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ESP32-Faikin: ESP32 based module to control Daikin aircon units
I wish there was something similar for ThinQ, as I prefer not to have Cloud-based smart devices, but alas, had to purchase some floor AC units during a heat wave.
RevK's blog has a lot of interesting posts on it.

https://www.revk.uk/

He also runs an excellent ISP in the UK called AAISP which I can highly recommend (https://www.aa.net.uk)

AAISP build their own core & customer networking devices/routers from scratch (not Linux based) in the UK. They are fascinating to use - a completely different evolutionary tree to any other networking kit I've used. Some unique features.

https://www.firebrick.co.uk/fb9000/

For those with Midea manufactured units (They white label so many brands) a great turnkey option is this dongle made by SMLight (1) that comes preloaded with ESPHome.

1 - https://smlight.tech/product/slwf-01/

I just have some IR LEDs on an esp8266 in the same room as my Daikin and run tasmota. It works perfectly. I have temp control and fully remote automation.
How did you teach it the IR language it has to speak?
It's built in: DAIKIN200 https://tasmota.github.io/docs/Tasmota-IR/#sending-irhvac-co... I didn't do anything. It just worked.
I've done the same for an AC that wasn't supported by IRDB at the time. Just went through recording every possible combination, was a boring 30 minutes but it's worked perfectly ever since.
I used one of the broadlink devices with this library a few years ago: https://github.com/mjg59/python-broadlink

You just point your remote to it and it can capture the data that you can just replay..

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If it is like ESPHome, the IR sequences are included. Mostly from databases like IRDB [0]

[0] https://github.com/probonopd/irdb

I hear so many complaints about ISPs, but Andrews & Arnold really do make the world a better place.
Over in Panasonic land we have a similar setup.

https://github.com/DomiStyle/esphome-panasonic-ac

I've got two of these running in my Panasonic Heat Pumps and it's excellent.

As a more general approach for making any air conditioner "smarter", there is a SmartIR integration [1] for Home Assistant. It requires an IR blaster and a configuration file that defines IR code sequences for every possible AC state (temperature + fan speed + swing + etc) that you might want to use. Many models are already configured or you can try a few models from the same manufacturer and sometimes the codes are similar enough that you'll find one that works.

Once it's set up you get a nice climate control in Home Assistant, the only drawback is that the state displayed in HA will go out of sync if you use the physical remote.

[1] https://github.com/smartHomeHub/SmartIR/blob/master/docs/CLI...

This project has been a godsent! The latest Daikin indoor units have a built-in WiFi module which only allows control through their cloud infrastructure. Besides it being a privacy and/or security issue, it's very slow and buggy (e.g. I've had two units reset their credentials after a power outage).

There are two caveats to going the Faikin way: you need to source or build your own cable that's compatible with your unit, and there's no access control (that I could find) for the web interface so you need to firewall and proxy it properly.

There's an esphome config for them and esphome let's you set a password. I believe it supports encryption but I can't remember.

The faikins are really awesome. I have mine set up in Home Assistant and I have automations for them to do stuff to turn off if the outdoor and indoor temps are both pleasant. I also have it set up to turn off if any of my windows or exterior doors are left open for more than five minutes. But you can program them to do so much. The stock firmware does mqtt so it's quite versatile.

These things are great, I've managed to get them into all my indoor units without too much trouble. If you've already got them integrated into Home Assistant check out Versatile Thermostat (you can find it in HACS), if you've got temp sensors in the rooms with your AC you'll get very good target temperature tracking, much better than the auto functionality built into Faikin.
How convenient, I just got installed a Daikin not even knowing it could have WLAN capabilities, discovered that it has, that is cloud-only but it wasn't like that til long ago. Currently I'm using this bridge to their cloud Onecta for Home Assistant (https://github.com/jwillemsen/daikin_onecta) and so far it's working great.

But this project is definitely nicer! But I don't fully understand how do I connect the ESP32 to the aircon. I see you can buy a cable on Tindie but... oh wait, I know see a badly illuminated part of the attached YouTube video where he does open the thing up and connect the cable but really, it's not that clear to me (especially considering there are a gazillion slightly different Daikin split models out there).

