A HomeKit Device CHANGED My LIFE! | Sensibo Air
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- Every now and then, a smart home device comes along that really changes how you interact with your home. For me as someone who is legally blind, the Sensibo Air is just that type of gadget and in this video I explain why and a ton of different ways to use it.
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CHAPTER TITLES
0:00 Cold Opening
0:52 Intro
2:40 Unboxing
3:40 Device Setup
5:19 Sensibo App Features
7:16 HomeKit Setup
8:15 Apple's Home app Features
9:46 The Sensibo Air with VoiceOver
11:27 Advanced Automations
12:43 Pros & Cons
13:57 Outro
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⭐️Purchase the Sensibo Air ➡️ geni.us/we7D
I have two Sensibo sensors that are older. It’s too expensive to change them.
does the sensibo air have to be pointing at the heatpump to operate it in otherwords sensibo acts like the remote but you can control heatpump by your phone via the sensibo wifi ,is this how it works
Cool video!! I remembered my elderly parents when I installed switches, sensors, cameras and locks in their house and at first they were reluctant, but over time they realized how useful it was for them due to their difficulty in moving around and now they are well familiar with HomeKit
I appreciate it! Definitely! My mom went the Alexa route, poor thing, but her house is decked out! She prefers the voice-first approach, but she has a ton of really useful accessories.
Great video Dustin! So happy this has helped you out so much and like to see this product helps with accessibility by using Homekit!
Yeah it's been pretty great! In fact, accessibility is something that is WAY overlooked with HomeKit and the smart home in general. Thanks for watching =, Brad!
Wow. This deserves all the likes and shares. Thanks for a profound unbiased review. I am thinking about transitioning my elderly parents to a bit more automation around the home
Thank you so much for the kind words 🙏 Home automation can do wonders for the elderly and people with disabilities. It definitely helps if you have someone who’s in the no, but HomeKit tends to be pretty good at being straightforward. Thanks for watching!
Excellent review! You told me everything I needed to know about this device! Thanks for very much. Just ordered my air and crossing my fingers it works for my AC!
I'm so glad you found it useful! I'm crossing my fingers for you too, but the odds of it not working are slim! Enjoy the automated cooling! Let me know how it works out!
Good one D. Glad the Sensibo is giving you a better quality of life. This is what is probably best about HomeKit that people who have no disabilities tend to forget.
Thanks Simon! I forget about it sometimes because HomeKit is such a big part of my life.
great production values and you have a direct but entertaining style of communticaon. Great Job!
Interesting video (as usual!). I did almost the same thing with Broadlink (and Hoobs for HomeKit exposition) for a lot less money (but it is a lot trickier) anyway the major limit i find with IR is that there is a one way comunication between the controller and the device. So, if you set a temperature using the smart home interface and someone changes it using the standard remote, the smart home system doesn't see the change, it shows you only your last setting without knowing that something has been changed.
Thanks for the kindness! I don't know how and maybe I'm completely wrong, but I've tested this on several occasions and the apps do seem to update, at least with the temperatures anyway.
Thanks. I thought it was more complicated but it is simpler than that. Thanks again. You deserve my like.
It really is quite simple. Glad I could be of help and thanks for the like!
Cheers for this excellent video. I have a few sensibo products and was curious about functionality differences between the app and HomeKit. Thank you. You’ve got a new subscriber
Hey! I'm glad you found it useful and thanks for subscribing! Let me know if there's anything specific you want me to cover. Thanks for watching!
Another great vid….and more great ideas re home automation. Thks
Thank you Neil! You're the best±
Interesting, Informative and IMPORTANT , thanks !
Thank you friend! Glad you got something out of it!
great video! Thanks for explaining your review.
Hi there! I appreciate it and thanks for watching!
Excellent video, very useful to anyone considering a purchase. Thank you so much!
Thank you very much! I'm glad you go something out of it. Thanks for watching!
Smart home devices (specifically, for me, the plugs) are a huge lifesaver. It gives a lot of self autonomy, especially after a surgery.
Most definitely! A lot of devices are just showy, but there are some that can actually improve our quality of life.
