Electric Water Heater Timer vs. Just a regular Timer? I'm looking to purchase a timer for my water heater when I came across this Intermatic WH21 Electric Water Heater Timer. Isn't this just a regular timer? Why or how is this different from a timer I can get for just a few dollars?Can someone enlighten me on this. Electric Water Heater Timer vs. Just a regular Timer? I'm looking to purchase a timer for my water heater when I came across this Intermatic WH21 Electric Water Heater Timer. Isn't this... » Read More Electric Water Heater Timer vs. Just a regular Timer? I'm looking to purchase a timer for my water heater when I came across this Intermatic WH21 Electric Water Heater Timer. Isn't this just a regular timer? Why or how is this different from a timer I can get for just a few dollars?Can someone enlighten me on this. « Show Less
1476523
If your water heater plugs into an outlet, a regular timer will work fine. Most water heaters, however, are 220 volt lines on a dedicated circuit, thus you need something more like the WH21. Here's a good reference for you:http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/waterheatertimer.html
1359462
I have one too and the timer doesn't work. I quite working after a couple of months. Other than that, it seems to be holding up ok. I don't have a contact number but wish my timer wouldn't have stopped working.
906959
It has the option to program your schedule during the whole week. For instance, to maintain hot water in my houses the timer turns on the water heater at 7 am, 3pm and 8pm every day. I hope the information is useful.
365418
looking at these items on ebay - the main difference seems to be dial control or digital control. My original one was a digital control (not like this new model) and honestly the problem I had was the digital button broke and I couldn't control heat. That is why I chose the dial this time
1012972
Your question is unclear. But maybe this will help: When the red light is on, the 240volt current is active and may be flowing if the thermosat in the hot water heater is calling for it; when it's not on, it's there is current to the heating element in the water heater. If you have an instant-heat hot water set-up, you wasted your money on this timer -- it's for those who have hot water sitting in a tank and who want to draw current only parts of the day, say when electricity is cheaper (for those with time of day metering) or as a back-up to solar hot water on cloudy days. I've also used this device inside a spa back when I lived in Maryland where, at that time, electricity was lots, lots cheaper at night than during the day and evening hours.
1781396
If you want to shut off recommend just buying a simple water timer you can get a any home improvement store. You can have it run for hours and it shuts off automatically. Works like a charm for me.
616962
Your question is a bit vague. Should you buy a new timer and, for this model, have fewer than six sprinkler stations, I would simply transfer the wires from the old timer to new. This company also makes a 12 station timer. installing and wiring the new timer is really pretty easy. Mine was done in about 20 minutes. The Irritrol brand timers are a tad more expensive than some other brands but are also easy to program and last forever. The one at my home has been doing well for 19 years. The one I purchased replaced a cheaper brand that the landscaper installed at a commercial building I own. Good luck, Jane. Your question is a bit vague. Should you buy a new timer and, for this model, have fewer than six sprinkler stations, I would simply transfer the wires from the old timer to new. This company also makes a 12 station timer. installing and wiring the new timer is really pretty easy. Mine was done in about 20 minutes. The Irritrol brand timers are a tad more expensive than some other brands but are also easy to program and last forever. The one at my home has been doing well for 19 years. The one I purchased replaced a cheaper brand that the landscaper installed at a commercial building I own.... » Read More Your question is a bit vague. Should you buy a new timer and, for this model, have fewer than six sprinkler stations, I would simply transfer the wires from the old timer to new. This company also makes a 12 station timer. installing and wiring the new timer is really pretty easy. Mine was done in about 20 minutes. The Irritrol brand timers are a tad more expensive than some other brands but are also easy to program and last forever. The one at my home has been doing well for 19 years. The one I purchased replaced a cheaper brand that the landscaper installed at a commercial building I own. Good luck, Jane. « Show Less
542732
The first of these timers I acquired was from Home Depot and it was a piece of junk, i.e., it would not keep a program, turn off when programmed , etc. It was returned to the store for a refund. The 2nd I acquired from True Value and I've had zero problems.
