After a soft launch of just one model earlier this spring, GE today announced the launch of its full lineup of HomeKit-enabled window air conditioning units. While there are a few other HomeKit air conditioners on the market outside of the United States, the new units represent the first HomeKit-compatible air conditioners to launch in the U.S.
/article-new/2018/04/gehomekitairconditioner.jpg?lossy)
GE's air conditioners deliver 8,000 to 12,000 BTUs and can cool medium- to large-sized rooms, according to the company. With HomeKit control, customers can add the units into the Home app on iOS, connecting them to Scenes, controlling them with Siri, or automating them to activate and deactivate when they arrive and leave their home.
“Consumers told us they like how they can create their own schedules to keep rooms comfortable without wasting energy,” said John Desmarais, Commercial Director, Window A/C, Portables & Dehumidifiers for GE Appliances.
“Many people also found peace of mind in having control of the unit anywhere they have internet access. We’re pleased to offer the very first air conditioners with HomeKit integration, bringing simple and secure control through the Apple Home app and using Siri. We are confident owners will find the convenience at the tip of their fingers.”
Each unit has cooling settings for four-way air direction and an "Energy Saver" mode that automatically shuts off the fan and compressor when the room is cool enough, reducing electricity consumption and helping to save money on monthly bills. Although HomeKit control is supported, GE's air conditioners also come with an electronic digital thermostat and remote control.
Starting today, the units are available at The Home Depot (which has three models) and Lowe's (which has two models), and at local authorized GE Appliance dealers. Prices on the units vary depending on the amount of BTUs, starting around $279 (8,000 BTUs) and increasing to $349 (10,000 BTUs) and more.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Noria is better and sleeker
And not shipping until 2019 in a 5000 BTU non-homekit compatible unit only.These are a bit more expensive than non-homekit AC units. I have a homekit power plug that I use for my AC unit, which works well.
Yes but you can’t control the actual temp.Good point. I set mine at 68 all the time during the summers.
I am intruding into your personal preferences because I know 68 degrees F is too low to set for cooling mode - that is the temperature for heating. I have ceiling fans installed in all the rooms and my A/C bill is down by more than $120/month in the peak hot weather.A good electrician can snake an extension to rooms with no ceiling outlet.
Cheers.
I'm wondering if getting something like this would help us save money on our electric bill? My wife has a daycare downstairs in an area that is 800sqft. But during the day our a/c cools the entire house. Would it be cheaper to install something like this or instead somehow split our upstairs and downstairs cooling? And I wonder if I would need to put a door between the upstairs and downstairs to keep the temperature regulated. Right now we just have a swing open baby gate.
While it'll still let some cool air come up the stairs, the majority will stay downstairs (cool air doesn't rise like hot). Many houses have split cooling/heating systems with different systems for different parts of the house. They don't separate them more than like a staircase.For instance, I had an ex who's parents had a huge home. They had a separate cooling/heating system for the upstairs where the 3 bedrooms and bathroom their kids use to use before they grew up and moved out, were located. They only turned this system on when people were going to use those rooms (like when we came to visit). The stairway going up there was the only separator. No need for a door. The majority of the heat/cool, is going to stay to the area that system is venting to.