As for the IR blaster for an air conditioner, remotec has had the zXT 120 out for a couple years, works OK. We have a couple of community members using it. I would look at that one first if you’re interested in that type of device:
I have Mitsubishi Split Systems, three outside, 5 inside.
I use the zxt-120 ir sender to control them. I have heavily modified this device type to work correctly and I have written a few smart apps to manage the systems.
The only negative is it’s obviously a one way integration. The split systems can’t report their current status to me so I have to reply on sending ir signals and having them work.
For example I have a smart app which reports if the room is too hot or too humid. If either I currently have it sending me a notification and then I turn on the units using the device (things) interface. I plan to modify the alerts to simply send the signal to turn on AC when too hot and turn on Dry mode when too humid.
I can see they are working when the temp/humidity starts going down.…
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