Any help appreciated (even if it's just a pointer to RTFM)

I'm considering a new heat pump (ducted) and daikin seems to require One+ Smart Thermostat to run it in most efficient way, so - cloud. I don't think this project supports plugging into it, but perhaps it's possible?
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This is false. You're welcome to install whatever air-conditioning system you want, the only requirement is that it needs to be deployed by a certified installer. Which makes sense, of course, we wouldn't want DIY setups that can say leak toxic chemicals or cause electrical fires all over the place.
They also do not allow not trained electricians to mess with 220V. Damn bureaucrats!
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And all those insulated wires they mandate? What a rip off! Two straightened coat hangers ought to be enough for anybody.
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There is a big difference between mandating products offered to the public need to meet basic safety norms and mandating that you obtain the services of a third party cartel to maintain your own property.
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Well running the refrigerant pipes in a house is a pain anyway, it's certainly better left to a professional. And HFC greenhouse effect is a real thing, at least in the EU even auto shops must account for every gram of refrigerant they use when servicing auto airco.

But it doesn't have anything to do with this project.

Do you mean you can't own one or you can't DIY? I'm a bit confused since the process as I've seen it is rather laborious. You have to be a bit of a multidisciplinary man to be able to do it.
You can own and you can (try to) DIY it, but when you buy the gear you're put on a list and your installation has to be inspected.
A simple small unit with pre-charged line sets can be installed by anyone with a little electrical knowledge.
Not ALL over, there’s quite a few countries where you don’t have to sweat your nads off every summer.
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As far as I can tell, it's also illegal to install split systems in the US when it's not done by a professional so I'm not sure what you guys are ranting about.

The main reason why EU has few AC installations is that the climate is generally much more temperate than the US or Asia and until the last decade it made no sense to have AC when outside temperature rarely went above 27°C or so in the summer.

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> As far as I can tell, it's also illegal to install split systems in the US when it's not done by a professional

Split systems are sold OTC in chain home improvement stores here in California, and are ordinarily self installed.

Perhaps there is some regulation somewhere in the US god knows, but if so there is little to no enforcement of it.

>it's also illegal to install split systems in the US when it's not done by a professional

Where did you see me arguing this? Split ACs must everywhere be installed by professionals, I never said they don't. You missed the point completely. Building regulations in some EU countries forbid installation of split AC units period, even by professionals because you're not allowed to do modifications to the outer walls and facade, even if you're a owner, let alone a tenant.

>until the last decade it made no sense to have AC when outside temperature rarely went above 27°C or so in the summer

It makes no sense to not let people adapt their residences to the new environmental conditions.

What are some of these "some EU countries"?
The only legitimate examples I can think of are restrictions on installing public-facing split ACs. Usually these restrictions are highly localized and only apply to historic buildings in larger cities.

I've only been able to find a source for recently instituted rules in Croatia: https://www.croatiaweek.com/new-rules-on-where-you-can-insta...

France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, ...
> Building regulations in some EU countries forbid installation of split AC units period

is not true for Germany and Austria at least. And none of the things that make it difficult are related to "greenwashing propaganda that their sacrifice of personal comfort is "for the environment"". (indeed I'd rather argue that the anti-green pushback is hurting the rollout of AC)

I think they're talking about how it's usually forbidden to install an exterior unit that blows towards the windows of a neighbour or a visible unit on the façade of a historical building.

Maybe all of this is allowed in the US, but it's not a factor for the low penetration of AC in Europe anyway.

The law is for the facade of all buildings not just historical ones. You aren't allowed to alter it since it's common property, not your own.
You need the owners permission. In the specific case of a building where different people own different apartments, that's the owners assembly for the outside. That's not the same as it being forbidden by regulations, and not particularly specific to European countries. Fairly sure if you own a condo in the US they'll also have their own rules about what you are allowed to do to parts of the building outside your unit and a voting process for exceptions and changing it.

And obviously ownership law like that has nothing to do with "greenwashing propaganda".

Some areas can have local restrictions facade design, but that's neither universal nor something that can't be mitigated.

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