What is the best light timer for my house?

December 08, 2011 9:45 AM PST · Flag · 5 answers

I'm going away for a week and want to make it look like someone is home! need some sort of timer that turns lights on and off....

Angela State

Specialist III

Stanley 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital Indoor Timer, White

Stanley Electricals 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Timer will automatically switch On/Off electrical plug-in devices as programmed by the user. The programmed On/Off time repeats daily. It features an LCD screen which offers visual indiacations of ... read more...

I think this would be the most economical solution to your problem. Plug it into your wall socket and plug a light into it (or any device, really) and voila you have a programmable on/off timer. It only takes up one of your sockets, too. You set the time it turns on and off.
The only thing I don't like is that you can only set it to turn on and off once a day, so keep that in mind.

✔ Highest voted answer

Reply · Send thanks · posted 163 days ago · 4 people agree

1 points posted by Harmony Saunders

I agree. If you only need it for this one trip then go with the cheapest option.

Ryan Jameson

Professional I

Woods 59377 Digital 7-Day Lamp/Appliance Timer with 2 Outlets, Up t...

Woods 59377 Digital 7-Day Lamp/Appliance Timer with 2 Outlets, Up to 8 On/Off Settings per day and Battery ...

This timer has it all when it comes to convenience and ease of use around your home. Specially designed to be used with heavy duty appliances such as heaters, portable air conditioners and cooling fans, it can also be set to turn lamps, radios, an... read more...

This would be another good one to consider. It is designed for more heavy duty appliances like air conditioners and stuff, but will certainly work for lamps too. It has two outlets that can be used simultaneously. It also has up to 8 on/off times per day wich is pretty useful, and a self-recharging backup battery included.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 163 days ago · 2 people agree

1 points posted by Richard Edwards

I think this looks like the best choice to me because you can program it to turn on and off multiple times a day. I would say that's an important feature. It also has two outlets which is nice.

Taylor McKay

Practitioner I

My parents have used both the Woods and Stanley choices. They are both great for what they needed. The Stanley while only have one on/off setting was really all that they needed. During the day, people are often at work so hitting the lights at night was a practical solution and just keeping it on throughout the night. They also had those motion lights outside...three at their garage, a couple on the shop, and then of course on the porch which are all pretty much separate from each other so it's probably a good deterrent. Something else to think about when going out of town.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 163 days ago · 1 person agrees

Lindsay Stidham

Professional I

Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable ...

Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors

The Honeywell RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors helps you save money by ensuring that your lights come on only when you need them. This unit works with incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting, makin... read more...

Really cool device. It has the option of turning on or off at either a certain time or at dawn or dusk. It keeps track of the time of year so that it knows when dawn and dusk are. Adjusts for daylight saving time automatically. Keeps its programming and the correct time and date even during power outages. And you don't have to worry about replacing batteries on it.

Reply · Send thanks · posted 163 days ago

Frank McPartland

Specialist III

Intermatic EJ500C Indoor Digital Wall Switch Timer

Brand Intermatic - Part No. EJ500C - Voltage 120 Volt - Battery Backup Yes - Display Digital - Finish White - Hz 60 - Maximum Wattage 500 Watts - Set Points 7 On/Off Per Day - Sold Separately Wallplate - Switch Type Single Pole or 3-Way - read more...

If you were interested in hardwiring a switch you could try this one. It replaces your switch with a digital programable timer that has up to 7 on/off settings per day.
It's actually super easy to use, basically once you set it up you don't have to mess with it too much afterwards. It even has a setting that can auto adjust to daylight savings time and stuff, so it will stay consistant.
This is good for long time use, like if you wanted to set a daily timer for when you are home, too (not just away).
It does have to be installed and some wiring is needed, so be ready to do it yourself of call an electrician!

Reply · Send thanks · posted 163 days ago

Voting Summary

1.	Stanley 38424 TimerMax Digislim Daily Digital I...	50% agree
2.	Woods 59377 Digital 7-Day Lamp/Appliance Timer ...	30% agree
3.	Intermatic EJ500C Indoor Digital Wall Switch T...	10% agree
4.	Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time...	10% agree