Ok thank for the suggestion and will take a look

I would recommend the smart bedside lamp, though I do not own any for now.
Your wife can use the various colors to signal to you about her mood :-)

hmmm very nice

Anyone uses aqara aircond companion?

Wanted to know if the position of the socket will affect the IR control

Yes, the position affects IR

Basically speaking, the IR needs LOS (line of Sight). However, many IR receiver is sensitive enough to receive reflected signal even from wall.

1. Smart bulbs can dim, can change color temperature, some can even change color. Disadvantages are they are expensive and they are not bright enough. They are mostly connected via Wifi. Smart bulbs are mostly E27 type but there are some downlights as well. Xiaomi/Philips and Yeelight has smart downlight. This means you wont have much of a choice when it comes to choosing light fixtures. There are not a lot of light fixtures that uses E27 bulbs especially for ceiling lights. One more thing you should be asking - do you want just a super remote or home automation to control your lights?

Smart switches - some are connected via Wifi as well but they are others that uses a gateway and connect via Zigbee or Z Wave. Smart switches can only turn on and off the lights.

2. AC companion - with this you can monitor power usage. If you just want to control the AC like turn it on/off, change temperature, etc, you can also use cheaper IR blasters but positioning is critical (for both). If you are getting the AC Companion, yeah you have to buy the 16a socket but so far I havent found the plug. Im sure its available.

3. Why need to schedule your heater to turn on and off? I dont think you shower at exactly the same time everyday. Just turn on the switch when you are going to take your shower and turn off when you are done. No need smart switch or socket. IMHO its totally unnecessary

4. havent use before

5. what happened to no.5?

6. depends on your internet connection. nowadays gigabit connection is here so it really depends on your connection speed so better wifi routers are needed. For smart home devices, the important thing is range. Good signal is more important that bandwidth.

btw do ask your electrician to pull a neutral line to all your switches since you are doing renovation. This will give you more choices later in case you decide not to use smart bulbs

This post has been edited by idoblu: Oct 4 2018, 08:15 AM

I placed my AC Companion on my TV bench since its opposite side of my Aircon
If it is lying flat, the IR remote wont work cause the aircon is high up and my AC Companion is on a low TV console. It's led emitters are placed at the sides (see pic - black part) which doesnt help. So I got to tilt the AC Companion a bit, then only my AC can get the signal

Mine is a Panasonic aircon. I tried with its remote and you really got to point it at the aircon. Cant get any reflected signals




I think this will work better since it fires every where -


This post has been edited by idoblu: Oct 4 2018, 08:48 AM

I think my Panasonic also, even with original remote control, need to aim direct to the unit Astro no need, but of course reflection also need to have right angle more or less

I'm not sure what is the exclusive reason for the use of air-con companion.

On-Off at specific time - can be set on remote
Monitoring power usage - well, monitor or not, you on the air-con when you need it

the AC Companion has a few functions - it is a gateway + alarm thing just like the Mijia Gateway but instead of a ring of lights, you get a IR blaster at the sides.
It is also a smart plug for higher amp usage like Aircon. You can turn on/off your AC even when you are not at home using your smartphone
Yup can use other sensors to turn it on/off as well

I bought it by mistake. If I have known earlier I would not buy this. Not that its no good but not suitable for my use

This post has been edited by idoblu: Oct 4 2018, 09:05 AM

Can pair with door sensor - door open, switch off aircon
Can pair with PIR sensor - no sense movement, switch off aircon (bit iffy if in bedroom or living room and you sleep like a log )

see how mine needs to be tilted a bit in order to get the IR signals
I think you are better off getting the Xiaomi IR Remote Controller
Of course if you wire the whole thing next to your Aircon, then this dont apply to you



This post has been edited by idoblu: Oct 4 2018, 09:11 AM

Hahah not really practical right plus the plug also different and need to use adapter and now look bigger

This post has been edited by kelembai: Oct 4 2018, 09:23 AM

Pair to door sensor make sense bit if open close many time, not practical

in china their aircon use this kind of plug. ours are connected straight wire to wire

Ya agree , how pratical it is should be consider.

just get the Xiaomi Universal IR Remote Controller - settle
I never turn off the main switch for my aircons anyway

This post has been edited by idoblu: Oct 4 2018, 09:27 AM

Ya that why need few modification

Can put time delay so it will not trigger immediately.
But then, why always open door and waste the aircon?

You know la kid, go in go out