Work out the best time to turn on the air conditioner? That is already defined by how much cooling is needed. (In other words, continuously, all the time, as needed.) Haven't you heard of A/C "inverter" technology? Instead of the old on/off cycle, now the compressor can run slower or faster, according to how much cooling is needed, making for quite a boost in power efficiency. Running air conditioners at night rather than during the day, that is not a solution, as that is not what people want. You mentioned "smart" appliances, which are really pretty much a scam. (You should see all the negativity about "smart" meters on various relevant YT videos.) Part of the enviro-wacko conspiracy to refuse to add capacity to the power grid, refusal to make allowances for a naturally-growing world population, engaging in (sinister anti-freedom manipulative) behavior modification to pretend like electrical power is scarce, and to overcharge and impoverish us, rather than to build additional power plants as needed. Schemes to rob our electrical power, for bigger more-influential customers such as factories. Where is the benefit to the user or owner with "smart" appliances? So that government can spy or control your thermostat setting? So that the rich can run A/C in their mini-mansions 24-7, while the poor have to wait until midnight to turn on the oven or to run their refrigerators, or to run a clothes dryer? What are "smart" appliances even for, other than to allow Big Brother government to hack and manipulate your devices rather than you?<br><br>Now I can see perhaps one small benefit. If most air conditioners were "smart", then they could keep the air circulation fan (which uses very little power) running continuously, but cut the power to the compressor for a few seconds, if there was a hiccup in the power grid, switching networks or something, or another major generator coming on line, so as to cover the temporary power shortage and drop the demand some until the network can stabilize. Sort of like how the springs and shock absorbers on a car help smooth out the bumps. But somehow, I doubt that is what it is about. As with the soon-coming self-drive cars, "smarter" devices can help smooth out some bumps, and make otherwise-problems become nearly unnoticeable. However, there are some downsides that people need to be aware of, how evil elitists seek to manipulate and ruin our world and deny people the benefits of the technology that they should be enjoying.<br><br>BTW, the old on/off air conditioners do not like to have the compressor start, until after a few minutes after it has shut off, due to the compressor being too difficult to start up again while the refrigerant is still under pressure. Many have a protective circuit that do not allow the compressor to come back on again, right after it has already been running, until the minimum delay time has been met. I imagine the newer "inverter" technology does not have that problem, as it can vary its compressor speed and load?