Timer for Bathroom Heater

12 years ago

I am looking for a timer to control a bathroom fan/heater.

The heater I am looking at buying is a panasonic whisperwarm and it shows the heater is 1500W. The timer I would like to use is a Lutron Maestro but it says it only rated for 600w incandescent. Can I use this timer for the heater or should I use something else. I really want to stay away from a mechanical timer just for cosmetic reasons. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Featured Answer

chrisk327

12 years ago

what enigma posted looks good for your application. I actually have that fan, and the Maestro timer that you posted. Only difference is I have the timer hooked up to the exhaust fan which has a much much lower draw and a standard switch for the heating element.

I have to say the Maestro timer is really great for this application, althoguh I do know someone with the Leviton and is happy as well.

from a use perspective, I'm not sure I see the need or desire to have the fan on a timer. I would normally turn the heater off when i leave, if I had it on, where the exhaust fan portion I'd want to have on for a period of time after I left in order to clear out the steam.

Comments (6)

brickeyee
12 years ago
"Can I use this timer for the heater or should I use something else. "

Keep looking.

The wiring and contacts in this timer are not adequate for 1500 W (and when the heater first turns on it will pull even more than its rated power for a few seconds to minuts).

Overloaded contact fail in short order by (most often) welding themselve on all the time.

Look for something around 2,500 W.
enigma_2
12 years ago
One type to start:

Here is a link that might be useful: Leviton LTB30-1LZ Decora 1800W Incandescent/20A Resistive-Inductive 1HP Preset 5-10-15-30 Minute Countdown Timer Switch, White/Ivory/Light Almond
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ionized_gw
12 years ago
"...would normally turn the heater off when i leave, if I had it on..."

My wife thinks switches are for turning things on.
tl45
12 years ago
"Can I use this timer for the heater"
absolutely not, and also have you checked the existing loads on that circuit? Not just the switched circuit for the fan, but the enitre circuit on that breaker?
Ron Natalie
12 years ago
Intermatic makes a electronic wall-switch timer that has a mechanical switch in it that should work fine. I've got one in my basement to turn on all my wife's grow lights (exotic plants, not drugs).