control Window AC with thermostat outlet

[PoorOwner]

I have a 5000 BTU window AC, I think it draws about 4 amps or so, around 500W. Internal thermostat kind of keeps it around 85F, I want to have the room (not occupied) not go over 100F. I looked into some thermostat controlled outlets and found it. But I want to know if it is ok to just cut the power to the unit suddenly with an external control. Assuming the unit will just resume its last settings when the power is restored.

Because when I had run this unit normally, I can hear the compressor turn off and the fan will continue to blow over the coil for a while when it thinks the set temp is reached, before turning off the fan all together. May have been a similar thing upon startup as well before kicking on the compressor.

If you use an external control you would not have warming up cooling down cycle, and is that bad for the unit? does it really need to cool the coil before turning off the fan?

 

[rlitman]

It's bad for efficiency. When the compressor stops, there's still liquid refrigerant to be evaporated, and the fan should continue to run.

 

[Phantomd]

you have a complicated problem that depends greatly on your particular unit.

Short cycling the compressor is typically bad, thats why there is a delay if you have ever turned the unit off and immediately back on again. now sure how to get around that.

The fan probably runs after the compressor shuts off to evaporate the condensation on the coils.

depending on your need a mini split might solve a bunch of your issues.

 

[bobbyjean]

85...while occupied? your not asking much...i would make sure its ul listed...never saw one but no reason it wouldn't work

 

[dogdog]

Local POCO offers a Free wifi version of the remote that is make specifically for Windows AC.... it allows you to turn on and off remotely at specific temp/time etc... Not sure how it works... I think they are available at amazon as well...

https://www.coned.com/en/save-money/energy-saving-programs/smart-air-conditioners

these things.... not sure , maybe check your poco and see what they offer ?

 

[PoorOwner]

I agree that there is still refrigerant in the coils and blowing on them for a minute may let you extract the last little bit of cool air kind of like turning the AC button off in the car. How much cooling is that from a 5000 BTU system, probably not much.

I just wanted to know if it is bad for the compressor or not to shut the power externally, but it wouldn't be much different from the AC internal control shutting off power to the compressor?

I found an old item I had that is a controller for aquarium and it will be able to turn on a chiller that has high amp so it will handle this small AC as well, and turn it off at 1 degree below the set temp, so I don't need to purchase anything.

 

[SALIV8]

I wouldn't care about protecting the smallest (and inexpensive) window ac they make. Install the thermostat outlet and be happy. What happens if you have power outages often? Same thing.

 

[Falcon67]

Unless it's an old unit with a manual switch, it won't come on when the outlet is powered up. Anything new with digital/keyboard controls will not start after power is applied.

 

[davo727]

Rotary on, off mode switch type still avail

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-5-00...ow-Air-Conditioner-in-White-AEL05LX/303831575