Did you know that if you are in the habit of setting your thermostat to the right temperature in the morning and turn it off when leaving home in the evening, then a space timer can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills?
Space timers are really easy to install. In most cases, all you need is a screwdriver, some wire connectors and a bit of common sense.
If you’re interested in installing a space timer with a timer, then some of the key benefits you can gain include,
- Save up to a fifth annually on your electricity bill
- Smart technology allows the lights be turned off and on at set times.
- Easy installation process.
Plugging a space heater into a timer can save you on energy use by switching off your space heater when not needed.
The good thing with timers is that they can also be used on lamps and other appliances such as water heaters, smokers and electric grills.
If you’re interested in getting space heater timers for your home or office, then there are a few things that you should know about how they work to ensure that the best choice is made.
Using Large Space Heaters with Timers
A space heater is a great way to warm up your home on those frosty winter mornings. Although they can be a lifesaver in the colder months, there are some safety precautions that you should take before using one.
If possible, try turning down the thermostat before you leave your home or office for the day. This will ensure that the room doesn’t overheat and that your heater is safe to use during times when you’ll be gone all day long
Using Timers with Space Heaters
A timer limits the amount of time/temperature function of your space heater by automatically switching it off after a set period. These are great for conserving energy and saving you money on your heating bills.
So if you’re wondering if a space heater can be plugged into a timer, then the answer is yes. As long as it is plugged into an outlet timer that corresponds with the wattage of the space heater.
However, if the wattage is too high for your timer’s capacity, then this can cause a fire or even an electrical malfunction.
Some timers can handle any amount of power required by a space heater. However, this isn’t the case with every timer, and if you’re unsure then you should look into how much power your timer can handle.
When connecting your space heater and timer switch, one thing you’ll want to take note of is how large your heater actually is. If it’s too big, the connection could become loose or stop working completely after a period of time.
It is also important to remember that if you have multiple heating appliances plugged in at once, you won’t be able to turn them all off or on using your timer switch.
The best way around this is to have multiple switches so you smaller appliances can be plugged into a standard wall outlet.
If you plug them all to run simultaneously, the timer will run till it reaches its capacity. So make sure that your timers are able to handle this amount of wattage.
Space Heater with Programmable Thermostats
A space heater with a programmable thermostat is ideal for those who want complete control over their room temperature
You can set the desired temperature and even switch off the heating function if you need to, making these the perfect option for those looking to save on energy costs.
The best thing about space heaters with programmable thermostats is that you won’t have to manually adjust the function of your unit again.
As long as you have it set at the right time and temperature, then your heater will do all the work for you so you don’t have to keep getting up early to turn it on.
These types of space heaters can be found with multiple power settings, timers and thermostats. However, more features usually mean that it’ll be more expensive to buy.
But if you want complete control over how your room is heated, then this type of heater is the best choice for you. It will help lower your energy bills while allowing you to set the perfect temperature.
Understanding How Space Heaters Works
When thinking about the best space heater for your home or office, you should keep a few things in mind with regards to its safety and functionality.
It is important to know how each one works to ensure you buy the right product for your home.
- Amount of Power Used by the Space Heater
Depending on the space heater you choose, it might be a device that consumes a lot of energy. Some space heaters can use up to 1500W at a go.
This can prove to be too much power for some outlets. It is important to check the power requirements of your heater and its corresponding outlet before buying it. That way you can avoid accidents that might occur due to faulty appliances.
Some heaters come with heat modes that can be reduced. You can adjust and reduce the power to the lowest possible heat mode.
Space heaters are often set to operate at 1500W because they can spread heat faster. The temperature of the room also increases faster because there is more heat in the area at any given time.
So if you happen to have a large space or want to get rid of cold spots at home, then 1500W might be the option for you.
This is why heater manufacturers make space heaters that operate at 1500W, 1800W and 2000W. 1500W is often the most popular power setting, but if you want a heater with a lower wattage then buying one with a timer will allow you to switch off the heating function when it’s not needed.
- Amount of Power the Timer Can Handle
Electric timer switches are usually designed using relay devices. They can be activated using low power.
Timers are built in a way that they don’t have to have high power usage when starting up. They are only used when your heater is operating, which means that the heating mode of your device will be what determines how much wattage it would take to run the timer.
Electric timer devices can control high voltages by switching them on and off. They control the wattage of a heater through a relay device that can handle 1500W without compromising on safety.
But if you happen to have a high power heater, it is best to choose one with at least 1800W for an electric timer switch because they are designed using larger components that can protect your unit from short circuits.
Timers are designed to handle high electrical power.
Timers can switch off and on large home appliances like air conditioners, fridges, and heating units. They are used to make your life easier since they can work with numerous appliances in your home.
- Avoid Connecting Multiple Space Heaters to a Timer
It is wrong to plug multiple space heaters into an electrical power supply. When you do this, you will blow the fuse or circuit breaker because the power load will be too much for it to handle.
You should ideally only use one heater with a timer since the timer can’t handle high voltages. It is best to wait until you can afford an additional unit instead of overloading your electrical outlets.
If the rating of your timer switch is between 15 and 20 Amps; it may be impossible to operate multiple space heaters at the same time. For example, you can’t plug in a 1500W heater and a 2000W heater into the same outlet since it will overload the switch.
This may cause smoke or short circuit breakers to activate because of how much power your outlets are handling.
- Safety Rating of the Timer Switch
You can connect multiple heating devices on the condition that you check the safety rating of the timer switch. The safety rating of your timer switch will determine how much wattage it can handle.
You can find this information by checking the user manual that came with the device or looking at its specifications online. If you want to get a heater based on high ratings, get one with at least 1800W and 15 Amps safe for use in homes.
