Bathroom electric heat: Different Electric Bathroom Heater Types To Choose From

Aug 13, 2023 alexxlab

Different Electric Bathroom Heater Types To Choose From

By Corey Majeau

Corey Majeau Home Improvement Contributor

Corey Majeau is a researcher, product tester, and writer for many sites including Homedit. With ten years of experience as a content writer, graphic designer, and hands-on product tester. Corey brings a certain level of quality and personality to the team.

Learn more about Homedit’s Editorial Process

| Updated on Feb 23, 2022

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Have you ever stepped out of the shower or the bathtub and felt like your bathroom could really use some extra degrees? Sometimes even when our bathroom is really warm, every time we get out of the water, it still feels a little bit chilly.

Before you get into that comfortable robe, you probably want to enjoy some of that bathroom heat, but there just doesn’t seem to be enough of it. Make no mistake, there is a solution to this problem, and it’s called a bathroom heater.

What Types of Bathroom Heaters Are There?

Before you choose one bathroom heater over another, it’s important to be able to distinguish the different types of products out there so that you can make the best choice.

A lot of people opt for portable bathroom heaters. These are especially common amongst homeowners that find their bathrooms require more warmth during the winter but don’t necessarily need a heater in the summer as well. Portable bathroom heaters can simply be used in the bathroom in the colder months and then be removed and stored away for the rest of the year. Moreover, portable heaters also offer a lot of other different advantages, such as the fact that when you are not using them in the bathroom, you can re-purpose them in another room of your home.
Another type of bathroom heater is the heater/exhaust fan. The benefit of using such a product is that it can also prevent some of that humidity by making sure the air isn’t too moist and preventing steam from doing damage to your bathroom furniture, your walls, or your ceiling.
Wall-mounted heaters are also very common because they are basically wall-mounts that will never get in the way and don’t take up too much space in the bathroom. They are also safer to use if you have children or pets because mounting them at the appropriate height will get them out of their reach.
Ceiling heaters are great for people that want permanent heating in the bathroom. Because of their location, they are impossible to obstruct, and they are also very safe because you don’t risk touching them. Another benefit of a ceiling heater is that it is far away from any water sources.

A lot of people believe that a fan variant is the best bathroom heater. Bathrooms are often small spaces, and a fan heating unit can rapidly and efficiently warm them up. To heat the bathroom air, fan heaters might use an electric coil or ceramic plates.

Safety concerns

This is the biggest concern that people have when choosing the best bathroom heaters for their homes, so we wanted to talk a little bit about what safety means when choosing this particular type of product.

Bathrooms are considered ideal locations for portable space heaters equipped with ACLI safety plugs. ACLI safety plugs, according to OSHA, are meant to interrupt ground faults really fast, in 1/40 of a second.

Because ACLI safety plugs do not completely eliminate the risk of electrical shock, attention should still be exercised as their units operate in moist locations. Monthly testing of ACLI outlets and plugs is recommended, as is replacing of outlets and goods that fail.

The best bathroom heaters when it comes to safety are the wall and ceiling heaters. Secure mounting to the wall or hardwiring into existing wiring ensures safe operation without risking electrical shock.

Top 5 Bathroom Heater Reviews

To further shed some light on this whole bathroom heater situation, we are going to explore some of the most popular models currently sold online, hoping that there’s at least one product in here that matches your expectations.

1. Stiebel Eltron 1500-Watt Wall Mounted

One very practical bathroom heater is this model over here. It’s a wall-mounted product that comes with an ultra-quiet fan made from galvanized steel, which is capable of keeping the noise to a minimum of 49.7 dB.

Thanks to the frost protection setting, even if your thermostat is set to the lowest setting, it will maintain above-freezing temperatures. This particular bathroom heater also comes with a booster timer which can provide you with a maximum of one-hour heat output before returning to its original setting.

Even if this bathroom heater provides you with plenty of freedom when it comes to its wall mounting position, it is still important that you place it at least at an 8-inch distance away from the floor because the fan heater blows warm air out of its bottom side. Also, take into account the fact that these heaters require vertical mounting.

Pros:

Built-in thermostat.
Frost protection setting.
Quiet fan.
Easy mounting.

Cons:

Not suitable for large spaces.

2. Broan-NuTone 170 Wall Heater

With a simple yet very practical design, we bring you yet another sturdy wall heater that’s perfect for a space such as your bathroom. It is a pretty straightforward product that can supplement other heat sources inside your bathroom. The thermostat is mounted on the front panel, giving you the freedom to control the heat without having to reach for a dial located on the side.

Inside the heater, you can find a lubricated motor, a nickel-chrome heating element, a manual reset thermal overload protector, and other quality components. Because the heater itself is quite small, it can only cover areas around 65 to 100 feet. The built-in thermostat has an auto-shutdown feature, providing you with three different heat settings.

However, you need to take note of the fact this shouldn’t be used as the primary heating source but rather as a supplement to an already-existing heating system.

Pros:

Budget buy.
Manual reset thermal overload protector.
Easy to mount.
Built-in thermostat.
Conveniently placed thermostat.

