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Being able to control technology remotely is one of the most convenient elements of today’s smart home craze. These days, everything from lighting to security cameras can be connected to Wi-Fi, allowing home and business owners to monitor and control their devices on the go. When it comes to automated temperature controls, there are a wide variety of smart thermostats that can actually save you money on the market, many of which can even be interfaced with ecosystems like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
But what if your home isn’t cooled by the same HVAC system that heats it? Luckily, several Wi-Fi-enabled standalone air conditioners are available. Brands like LG and TCL are behind some of these window units, which bodes well for those who won’t buy from companies that aren’t well vetted. Still, you may be wondering if there are any legitimate benefits to investing in a Wi-Fi-enabled window air conditioner. Our take: If you can afford the extra expense (which is usually a few hundred dollars more than comparable models without Wi-Fi), splurging on a Wi-Fi air conditioner is definitely worth it.
One of the biggest benefits is being able to use your air conditioner’s companion app to create a personalized cooling schedule. This is especially good if you’re trying to save money on your utility bill, because simply turning on the air conditioning won’t save you money. You can schedule your air conditioning to run at a higher temperature while you’re at work, then at a lower, more pleasant temperature about a half hour before you get home. Planning is also helpful for pet owners looking to keep their four-legged friends comfortable.
The pros outweigh the cons, especially if you’re dealing with ungodly heat during the summer months.
When a window AC is left off, even for an hour or two on a hot day, it can take a long time for the unit to cool your home to a habitable temperature. By creating a schedule, you could end up using less electricity overall than letting your house warm up and then setting the air conditioner to its minimum temperature when you return. Another benefit of an internet-connected window unit is that you will be able to update your product as the manufacturer releases firmware updates.
One patch might fix a handful of bugs and issues, while another might add entirely new features and screens to your AC’s companion software. As for cons, we can’t name many, but you might want to be aware of network congestion. Adding another device to your Wi-Fi network is going to eat up bandwidth, and many smart home devices cannot be connected to a 5GHz band. If your 2.4GHz Internet is already congested, a Wi-Fi device won’t be a welcome addition.
There’s no denying that Wi-Fi-enabled window air conditioners are more expensive than their non-Internet counterparts. If you’ve been thinking, “Couldn’t I just use a smart plug in my house to connect regular AC?” the answer is yes. That said, you’ll lose a lot of functionality; a smart plug can only be turned on or off, while an internet-powered air conditioner gives you a full dashboard of temperature, schedule, and power controls.
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