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Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

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Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#161

Post by kube-system »

blacksmith_tb wrote: post #24
trillic wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are no air ducts to move air between the units. They are old brick buildings and retrofitting central air you might as well tear down and rebuild a lot of the time.

Which of course means they should use heat pumps, since the copper lines don't need nearly as much room (I suppose you'd still have to put a drywall wall in front of one brick wall potentially). Even just putting a bunch of mini-splits on the roof (instead of individual window AC units) would be an improvement, seems like.

Yes, mini-splits are a good retrofit option, and they are efficient as well. They are more work to install than a PTAC, though, so cheap landlords pick PTACs to reduce labor cost.

PTACs are self contained and so they don't even require an HVAC technician to install. Simply knock a hole in a wall and plug it in. They are basically a permanent version of a window AC unit.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#162

Post by Boltgolt »

bumby wrote: post #155
vayun wrote: post #29

https://esphome.io/ would make the software side of this a 10 minute job

As someone else mentioned, a software-oriented solution is likely to introduce more failure modes because of the number of dependencies, updates etc.

Updates? To an ESPHome device?

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#163

Post by horticulturist »

chem83 wrote: post #11

It's insane to me that some new construction buildings still use PTACs. Having used too many of those, this was a deal-breaker last time I was in the market for an apartment. Such a New York thing, just like how you cannot have a balcony on the 2nd floor, or how you won't find those sink garbage disposal grinders in any kitchen. But cross the Hudson toward NJ, and my understanding is that they're common. It's a combi…

Garbage disposals were at one time illegal, and despite the passage of 30 years there’s still concern in existing buildings that the plumbing can’t handle it (which is probably unfounded).

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#164

Post by horticulturist »

andix wrote: post #23

OT: I'm looking for some way to control my AC via Infrared. I have a few pretty standard AC units with IR remotes. The ones with a display on it, that just transmit all the settings on the remote via IR on every button press. Some device I can mount in proximity, that controls the AC, but preferably also has a temperature and humidity sensor included.

I have been using Sensibo for years. Never had a problem.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#165

Post by chem83 »

shadytrees wrote: post #98
chem83 wrote: post #11

It's insane to me that some new construction buildings still use PTACs. Having used too many of those, this was a deal-breaker last time I was in the market for an apartment. Such a New York thing, just like how you cannot have a balcony on the 2nd floor, or how you won't find those sink garbage disposal grinders in any kitchen. But cross the Hudson toward NJ, and my understanding is that they're common. It's a combi…

PTACs suck. Well-maintained, newer models suck less, but they still suck. Unless well-insulated, the sleeves leak air (and humidity). And there's a duopoly between Ice Air and Islandaire, so they get to charge more for maintenance. They benefit from the trend of maintenance for older models being a yearly chore also. From what I understand, PTACs started as a convenient way to retrofit apartments with air conditionin…

Agree with the mini split observation. Mostly ductless, but sometimes ducted. Specifically, they're heat pumps, which removes the need to add an oil or gas furnace and works reasonably well for NYC winter when there's modern foam-based insulation and windows. Those 4-6 story new-construction or gut-level renovation buildings in Brooklyn have largely gone that route.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#166

Post by cogman10 »

gwbas1c wrote: post #158
daniel5151 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I discuss this quite early in the writeup. There is a whole section on why a smart plug will not work here.

I skimmed that. First, I'm not referring to a smart plug. I'm referring to a thermostat-controlled plug. You were afraid that it would rapidly turn the AC on and off, which would burn out the motor. They don't do that. Mine (when I use them with a heater) run it for a few minutes, then turn it off for awhile. They don't rapidly turn the heater on and off. I assume it's the same way when run in cooling mode. The peopl…

> It can handle the full 15 amps of the circuit safely.

OP would need a more beefy relay for an AC unit. 20A minimum, but honestly a 30 or 40A relay would be warranted as AC units have a pretty large "spike" when they turn on which generally exceeds the amp rating of their circuit. It's short enough to not trigger a circuit breaker, but it's something to be aware of when designing things like relays.

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#167

Post by fsckboy »

necovek wrote: post #106
fsckboy wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> HVAC equipment does this with standardized thermostat terminals. yes, they standardize thermostat terminals, but they should allow additional inputs such as a measure of radiant heat entering through the boundary surfaces. I have to change my thermostat far more because it's a sunny day than I need to because of different outdoor temperatures. Bear in mind, I shouldn't have to change my thermostat at all† (except p…

Does the radiant heat not increase the room temperature, thus affecting the indoor temp sensor? Combining that input with outdoor temperature (and whole weather stations) is totally done. Similarly, floor heating systems measure temperature of the radiating element (floor) and room temperature to decide if they switch heating on or off. I generally combine shutters for large windows in controlling the temperature in…

>Does the radiant heat not increase the room temperature, thus affecting the indoor temp sensor?

if that was true, I would not feel the need to adjust the thermostat, i'm basing this on the pattern I've noticed wrt feeling discomfort, and I remember temperature numbers. In general, I find A/C chilly below 75ish and warm (in a humid way) above 77ish so it stands out to me when i feel the need to push the system harder just to maintain comfort

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#168

Post by bumby »

Boltgolt wrote: post #162
bumby wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone else mentioned, a software-oriented solution is likely to introduce more failure modes because of the number of dependencies, updates etc.

Updates? To an ESPHome device?

Isn’t that what they advertise as a “feature” on their website?

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#169

Post by inigyou »

Rumudiez wrote: post #76
inigyou wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But weren't medieval Christian attitudes towards usury a good thing?

wouldn't treating lock-in as taboo be a good thing?

We didn't treat medieval Christian attitudes as taboo

Re: Turning a dumb AC unit smart (without losing my security deposit)

#170

Post by timvdalen »

bdavbdav wrote: post #134
timvdalen wrote: post #129

Since you hooked it up to Home Assistant anyway, I think you could have skipped the custom firmware and just used ESPHome with a Button component https://esphome.io/components/button/

ESP home is so powerful like this. And is great to build components for (although I find this part a little complex, lots of Claude help…). I’ve got a vibe coded “Nuaire Fan” controller to talk UART to my whole home ventilation and present it as a HA controllable fan.

Indeed! I have a CC1101 hooked up to an ESP32C6 that controls my Itho mechanical ventilation unit as a fan in HA.

I couldn't believe it when it basically worked on the first try, including pairing with the base unit and other remotes.

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