Heating controls and immersion timers from the Optimum range let you run heating and hot water only when you actually need them. The collection covers WiFi timers and thermostats you control from your phone, immersion timers that use the cheap night rate, and traditional socket box, plug in and DIN rail time switches, including 24 hour timers and plug timers. Free delivery applies to every order from the first euro, anywhere in the Republic of Ireland.
What is an immersion timer and is it worth fitting?
An immersion timer switches your immersion heater on and off automatically, so water heats on a schedule or on the cheaper night rate instead of whenever the switch is left on.
An immersion left running is one of the most expensive mistakes in an Irish home. A multi tariff timer such as the ECOSAVE heats your tank during night rate hours on a day and night meter, when the unit price is lower, and a boost function covers the odd extra tankful. It is built for 3kW immersion elements, suits single, dual or twin immersion setups, and its quartz movement holds the programme for 72 hours through a power cut.
What is an immersion boost timer?
A boost timer gives the immersion a timed run at the press of a button, then switches itself off, so nobody leaves the hot water on all evening.
The OP-EBT2 electronic boost timer steps through 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours with a single button, and a further press cancels it. It is rated 16A resistive and mounts on a standard pattress box. If you want a schedule and a boost in one unit, the ECOSAVE immersion timer has both, with a boost adjustable from 15 to 120 minutes.
What is a 24 hour timer?
A 24 hour timer repeats the same on and off times every day. You set it once, in 15 minute steps on these models, and it runs that routine daily.
Three versions cover most jobs. The OP-TIP1000 is a plug in 24 hour timer with captive tappets for anything with a plug up to 13A resistive. The OP-SBST mounts over a single pattress box and switches a separate circuit through volt free changeover contacts. The OP-TS211.1 quartz time switch mounts on a surface, flush or on DIN rail and holds its programme for 150 hours if the power goes. If weekends need different times, the OP-SBSW 7 day timer sets each day separately in 2 hour steps.
Which plug timer should I choose?
A mechanical plug timer for a fixed daily routine with no app, or a WiFi smart plug timer when you want to change the schedule from your phone.
The OP-TIP1000 is the simple option: plug it into a socket, push in the tappets and it runs the same programme every day, with fixed on, timed and fixed off modes. For app control there is the compact OP-WFP WiFi smart plug timer, the OP-WFD double smart plug timer with two independent sockets, and the OP-WFUSB with USB-A and USB-C charging ports. None of these plug in units is the right control for an immersion heater, which needs a wired timer rated for the load.
Can I put lights on a timer switch?
Yes. A plug timer suits lamps, while a wired time switch controls fixed lighting circuits such as outdoor, security or shop sign lights on a schedule.
Check the lighting load against the timer first. The OP-TS211.1 switches up to 1300W of incandescent lighting or up to 100W of LED directly, and anything larger, or any discharge lighting, has to go through a suitably rated contactor. The OP-SBSW is likewise not suitable for discharge lighting without a contactor. Your electrician will size the contactor where one is needed.
What is a heating time clock?
A time clock, or heating clock timer, switches a heating or hot water circuit on and off at set times. Socket box and DIN rail time switches do this job.
The socket box timers in this range use volt free changeover contacts, which means they switch a separate circuit rather than carrying the load themselves, the usual arrangement for immersion heaters and heating controls. For control from your phone, the OP-BM/1HTWF01 WiFi boiler module does the same job through an app on a 24 hour or 7 day schedule, and the PWFSTAT WiFi room thermostat adds temperature control. Our smart heating controls guide explains how they fit together.
Can I control my immersion or boiler from my phone?
Yes. A WiFi boiler module wires into the existing immersion or boiler circuit and gives you app control, schedules and voice control through Alexa or Google.
The Optimum WiFi boiler module controls a volt free switch rated at 16 amps resistive, and an immersion typically draws around 3kW. Once connected to your home WiFi you can switch the hot water on from the car, set a weekly schedule, or tie it into routines with the rest of your smart home.
What is the difference between a socket box timer and a plug in timer?
A plug in timer goes between the plug and the socket with no wiring. A socket box timer is wired in place of a standard switch or socket by an electrician.
Plug in timers are the simplest option for lamps, heaters and appliances. Socket box timers mount over a standard pattress box and give volt free changeover switching for fixed circuits such as heating and immersion, in 24 hour and 7 day versions. DIN rail time switches do the same job from inside a consumer unit or control panel.
Do I need an electrician to fit a heating timer?
Plug in timers need no wiring at all. Socket box, DIN rail and immersion timers are wired into fixed circuits and should be fitted by a registered electrician.
Anything that involves opening a switch, socket or consumer unit is a job for a registered electrician, and the product instructions for these timers call for installation in accordance with I.S. 10101. Safe Electric advises always using a Registered Electrical Contractor for electrical work in your home, and you can find one by county on the Safe Electric site. It is typically a short visit, and worth doing properly given an immersion circuit carries a sustained 3kW load.
Will a heating timer actually cut my bills?
Yes. Heating water on the night rate and stopping rooms heating while empty are two of the cheapest wins available in an Irish home.
The saving comes from two directions. Time of use tariffs make night rate units cheaper than day rate, so shifting the immersion to the small hours cuts the unit price of every litre of hot water. And schedules stop the common losses, the immersion left on all afternoon or the heating running for an empty house.
Where can I buy immersion timers and heating controls in Ireland?
From Shamrock Electrical, online at shamrockelectrical.ie with free delivery to every county in the Republic of Ireland, or in person at our Rathcoole store.
We are based in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, just off the N7 and well positioned for the M50. Trade enquiries welcome on 01 401 9907 or sales@shamrockelectrical.ie.
Related ranges
Heating the rooms as well as the water? See Electric Radiators & Heaters and Wall Mounted Electric Heaters, or browse Smart Plugs and WiFi Timers for plug in scheduling.
