So I have my AC connected to a smart plug and I’m trying to figure out what would be the best way to go about automating it.
Currently, I have it set to run every hour on the hour for 20 minutes if the time is between noon and 8 p.m. Which covers the hottest part of the day.
However, what I could do is have it run every other hour instead and have a couple of night runs along with the daytime runs.
Doing it that way would eliminate most of the 16-hour period currently that exists between the ending of one day and the beginning of the next.
Edit: Also, is there an easy way to automate every other hour using the time pattern or would I manually have to set up triggers for 2am, 4am, 6am, 8am, 10am, etc. using the fixed values?
Edit 2: looks like i can use “/2” to accomplish that
A couple things to look out for is the amp rating of the plug. Not a lot do the full 15, and a high resistance startup load can be a PITA. Could burn relays or stress the compressor motor.
Also, those motors need cool down times after they stop. I’d build in a delay to any script just to be nice.
Good luck on your project though.