would be the best solution. Instead of the temperature being monitered at the equipment its regulated from where the controller/sensor is mounted. That's one good thing about the mini splits the remote acts as a room temperature sensor and can be placed accordingly.

Some window ACs come with temperature sensing remotes

 

[KDM]

Some window ACs come with temperature sensing remotes

Glad to see that option is being made available for the window units. I don't deal with that style of equipment, I install AC equipment but I'm more commercial service based.