ᐅ Infrared Heater and Smart Plug

I have an infrared quartz heater from Stiebel Eltron (IW 120).
I would like to keep it always on level 3 and control the power on/off via a Wi-Fi smart plug.

Usage would be about 1-2 times a day (only in winter), switching it on for up to 10 minutes. This way, the heater could warm up in advance before it is needed.

Do you think this could be problematic for the device and cause it to break down faster?
Would it be gentler for the heater to start on level 1 from cold?

stromneuling schrieb:

I have an infrared quartz heater from Stiebel Eltron (IW 120).
I would like to keep it permanently on setting 3 and use a Wi-Fi socket to turn it on and off, switching the power supply.

It will be used 1-2 times a day (only in winter) for up to 10 minutes. This way, it can warm up before it is actually needed.

Do you think this could be problematic for the device and cause it to break down faster?
Would it be gentler to do a cold start on setting 1?

I don’t see the problem. Whether the Wi-Fi socket turns it on at setting 3 or you do it yourself makes no difference to the device.

nordanney schrieb:

I don’t understand the problem? Whether the smart plug switches to position 3 or you do it yourself, the device doesn’t care at all.

That was my thought as well, but there are also opinions that cutting and restoring power abruptly accelerates material fatigue. I’m currently trying to find out how harmful this really is and whether I can accept it...

stromneuling schrieb:

I thought so too, but there are also opinions that switching the power on and off abruptly accelerates material fatigue. I'm currently trying to find out how harmful this really is and whether I'm willing to accept it...

The unit doesn’t seem to have any fans or anything like that inside, just a pure heating element?
In that case, it shouldn’t matter at all whether power is cut off automatically or manually.

For any fan heaters with a run-on function and similar features, it’s a different matter.

I am wondering what exactly the IR heater is supposed to warm up? It only heats what it directly radiates onto, so it does not warm the room air. Why would someone want to turn on the device (which otherwise has no controls or anything similar) 10 minutes before taking a bath?

nordanney schrieb:

I’m wondering what exactly the IR heater is actually warming up? It only heats the surfaces it directly radiates onto, so there’s no warming of the room air. So why would someone want to turn on a device (which otherwise has no control or similar features) 10 minutes before using the bathroom?

Who says 10 minutes? Just 1-2 minutes before, so the thing is fully warm when you arrive.