Subject: [Shop-talk] "Smart" garage heater

From: PJ McGarvey <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 13:29:23 +0000

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I've recently been enjoying the benefits of adding a smart plug (https://wy=
ze.com/wyze-plug.html) to the AC unit in my detached workshop/garage so I c=
an remotely turn it on and off, and also monitor it using a remote temp/hum=
idity sensor from Govee. Makes it easy to turn on the AC before I decide to=
 go out there, or turn it off if I decide not to. I've also added one to ou=
r attic fan for those really hot days.

This has me thinking it would be great to be able to do this with my hardwi=
red electric heater as well for the winter months. I've used this heater fo=
r a few years now and find it does a great job to maintain temps but can ta=
ke a few hours to get the temps up on the colder days:  https://www.lowes.c=
om/pd/Comfort-Zone-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-Electric-Fan-Forced-Industrial-U=
tility-Heater-Furnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Protection/1003054570?cm_mmc=3Ds=
hp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-sosheatingandcoolers-_-1003054570-_-=
0&placeholder=3Dnull&ds_rl=3D1286981&gclid=3DCj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfb=
givVS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FXzgVIAXGz0e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&gclsrc=3Daw.=
ds

I had been thinking the only way to do it was to add a "smart" breaker to t=
he subpanel I have in the garage but those seem a bit pricey and was wonder=
ing if it would be good for the unit to power it on and off repeatedly usin=
g the breaker.

I was amazed to find that someone did a nice writeup on adding automation t=
o this exact heater model using some pretty affordable pieces: https://thes=
martcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/

I have plenty of time to plan this out before cold weather, but was curious=
 if anyone has done something like this, something similar to automate hard=
wired devices like heaters, or thinks this is a safe way to go about it?

Thx
PJ

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<body dir=3D"ltr">
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
I've recently been enjoying the benefits of adding a smart plug (<a href=3D=
"https://wyze.com/wyze-plug.html" id=3D"LPlnk">https://wyze.com/wyze-plug.h=
tml</a>)&nbsp;to the AC unit in my detached workshop/garage so I can remote=
ly turn it on and off, and also monitor it
 using a remote temp/humidity sensor from Govee. Makes it easy to turn on t=
he AC before I decide to go out there, or turn it off if I decide not to. I=
've also added one to our attic fan for those really hot days.&nbsp;</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
This has me thinking it would be great to be able to do this with my hardwi=
red electric heater as well for the winter months. I've used this heater fo=
r a few years now and find it does a great job to maintain temps but can ta=
ke a few hours to get the temps
 up on the colder days:&nbsp; <a href=3D"https://www.lowes.com/pd/Comfort-Z=
one-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-Electric-Fan-Forced-Industrial-Utility-Heater-F=
urnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Protection/1003054570?cm_mmc=3Dshp-_-c-_-prd-_-=
sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-sosheatingandcoolers-_-1003054570-_-0&amp;placehold=
er=3Dnull&amp;ds_rl=3D1286981&amp;gclid=3DCj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfbgiv=
VS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FXzgVIAXGz0e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=3Daw=
.ds" id=3D"LPlnk">
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Comfort-Zone-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-Electric-Fan-=
Forced-Industrial-Utility-Heater-Furnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Protection/10=
03054570?cm_mmc=3Dshp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-sosheatingandcool=
ers-_-1003054570-_-0&amp;placeholder=3Dnull&amp;ds_rl=3D1286981&amp;gclid=
=3DCj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfbgivVS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FXzgVIAXGz0=
e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=3Daw.ds</a></div>
<div class=3D"_Entity _EType_OWALinkPreview _EId_OWALinkPreview _EReadonly_=
1"></div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
I had been thinking the only way to do it was to add a &quot;smart&quot; br=
eaker to the subpanel I have in the garage but those seem a bit pricey and =
was wondering if it would be good for the unit to power it on and off repea=
tedly using the breaker.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
I was amazed to find that someone did a nice writeup on adding automation t=
o this exact heater model using some pretty affordable pieces:&nbsp;<a href=
=3D"https://thesmartcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/" id=3D"LPlnk1=
72982" style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12p=
t;">https://thesmartcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/</a></div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
I have plenty of time to plan this out before cold weather, but was curious=
 if anyone has done something like this, something similar to automate hard=
wired devices like heaters, or thinks this is a safe way to go about it?</d=
iv>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Thx</div>
<div style=3D"font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;=
 color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
PJ</div>
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_______________________________________________

[email-masked]
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive

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From: Steven Trovato <[email-masked]> AMPRD84.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2021 10:49:35 -0400

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PJ,

I was considering doing something similar.  The heater I have keeps 
the fan running for a couple of minutes when the thermostat stops 
calling for heat.  While it can handle having the power cut 
completely, the manufacturer said that doing that repeatedly was bad 
for the heater and could shorten its life.  My plan was instead to 
wire the relay into the line going to the thermostat so it would 
continue to function in the usual way.  The relay being open would be 
the same as the thermostat being open, not calling for 
heat.  Unfortunately, this thought experiment is as far as I have 
gotten.  This project remains on my "maybe I'll get to it someday" list.

-Steve T.

