I'm about to purchase an air conditioner or rather several of them for our new home.
I want to integrate these ACs as tightly as possible with Hubitat. Specifically, I want to get and set all their properties, such as the actual temperature (get-only), the target temperature, and, preferably, every mode they offer.
I don't want to use an intermediary device, like an IR bridge, and I don't want to depend on the cloud, but rather, I'm looking for an AC that exposes an API on the local network.
In general, I'm interested in which devices are available that expose an API on the local network, and in specific, I'm interested which of them are supported by Hubitat. According to my research, Daikin is the sole candidate both in general and specific terms. There's even a Hubitat driver for it.
Probably best to start by describing what kind of a/c system you’re installing. My guess would be a mini-split system from what you’ve mentioned so far. Also what region of the world are you in?
The answers to those two questions will have a big impact on the options available to you.
On a Dutch tech forum (rather big). Lots of people with Daikin integrations (non Hubitat).
I do not have a Daikin so I might be talking out of my ... , But I assume the local API is not officially open/supported. I understood companies can get access to the cloud API (upon signing an NDA).
Daikin Belgium support stated that it is not aware that the local API will cease to exist for wifi modules type BRP069A* or BRP069B. They requested opening local support for BRP069C (which is used for the latest models) but so far didn't manage to get Daikin Japan to agree.
Generally speaking, this is what you would look for if you’re particularly interested in finding a line of mini-splits that could integrate with Hubitat or another device that can access an API over an IP network like your LAN.
But as @jasper mentioned, for a/c’s that even offer this, many are either cloud-based connections intended for the manufacturer’s own mobile app, or are moving in that direction as they come out with newer versions.
I have a Fujitsu halcyon system in the house I recently bought, and I am planning to add this module instead:
This will allow me to use any z-wave or zigbee thermostat that integrates with Hubitat to control each indoor air handler. It may not give me absolutely all of the control functions found on the basic IR remotes, but I don’t particularly care.
However, not only does that mean each indoor unit needs both its own thermostat and one of these modules installed, an additional module per unit is also required and that involves partially dismantling the air handler units to access the guts where that extra module must be wired in.
So, that’s gonna cost me in terms of equipment and the labor to get it installed. No way I’m opening up the air handler units myself to perform surgery on them .
But in the end, I’ll have the ability to automate and remotely control cooling set points room-by-room much more effectively and (hopefully) efficiently. It’s pretty hot and humid these days (I live in NYC), so to me that’s priceless .
This would be a very strange situation if it were true, because Goodman and Amana which are owned by Daikin, just made a big shift away from proprietary communicating equipment/thermostats within the last 3 years. Allowing users to have the communicating functionality while still using ANY standard single stage thermostat. Right now homeowners can use a CoolCloud app, which is a cloud based app (currently) to make adjustments to the equipment, but they have publicly stated their focus with this move away from proprietary thermostat communication is so that their equipment can be used with more IOT and have already partnered with Building 36 home automation to start and looking at expanding more. This is what made my decision on which equipment to purchase within the last month.
Thanks for your input, everyone! Based on your answers, I still believe that Daikin is the way to go for my needs.
I want to make sure that the local API is available before purchasing. I plan to visit a Daikin showroom nearby. I'll ask the folks there whether I'm allowed to access the Daikin ACs of my interest over their network. I'll discover the units, and hit their API endpoints according to the linked documentation. Sounds like the way forward, or do you have a better idea?
You may want to look at Mitsubishi Electric. I'll need to double-check if they support local control in Europe, but they certainly do in Aus/NZ and the US. I am in the process of writing a driver to cover all three areas, and will eventually attempt to do local control, so it is not currently available on HE as far as I am aware, but hopefully coming soon.
I have not purchased anything or looked in a few years now, but IIRC there were standards-based building-level integrations for Midea (and their white-label clones) and many other other mini split brands (possibly driven by European rules?). Think hotel/motel hospitality uses, rental apartments/flats, etc...with prices to match. I believe that Intesis was one company with a bus-level interface to mini-split units, but I seem to recall another option that looked to be less expensive.....
Hi Laci. I'm from Czech republic and I'v got installed new Daikin mini-split units ( FTXM25R2V1B and FTXM35R5V1B ). Factory installed WiFi modules are cloud-based BRP069C4x, they are working with Daikin residential controller app on Android . I bought older module BRP069B41 ( it's cheap - about 25 Eur ) and it is working locally with Hubitat and also with Android app called Daikin online controller. Now I can control my mini-split via LAN or cloud app
This is very important - the wifi model needs to be one that supports local, not cloud, connectivity. The models with "B" in the model number do this, while those with C do not, to the best of my knowledge.
The Daikin drivers available aren't perfect, but they allow one to "make do". For example, we can't control the fan setting using the driver we use, but we just leave it set to automatic. Heat/Cool/Off mode is selectable, which is essential. For those in most of the world, temp settings will function fine. For those of us who still use Fahrenheit (The US, basically) the conversions in current drivers are a bit clunky, often resulting in the need for multiple button presses to get the temp to move. All in all, the Hubitat integration for Daikins are "OK", but not great. B-/C+ grade, but not an "A".
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