[Help] Plug-in Thermostat with Digital Remote Control for Heater

doubledippps on 21/05/2024 - 11:50
Last edited 21/05/2024 - 12:20

I am looking for a plug-in thermostat to use in two short-term rental rooms to control the heater usage. I want to provide a warm room but avoid overheating and increasing the power bill, as I rent them out cheaply with power included.

I found this Wexstar thermostat outlet that seems to fit the purpose, but it's a bit pricey and I need two of them. Can anyone recommend a cheaper alternative, please?

Ideally, it should have:
1. Thermostat at the outlet, not on the remove control.
2. No display or controls on the outlet, so I can have full control of the temperature.
3. Ideally to have a timer and week programmable.

Cheers

General Discussion

Comments

  • apieceofpie on 21/05/2024 - 13:41
    +1

    I set this up just the other week using Zigbee, buying parts from Aliexpress.

    The gateway hub was 13 USD, 3.91 for each temperature sensor, and 5.25 for each smart plug, so about $36.30 NZD total, but you can of course add on many items once you have the hub (i.e. if the rooms are in the same house one hub would do both), I also put smart plugs in the lounge and office to save on parasitic load costs.

    The hub itself can just be plugged into any outlet, and does not need to be that close. The temperature sensors can be stuck onto a wall somewhere in the room, I got the LiO battery sensors as I was told they last a lot longer than the AAA versions.

    You use a free app called "Smart Life" to set-up the automation part, I found it very intuitive and easy to do. I have mine turn on if the bedroom temperature is below 16C, for a maximum of 20 mins, but only between 10 pm and 7 am. It will turn off once it reaches 18C, or it's 7 am.

    Worth noting my smart plugs have a button that when pressed I believe does turn the smart plug on for a period of time, unsure how long, so in theory they could manually turn the heater on if they were bothered, but it would prevent it being run endlessly if you put a runtime limit on it.

    I can DM you the specific things I bought if this sounds like it suits your needs.

    • doubledippps on 21/05/2024 - 14:42

      Yes, please! That sounds exactly like what I'm trying to achieve, so I'd love to explore that option!

      By the way, does the gateway hub use a WiFi network? My current WiFi setup uses both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with the same SSID. My phone always connects to the 5GHz band (I'm not sure how to manually connect it to the 2.4GHz), and my heat pump only works on the 2.4GHz band. Because of this, I can't connect to the heat pump with my phone. I'm hoping the gateway hub won't have the same problem.

      Cheers!

      • apieceofpie on 21/05/2024 - 16:52
        +1

        Most of the devices can run on WIFI or Zigbee, both at 2.4 GHz, I use Zigbee as it has lower power use and so batteries in the sensors will last for a lot longer.

        I doubt that will be an issue, your router probably has your WIFI bands set up using the same name/password, and you phone preferentially chooses the 5 GHz, mine does the same and I haven't had any issues with the zigbee hub. But fwiw you can log into your router and change one network to a different name and then you should then be able to choose what one to connect to on your phone. I'll PM you the exact products I got later tonight.

        Also as someone else mentioned they could just remove the smart plug and plug the heater directly into the wall, but at least you would know because you'll see the plug is offline or not drawing any current when it's turned on. But as long as you're reasonable with the temperature and times you have the heater set to target then I guess they won't have a reason to remove it.

  • akhmed on 21/05/2024 - 14:34
    +2

    I bought this about 3 years ago, and was available at Bunnings NZ, I cant seem to find it anymore.
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124291752715

    Its simple and cheap. I use it all winter, and it doesnt overheat my room as it maintains a constant temperature.

    My main points while buying this was, it was NZ tested and had high output threshold. Meaning you can connect a 1400W heater.
    It doesnt have the programable timer tho.

    • doubledippps on 21/05/2024 - 14:48

      Thanks for this! Ideally I would prefer an outlet with no settings on the device itself, so they can't flick around with the settings and defeat the purpose, as I won't be entering their room during their stay.

