Why Electric Water Heaters Should Have A Timer
Adding a timer onto your water heater can be very beneficial. A water heater timer can save you money on your electric and water expenses. If your water heater is located outside your home, a timer can save you a significant amount of money on your utility bills because the colder outdoor temperatures will cause your water heater to work harder to heat up the water.
A timer also helps if your home is charged a higher rate for electric use during peak hours. Setting a water heater timer to kick in during those peak hours can cut utility costs and effectively limit usage during the peak hours. If your utility service charges a higher rate during the early morning or late evening hours, you can set a timer for your water heater to reduce the usage of kilowatt hours during that time span.
There are different kinds of water heater timers, and a professional plumber can help you choose the best option for your needs. By choosing the best kind of timer for your home and your water heater, you can optimize your savings and maximize the results.
The Different Kinds of Timers For Water Heaters
There are different kinds of water heater timers. Here is a quick overview of the options and their differences.
Programmable Timers – If you need a timer for everyday use in your household, you will need to choose a programmable timer. Often considered the most efficient timer, you can program in various presets that control the power that goes into your water heater. Some common presets include shutting the power to the hot water heater off during the workday when nobody is home and then again late at night when it isn’t in use.
Switch Timer – While it isn’t a timer, but is a switch for off-on, the switch timer effectively reduces energy consumption during the non-peak hours. Using one of these does require planning because it will take a while for a water heater to heat up to the desired temperature. If you have other options, those would be recommended, and this would be a last resort.
Box Timers – A box water heater timer is frequently used and is very common. They come in digital and electronic variations and you are given the capabilities of setting up different usage periods that depend on days of the month, hours of the day, or days of the week. If you have a high-traffic household with varying water needs from one day to the next, the box timer would be a great choice.
WiFi Timer and Z-Wave Timer – If you have a smart home, then you can get full control over water heater settings with a WiFi and Z-Wave timer. They do cost more upfront, but they offer more control and you can adjust your settings over your smart device. You have ultimate control over any function, including setting a specific timer function or turning your water heater off or on.
You will want to make sure your water heater timer is properly installed. While some parts of the installation process are simple, others are complex. To make sure your timer is properly installed on your water heater, you should enlist the help of a licensed plumber. A plumber will also be able to assess the situation and determine which kind of timer would work best for your household.