If the timer’s energy rating is below 15 Amps, you should look for another timer switch. If you are using multiple heater units, you should ideally get an electric heater with a wattage rating of 1800 Watts or higher.
If the timer’s power rating is below 15 Amps, then it can’t handle more than 1 space heater unit. It would be best to look for another switch that can handle at least 2 heaters.
Normally, the energy rating of the electrical timer can often be found below the appliance case.
If it is not found on the case, then do an online search to confirm the switch’ energy rating. You can also find this information on the product’s specifications, warranty card or user manual.
Most people are sceptical of connecting a space heater to an electrical timer switch because of the risk of causing a fire. But as long as you follow safety precautions, you won’t have to worry about your heater having a short circuit or getting damaged from overloading power.
In addition, space heater timers are made with advanced components that can handle higher energy ratings and electrical power to protect your appliance from being damaged from overloading circuits.
Other problems that may occur may be as a result of using an inappropriate extension cord to connect to your space heater.
So you should be careful when connecting with an extension cord or research the right ones to use with your space heater. It is important to read the safety instructions that come with your space heater and follow them accordingly.
You should also only connect the unit to a nominal 220V circuit breaker and not a 110V switch since they can’t handle high voltages
Also, never touch or disconnect an electric heater plug if it’s hot as you may risk getting an electric shock.
It’s best to let the space heater cool down before you unplug it from the electrical outlet.
Using Your Space Heater Safely
If like most homeowners, maintaining safety around your home is important, then the following safety procedures are important.
- It is important to keep your heater unit away from all flammable materials such as curtains, clothes and furniture.
- Before using the appliance, you should always read its instruction manual and follow the safety instructions carefully.
- It is also advisable not to put your space heater on a flammable surface such as wooden flooring or carpet. This can cause the heater to overheat and cause a fire
- If you are using a timer switch, then ensure it is an approved device for use with electric heating appliances.
- Make sure your timer can handle your heater’s wattage rating. It is also important to keep all extension cords on the floor and not above furniture.
- Do not use a space heater if you have any doubts about its safety and consult an expert if you have any concerns.
- It’s also important to keep your space heater away from children or pets, especially when it is turned on.
- Get a new space heater if the one you have is not effective. Possibly get yourself a newer model as they usually safer to use.
The Best Timer to Use
Most modern timer switches used to control space heaters are energy-efficient and will only consume a minimal amount of electricity while turning on and off.
If you’re not looking for one with an automated timer, it’s best to get one that has a manual switch so you can just turn it on and off whenever necessary.
Timers can be bought from most stores or online stores. Since they are built with components that can handle high voltage and power, they can last a long time and can be affordable. When installing the timer, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up and using it.
Space heaters are commonly used to warm homes during the winter months. But if you want to save money on your energy bills, then consider getting an electrical timer switch that can work with both timers and heaters.
Can Space Heaters Interfere with Wifi?
As the weather gets colder, many people turn to space heaters to stay warm in their homes. However, these appliances can also interfere with WiFi devices and signals in your home.
The best way to figure out if this is happening in your home is by turning off all of the electronic devices in your house and checking if you can access wi-fi.
If you can, then it’s likely that there are other factors causing interference. However, many people don’t notice their wifi signal weakening until they’re already using a space heater.
This could be due to how close these devices are located or because they’re heating up metal pipes near the router.
Fortunately for those who experience this issue, there are some easy ways to reduce interference from these types of devices:
- Move you heater farther away from the router.
- Switch off all your devices and measure the Wifi speeds.
- Move your router to a different place in the room.
- Use an ethernet cable to connect devices like Smart TV’s and game consoles
- Install a Wifi extender that can reduce interference.
Is It Safe to Connect Space Heaters with Smart Plugs?
Another smart way to save on your electric bill is by installing a smart plug. This will allow you to control the device plugged into it remotely with an app or voice commands.
You can also use them as timers by setting a specific time when the power is supposed to turn off after being turned on.
Smart plugs are great for devices that need electricity all day long like space heaters. They work best if they have options for scheduling and motion sensing so they only turn on when needed and know not to run at night while people are sleeping.
Smart plugs are not very different from regular timers, and they have the capacity for handling devices with high energy such as heaters, fridges, air-conditioning devices, etc.
When you have a smart plug for your space heater, it makes controlling when you want the space heater to turn on or when you want it to stop easier than with a regular timer.
Also, with a smart plug, you don’t need an extra timer plugged into the wall because your smart plug can act as one for your heater if you’re using it with a regular power switch.
If the smart plug has the option, configure it to turn off after a certain period of time (e.g., 30 minutes). This will make sure there is no risk of overheating or starting fires.
You can manage the energy used by your heater if you get to know how much energy is required. People buy the wrong kind of heater because they don’t know how to choose what’s best for them.
Final Thoughts
It is safe to plug space heaters into timers and you do not have to be very particular about the brand of timer you are using.
Timers are easy to use and install as they often come with clear instructions, which makes them an ideal addition to your heater. They allow you to control when your heater will turn on and off without having to stay near it.
A timer is a great addition to your space heater.
Installing a space heater with a timer can help you save money on electricity bills each month and prevent potential hazards from happening around the home. If you’re not quite sure how to install a space heater, don’t worry. There are many videos on YouTube that can help you install your space heater with a timer quickly and easily.
Simply follow the directions to set up the correct temperature and time you want your device to turn on and you’re good to go.
By taking your time to install your heater with the timer correctly, you can be sure that it will turn on and off at the right times without any issues. If you need more help arranging your space heater’s schedule, ask for help from a friend or family member who is computer-literate.
This way, you can enjoy an energy-efficient space heater that works as it should.
