[MI-Roger]

Maybe this should be cross-posted in the electrical section as well.

I went looking for an Off-Delay Timer/Switch for a bathroom exhaust fan. I discovered the linked switch which operates both the bathroom Light and Fan. The light turns OFF as soon as the switch is opened, the fan stays ON until expiration of an owner selected time delay. Unless the switch is ON for less than 10 seconds, in which case both the Light and Fan turn OFF when switch is opened.

The switch can also be programmed to run the fan for a selected minimum time duration each hour.

https://www.energyconscious.com/aircycler-smartexhaust-toggle-switch-almond-se1-a.html

Anyone use this device or another similar? Seems pricey at $65 each, but also no need to install a larger box to accommodate two switches. Anything else on the market?

 

[yuri]

I would do the maths first.

It may take a LONG time to pay off or never.

Assume your bathroom fan used 2 amps x 120 volts = 240 watts/250 watts = .25 kw x 8 cents/kw hr to run = 2 cents per hour to run.

It may also use 1 amp as they are small but lets be generous or go see if you can find the amperage rating on it.

$65 =6500 cents/2 = 3250 hours of running = 135 days if continuos running. Plus you may have to pay tax on the switch = $70

Point is it may take till hell freezes over to be worthwhile. Unless you run that exhaust fan for a long time everyday I would just use a regular switch.

Figure out how many hours or minutes you run it and do the maths.

Plus the timer in that fancy switch may die after a few years.

I had a similar one to turn off my outdoor lights and it shorted out and started to smoke after 2 years or less.

Scared the heck out of me. Lucky I was at home. Did not catch on fire but came real close. Those timers may or may not last a long time as they are switching a few amps not just some low voltage control signal.

 

[CodeMatters]

First I've heard of that. Not a bad idea....but I think I'll stick with a
switch for the light(s) and separate count down timer for the fan.
The combined unit seems like a good idea if you live with people
who neglect to run the fan.

 

[Oso954]

Use LED bulbs in the bathroom.
Hook light and fan to the same spring wound timer.
If some one wants either one, they get both.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Woods-20-Amp-60-Minute-In-Wall-Spring-Wound-Countdown-Timer-Switch-White-59717WD/203638996?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D27E-G-D27E-27_31_CONTROL-Generic-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-CONTROL_OtherControl&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D27E-G-D27E-27_31_CONTROL-Generic-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-CONTROL_OtherControl-71700000053528212-58700005127833923-92700048704113423&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoeWurtSX6AIV_R6tBh3BzAhmEAQYAiABEgI23fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[rjniles]

That fancy timer requires both a neutral and separate switch legs for the fan and light. If you have a single switch, you most likely will not have the 2 switch legs and may not have the neutral.

Sent from my RCT6A03W13E using Tapatalk

 

[MI-Roger]

That fancy timer requires both a neutral and separate switch legs for the fan and light. If you have a single switch, you most likely will not have the 2 switch legs and may not have the neutral.

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Definitely have the neutral. I would have to run a second switched leg but both bath locations will have the fan located in an attic space immediately above the switch. Added work but not impossible.

Cost concerns me. Rarity/uniqueness is a major concern if a switch ever needed to be replaced in the future! Pay-off is not a consideration. Having fans that turn on automatically and turn off automatically is the attraction.

 

[surferdude2]

Definitely have the neutral. I would have to run a second switched leg but both bath locations will have the fan located in an attic space immediately above the switch. Added work but not impossible.

Cost concerns me. Rarity/uniqueness is a major concern if a switch ever needed to be replaced in the future! Pay-off is not a consideration. Having fans that turn on automatically and turn off automatically is the attraction.

If you have adequate access to the area above to install a junction box, you can get a common "off delay" relay installed that will allow you to use a standard wall switch. The light would also be delayed unless you choose to add the second switch leg. Those relays are not as expensive as the device you are considering and likely have a better track record.

 

[diyorpay]

The enemies of those electronic switches are thunderstorms and utility surges. Will blow the electronics.
Spring loaded non electronic wired to both light and fan as Oso594 recommended is your cheapest and most reliable solution.