Can anyone help with pointers for automatable garage heaters? So far my searches aren’t finding anything. My requirements are:
- remotely preheat when I want to work out
- alert if it’s left on, or automatically turn off
I’m in the US, looking for 240v maybe 5,000w electric heater. The basic item is cheap and readily available at home centers or online. I even see variations with Bluetooth remote and/or controlled by app.
I’m looking for something locally automatable. Matter/Thread would be ideal but I’m fine with Zigbee or z-wave. But I’m not finding anything like that, and getting stuck on some vendors portal is not ok. Any leads?
Or something that can use an external thermostat - I actually have an extra Ecobee - that can be locally automatable. Any leads? Any search tips that might find such a thing?
I briefly thought of automating an outlet, however even if smart outlets are available for those loads, that wouldn’t work because all these heaters have a safety feature to run the fan until the unit is cool
Not trying to spread fear. But remotely running heaters could be a fire hazard. Please be cautious
You mean like all of the millions of them in every house, building, business around the world?
If it’s 240, it’s installed. It’ll require a proper 240 circuit for its type, not something the average homeowner can do, so an electrician will be necessary.
Technically, pretty much every heater is “remote” (except portables). Or do you crawl into your attic or crawl space whenever you want to adjust the temp?
Do you turn off your heat when you leave the house? Water heater?
Business have used heat and cooling on timer and remote systems for 75+ years, and here you come fear-mongering some nonsense about “remote heaters”.
Moreover, an electric hearer is about as safe as you can get - nothing being oxidized, the heater element is well shielded, with a compressor type fan pushing air through it.
If the fan stops, the unit stops. If the heater stops, the fan stops, it’s all tied together with controls that have been around since the 50’s (and mostly now electronic). Even controls from back then are crazy robust and simple.
A gas heater won’t even attempt to fire if it doesn’t detective negative pressure in the chamber, which would mean the exhaust blower isn’t running. And we’re not talking gas here, so the controllers even simpler.
For sure it’s a concern and part of the reason for over complicating what a space heater could theoretically do.
For safety I want something off the ground so nothing can fall on or next to it, I want a dedicated circuit, and I have a priority on making sure it gets turned off when not in use.
Ny garage will not have anything flammable since my car is an EV and I park it outside, my lawn equipment is battery powered, my snow blower is battery powered, and any chemicals go in the shed