Two unrelated events today. I noticed that the Lutron app was advertising a new feature of the Caseta line of smart switches: the ability to configure a switch to toggle off after a time specified in the app. And, I finally investigated why my expensive looking towel warmer did a mediocre job of drying my towels.
My towel warmer came with the house and I learned it was a Mr. Steam model, quite pricey, and according to its helpful customer support line, required 45 minutes to properly get up to temperature, and 2 hours to dry a towel. Well, it had had a 1 hour mechanical timer as a switch when I took possession, and I'd replaced it with a button timer of a maximum duration of 1 hour. It had never been used properly.
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| A Mr. Steam Towel Warmer |
I had a spare plain Lutron Caseta Switch on hand, and it occurred to me that instead of replacing the timer with one with a longer duration, I could just control it with a smart switch. [The switch is rated at 5Amps, and the towel warmer is rated at 3.3Amps]. This would bring several advantages:
- The button is simpler, just On and Off with a larger target area
- I could specify a more precise heating time. Maybe, I'll find that 1 hr 45 minutes is sufficient and save energy.
- The towel warmer could be pre-heated either on schedule or remotely, maybe even have Siri turn it on.
- It would be easier to program than one of those dedicated digital timer switches that the manufacturer sells as an accessory.
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| The old 1 hr timer |
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| Simple Caseta Switch |