  • ace310 on 21/05/2024 - 15:36
    +1

    What kind of heater you have?

    Edit: I am using this Broadlink RM4 Mini S Universal IR Remote Control Hub with Sensor Cable to control my heatpump. But essentially it can work with anything that has IR remote. The cable has got temperature & humidity sensor. Make sure you buy one with the sensor if you go this route.

    • doubledippps on 21/05/2024 - 16:51

      Thank you for the suggestion, there are plug in oil column heaters, I think I will need sensor in those room rather than with the hub? And buy some smart plug to pair with it?

      • ace310 on 21/05/2024 - 16:55
        +1

        The hub has sensor already in the cable to monitor temperature & humidity. You don't need anything extra. Only thing would be that if you have remote for those column heaters to control it. If not, then yes you need a smart plug.

        Again, as someone else mentioned, all of this plug & play things won't work with tenants. You have no control on what they do behind the doors.

  • antisocky on 21/05/2024 - 16:06
    +1

    https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/tech.inc-thermostat-timer-p… we got this, no remote but easy to program and has a timer inbuilt. thermostat control is onpoint too. not wifi enabled, but easy enough to use.

    • doubledippps on 21/05/2024 - 16:53

      This one they can program it anytime so I think it defeat the purpose. Cheers!

  • CheapAzChips on 21/05/2024 - 16:45
    +1

    You say you don't want them fiddling with the settings, and yet you're providing them with a piggyback plug for their heater… that they can simply remove, or plug the heater in elsewhere?

    I think long term you would be far better to just invest in a cheap heat pump. It would be very hard for them to use more than a few dollars worth of power with a small heat pump going on full all day long, versus maybe 50-80c per hour with a 2.4kW heater. Not to mention the additional fire risk that plug in heaters pose.

    Unless you are only planning to do this short term, go for a heat pump. Better for rentals in every way.

    • doubledippps on 21/05/2024 - 16:58

      Yeah it's like a short-term one so I didn't consider the heat pump option. I will let them know that the heater go with the plug so it's fully automated to keep the room warm, and they don't have to switch anything.

  • ace310 on 21/05/2024 - 17:06
    +1

    This might be bit expensive but possibly the best non-intrusive option if you get it right.

    Use Shelly Plus 1PM behind your plug point. And have a shelly bluetooth temperature sensor to gather the temperature measurement. And Shelly 1pm also have power monitoring so you can have detailed info on the usage.

    Only thing is that you will have to get this installed by an electrician which is costly.

    There are different places including Aliexpress to buy shelly products. I have few Shelly plus & shelly 2.5pm installed in my house and they have never missed a bit.

    • CheapAzChips on 21/05/2024 - 17:26
      +1

      Yep, I second this if you want something that can't be easily tampered with. Doesn't stop then from moving the heater to another outlet though.

      • ace310 on 21/05/2024 - 18:12
        +1

        Agreed, but as it has power monitoring, you can easily figure out if they are using it or not. Best option would be heat pump with wifi.

    • ace310 on 21/05/2024 - 18:07
      +1

      You can even get this newer Shelly 1PM Mini Gen3 as well

  • LupinS on 21/05/2024 - 18:54
    +2

    I can think of literally 20+ ways of bypassing this. With the most obvious being….. Just use a differet outlet.

    Besides, who is to say what you consider an acceptable temperature isn't far too hot or cold for someone else.

    The maximum a heater can cost you is 2.4kwh (and it won't due to its thermostat if appropriately sized). That's 50c an hour MAX at mine. Up your rent by $6 and call it a day.

  • Bargainstalker on 22/05/2024 - 08:07
    +1

    This isn't what you asked.
    But check mitre 10 for the gold air 1200 w radiant heater. Plenty for 1 room and won't need a thermostat or use a load of power.
    Very pleasant heat too and silent, no constant clicking of thermostats

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