Air conditioning smartphone apps are the answer to the limited accessibility faced by people with disabilities with regards to home devices and appliances.
The rise of smart devices brings enhanced independence and freedom for people with disabilities. Moreover, smart devices provide security, convenience, and comfort giving peace of mind to family members and caregivers.
Here’s how air conditioning smartphone apps can make air conditioners even more accessible to people with disabilities.
How air conditioning smartphone apps provide people with disabilities complete accessibility to air conditioners
Disabled people have the right to work and live on their own. Independent living is a goal for most people, however, people with disabilities often face the difficulty of performing specific tasks around homes designed for able-bodied people.
And so, they still rely on their family, friends, and caregivers to carry-out daily tasks they cannot do on their own.
Assistive Technology is a game-changer for disabled people who want a life of complete independence. With it, people living with a disability can have greater accessibility to home devices or appliances.
As assisted living apartments are on the rise, so are smart air conditioning systems that make the lives of persons with disabilities more comfortable and convenient.
What is a smart air conditioning system?
A smart air conditioning system uses internet and WiFi technology to control an air conditioner through a smartphone. Controlling an air conditioner through a smartphone requires an app developed by the manufacturer.
Most dedicated apps for smart air conditioners are downloadable on the Google Playstore and Apple’s App Store.
The core of smart air conditioning is controlling an AC unit over WiFi, provided that there is a stable internet connection.
What is WiFi control and how does it work?
WiFi control for a smart air conditioner means using a smartphone as a remote control. WiFi connectivity allows smart air conditioners to be remotely controllable from all the areas of the house.
Likewise, a user can control their home’s smart air conditioner from anywhere in the world as long as the smartphone has a stable internet connection.
How a WiFi Control Works
First, the process starts with the dedicated app on the smartphone. Through the app, the user sends an instruction or command to the air conditioner by way of the internet.
Second, from the internet, the command is then sent to the manufacturer’s server.
Third, the server sends the command back to the internet. The role of the server is to facilitate the connection between the smartphone and the smart air conditioner. Continuous communication between the air conditioner and the server ensures that the commands sent from the app are executed in real-time.
Finally, from the internet, the command then reaches the smart home’s wireless router. And from the router, the command is then sent to the smart air conditioner.
The minimum requirements for a successful WiFi control operation:
- A compatible router, preferably with WPA2-AES capability and with a WPS feature.
- A compatible internet browsers, these include Google Chrome versions 30+, Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10+, Mozilla Firefox versions 26+, and Apple Safari versions 5.1.7+.
- A compatible device, such as smartphone or tablet.
- A compatible mobile Operating Systems, such as Android versions 2.1+ and Apple iOS 5.0+.
Now that we have an idea of how a WiFi control system works let’s get to know more about smart air conditioners.
So, what is a smart air conditioner?
Smart air conditioners don’t look any different from standard air conditioners. The only difference is the connectivity to WiFi, the internet, and to other smart home devices.
A smart air-con unit can be controlled and monitored using a smartphone from virtually anywhere in the world. Moreover, smart air conditioners can be controlled by the user’s voice. Voice control over smart devices is made possible with the help of voice assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Assistant.
What can a smart air conditioner do?
The features of smart air conditioners vary by brand and model. Here are the most common ones:
- Complete control of your AC unit from wherever you are in the world.
- Your smartphone app can access all of your smart AC settings.
- Set custom daily or weekly schedules.
- You are updated about your unit’s current situation even when you’re away.
- You can pre-cool your unit as your heading home. Upon arrival, your room is already cooled - fined-tuned according to your desired settings.
What is the difference between a smart air conditioner and a smart thermostat?
A smart air conditioner should not be confused with a smart thermostat. The latter is mostly associated with central air systems.
In general, thermostats are small devices that use sensors to detect changes in temperature. They are usually found inside vending machines and motorised vehicles to protect parts from overheating.
In a smart home system, it is the thermostat that regulates the temperature in a room. If it detects a rise in temperature, it will then command the smart air conditioner to start cooling the room.
How air conditioning smartphone apps makes an air conditioner more accessible to persons with disabilities
Many years ago, people with disabilities who prefer to live independently relied on costly devices such as call chimes and environmental control units. Recent advances in technology, like smart home systems, provided greater accessibility to their home devices and appliances.
How smart air conditioners can be more accessible to people with:
Limited Mobility
For those with limited mobility, as long as they can hold and operate their smartphone, they can automate or control their air conditioners through the dedicated app.
If their mobility is far too limited, they can use their voice to control their smart air conditioners from their bed or wheelchair.
Sensory Disabilities
For people with limited vision and hearing, or poor spatial awareness, voice and pre-programmed commands can help in completing daily tasks with ease.
For example, a person who has progressive multiple sclerosis may use their voice to control the air conditioner. However, they may not be able to hold their phone as their mobility decreases over time.
Pre-programmed commands were developed to help people with disabilities in maintaining complete accessibility to their smart devices such as an air conditioner.
Intellectual Disabilities
Pre-programmed commands activated by a single tap of a button via the smartphone app (i.e. one-touch shower systems) are giving people with disabilities complete control over their air conditioners.
On the other hand, the Geofencing feature in smart air conditioners provides total convenience and comfort for persons with disabilities. This feature allows for hands-free control over smart devices such as an air conditioner.
A geofencing-enabled smart air-con automatically shifts into sleep mode as soon as it no longer detects the user within the premises. Similarly, the smart AC automatically starts cooling the room when it senses that the user has entered the premises. Air conditioning smartphone apps are examples of technologies that are changing the way people with disabilities access their homes and devices. With complete accessibility, they are now experiencing a fuller, simpler life, and most of all – enhanced independence.
Upgrade an old air conditioner into a smart air conditioner with Coles Refrigeration Today!
Connecting a Wireless Interface Adapter is the best solution to convert an existing air conditioner into a smart AC unit. Air conditioning smartphone apps like the Daikin Mobile Controller work best if the Wireless Interface Adapter is connected to wall-mounted air conditioning units.
Avoid spending more on service costs due to frequent AC unit maintenance. Let the experts at Coles Refrigeration and Air Conditioning handle the installation of your air conditioning units and WiFi adapters.
Contact us on (02) 4957 0221. We offer 24/7 emergency services for especially for businesses that operate round the clock. You can also visit us at 141 Lambton Rd Broadmeadow NSW 2292 to speak with a representative.