At 09:29 AM 7/2/2021, PJ McGarvey wrote:
>Content-Language: en-US
>Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
> 
>I've recently been enjoying the benefits of adding a smart plug 
>(<https://wyze.com/wyze-plug.html>https://wyze.com/wyze-plug.html) 
>to the AC unit in my detached workshop/garage so I can remotely turn 
>it on and off, and also monitor it using a remote temp/humidity 
>sensor from Govee. Makes it easy to turn on the AC before I decide 
>to go out there, or turn it off if I decide not to. I've also added 
>one to our attic fan for those really hot days.
>
>This has me thinking it would be great to be able to do this with my 
>hardwired electric heater as well for the winter months. I've used 
>this heater for a few years now and find it does a great job to 
>maintain temps but can take a few hours to get the temps up on the 
>colder 
>days: 
><https://www.lowes.com/pd/Comfort-Zone-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-Electric-Fan-Forced-Industrial-Utility-Heater-Furnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Protection/1003054570?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-sosheatingandcoolers-_-1003054570-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfbgivVS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FXzgVIAXGz0e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds>https://www.lowes.com/pd/Comfort-Zone-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-Electric-Fan-Forced-Industrial-Utility-Heater-Furnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Protection/1003054570?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-sosheatingandcoolers-_-1003054570-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfbgivVS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FXzgVIAXGz0e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
>
>I had been thinking the only way to do it was to add a "smart" 
>breaker to the subpanel I have in the garage but those seem a bit 
>pricey and was wondering if it would be good for the unit to power 
>it on and off repeatedly using the breaker.
>
>I was amazed to find that someone did a nice writeup on adding 
>automation to this exact heater model using some pretty affordable 
>pieces: 
><https://thesmartcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/>https://thesmartcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/
>
>I have plenty of time to plan this out before cold weather, but was 
>curious if anyone has done something like this, something similar to 
>automate hardwired devices like heaters, or thinks this is a safe 
>way to go about it?
>
>Thx
>PJ

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<body>
PJ,<br><br>
I was considering doing something similar.&nbsp; The heater I have keeps
the fan running for a couple of minutes when the thermostat stops calling
for heat.&nbsp; While it can handle having the power cut completely, the
manufacturer said that doing that repeatedly was bad for the heater and
could shorten its life.&nbsp; My plan was instead to wire the relay into
the line going to the thermostat so it would continue to function in the
usual way.&nbsp; The relay being open would be the same as the thermostat
being open, not calling for heat.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this thought
experiment is as far as I have gotten.&nbsp; This project remains on my
&quot;maybe I'll get to it someday&quot; list.&nbsp; <br><br>
-Steve T.<br><br>
At 09:29 AM 7/2/2021, PJ McGarvey wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=3Dcite class=3Dcite cite=3D"">Content-Language: en-US<br>
<x-tab>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</x-tab>
boundary=3D&quot;_000_TU4PR8401MB04169EFBB6E89119FE1ED5249A1F9TU4PR8401MB04=
16_&quot;<br>
<br>
I've recently been enjoying the benefits of adding a smart plug
(<a href=3D"https://wyze.com/wyze-plug.html">
https://wyze.com/wyze-plug.html</a>) to the AC unit in my detached
workshop/garage so I can remotely turn it on and off, and also monitor it
using a remote temp/humidity sensor from Govee. Makes it easy to turn on
the AC before I decide to go out there, or turn it off if I decide not
to. I've also added one to our attic fan for those really hot days.
<br><br>
This has me thinking it would be great to be able to do this with my
hardwired electric heater as well for the winter months. I've used this
heater for a few years now and find it does a great job to maintain temps
but can take a few hours to get the temps up on the colder days:&nbsp;
<a href=3D"https://www.lowes.com/pd/Comfort-Zone-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-El=
ectric-Fan-Forced-Industrial-Utility-Heater-Furnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Pr=
otection/1003054570?cm_mmc=3Dshp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-soshea=
tingandcoolers-_-1003054570-_-0&amp;placeholder=3Dnull&amp;ds_rl=3D1286981&=
amp;gclid=3DCj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfbgivVS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FX=
zgVIAXGz0e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=3Daw.ds">
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Comfort-Zone-17065-BTU-Ceiling-Mount-Electric-Fan-=
Forced-Industrial-Utility-Heater-Furnace-with-Safety-Overheat-Protection/10=
03054570?cm_mmc=3Dshp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_--_-sosheatingandcool=
ers-_-1003054570-_-0&amp;placeholder=3Dnull&amp;ds_rl=3D1286981&amp;gclid=
=3DCj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1DJfbgivVS-Z2JpGFJV22vCzRj8CZB6sI-z5FXzgVIAXGz0=
e0J5bNwaAt0hEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=3Daw.ds</a>
<br><br>
I had been thinking the only way to do it was to add a &quot;smart&quot;
breaker to the subpanel I have in the garage but those seem a bit pricey
and was wondering if it would be good for the unit to power it on and off
repeatedly using the breaker.&nbsp; <br><br>
I was amazed to find that someone did a nice writeup on adding automation
to this exact heater model using some pretty affordable pieces:
<a href=3D"https://thesmartcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/">
https://thesmartcave.com/how-to-make-smart-garage-heater/</a><br><br>
I have plenty of time to plan this out before cold weather, but was
curious if anyone has done something like this, something similar to
automate hardwired devices like heaters, or thinks this is a safe way to
go about it?<br><br>
Thx<br>
PJ</blockquote><div id=3D"DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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