Block Heater

[thirdroc17]

What I do from time to time is to use my whole house power monitor to see what is happening. It is made by Efergy and shows KW's to 3 decimal points. i can easily see the 400 watt block heater turn on. I have found block heaters I have used to be among the most reliable stuff I own.

I understand and have experience with the high tech. In my working life I had 120 buildings spread out over a wide area controlled by digital control systems all interconnected by the internet. Keeping those systems operating so that the readings they sent out were actually correct and equipment, claimed by the system to be operating, actually was in operation, required a full time crew of about 10 people supplemented by companies like Johnson Controls' experts.

In my retired personal life I did not want to continue with the high tech solutions.

Everyone's situations are different and their solutions will reflect their lifestyle and skills.

Dave

All I know is what worked for me. I get suggestions all the time of how to do something, that doesn't work for me. I say, "Thank you for the input, but my circumstances are different."

 

[Orange man hero]

Thanks, remote was good but line of sight may be compromised also so a mechanical timer may be an option. A guy told me he kept his plugged in all winter but that just did not sound right to me, even if you don't care about your electric bill.

Yes, I have my truck on a timer if really cold below 0. For warmer weather an hour is good enough. It is amazing how some folks just don't care and keep lights burning 24/7 and plug and engine heaters also. All it does is shorten the life of the heater and burn electric for nothing.