Remote switch for shop furnace or block heater

[Al 2]

Hi Folks
This subject has been discussed before but I've finally found a system that works. Either Google Home or Amazon Echo. A few months ago we bought Google Home for our house , mainly in order to get a decent radio station that we like and we really enjoy it. Ask it almost any question and it usually has an answer. In Canada price varies from $80 to $180 depending time and sales or whatever. The pros and cons of such devises can be discussed in another thread. With an appropriate wall switch these units can control numerous outlets but need to be connected to wi fi. A one time set up to your phone and no service charges. My shop is 200 ft from my house the wi fi will work at that distance. Previously I had a regular wall switch at my door to turn off my furnace when I left my shop. I replaced that switch with a Google switch for $35 and now can turn my furnace on or off by using Google home in my house or from anywhere I can a wi fi connection on my phone. Turn it on a few minutes before I go out and shop is warm. My wife thought I'm getting to lazy but I reminded her that she has a $400 remote start in her car. I'm sure you could control a block heater the the same way. I also have a small LED light on the outside of my shop wired into the furnace circuit so I can see when the furnace is on. Some may be interested.
Al

 

[ovrszd]

Very good stuff here.

My wife got a Google Home for Christmas. We're building a new house. She wants it wired to control lights, TV, sound system etc.

Hopefully someone can educate me on how this is done???

Thanks in advance and thanks for starting this thread!!

 

[jaxs]

"I also have a small LED light on the outside of my shop wired into the furnace circuit so I can see when the furnace is on."
That's an original and very useful idea.,,,,,,,,,unless you can ask the gizmo "is the garage heat on?" when you forget.

 

[feasant]

great idea

 

[4570Man]

I was thinking about something like that to turn on an electric heater in the cab of my vehicle. Remote starts are expensive and waste fuel and don’t even help much. It takes a long time to make much heat idling at 15 degrease.

 

[atsah]

I was thinking about something like that to turn on an electric heater in the cab of my vehicle. Remote starts are expensive and waste fuel and don’t even help much. It takes a long time to make much heat idling at 15 degrease.

My Ford diesels and Ford Taurus SHO idle up with the remote start when it's 20F or colder so 10 minutes and they are warm.

 

[RNeumann]

For those conspiracy theorist they make RF switches that work like a garage door opener. Also would work where you don’t have WiFi.

 

[mrmikey]

Just last month I put a remote plug on my tractors block heater hooked up to a light so I can tell when it's on. Saves me going out in a snow storm a hour or so before I'm ready to plug in the block heater.......Mike

 

[Looking4new]

Just last month I put a remote plug on my tractors block heater hooked up to a light so I can tell when it's on. Saves me going out in a snow storm a hour or so before I'm ready to plug in the block heater.......Mike

I have 2 of those. One for the tractor and the other for the Dodge. Just before I am ready to go out I will shut the block heater for the Dodge off and use the remote start to warm it up.
I think I paid $30.oo each for them.

 

[Handloader109]

There are others out there that dont use Alexa or google. Most use wifi connection and a phone app. I'd rather not let either of those two into my life any further than they are.