I have electric panel heaters, and I want a thermostat with wifi app control.

[Glen0cide]

So as the title says, I have 3 panel heaters in my flat, but only one really needs the fine control i'm after, the other two rarely go on even in dead winter as i'm stingy and my flat is small.

The heaters are mains connected (no plug sockets) so i'm looking for something that ideally will go inline, and can be controlled remotely from an app, even away from home. I'm also on a tight budget, my landlord will pay an electrician to install it but not for the unit itself.

I don't really even need a display, just something that will turn the heater on and off depending on the temp, and allow me to set timers and also turn it on away from home. I have a sonoff switch which allowed me to turn things on and off away from home, but it doesn't have a thermostat element.

I don't know what the amp rating of my panel heaters are, if that matters? I've checked the sticker on the side it doesn't say, just 1000W.

I am ideally looking for advise on what type of product to get, rather than a specific one. I am hoping to get something used on ebay so I need to be open to a range rather than waiting for one specific thing. I have a budget of say £30, which I imagine is only enough to buy used.

Help much appreciated.

 

[stem]

The current rating is important as many smart thermostats are only rated at a few amps for gas and oil boilers. 1000 watts is roughly 5A so multiply that by the number of heaters for the total current, assuming they are all the same size of course.

Alternatively a lower rated thermostat can be used to operate a relay that is capable of switching a higher current.

Get it wrong and you can see what happens here.

 

[Glen0cide]

The current rating is important as many smart thermostats are only rated at a few amps for gas and oil boilers. 1000 watts is roughly 5A so multiply that by the number of heaters for the total current, assuming they are all the same size of course.

Alternatively a lower rated thermostat can be used to operate a relay that is capable of switching a higher current.

Get it wrong and you can see what happens here.[/URL]

Thanks for this advise! I am only looking to control one of the heaters with the thermostat, the others I will turn on manually as needed (hardly ever). So for one 1000W heater I need a 5amp thermostat?

I have noticed some are advertised as underfloor heating thermostats, which run on 120/240V, I assume these might be fit for purpose? They seem expensive though...

 

[stem]

Personally I would aim for something in excess of 5A. The extra capacity will extend the life of the switching contact.

Underfloor thermostats often also have an underfloor sensor to make sure that the floor surface doesn't get too hot, so may not work without that being connected.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Presumably the heater you want to control is wired in via an FCU? (Single plate). You could do worse than replacing the fcu with a 1 gang 13a socket then buy a plugin smart Plug with temperature sensor - example Here, put a 13a plug on the heater and off you go.
Or there is a Sonoff relay module with a temperature probe BUT even though the things are rated at 10A I've had problems running a 2kw heater off them so can't recommend.

 

[Mister Banks]

Drayton do a control for panel heaters....

https://wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk/electrical-heat-switch-and-remote-floor-temperature-sensor

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Drayton do a control for panel heaters....

https://wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk/electrical-heat-switch-and-remote-floor-temperature-sensor

They do. But you need a room stat (and I suspect a hub) to go with it- slight overkill for one room!

 

[jonm01]

This would work:

Timeguard Internal Wifi Controlled Fused Spur Tuya App - FSTWIFITU

Timeguard Wi-Fi Controlled Fused Spur (Tuya Edition) - FSTWIFITU This WiFi-enabled 13A fused spur time switch can control all manner of electrical applications. Ideal for switching lighting, air conditioners, and electrical heaters. All programming is activated through your mobile device, giving...

www.ledbulbs.co.uk

 

[Glen0cide]

This would work:

Timeguard Internal Wifi Controlled Fused Spur Tuya App - FSTWIFITU

Timeguard Wi-Fi Controlled Fused Spur (Tuya Edition) - FSTWIFITU This WiFi-enabled 13A fused spur time switch can control all manner of electrical applications. Ideal for switching lighting, air conditioners, and electrical heaters. All programming is activated through your mobile device, giving...

www.ledbulbs.co.uk

Unless i'm mistaken, this doesn't have a thermostat built in...

 

[DiyNutJob]

Don't sound stingy to me. If you are as stingy as you claim, you'd by a 500w oil radiator for £20 from screwfix. It's perfect for 1 person heating at your feet, and the thermostate takes away your need to control it. Bend down to turn it off is quicker than using an app. So, you save both money, and effort.