Thanks for this dude! Was very helpful
I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!h
I didn't even know iPhones had accessibility options to read the screen like that, that's so cool! awesome video!
Thank you kindly! Apple is EXTREMELY dedicated to accessibility which is one of the reasons why I chose HomeKit!
Wow i completely ignored the benefits of an automated home for situations such as yours! Great vid btw, will be looking into their starter kit!
Thank you 🙏🏽. The smart home really. n do wonders for all sorts of people.
Awesome video…. Dustin Keep it up 👍
Thanks for the encouragement my friend. I will do my best. Thanks for watching!
Cool video! Keep up the good work 😃
Thank you so much! I’ll do my best and thanks for watching!
Very good job mate!
You’re very kind. Cheers!🙏🏽
Cool !! I use in my Smartthings AC automation the Cielo Breeze +. It is recognized in my Home Kit using Hoobs.
Nice! HOOBS is sweet!
@@myHomeKithome I have 2 Samsung Windfree AC, both already smart. But I need Cielo Breez+ to connect my 10yo Fujitsu AC.
Thank you for the review video, very welled presented. i have questions, if i have 6 A/C located 2 meter apart, how many Sensibo devices i would need? its for a large gym
Thanks for the compliment! Unfortunately, this device is capable of controlling only one unit at a time.
Hi there, great video! What voice commands do you use to turn ac on & off? That's the only thing i cant work out haha
Whenever I say 'Hey Siri, turn AC off' It sets it to Auto.... Any suggestions?
Great question! This is actually something that I noticed is new, at least in the last few months. Mine is doing the exact same thing. I usually say “search the AC too…“ And then add either a temperature or an AC mode. It still works with the temperature controls but the modes seems to be buggy at the moment. I have gotten around this by using a Homekit Button to automatically set my AC to 25°C to cool or just by jumping into the app. Not ideal, but it is what it is. Thanks for watching!
Nice video!! May i ask when you change the temperature or status on original ir remote does the Apple home app understands this change and the opposite?? Thanks
Thank you! Yes, whenever you adjust the temperature or modes, both apps are updated. It's also worth noting that you can still use the stupid AC remote, as well.
@@myHomeKithome thank you very much!!
@@grigorischaralampopoulos4999 Any time friend!
Thanks so much for this great video, may i ask about if u r making ur own videos? or someone does them for u?
Thanks for the comment! I make my own videos. I do ask for revisions and help if I run into something that I’m not sure of but by and large, I am a solo shooter and creator. Thanks for watching!
@@myHomeKithome wow, great, r u using IMovi or what? do u have courses on how to use this with Voice over? am a content creator also, thanks in advance
iMovie is my primary editing solution, but I use a host of other tools to make everything come together. My workflow is unnecessarily complicated, and inefficient and could probably be consolidated by just buying Final Cut, but I am a bit of a cheapskate. Feel free to shoot me an email with any other questions. You can find my address in the about tab.
@@myHomeKithome thanks so much
Thanks!
You're welcome!
Just to clarify the Sensibo bases the temperature off the mini split unit itself unless you have the accompanying sensor correct?
This is my understanding.
I hope it includes the AC electricity usage..
That’s definitely one of the shortcomings of the app. Thanks for watching!
hey I had a question do you happen to know how many sensibo you can connect with Apple Home kit because I have 3 air conditioning indoor units that can be controlled separately can I also use 3 sensibo's for that..? because I now have tado but I can only connect 1 of them in Apple Home kit.
What a great question that I don’t have an answer to :( I’d reach out to Sensibo n tikis one. I don’t see why You When Pipo tu cama Bad dime quién es Mike vi Eisenhower HomeKit itseelf. I certainly hope this isn’t the cases.
Does the device tell you if your AC is on, verified (without relying on the fact that it sent a 'switch on' command to it)? I'd like to be sure the AC is on (or off) without assuming every single IR command to the AC was successful. (perhaps a little OTT, but I think that would be a useful feature).
