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 sure how much this will help you, but my house is heated by electric wall heaters like this with unit-mounted thermostats. I recently installed a real thermostat for the one in the main room, by using this relay that I wired with a three wire 24 volt off the shelf loom like this that I bought by the foot from the closest to me store. You could use a smart thermostat unlike me. I used this site for help but mine is 120v. That link, tho, is for a 240v and may be more helpful.
Importantly, I have a background in electric (DC) and access to folks with household electric.
Anyway, what you want isn’t hard and can be done safely and easily. But if you are not an electrician, it is best to us a contractor. My heat is on a dedicated circuit, yours should be, too.
Best wishes and be warm!
The electrician is an easy choice in this case. I do have knowledge and experience without household electric but recognize this as a project I wouldn’t complete in reasonable time and quality.
Notably my garage has no electric except the light and the EV charger, and it would also be useful to have an outlet. I’ll at least get a quote for a small subpanel to give me more future options