Appliance timer setting in Exeter
Professional appliance timer setting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Appliance timer programmed to your schedule - heating warm when you wake up, washing machine running on cheap rate, lights on before you get home.
That Display That's Been Flashing 00:00 For Three Years
You know the one. The washing machine timer. The heating programmer. The timer plug you bought to save money but never actually got round to setting up.
You've still got the manual somewhere. Probably. The button combination is something like "hold MODE while pressing UP three times then CLOCK" but you've lost the will to live trying to work it out.
💡 Pro tip: Timer-controlled appliances can genuinely save money - washing machines on Economy 7 night rate, heating only on when you're home. But only if they're actually programmed.
Why This Trips People Up
Appliance timers are designed by engineers who've never met a normal human being.
| ✅ Sorted Properly | ❌ Current Situation |
|---|---|
| Heating on before you wake up | Freezing house every morning |
| Washing done on cheap rate | Running at peak electricity cost |
| Lights on when you arrive home | Dark house, fumbling for keys |
| You know how to adjust it | Manual gathering dust, timer ignored |
| Saving £100s per year | Wasting money needlessly |
Common Timer Types
⏰ Central Heating Programmers
| Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Basic | On/off times only |
| 2-channel | Heating and hot water separately |
| Smart | Different schedule each day |
🧺 Appliance Built-In Timers
- Washing machines (delay start)
- Tumble dryers (time shift)
- Dishwashers (night mode)
🔌 Timer Plugs Plug-in timers for lamps, heaters, dehumidifiers, phone chargers - anything you want on a schedule.
What I'll Set Up
Common Requests:
Heating Timer
- Heat on 6:30am (house warm by 7am wake-up)
- Off at 8:30am (everyone's left)
- On at 4:30pm (warm by 5:30pm arrival)
- Off at 10:30pm (bedtime)
Washing Machine
- Delayed start for 2am Economy 7 rate
- Finished by morning so washing doesn't sit damp
Lights
- On at sunset
- Off at bedtime or when you usually get home
Immersion Heater
- Heat water overnight on cheap rate
- Off during expensive day rate
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single appliance timer | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Multiple timers (same visit) | 30 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum. If I'm there doing other work, timer setting's often just 10 minutes extra.
Economy 7 Savings
If you're on Economy 7 (cheap night rate electricity), timer-controlled appliances can save serious money:
Typical Savings:
- Washing machine: £40/year
- Dishwasher: £30/year
- Immersion heater: £100+/year
- Storage heaters: £200+/year
Combined: Easy £200-400/year just from running stuff at night instead of day.
Why Choose Us for Appliance timer setting in Exeter?
Timer programmed to your schedule
Shown how to adjust it yourself later
Save money with cheaper rate timing
No more deciphering confusing manuals
What to Expect
Step 1: Work Out Your Schedule
Quick chat about when you want things to run. I'll suggest optimal timings if you're not sure.
Step 2: Program The Timer
I navigate the confusing menus and button combinations, set everything up correctly.
Step 3: Show You How To Adjust It
Walk you through which buttons change what, so if your routine changes you can update it yourself.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle timer programming yourself? Here's the approach:
📱 Find the manual online Lost the paper manual? Google "[appliance model] manual PDF" - usually available free from manufacturer.
⏰ Heating programmer basics Most common types:
- Mode button - cycles through timed/continuous/off
- Day button - selects day of week
- Up/Down arrows - set times
- Copy - copies one day's schedule to others
🔧 Common button sequences
- Set clock: Usually HOLD clock button + use arrows
- Set program: MODE > Select day > Enter on/off times > COPY if repeating
- Override: Boost or advance button for one-time changes
🧺 Washing machine delay timer
- Load washer as normal
- Select program (40° cotton, etc)
- Press "Delay" or "Timer" button repeatedly to set hours delay
- Press Start
The machine counts down and starts automatically.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Setting AM when you mean PM (heating on all day, off all night)
- Not copying schedule to multiple days (only Monday programmed)
- Confusing heating timer with hot water timer
- Setting delay start but forgetting to close the door
💡 Pro trick: Take a photo of the working timer display with your phone. If you accidentally reset it, you've got a visual reminder of what the schedule looked like.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 British Summer Time? Most older timers need manually adjusting twice a year when clocks change. Modern smart programmers do it automatically.
Economy 7 check: Not sure if you've got Economy 7? Check your electricity meter - if it shows two readings (Day/Night or Rate 1/Rate 2), you've got it. Timer-controlled appliances make sense.
Smart heating? If you've got Hive, Nest, or other smart heating, these are controlled via app not the old wall programmer. I can help set those up too.
Rental property? Landlords often don't program heating timers properly. If you're cold and the timer's blinking, worth getting it set up - you're paying for the heating anyway.
Exeter's old houses? Many have ancient Horstmann or Drayton timers that still work fine, they're just impossible to program without the manual. I know these inside out from years of setting them up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which appliances have timers you can set?
Washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, central heating programmers, immersion heaters, timer plugs for lamps or heaters. Pretty much anything with a clock or schedule function that's currently blinking 00:00 at you.
Why can't I just set it myself?
You absolutely can - but appliance timers are notoriously fiddly with tiny buttons and confusing menus. If you've been meaning to do it for months and haven't, I'll do it in 15 minutes and show you how to adjust it.
Will you show me how to change it later?
Yes - that's the important bit. I'll set it to your current schedule, then show you which buttons to press to adjust times. If your routine changes, you'll know how to update it.
What about Economy 7 electricity tariffs?
Perfect use case. I'll set timers to use cheaper night rates - dishwasher at 2am, immersion heater overnight, etc. Can save you decent money if you've got the right tariff.
Can you set heating to come on before I wake up?
Yes - that's the main reason people want heating timers set properly. House warm before you get up, heating off while you're at work, on again before you get home.
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Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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