364109
I think mine was $5 but I never received the timer. It was stuck somewhere in NJ about two weeks, so I cancelled my order. I remember when I was looking at it, it was on sale for about $2 but I know the total price wasn't over $7. That is wayyyyyyyy to high for this product. But I guess it all depends on where you live....
1798996
I assume the question is "Is the heater safe and does it reduce your power bill?" I will answer the question this way: I've bought a lot of oil filled electric radiators, and they always break down after a few years. I bought three of these, and they were all bad. (See my review.) I would not recommend it. Although the oil radiators have their good points, I prefer baseboard style heaters, which heat faster and also radiate heat. As for reducing your heating bill, it just depends on your use, the size of your house and many other factors. If you're able to reduce the entire house heat and just use an electric heater for one or two zones, then yes, you will probably save some on your heating bill. I assume the question is "Is the heater safe and does it reduce your power bill?" I will answer the question this way: I've bought a lot of oil filled electric radiators, and they always break down after a few years. I bought three of these, and they were all bad. (See my review.) I would not recommend it. Although the oil radiators have their good points, I prefer baseboard style heaters, which heat faster and also radiate heat. As for reducing your heating bill, it just depends on your use, the size of your house and many other factors. If you're able to reduce the entire house... » Read More I assume the question is "Is the heater safe and does it reduce your power bill?" I will answer the question this way: I've bought a lot of oil filled electric radiators, and they always break down after a few years. I bought three of these, and they were all bad. (See my review.) I would not recommend it. Although the oil radiators have their good points, I prefer baseboard style heaters, which heat faster and also radiate heat. As for reducing your heating bill, it just depends on your use, the size of your house and many other factors. If you're able to reduce the entire house heat and just use an electric heater for one or two zones, then yes, you will probably save some on your heating bill. « Show Less
1557112
These are really cheaply built timers. I have had no problems with mine but I have seen much better ones. I picked what I thought was the best available on Amazon. I used to see these everywhere in the past but I don't know how it is now.
495279
Sally, Yes. My reason is this: If you are replacing a old timer with new, the component parts down stream --the electronically-operated valves -- don't care what kind of timer you are using. For all "they" care, it could be a timer from another manufacturer. You are good to go! The only semi-difficult part of installation is getting the wiring correct when you make the transfer. I took a picture to use as a guide. Also, change the internal 9 volt back-up battery once a year. That will keep your programmed settings in memory if there's a power failure. Cheers, Jerry
106961
There are several types of timers. I replaced my on/off switch with a digital timer. Works great...times we use the most are the 5, 10 and 15 mins. Set it before showering and just forget about it....
1755276
I have to tell you that these timers are Not very reliable. I have had a hard time with mine as well. The one thing I noticed is that if the unit is not tight against the wall plate the tooth that triggers the mechanism to turn on and off will not function properly. Another problem I have had is the outer timing unit (the round outer part) can be pressed to tight against the timer not allowing it to spin. I like the concept of the timer and how easy it is to set but its not always reliable. I hope that helps you.
1025310
I haven't noticed any changes in my electricity bill that could be attributed to this instant hot water system. While it works much like a conventional house electric hot water heater, it is only heating 2/3 of a gallon, not 30 or more gallons. It is under my kitchen sink and you can hear it cycle, much like a refrigerator does, to maintain the temperature. So, it is not really heating all the time, just as needed.
38178
V.Alden--I don't know, but I too am interested in efficiency per kwh. No one seems to address that issue in the reviews. I'm looking for a safe and efficient electric heater for my daughter's bedroom in her first apartment. I'm looking at this ceramic heater because it has good reviews and lots of them, and ceramic is supposed to be efficient. I like quartz heaters too. I'm trying to figure out which is best to keep the electric bill lower.
1520504
No, this is a strictly mechanical switch, you need to manually reset timer after power failure. I have been using this combination of timer and electric water heater for close to 30 years and believe it is even superior to the current fad of "on-demand" heaters.