That would be nice, but unfortunately that's just not the nature of infrared controlled appliances. They can't send messages they can only receive them. So to answer your question, no. You will still have to assume that the infrared command was successful. However, in my experience as long as nobody is using other controls to operate the device, it functions very reliably. Thanks for watching!
Hi! I assume it can only control one AC, correct? Also, where can I buy this (do they offer international shipping)? What would you recommend: tado or Sensibo? Thanks
Yes, it can only control one air conditioner or heat pump at a time. It is available internationally and you can pick it up using the links in the description box. I have no experience with the other device that you mentioned, but I can stand by this one. Thanks for watching!
Thanks
You’re welcome!
Hey! I’m tempted to buy this thing for Google Home, do you know if it’s any good for it? Thanks!!!!
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with this device and Google home sorry :(
If I don’t have a remote but a wall control panel - can it work? Each split air duct per room has its own wall thermostats/control panel,, Thank you!!
🤔 my initial thoughts are no. This device essentially converts an infrared signal from my remote into a Wi-Fi signal. Your heating and cooling system sounds interesting though. Thanks for watching!
Does the Sensibo pod contain the temperature sensor or is temperature sensed by the AC unit?
I haven't been able to find that specific information. It does have a humidity sensor that is exposed and I'm assuming this is not coming from the AC unit itself as far as I can tell, the temperature readings given are coming from the AC unit. This would be a great question for the manufacturer. Thanks for watching!
Hey how are you doing did you ever manage to figure out how to get the Sensibo to automatically turn off air conditioners with open door / window sensors and to prevent the air conditioners from turning on when the sensors are open ?
Yes and no. This should really be easier to pull off. The issue is that HomeKIt only uses changes in sensor state as automation triggers. This means that if you create an automation that sets the AC to off mode when a window sensor is open, it will only perform that action when the window changes from closed to open and not if it stays open. A option would be to use something like the Aqara Hub M2 which has a built-in IR blaster that can control ACs and use their contact sensors. The Aqara Home app has more robust automations, in general, than Apple's Home app. The downside is that the AC would not be exposed to Apple Home. It's possible for them to add IR blaster functionality to Apple Home over Matter, but they have not as of now. Hope this helps!
@@myHomeKithome i think you could be on to something there I have 2x m2 hubs and 2 ACs. Can you do a video explaining how to do it that way?
Is there a way for the used thermostat to be the AC unit and not the Sensibo?
Not that I'm aware of, unfortunately. The Air has a pretty good temperature sensor in it, though. What would be the benefits of using a different one? Thanks for watching!
I believe I have an issue with the thermostat in the unit. I set it to 25°C, and the actual room temperature is around ~20°C (I have a thermometer), but after 10 minutes, the unit's thermostat shows the room temperature to be around 30-31°C, and it doesn't provide much or any heat. Essentially, the AC sensor detects a much higher room temperature compared to the actual room temperature. If I use the "IFeel" button on the remote, it displays the correct (real) temperature. I used only the "IFeel" button, but after a while, it goes back to the unit's sensor. Can Sensibo help with that?
Definitely sounds like you've got something funky going on. I'd recommend reaching out to their support team.
Hi buddy, which mini-split system do you have?
Hey! I honestly have no idea. I got it from Home Depot and it's not a super well-known brand. However, as long as your mini split has an IR remote, it should work. Hope this helps!
does the sensibo air have to be pointing at the heatpump to operate it in otherwords sensibo acts like the remote but you can control heatpump by your phone via the sensibo wifi ,is this how it works
Essentially, the Sensibo air replaces your heat pumps IR remote control. It doesn't need to be directly pointing at the heat pump since it has blasters on three sides, but it will still need line of sight. The Wi-Fi bit comes in allowing you to use Wi-Fi to send signals from your phone to the Sensibo air which then intern sends those signals to your heat pump. Hope this makes sense. Thanks for watching!
love this! I'm actually totally blind and have just ordered this as a start to a smart home.
Dude! What an awesome way to start a smart home! It's sure beats having to memorize the buttons and it makes the entire unit accessible. Thanks for watching and let me know how your smart home journey goes!
