Outdoor timers can make holiday lighting a breeze. However, automating your rooftop Christmas lights isn’t the only application your timer is good for. Here are a few other places where an outdoor timer might come in handy.  

Lighting Tip: Check the specifications of your timer for the maximum wattage, horsepower, or amperage before installing to make sure it can handle the power draw of whatever device or lighting it’s controlling.  

Timer for Your Landscape Lighting

Any outdoor lighting, including seasonal lighting, could use a timer. They are available as analog or digital timers that can be hard wired or simply plugged into the nearest outlet. Their capabilities range from scheduling multiple events across the week to extremely accurate astronomic timing using photocells. From the security flood light over your garage door to the garden lights and lamp posts that may line your pathway, an outdoor timer can ensure you’re never in the dark when you arrive home.

Timer for Your Fountain

Fountain and waterfall pumps, along with pond aerators typically list wattage and horsepower, making it easy to determine what the power rating your timer needs to be.  Even if your timer can handle more than one device or circuit, you should never exceed the listed maximum rating.

Timer for the Pool

For pools and spas, you will want a special timer enclosed in a heat/water resistant casing. These pool and spa timers are protected against the warmth of the heat pump for your hot tub and sealed against continued exposure to moisture and condensation.  Other uses include filter pumps or hydro chlorinators.

Timer for Your Water Heater

If you have a cabin in the woods or a house empty of occupants during the day, you may want to invest in a water heater timer to control the on/off cycle. The electricity used to power the water heater may be significantly more than you anticipate because tank reserves cool off and have to be reheated from time to time. You could save money by scheduling the timer to keep the heater off for longer periods of time when the tank is not in high demand.

Timer for Your Sprinkler System

The sprinkler system for your lawn or even the irrigation system in your vegetable garden could benefit from an outdoor timer.  Not only can you decide the time and length of the watering period, you can use a 7-day timer to control which days of the week to water your plants.

Do you have more ideas for locations where an outdoor timer might be helpful? Leave your comments or questions in the area below. Check out our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest for more lighting tips. The weather can make outdoor lighting a little tricky, so call our 1000Bulbs.com staff at 1-800-624-4488 for simple and convenient solutions designed to brighten up your garden or lawn party.