Recommend any good timer switch for bathroom exhaust fan?

Sep 2nd, 2018 1:39 pm

#1

TorontoEh [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Dec 11, 2005; 8941 posts; 1502 upvotes; TO

Sep 2nd, 2018 1:39 pm

Recommend any good timer switch for bathroom exhaust fan?

Hi guys,
Looking for option on a good timer switch that can be used for bathroom exhaust fan.

"You can't soar with the eagles if you're hanging with the turkeys - Gary Kent

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Sep 2nd, 2018 2:28 pm

#2

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 7871 posts; 3717 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Sep 2nd, 2018 2:28 pm

Define "good"

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

Sep 2nd, 2018 2:30 pm

#3

nagooro: Sr. Member; Sep 26, 2015; 617 posts; 313 upvotes

Sep 2nd, 2018 2:30 pm

Was looking into this yesterday, id probably go with Lutron.

Lutron

Sep 2nd, 2018 3:42 pm

#4

jrees: Deal Addict; Apr 24, 2007; 2557 posts; 856 upvotes

Sep 2nd, 2018 3:42 pm

I use a wemo switch. I put a rule in the app for it to turn off after 'x' minutes. You can also set a different rule for a long press of the switch.

+1

Sep 2nd, 2018 5:32 pm

#5

jumran: Deal Addict; Apr 5, 2007; 1448 posts; 154 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 2nd, 2018 5:32 pm

I use this, expansive on its own but included with Costco washroom fan.

http://www.dewstop.com

+2

Sep 2nd, 2018 8:27 pm

#6

gfnstew: Member; Apr 17, 2016; 358 posts; 267 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 2nd, 2018 8:27 pm

jrees wrote: ↑ I use a wemo switch. I put a rule in the app for it to turn off after 'x' minutes. You can also set a different rule for a long press of the switch.

Check the load of your fan motor before you try this one. I bought it but my fan motor uses less current than the minimum this timer needs to run properly...just kept turning on and off my fan constantly.

Sep 2nd, 2018 10:37 pm

#7

wrcfocus: Member; Mar 3, 2004; 344 posts; 84 upvotes; Brampton

Sep 2nd, 2018 10:37 pm

I use this in the bathrooms. Not as sophisticated as what jumran recommended though. Decora preset timer

+2

Sep 3rd, 2018 3:06 am

#8

Gee: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2004; 35123 posts; 8544 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Sep 3rd, 2018 3:06 am

jrees wrote: ↑ I use a wemo switch. I put a rule in the app for it to turn off after 'x' minutes. You can also set a different rule for a long press of the switch.

An occupancy sensor would be a better choice. I use a Lurton switch rated to handle the fan

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.maes ... 15148.html

The fan continues to run as long as someone is in he bathroom and moving. The fan shuts off after 15 minutes of no occupancy

I have lights in the powder room on a similar occupancy switch that shuts off after 1 minute. The main bathrooms have automation switches because I don’t want the light to turn on automatically at night. These lights turn off after 20 minutes after being turned on.

Using an automation switch is not practical for a fan. What if you take a 20 minute shower? You would need to turn the fan on again

Home Automation Thread

Heatware

Sep 3rd, 2018 9:35 am

#9

arisk: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2006; 2436 posts; 1518 upvotes; London

Sep 3rd, 2018 9:35 am

I used a Leviton 6260m.

I liked the time intervals available, which included 60min.
Some only have 30min max.

It is simple one button push of the interval desired, and not multiple pushes to select.
I bought it at Canadian Tire, I believe.

+1

Sep 3rd, 2018 11:42 am

#10

bst: Deal Addict; Jul 2, 2006; 1552 posts; 770 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 3rd, 2018 11:42 am

wrcfocus wrote: ↑ I use this in the bathrooms. Not as sophisticated as what jumran recommended though. Decora preset timer

I installed 3 Leviton timers in my home and they all started to buzz after a year. I then switched to Lutron timer and it’s been very quiet.

Sep 3rd, 2018 12:34 pm

#11

PTFish: Newbie; Jan 23, 2017; 88 posts; 51 upvotes; GTA

Sep 3rd, 2018 12:34 pm

I had 3 of these Pass and Seymour's installed 4 years ago. The one in the main bathroom gets used multiple times a day and still going strong. Got them on sale as regular price is pricey!

https://www.rona.ca/en/7-button-timer-t ... zsQAvD_BwE

+1

Sep 4th, 2018 12:12 pm

#12

LongLiveRFD: Deal Fanatic; Jan 6, 2011; 5949 posts; 1413 upvotes; GTA

Sep 4th, 2018 12:12 pm

Leviton also has a humidity sensor fan control model: $43, https://www.rona.ca/en/humidity-sensor- ... l-01815667

Not sure if the sensor would randomly activate middle of night...

Also, I would prefer one that has On/Off manual timer override. So you can bypass timer.

+2

Sep 4th, 2018 2:59 pm

#13

AMD: Deal Addict; Jul 23, 2004; 2212 posts; 714 upvotes; Montreal

Sep 4th, 2018 2:59 pm

I have the older version of this timer installed in both my bathrooms. Works great.

https://www.amazon.ca/Cooper-Wiring-Dev ... 00BFKZAYU/

Sep 4th, 2018 3:15 pm

#14

iEyeCaptain: Deal Fanatic; Aug 10, 2011; 9553 posts; 2171 upvotes; Somewhere

Sep 4th, 2018 3:15 pm

By the way, be careful with keeping the fan on too long.

During the summer, all you're doing is drawing in hot air from outside and your AC has to work longer to cool that air.

In the winter, you're drawing in cool air.

It's a better idea to either keep the door open, and let the humidity spread. Or open the door afterwards and keep the fan on for 5/10 minutes after you're done.

+1

Sep 7th, 2018 4:58 pm

#15

LongLiveRFD: Deal Fanatic; Jan 6, 2011; 5949 posts; 1413 upvotes; GTA

Sep 7th, 2018 4:58 pm

jrees wrote: ↑ I use a wemo switch. I put a rule in the app for it to turn off after 'x' minutes. You can also set a different rule for a long press of the switch.

When evaluating the Wemo option also I encountered these two:

In-Wall: https://shelly.cloud/shelly-sense/

Outside Wall/Mount Below Switch: https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... k%3Asonoff

Both cheaper and more versatile than wire-switched physical switches, retains the ability to physically break circuit. Only downside is liability and code thus this must be DIY.

Neither offers the ability to relocate switches anywhere, i.e. wifi remote with power source or battery life. But the physical switch is still there.

Any thoughts? or Wemo is still the better way to go smart?