@@myHomeKithome Would be pretty sweet to get to know you. Do you suppose you could clarify whether or not the products you review going forward are accessible with voiceover? I know you don't use it too much, but I don't yet know of anywhere which reviews these devices from an accessibility standpoint.
@@quinton1110 I definitely plan on producing more content with an accessibility focus in the future. The great thing about HomeKit is that the platform itself is accessible, so any accessory you add is made accessible, for the most part. I'm always happy to help if you have any specific questions.
@@myHomeKithome Awesome! That is actually really great! I am mainly referring to devices which don't expose everything to homekit, and actually setting them up with qr codes. Is there any sort of guidance from the home app when scanning them, do the apps usually allow you to enter the codes manually?
I doubt it was intentional, but since the HomeKit code is directly linked to the product itself, the codes are added to the device and packaging as stickers just before they are sealed. This means you can find them tactilely. QR codes are usually square and the older codes are printed as numbers on a rectangular sticker. No matter the form in which they come, HomeKit codes are always 8-digit codes which can be entered manually. In terms of scanning the HomeKit code, once you found it and you have the Home app ready to scan, touch your phone's camera to the sticker and slowly pull it away. There isn't any guidance, but the view finder is pretty wide and usally picks it up pretty quickly. Imagine there is a string that connects the center of your phone's camera to the center of the QR code. Most manufacturers apps are useless, but the Sensibo app actually has all of its buttons labeled and is very VoiceOver accessible. If you have any other device-specific questions, shoot me an email at questions@myhomekithome.com
One issue with this device is that you can use only one control mode. For example, in my bedroom I want the a/c to be on only between 11pm and 8 am and during that time I want the temperature to be between 68-72 F. I can have only one of these set up automatically, the second has to be manually set EVERY TIME. This is ridiculous. An old mercury switch thermostat could do this with no problem.
Are you using HomeKit or the Sensibo app? What you’re trying to do is totally possible in HomeKit!
@@myHomeKithome yes, I am in the process of installing HomeKit. My Sensibo is older and not compatible with HomeKit so I just bought an RPi for a bridge.
Hey buddy, with the Sensibo Air, can you tell Siri to increase the temperature? Unfortunately this is currently an unsupported feature with the BroadLink plugin on HomeBridge. Thanks!
Absolutely! I do it regularly!
@@myHomeKithome Well, not exactly. If you holler “Hey Siri, increase the temperature”, she won’t increase it, say, from 24 to 25 if the current room temperature is 20. She will do from 20 to 21. But I guess this is a HomeKit shortcoming and not Sensibo’s. Am I right?
@@SirFrancescoGalli Aaahhhhhhh. I always request a specific temperature or simply ask Siri to turn up or turn down the thermostat. At the moment I don’t have it connected because I just moved, but I will definitely check it out once I get it installed again.
@@myHomeKithome Thank you.
No problem. Have a great day!
I was about to ask if you can't tell Alexa to turn up the temperature to for example 28c
But I guess you can't read 😢
Great video anyway
Not sure how to respond to this comment. First, I can read. I just can't see graphical letters. The whole idea behind this video is that a Smart Home device made it possible for me to not have to rely on vision to use the device that before required site. Hope that clarifies everything. Thanks for watching!
@@myHomeKithome well alright technology huh?
I was wondering because I was gonna buy one myself so want to know if it's possible to turn on/off and set specific temperatures by saying for ex Alexa set the temperature to 28 or 18 degrees
Does it make the air conditioner beep repeatedly? I was using an Aqara hub to control my split system and the functionality was wonderful, but it made the air conditioner beep about every 20 minutes. I have ear issues and it was becoming a problem. I then bought a switchbot hub mini and bot so Siri could turn my coffee maker on (just because that's cool!) and shuffled hubs around so the switchbot hub mini is running the air conditioner and the Aqara hub is looking out the window as a camera. The switchbot hub mini doesn't beep, but the functionality isn't anywhere near as good. I use the dehumidify function most of the time as humidity causes hand pain for me, and with switchbot I can only drop the temperature by 3 degrees. Not enough when it's nearly 40! So I need to buy something else. It seems my options are another Aqara hub and deal with the beeps, or this. It's a lot more than another Aqara M2 hub, but if it doesn't beep it'll be worth it.
