Universal Remotes + Environmental Automation


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Universal Remotes + Environmental Automation

The Missing Link in Hong Kong Smart Homes

Hong Kong homes rely heavily on air conditioners — not just for cooling, but for drying the air and keeping humidity under control. Yet most AC units, even newer ones, are surprisingly dumb. They cool, they blast, they run until you manually intervene. No scheduling. No humidity logic. No intelligence.

This is where most “smart home” setups fall short. A smart plug can control a dehumidifier. A sensor can tell you humidity is rising. But the AC? That’s the real game‑changer.

And the good news is: you don’t need a new AC. You just need a universal remote or a simple smart socket.

Why Environmental Automation Matters in Hong Kong

If you live in a typical HK flat, you already know the pattern:

  • Humidity spikes at night
  • AC runs longer than needed
  • Mold forms behind wardrobes
  • Electricity bills creep up
  • Comfort is inconsistent

Most AC units can’t measure humidity accurately, can’t automate around it, and even when they try, the sensors are in the wrong place. And fundamentally, ACs aren’t designed to dehumidify efficiently — they’re expensive, imprecise, and often over‑cool the room. A universal remote helps you control the AC better, but for actual moisture management, a dedicated dehumidifier is still the smarter, cheaper, and more effective choice.

How Universal Remotes Work

A universal remote (IR blaster) acts as a bridge:

  • IR → AC (just like your handheld remote)
  • Wi‑Fi → your smart home platform
  • Sensor → triggers
  • Automation → comfort + efficiency

Once connected, your AC becomes part of your smart ecosystem — without replacing anything.

To make all of this work together — the AC, the dehumidifier, the sensors, and the automations — you do need a smart‑home platform acting as the "brain." Something has to join the dots so devices can react to real‑time humidity instead of running blindly. Setting this up takes a little work, because every home and every device combination behaves differently, and that's exactly where ConnectedSpaces can help. We'll cover the different platform options — Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant, and more — in the next article, along with guidance on who should use what and why.

A Real Example Workflow

Here’s a simple automation that solves a very Hong Kong problem:

Humidity > 75%
after midnight
↓
Turn on
dehumidifier
↓
Run for
20 minutes
↓
Turn off

Why a dehumidifier? Dehumidifiers are both more effective at extracting moisture and cheaper to run than AC units in dry mode. Your AC can stay off, and your electricity bill stays low.

Did you know, lowering humidity also makes it feel cooler, more comfortable and less sticky without the need to spin up your expensive AC?

This does three things:

  • Prevents mold
  • Improves sleep
  • Cuts energy waste

This is the kind of automation that makes a home feel smart.

Which Universal Remote Should You Choose?

Sensibo

Pros Great AC support
Polished app
Cons Limited support of other devices. 
Cost + paywalled functions
Best For People who want a premium experience

SwitchBot Hub 2

Pros Local control, Matter support, great ecosystem
Cons Works best with SwitchBot devices
Best For Tech‑savvy users

Broadlink 

Pros Affordable, flexible, reliable.
Has both IR and RF
Cons App is basic
Best For Budget setups

All three work well in HK flats — the right choice depends on your goals.

What ConnectedSpaces Adds

Buying a universal remote is easy. Making it work properly in a Hong Kong flat is the hard part.

Here’s what we do:

  • Test compatibility with your exact AC model
  • Install and configure the remote
  • Pair it with your sensors
  • Build the automation workflow
  • Optimise for HK humidity patterns
  • Tune it over the first week

This is where the real value lies — not in the device, but in the setup.

Case Study: 480 sq ft Sheung Wan Flat

Problem

Night‑time humidity spikes, mold behind wardrobe, AC running too long.

Solution

  • Broadlink RM4 Mini
  • Aqara humidity sensor
  • Smart plug for dehumidifier

Workflow

Humidity > 75%
after 1am
↓
Dehumidifier on
↓
20 min
↓
Off

Result

  • 18% reduction in AC runtime
  • Humidity stabilised at 55–60%
  • Mold stopped
  • Total cost: HK$1,800

Want This in Your Home?

We install and configure the entire setup for you — including the automation logic.

Message us for a free 10‑minute comfort assessment.

Book a 10‑min chat See how we work

Practical IoT for homes and businesses. Secure. Simple. Actionable.

Contact us Visit us  
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