Experimental Study on Smart Control Systems: GSM and IR Integration for Air Conditioning Automation

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_26How to use a DOI?

Keywords

GSM; GSM module; Microcontroller; Electrical appliances

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to design and implement a GSM-based smart air-conditioning system to reduce energy consumption in residential and office environments. The objective is to provide an energy-efficient, remotely operable solution that integrates infrared (IR) technology and microcontroller-based automation, enhancing user comfort and utility control in smart building systems, particularly in Africa’s emerging economies. The research adopted an applied experimental design approach. The system was developed using a PIC16F876A microcontroller, an InfraRed transmitter, and a GSM module for remote SMS-based control. Commands sent from a user’s mobile phone allow the air conditioner and other electrical appliances to be turned ON/OFF or have temperature settings adjusted. The SMS delivery time to the GSM module takes about 2 – 10 s, GSM module processing time is 1 – 2 s. After interpreting the commands, it take 1 s to trigger a relay to simulate pressing the button and finally AC receives the signals within 1 – 3 s and start. The time range of the response time from the user input to the final output is 19.20 to 19.50 s. The setup was tested under controlled conditions to validate functionality, reliability, and compliance with energy efficiency targets. The system was designed with considerations for cost-effectiveness, component accessibility, and design durability. The scope of the system testing was limited to prototype-level implementation and confined laboratory environments. As such, real-world applications in diverse climatic and infrastructural conditions were not covered in this phase, potentially affecting large-scale generalisability. Test results confirmed that the GSM-based remote control system performed according to specifications, achieving reliable appliance switching and temperature regulation. Compared to traditional IR remotes, the system offered energy-saving advantages, improved remote accessibility, and reduced manual intervention, thereby demonstrating practical feasibility in smart home contexts. This system illustrates the practical utility of integrating GSM and IR technologies in controlling energy-consuming appliances. It provides an accessible solution to energy efficiency, especially in regions where infrastructure for full home automation is still developing. Adopting such smart energy systems can reduce energy bills for low- and middle-income households and promote green technology awareness, thus supporting broader sustainability and digital inclusion goals. This study contributes to the evolving body of knowledge in smart energy systems and remote-control technologies for developing economies. It underscores the relevance of cost-effective, GSM-based automation in advancing Africa’s smart housing and energy efficiency agenda.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Glenn Kwabena Gyimah
AU  - Patricia Kwakye-Boateng
AU  - Isaac Sebuate
AU  - Francis Sagoe
AU  - Nyabu Vincent Amartey
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/31
TI  - Experimental Study on Smart Control Systems: GSM and IR Integration for Air Conditioning Automation
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering, Science, and Urban Sustainability (ICESUS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 417
EP  - 431
SN  - 2352-5401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_26
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-970-4_26
ID  - Gyimah2025
ER  -