Wow, I've never heard of this happening on any device. It seems it could have something to do with your particular air conditioner… Maybe? I can confirm that with my air conditioner at least, controlling it with the Sensibo air does not make it beep. It does beep when it changes modes or temperatures, but that's a function of the air conditioner itself rather than it being controlled by a smart IR blaster.
@@myHomeKithome yes that's quite possible. It does it on both units, and they are both Panasonic units. I'll never buy another Panasonic as they also have a blue light that flashes all night (not great in the bedroom) and their service is atrocious. The beep is really loud. I'm in the lounge room right now and can hear the bedroom unit beep every 20 minutes. I can't get any further away from it unless I go outside! But it doesn't beep every 20 minutes with the Switchbot hub, only when changing modes, so there must be something to do with the hub too. I'm moving soon so maybe I'll just get another M2 hub and put up with the beeps for as long as I'm here and then see what the aircon in the next house does. I could actually use the switchbot hub as well, and just turn automations on and off if it's going to be particularly hot or humid so I only hear the beeps on days that I really need the Aqara functionality. I know I'll want a third Aqara hub at my next house so it's not a waste to buy it.
I actually just read some terrible reviews of the Sensibo so I think given there's a chance the beeps will stop with the next aircon I'd rather stick with Aqara. I actually have a second switchbot hub mini which I didn't really need as the bot in the kitchen is able to connect to the hub in the lounge room, so if using both and changing which one is in use on hot days works well, I could do that in the bedroom too and only have beeps on really hot nights. Hmmm. Yes I think I'll do that. I wonder if I can put an extra sensor outside and make them change over automatically...
I've had nothing but good experiences with my Sensibo air. My mini split is a no-name brand and everything is exposed, including the ability to turn on and off the LED panel. The Aqara option is great because it gives you loads of other functionality as well.
@@myHomeKithome it's hard to decide what to do when there's a mix of fantastic and awful reviews for the same product isn't it! Another Aqara hub is on its way, although not in time for the really hot weather yesterday and today! I fiddled with the Switchbot automations and have got it doing a better job, but still not perfect and I need to intervene and run a shortcut when it gets uncomfortable in here. In the end, the thing that made my decision for me was that I wasn't certain I was going to be able to do what I needed to do with the Sensibo Air without paying for their subscription, whereas I know I can do that with Aqara without paying anything extra. I'll move the extra switchbot hub to the bedroom as well and then I'll be beep free and climate controlled most of the time, and just turn the Aqara automations on when it's going to be hot. I can deal with beeps on the odd day here and there, especially now that you've given me hop that the aircon at my next house might not do it!
I love you ❤️❤️❤️
awww you’re pretty lovely lovely yourself!
My ac unit doesn't have wifi, only can be controlled through the remote. Do I need wifi for my unit?
Nope! That's the beautiful part of this device. It makes IR - based air conditioning units that are not smart, smart. Let me know if you have any other questions!
@@myHomeKithome man you are a big help! Thank you so much.
Happy to be of service!
Does this work on any air conditioning unit?
That’s the idea!
Thanks mate. Great vid. Bit expensive for me only issue.
@@risto_delicious Thanks and agreed! The price was the only downside I could find.
Interesting. I like that it controls a dumb device!
There is something magical about using new technologies to breathe new life into old ones. Thanks for watching!v
the problem is apple they need force the manufacture put everything on the apple home app so apple home kit will be 1 app for all. apple homekit app is a joke today at least atm
Thanks for the comment, although I have to say I disagree. While apples home app is far from perfect, in my opinion it's leaps and bounds more concise, practical, efficient, and user-friendly then at least Amazon and Google offerings. The problem with forcing manufacturers to comply is that they don't have to and if they deem it to costly, they don't support the platform at all. We saw this issue in the early days of HomeKit which is why adoption has been slow going.