This summer, iPhone and iPad owners can beat the heat with Apple HomeKit - connected window air conditioners from GE Appliances. Delivering 8,000 to 12,000 BTUs to cool medium- to large-sized rooms, the units are the first HomeKit-compatible air conditioners available for the U.S. market.
GE Appliances is the first U.S.-based appliance manufacturer to introduce a product line that works with HomeKit. Now, Apple’s popular home automation platform can combat rising temperatures with advanced comfort control this summer.
<strong>A Cool Connection</strong>
By adding these units to the Apple Home app, users can demand refreshing cold air with a simple tap or by asking Siri. Owners can also create automations to instruct a unit to perform certain actions, such as turning on or off at a certain time of day. Units can also be controlled remotely, even outside of the home. No matter what scenes owners choose to set up, it’s easy to program a custom cooling schedule that works for each home.
How It Works
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<li>Inside the home, owners of GE Appliances’ connected air conditioners can operate the unit from the Apple Home app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch, by using Siri on any device including HomePod or directly from Control Center.</li>
<li>Outside the home, owners need a HomeKit home hub (HomePod, 4th generation Apple TV® or an iPad with the latest version of iOS) to remotely control these units or set up automations.</li>
</ul>
“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.
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<strong>Other Features</strong>
These ENERGY STAR-compliant air conditioners allow owners to enjoy four-way air direction by selecting from three cooling settings or choosing “Energy Saver” mode, where the fan and compressor shut off automatically when the room is cool enough.
An electronic digital thermostat and standard remote also make manual operation simple and intuitive, while installation is no worry, thanks to an EZ-Mount window kit that includes everything needed.
Meanwhile, a reminder light tells owners precisely when to replace the filter to keep their unit operating at optimal efficiency.
