Timer, Water Heater

Good Timer

The price is right and Drillspot delivered promptly, but the timer is made in China. I was figuring, hoping, that Intermatic would still be making things in the US. Timer works fine. Programming is straight-forward.

Reliability Needs Improvement

I've installed two of these EH40 timers. First one works fine. Second one has one of the two relays stuck open. Bought over one year ago, lost receipt. Installation Instructions are marginal - just show "line" and "load" on the unit, so I don't have to figure it out from the relay diagram.

Timer Failed Open Circuit

My outside line tester showed current, but this was a false reading. I called the water heater company since I lost hot water, but the technican found the EH-40 was the problem. We had to by-pass the timer to restore current to the water heater elements. I will not be replacing this timer since I have lost faith in its ability to perform as advertized. Of course, I can't find the receipt and it is more than one year old. No energy cost savings here after assessing the cost of this unit.

Defective in Box

One of these timers was defective

Water Heater Timer

Works fantastic.

Great Timer For Time of Use Electric Billing

This is an easy way to control a water heater for Time of Use billing with the electric supplier. Overall was very easy to set up and install. The wiring diagram is electrically correct, but the jumpers are sized for different terminals to be used for the timer supply.

Intermatic EH40

I bought the unit to take advantage of off peak electrical pricing. The timer installed without too much effort (Short Jumpers). Programming is easy. Unfortunately it failed 14 months after purchase. One of the poles swiches failed open. It made for a cold shower 1 morning before I could wire around it. I'm looking for a more durable alternative.

Good Timer So Far

I agree with the other reviews that the jumpers are too short and had to make jumper that will fit. Bought this timer because we went to a "Time of Day" rate plan. This timer along with a 8 event per day 7 day thermostat have been saving me $45 average per month on an all electric house. The thermostat and timer, including parts to install them have paid for themselves and then some. The ground screw hole was stripped out when received and Intermatic would not send out a new housing nor an over-sized ground screw. I did need 2 liquid-tite conduits to install the timer. They were $10 each with the 10AWG wires and fittings at the big box hardware/home center. When there is water or any liquid its preferred to use "liquid tight" conduits even though code does not require it. When there is a spray leak on the water line water doesn't get into the conduit as with metal flex. Installed the timer in early March. Because I work in manufacturing, giving Intermatic benefit of doubt that it was just one of those units that had a component that was marginal and couldn't be tested for; the timer just died 8 months later in November over Thanksgiving weekend. Luckily, the timer died with the relay contacts closed. So, I will be using the breaker to shut off the water heater when we don't need the hot water. Sent customer service (Intermatic) a message because there is a 1 year warranty. Lets see if they stand by their warranty. If Intermatic stands by their warranty, then I have no reservations recommending this unit (and day before yesterday I would have). If Intermatic does not honor their warranty, the home center has a no-name brand for under $60. The home center stand by the warranty even if the manufacturer doesn't and they may offer an extended warranty. They did on my washer at a really reasonable price.

Digital Water Heater Timer

I have now installed two of these on two water heater at two different homes. These are easy to install and work great. I love that I can set multiple on off times for the heater.

Intermatic Model EH40

Would not work right out of the box. Also, the wiring directions on the main install does not agree with the wiring diagram with the jumper wires. Not that it made a big difference electrically but the jumper wires were to short when following one set of directions. Unit would never kick on power to the load. Sent an email to the factory, still no reply, called their technical hotline and was on hold for over twenty minutes with no answer.