Google Home + Space Heater on Timer/Schedule

I want to run a space heater (oil) in the bedroom on a timer so that it switches on shortly before I wake up in the morning. I realise that a lot of oil heaters have a mechanical timer with on/off tabs on it (we actually already have one), but I find the continuous ticking noise from the timer unbearable when I'm trying to get to sleep. My wife doesn't hear it at all though.

I thought it might be worth exploring whether I can just keep our current heater "on" all the time, and control it with a smart plug but I've been a bit slow to the smart home game (have only used my Google Nest for Spotify and kitchen timers so far) so wanted to check here with people first to clear up my knowledge on a few things.

I was considering the Tapo P100:
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/tp-link-tapo-mini-smart-p…

My questions/concerns are:
- Safety/Reliability: Are these smart plugs going to last if running high wattage (1500W) devices over long periods of time? It seems that the P100 is rated to 2300W/10A but would like to know if anybody has had any problems with devices closer to the 2300W limit.
- Power Cut: If there's a blackout, does a smart plug that was switched off, turn back on again?
- Google Home: I've heard that it doesn't let you set timers/schedules on devices that are heaters, but it seems that there is a workaround by labelling your heater as a light instead. I've also come across this 4 year old video that looks like it works fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcObjFd22CQ . However it looks like this person is using a combination of Google Home and the TP-Link app - does this somehow override the restriction? Or is it only working in this video because it was before Google Home started restricting it?

Thanks.

Comments

  • +1

    Are these smart plugs going to last if running high wattage (1500W) devices over long periods of time?

    I'm currently sitting next to a 1250w space heater that is running off a TP Link Kasa KP303, which has a max loading of 10A, 2400W. Out of curiosity I pointed my laser thermometer at it (don't ask why I got one right now) and the powerboard seems to be pretty chill at just 31 degrees C.

    I'm not sure how the Tapo link units fare but I assume they're not too different from Kasa plugs.

    Power Cut: If there's a blackout, does a smart plug that was switched off, turn back on again?

    It remembers it's last on/ off state. If the power is restored while the plug was turned on, it will come back online in an ON state. And if the power was cut while the plug was off, it will not turn on automatically.

    This is true of my Kasa units, but I'm not sure about Tapo.

    I've heard that it doesn't let you set timers/schedules on devices that are heaters

    The scheduling and timers can be done only within the Tapo or KASA app, not within Google Home app. Google Home app won't let you set timers for your TP-Link stuff, regardless of what they are.

    • If you go to the google home app and say that the outlet is connected to a light or a fan under settings, it'll let you set timers via the google home app/voice/routines

  • +1

    Use a fan heater with a mechanical timer
    lower failure rates
    quicker heat!

    • +1

      This world be the best solution unless you want to turn it on based on the, temperature, time of the sunrise, or seasonal etc. Lol

  • Most space/oil heaters recommend to plug directly into the wall socket and not into any kind of extension cord, power board or adapter. I’d be checking the safety requirements / manual of your heater to check what your device recommends.

  • Why not a basic digital timer socket?

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