$5 smart A/C

Description

This project will combine an ESP8266 WiFi module with an IR LED to remotely control and turn on/off a window A/C. An Android app such as IfThisThenThat (IFTTT) or Llama can be used to automatically turn on your A/C when you leave work for example. This could save a significant amount of electricity.

I realize there are a couple of products already available that do this exact same thing (ex. Sensibo, Tado, and Ambi climate) the main differences between my project and those product are price and openness. Those products each cost over $100 while this project can easily be made for less than $5. Also, those products are closed source while this project will be completely opensource hardware and software.

Components

1 × esp8266 Microcontroller and WiFi module
1 × IR LED

Discussions

Ken Yap wrote 02/19/2024 at 11:29

Hmm, it's an enticing project title, but no progress since 2015 beyond a 2 components list. Meanwhile the market has advanced and since a few years now you can buy universal IR remote controllers with WiFi like the Broadlink RM4 and sucessors. There is a Python library for driving them. Not as cheap as $5 but closer to $50 than $100, and you can train them by capturing the codes from an existing remote.

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chahil patel wrote 06/05/2018 at 16:41

Hay i made one for all ac and it work over internet with its custom app. and also run in local wifi

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Shyamal Parikh wrote 10/07/2017 at 06:21

Is this project abandoned?

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Andrew Dodd wrote 05/31/2016 at 02:13

You show a Frigidaire window AC in your picture.

Does your unit have remote thermostat capabilities? I'm looking into automating a Frigidaire unit, but unfortunately, the remote is very basic - temp up/down but not direct temp setting. So there's no way to remotely command a temperature without knowing the current temp setting.

I'm wondering if the units with remote therm are different in this regard.

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Martin wrote 06/29/2017 at 06:35

You could test if there are other, undocumented IR codes available. Like testing with an IR library for other codes of the same basic modulation scheme.

Other possibility: Send like 20 "down" commands, so you are sure you are at the lowest temp the unit supports, e.g.15°C and then send 5 "up" commands to reach 20°C.

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John Fiorello wrote 06/10/2015 at 00:34

This would be awesome. And since IFTTT can interface with the Nest, I'm guessing you'd be able to use your Nest via IFTTT to cool a home that doesn't have central air!

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johnowhitaker wrote 06/05/2015 at 15:10

Cool idea! Good luck

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shiv chanders wrote 06/03/2015 at 18:00

I would love to be part of this project

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$5 smart A/C

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