Quick answerYou can control heating and air conditioning from your phone using the manufacturer’s Wi-Fi module, a gateway that connects the unit to your home automation system (for example KNX or Modbus), or connected thermostats. The right option depends on the equipment — split units, ducted systems, heat pumps with underfloor heating or radiators. A gateway into the automation system is the most complete, enabling zones, schedules and automations with windows and presence.
Switching on the air conditioning before you get home in August, or checking from work that the heating wasn’t left on, is reason enough to connect your climate system. But remote control is only the start: the real value is heating or cooling each zone when it’s needed, and switching off when it isn’t.
Three ways to control it
1. The manufacturer’s Wi-Fi module
Many air conditioners and heat pumps offer an official Wi-Fi module and app.
- Pros: simple, with every function of the unit.
- Cons: one app per brand, dependent on its cloud, and unaware of the rest of the house.
2. A gateway into the automation system
Official or third-party interfaces connect the unit (via its communication bus) to KNX, Modbus or another system.
- Pros: full control with real status feedback, integration with everything else, and local operation.
- Cons: compatibility with the exact model must be checked, and it needs professional configuration.
3. Connected thermostats
For boilers, underfloor heating or radiators: connected thermostats and smart radiator valves acting on valves or the boiler.
By type of installation
| Installation | Usual solution | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Split units | Wi-Fi module or gateway per unit | Model compatibility |
| Ducted | Zoning with dampers + thermostat per zone | Airflow and return air |
| Heat pump with underfloor heating | Room thermostats and manifold actuators | Floor inertia — schedule ahead |
| Water radiators | Connected thermostatic heads | Batteries and system balancing |
| Gas boiler | Connected thermostat compatible with the boiler | Boiler protocol |
Useful automations
- Zone schedules: bedrooms at night, living room in the evening, home office during working hours.
- Open window: the contact switches the zone off.
- Presence and absence: away mode when you leave; pre-heat or pre-cool before you arrive.
- Blinds: close on sunny façades in summer (see motorised blinds).
- Solar: use surplus PV production for heating or cooling (see home automation and solar panels).
- Alerts: abnormal temperatures in a holiday home or plant room.
Worked example: a home with ducted air and a heat pump
- Ground floor: ducted system zoned into living room, kitchen and office, each with a thermostat integrated into the automation system.
- First floor: heat-pump underfloor heating with a thermostat in each bedroom.
- Schedules: office 8:00–18:00 on weekdays; bedrooms from 22:00.
- Windows: each contact switches its zone off after one minute open.
- Away: “Leave” puts every zone into away mode; the app lets you reactivate them before returning.
- Monitoring: an alert if any room drops below 12 °C in winter.
Common mistakes
- Thermostats in the sun or next to the kitchen.
- Infrared blasters without feedback as the main solution.
- Several unrelated apps — the climate doesn’t know the window is open.
- The same schedule for underfloor heating and air conditioning, when the floor needs to start earlier.
- Not checking gateway compatibility with the exact model.
Conclusion
Controlling climate from your phone is easy; doing it well means zones, schedules, windows, presence and blinds working together. Choose the integration path that suits your equipment — ideally a gateway with real feedback — and program automations that respect comfort. The savings follow. More ideas in how to save electricity with home automation.
Domolife integrates heating, cooling and zoning into home automation projects. Ask us about your installation.
Frequently asked questions
Do infrared blasters work for air conditioning?
They mimic the remote, but get no feedback from the unit: if someone changes it with the original remote, the system doesn’t know. They’re a budget option, not the most reliable.
Can a ducted system be controlled room by room?
Yes, with a zoning system: motorised dampers in the grilles or ducts and a thermostat per zone, which can be integrated into home automation.
Where should the thermostat go?
On an interior wall at mid-height, away from direct sun, heat sources and draughts. Poor placement causes false readings and wasted energy.
I already have the manufacturer’s app — isn’t that enough?
It’s a good start. Integration adds what the app can’t do: linking climate to windows, blinds, presence, the alarm and solar production.
Sources and technical documentation
- KNX Association — HVAC control
- IDAE — efficient heating and cooling (Spanish)
- Shelly — thermostats and heating control
Features depend on the exact model and firmware: always check the manufacturer’s datasheet before buying.