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However, it would be safe to say that in the range of $100 – $200 dollars for an installation a block heater should cover the average for labor. You’re still in the range of a minimal investment for the benefits your heater is going to offer, more on that later!
Block heaters typically go in a freeze plug on the block and only heat the coolant. You will need another type of heater to keep the oil warm.
A block heater warms the engine coolant, which warms the engine block and the oil. Plugging in your car before you start it can also lower your car’s emissions — and your gasoline bill, says Natural Resources Canada. At -20C, a block heater can improve your fuel economy by as much as 10 per cent, the NRC says.
One thing that most can agree on is that the maximum amount of time you should leave the engine block heater plugged in for is four hours. Any more and you’re just wasting electricity. You should also plan for plugging your vehicle in for at least two hours to ensure it will start.
You can leave the truck plugged in for as long as you want, I’ve left mine plugged in for days. The 3 hours is to warm it up. The heaters draw about 900-1000 watts.
Your car will be warm in about five minutes after starting it if you use the block heater. Otherwise, expect it to take 10 minutes to warm up.
Block heaters take up to 1500W of power per hour, wasting energy and your money on warmer days. Add a Zerostart / Temro thermostat to help maintain the operative temperature in your vehicle’s engine. The bi-metal switch naturally opens so electricity does not flow when the designated temperature is reached.