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Comment by roel_v | Hacker News Reader

Should've bought Daikin A/C's - their network bridges speak HTTP with a simple REST service. Highly recommend, it was very easy to integrate them into my home automation setup.

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A lot of consumer-grade ACs use IR-based remotes which can easily be connected into whatever automation solution you have with something like a Broadlink bridge.

Yes, but only downside of that is beep sounds and stateless, while Echonet Lite can provide you all internal properties like outdoor temp and etc and also current settings.

You can't query those for the current room temp, current settings etc. So then if you mix the OEM app & your home automation app, things get messed up. IR bridges are a hack in home automation, when buying new stuff avoid them.

Just my personal opinion, but the thermometer on an A/C unit is kind of worthless unless you sit within a foot of the unit. I prefer being able to read a sensor on the opposite side of the room, or even several sensors throughout the house, rather than one on the A/C unit. I don't use any OEM app at all, just my own. The OEM ones never do exactly what I want, so I have to hack something additional onto their features anyways. Home automation systems are really personal anyways though. I'm sure anyone here who's implemented their own has their own unique opinions about what's best ;)

Of course, and not only that, but very strongly held opinions too :)

Now premium A/C unit in Japan like from Mitsubishi Electric features high precision temp sensor to detect room temperature. Even middle model has good sensor rather than simple temp sensor.

https://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/home/kirigamine/product... https://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/home/kirigamine/product...

I have already one Panasonic AC, so mixing them didn't feel right. Plus I have few extra Echonet Lite devices in home so it would be easier for my case.

Yeah then it makes sense

Yes, it was a nice surprise finding that the protocol is that simple.

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