MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Moving home office back into the big shed. Need a way to switch on oil filled electric rads remotely. Simplest way would be with a smart-plug and a schedule. Any recommendations for one that runs with google assistant?
Better solution would be a temp triggered one but I'd need one that works on a schedule (i.e. don't turn heating on at 2am in the morning). Am I getting into messing about with whatever logic is in assistant at that point? Sticking with google as that works with our TV and Sonos so I don't really want to go Amazon or Apple.
Finally Orbi mesh doesn't reach to shed. I will have a ethernet cable plugged into one of the orbi gigabit ports. Plan is to run a separate SSID on a cheap wifi AP in the shed. I'd just buy another netgear as they seem reliable unless the world has moved on and it's worth paying for something else.
Re the smart plug: I've got a TP-Link plug on the fish tank, works fine and connects to Google Home via their app. It's on a timer.
Amazon links are still broken I see? I'm sure STW Towers encouraged us to post Amazon links so they got referral money - so why don't they work?
Anyways..
I've been using the Teckin brand smart plugs and I've found them good for the money.
Currently £25 for four on Amazon.
I've only used them with Alexa but they say they are Google Home compatible too and I have no reason to doubt that.
They have a Smart Life app that lets you set some schedules/rules via that.
For temperature sensing yes you probably want to get a temp sensor and mess about with routines on Google or possibly use an external service like IfThisThenThat (IFTT).
A hackier cheap alternative would be to do it based on the weather report which can be done in the Smart Life app.
Can't you just have it on a schedule, and rely on the thermostat on the rad for the temp controlled bit?
Can’t you just have it on a schedule, and rely on the thermostat on the rad for the temp controlled bit?
Yes that's the conclusion I've come too. Both those brands look good. I'm trying not to buy off Amazon so will see where else I can get them.
Surely a schedule defeats the entire idea of a smart plug?
You may as well just use a plug in timer switch with a schedule to match your working day - the thermostat on the oil filled rad will handle the temp.
we have those tecken ones too, along side a.n.other brand we bought a couple of years ago and also third brand smart light switch on outdoor porch light.
All three brands sync through both smartlife app and google home without issue. One smart switch (on our pond) has a temp rule too so pump doesn't run when pond could be frozen.
No need for a temp sensor, it seems to pull the air temp off the internet.
I'll be doing what you propose re: heater when my garden office get's delivered next week. I intend to purchase whatever smart plug is available on offer on amazon. They all seem to work harmoniously through IFTTT via smart life ime.
You may as well just use a plug in timer switch with a schedule to match your working day
My working day is a bit variable so I like the idea of being able to do it remotely.
Ta for the info Scruff.
I'm also wondering about using a wireless extender rather than a separate AP. I've never had much luck with extenders but this does seem like the perfect scenario for one. I get a very weak signal in the shed, but it's not reliable enough to use. I wonder if boosting that is better than creating a new wireless zone.
Can you run an ethernet line out to the shed and add an access point in there? All Smart Plugs etc are a right pain if they struggle to get wifi and the position of plug sockets near the floor or in the wall often makes it worse.
Can I advise against G-Homa. Sadly they are the ones sold by B&Q so would get you round the 'no Amazon' rule, but the Teckin ones I bought off of Amazon have been faultless, whilst the two G-Homa ones stop working every now and again. The first time it was for a couple of week and the next time it was for a couple of days. Googling at the time suggested there was an issue with online servers.
I would find a smart plug that works with If This Then That (IFTTT), you can then set IFTTT to turn on and of your smart plug depending on the local temperate.
I think the TP-LINK ones do, as do the Hive ones
Can you run an ethernet line out to the shed and add an access point in there?
That's what I've decided to do. I'm also getting a PoE switch as I might want to run some cameras as well.
I'll stick with the cheap smart plugs for now. Just using the 'stat on the rad will work. I might upgrade later if I fancy a project.
Thanks all
I have run cat5 out to shed with netgear extender in AP mode - works fine.
Also using those round generic chinese plugs from amazon - work really well (one is set to switch on 30mins before sunset).
Thanks Dave, good to know. My current 'powerline' solution is so flakey. It's okay for Zwift but no good for hours of zoom and teams call hence the eth cable. I actually dug in a hosepipe between the house and big shed when we put the ground source heating in.
Sadly that was 12 years ago and I've absolutely NO IDEA where the two ends might be. Mate gave me some external grade cable tho, so that's going to be a far simpler solution!
tplink here. got a fair few. works flawlessly.
Have you already got the rad? I bought one with wifi
Have you already got the rad? I bought one with wifi
That's the future, right there 🙂 Yeah I have some old ones we bought when the heating failed a few years ago. Still seem to work, so no value in upgrading. Can't believe I'm saying that.
I am not of course going to google 'wifi radiators' 🙂
Quick update. Thanks for the recommendations. Went with the Teckin's. Had surprising amount of fun programing then to turn on and off various things. My fav 'If-that-then-that' has been firing up the heaters earlier if it's colder outside. I do like the way the plugs read the temp from a local weather source.
If you're really bored, I wrote all about it here* https://pickled-hedgehog.com/?p=4715
*note smartplugs mentioned only very briefly. I don't want to be accused of clickbait 🙂
Tp-link smart extension lead and light bulbs here, all work very well and can be controlled with Google Home or the Kasa app.
No need for a hub, they just jump on the WiFi and you add them to Google Home once added to the Kasa app (you link Kasa app to Google Home).
Seem cheap but very reliable.
I run my it kit off 1 plug, TV bits off another and my turbo training fan off the third. All seem to work by voice activation, Routine or Schedule via Google Home.
Yeah I just linked the SmartLife app to Google home. I defo need some more lights in here so I'll be getting the smart bulbs.
It was lovely and warm at 8am this morning as the rad had been gently heating up this side of the shed from 45 to 65 degrees 🙂