Do you need to place it in the attic? Where's the breaker box that powers the outlet? I ask because I have a zigbee relay controlling the outlet for my washing machine, and another controlling the outlet for my garage heater, but neither are anywhere near what they control. I stuck them in junction boxes closer to the breakers in the basement.
this post was submitted on 18 Nov 2023
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Home Automation
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Unfortunately, yes. There are several critical loads on that circuit.
I recommend running a new cable into the attic, with the Zigbee/WiFi relay device in the utility room, garage, or basement, wired in parallel to a manual override switch.
Another option is to disable the recirculation pump in the attic, and install another one (or the same one relocated) where it is more accessible. I have a Grundfos pump next to the hot water heater in the garage, and the pump is plugged into a battery-backed timer.
Cheapest option - look into wireless meat probes. You can put the probe in the attic and the unit in conditioned space.
It’s a pump physically attached to a water heater that I’m controlling. The outlet and pump are both in the attic and that space gets up to 120° or more during the summer.
Clearly I misread the original post. A remote relay would be the simplest solution, assuming there are no outlets down-wire from the one you're looking to control. Otherwise you're likely looking at an extension cord to another outlet or doing some home wiring.
I'm not a plumbing expert and don't know your pump brand, but most recirculating pumps I've seen are at, or near, the lowest part of the household piping, to reduce wear from pumping air, and to be accessible for maintenance. I would not want an electronic motorized machine that pumps water above the ceiling being roasted all summer.
No doubt it was a hassle for you to install the pump and outlet in the attic, but are you sure this was the best long-term solution?