Saving money usually requires thinking of some unconventional ways to make your life more efficient. Electrical systems can be made more efficient by installing timers, one of the most neglected procedures. You can turn your lights on or off at these times, regardless of whether you are at home or not.
1. Your house’s lights can be controlled by a timer
In addition to lighting up your house when you are on vacation or controlling your Christmas lights or other holiday displays, there are many other timer applications. Turn off the lights after you sleep normally, and the lights you may have turned on by mistake will be turned off, which may save your electricity bill.
You can also set your light to turn on when you wake up in the morning, making it easier for you to wake up! By the way, this is a good alarm clock backup. You can turn off the light when you are at work, or you can turn on the light to illuminate your pet during the day.
2. What is the difference between digital timer and mechanical timer?
Actually not as much as you think. They all work in the same way and can perform the same functions.
1) Mechanical timers tend to be larger and last longer and can handle more electronic loads than digital timers; however, they are also often designed as large, grey metal boxes, which may be in your home decoration It stands out.
2) You can install a digital timer directly on the wall, and because they are smaller and more attractive they may be better suited for your home. Either way, these light timers are a great asset and you should consider installing them in your home electrical system.
3. Things to consider before installing a digital timer for your lights
Digital timer is a great tool for modern homes. They fit nicely into your walls and are usually quite automated; some even automatically adjust for daylight saving time. Even better, the installation of a digital timer is quite straightforward, even for do-it-yourself electricians.
4. Digital timers are not the same as switches
Remember, a digital timer is not a switch, because there are sensitive electronics inside. The digital timer requires a neutral wire, but the switch does not. Some do-it-yourself electricians think they can connect the neutral on the timer to the ground. Let me make it clear here, everyone: the ground wire is not a neutral wire. Connecting it to the timer will create the potential for electric shock and damage the timer.
5. Check your switch board before you start
Another problem with digital timers is more a design problem than a wiring problem. Before you install the timer, please consider where it will be installed and what kind of switches you have installed on the site. This becomes very important when the work is done. Most switch components (and switch plates covering them) are rectangular, but digital timers are fairly consistent square objects, and they don’t always play well with your existing switch plates. If you don’t plan ahead, you may have to go to the hardware store multiple times to buy the plates you need and put everything together.
6. Why hire a professional to install a digital timer?
These is actually those times when a professional electrical installation can make your life easier. The best electrical unions load many types of license plates on their service vehicles, which can save you the time and effort of returning to the store again and again. Although professional installation may be more expensive than doing it yourself, the time and effort saved may far exceed the price difference.
7. Things to consider before installing a mechanical timer for your light
Mechanical timers are also useful, although they are less common than digital timers. Mechanical timer installation generally occurs in one of the following places:
Swimming pool equipment: They are often found to control swimming pool equipment to ensure that it can only run for a given time. Make sure to set a timer so that the device runs more often in summer than in winter; this will help reduce the amount of algae.
Outdoor lighting: Electric timers are also common in outdoor lighting. Because they can be set to only turn off the lights, you can ensure that your outdoor lighting is turned off before sunrise to save electricity.
Water heater: One of the best uses of mechanical timers, and one of the most overlooked uses, has nothing to do with electric lights. Installing a timer on the water heater means that when you are not at home and do not need hot water, you can stop the water heater; this can save you a lot of time (however, if you go home from work, don’t forget to cancel the timer !)