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Old 03-19-2019, 11:34 PM   #1
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THOR #12189
Water Heater Timer?

Has anyone ever tried to put a timer on the 110v side of their WH?

I'm looking at it this way: I use hot water in the morning. If I stay somewhere with metered electric, why let it suck juice all day for the hour or so it's needed in the mornings. Why not have it kick on a hour before it's needed and then maybe stay on for an hour, sitting idle the other 22hrs instead of needlessly helping to spin the dial.

Signed,

Curious

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Old 03-20-2019, 12:03 AM   #2
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On my way to start the coffee in the morning, I flip the switch for the water heater on as I walk by it.

After breakfast dishes are done and showers are complete, I flip the switch off.

Back on while dinner is cooking; off again after dishes.

Repeat as needed.
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Old 03-20-2019, 12:19 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Popfla View Post
On my way to start the coffee in the morning, I flip the switch for the water heater on as I walk by it.

After breakfast dishes are done and showers are complete, I flip the switch off.

Back on while dinner is cooking; off again after dishes.

Repeat as needed.
Did I mention I'm a technocrat and lazy?
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Old 03-20-2019, 12:33 AM   #4
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Did I mention I'm a technocrat and lazy?


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Old 03-20-2019, 02:29 PM   #5
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Since mine is dual heated and if I were to do it I'd install the timer near the AC panel under my bed using a 24H mechanical, if available, 120V 30/40A timer (pool pump timer) to keep it simple. It would be easy to access and reset/adjust/override as needed. My alternate would be installing a 12VDC timer in series with the wall switch (120V side of heater, not propane side) next to or on the monitor panel. If I were to lower the lazy bar I'd install a 12V timer to operate both gas and electric so I could choose both, only one or offset based on peak electrical cost. If you went with the HAL 9000 series....[emoji16]
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Old 03-20-2019, 05:32 PM   #6
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Wink Okay, technocrat...

If you're gonna do it, do it right...

"ALEXA...turn on the water heater at 0600, then off at 0800, then on at 1800, then off at 2000. And when you're done with that, get me a cold beer from the fridge."
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Old 03-20-2019, 06:12 PM   #7
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yep, just switch it on maybe an hour before you need it, or even use the propane for quick heating in only 15minutes...

sure, you 'could' add some type of 120v inline timer, or even some type of 12v timer near the switch...but it seems like that's overkill. I also don't think your heating element uses much electricity over the course of time, especially since it's only maintaining the temperature, not taking it from 32degrees to 110degrees every hour.
The money you spend on a timer will probably be more than you ever actually 'save'.


enjoy!
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Old 03-20-2019, 06:40 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by lug View Post
Since mine is dual heated and if I were to do it I'd install the timer near the AC panel under my bed using a 24H mechanical, if available, 120V 30/40A timer (pool pump timer) to keep it simple. It would be easy to access and reset/adjust/override as needed. My alternate would be installing a 12VDC timer in series with the wall switch (120V side of heater, not propane side) next to or on the monitor panel. If I were to lower the lazy bar I'd install a 12V timer to operate both gas and electric so I could choose both, only one or offset based on peak electrical cost. If you went with the HAL 9000 series....[emoji16]
or the Binford 6100?
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Old 03-20-2019, 06:41 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Popfla View Post
If you're gonna do it, do it right...

"ALEXA...turn on the water heater at 0600, then off at 0800, then on at 1800, then off at 2000. And when you're done with that, get me a cold beer from the fridge."
LMAO!!! Thanks
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Old 03-20-2019, 06:42 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by TurnerFam View Post
yep, just switch it on maybe an hour before you need it, or even use the propane for quick heating in only 15minutes...

sure, you 'could' add some type of 120v inline timer, or even some type of 12v timer near the switch...but it seems like that's overkill. I also don't think your heating element uses much electricity over the course of time, especially since it's only maintaining the temperature, not taking it from 32degrees to 110degrees every hour.
The money you spend on a timer will probably be more than you ever actually 'save'.


enjoy!
good point...noted and thanks
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