Cons:

Doesn’t serve as a primary heating source.

3. Broan-NuTone Fan-Forced Ceiling Heater

Broan is back with another cheap heating system that is designed to be mounted on the ceiling of the bathroom. It features a low-profile housing that has a grille made with satin finish aluminum. It shares a lot of the features that you can also find in the aforementioned model, such as automatic overheat protection or a lubricated motor.

As far as mounting is concerned, these bathroom ceiling heaters can be attached to a 3.5 or 4-inch round or 4-inch octagonal ceiling electrical box. This can be quite a viable option where you’re looking to diffuse some extra heat inside the bathroom, but it might not be of much help if you plan to use it as the primary heating source.

Pros:

Lubricated motor.
Satin finish aluminum grille.
Automatic overheat protection.

Cons:

Unattractive looks.

4. Lasko Portable Space Heater

The Lasko portable heater is a simple and easy-to-use product that you can easily carry from one room to another. When you’re not using it in the bathroom, you can put it on your desk, under your table, in your pantry, or in any other place that you’d like to heat up.

Such ceramic heaters come with two different heat settings, plus a one-hour timer which already provides you with plenty of options considering the low price of the product. Operating at1500 W, this heater should do a good job in heating up most small to medium-sized bathrooms.

This bathroom heater comes with its very own safety plug, which basically cuts out the power to it in case of a shortage. The unit also has automatic overheating protection and a ceramic heating element that maintains a cool external temperature.

Pros:

Three heat settings.
Highly portable.
Easy to use.
No assembly required.
Comes with a safety plug.

Cons:

Only good for small spaces.

Do Towel Rails Heat a Bathroom?

A heated towel rail is another option that works beautifully in bathrooms of all sizes, including smaller ones. Not only are towel rails more functional than normal radiators in terms of keeping your towels dry and warm, but they also add style to any bathroom.

Heated towel rails are frequently favored over regular radiators in contemporary, minimalist, or modern bathrooms due to their more timeless and streamlined appearance.

You’ll need lots of unobstructed wall space for your towel rail since the majority are meant to take up a substantial amount of area. They do, however, provide a good space-saving solution for those of you that have small bathrooms, as they are normally mounted vertically on the surface of the wall and don’t occupy any floor space.

The majority of heated towel rails will give enough warmth to work as additional bathroom heaters while also keeping your towels fluffy and warm when you exit the bath or shower. A larger bathroom, on the other hand, may require an additional source of heating to keep the room appropriately warm.

Do Wall-Mounted Heaters Use a Lot of Electricity?

Electric wall heaters can be rather pricey to operate. This is because electricity is quite expensive. Generally, less expensive fuels such as oil or natural gas are more cost-effective for domestic heater operations.

During bathroom heater operation, a significant amount of electrical energy is squandered. A large amount of energy is lost in the process of heat creation and transmission. This reduces the efficiency of the electric bathroom heaters to around 50 percent or less.

Electric Wall Heater vs. Baseboard

Both types of bathroom heaters operate on the principle of electrical resistance. Electrical current passes through the heating elements, resulting in friction, which generates heat. The fundamental distinction between baseboard heaters and electric wall heaters is in the method of heat distribution.

Electric Wall Heater

An electric wall heater is equipped with a little fan. The fan circulates air across the heated elements, releasing air into the room by forcing it through the grate. On the other hand, a baseboard heater has elements that heat up and consequently warm the metal fins located on the cover. Without the aid of a fan, the fins then transfer that heat into the room.

Baseboard Heater

A thermostat regulates the demand for heat in both types of bathroom heaters. The thermostat can be put directly on the heater, which is cheaper but also less precise, as it is impacted by the heater’s heat. The other option is to wall attach the thermostat, which improves accuracy but involves additional wiring. In larger rooms, a single thermostat can operate multiple wall heaters.

Electric Heaters vs. Oil-Filled Heaters

Two types of heaters that are often compared by potential buyers are electric heaters and oil-filled heaters.

Electric Portable Bathroom Heaters

Because it is a mass-produced commodity, there is a great deal of competition, which results in low prices for consumers. If you’re searching for a quick boost in heating power, these can be the best bathroom heaters for you. Electric fan heaters can heat a room in a matter of minutes.

With the help of their fans, they can be the best space heaters, distributing the warmth in the whole room quickly. There are tens of thousands of models to pick from, and the possibilities are endless. You’re likely to find the best bathroom heater powered by electricity for your home without any difficulties.

Because such a portable bathroom heater relies on the movement of air to distribute heat, any inadequate insulation or drafty windows will cause you to lose heat quickly. Because of the rapid heat loss, typical electric heaters must operate at a higher temperature for a longer period of time, consuming more energy.

Oil-Filled Portable Bathroom Heaters

These portable heaters have incredible heat retention capabilities. Once they’ve reached the proper temperature, they end up saving you a significant amount of energy by simply needing a small amount of power to keep the heat going. Because all of the heat is generated by heating the oil, there is virtually little noise produced by these heaters. If you feel that the fan noise tends to be distracting, these are the best bathroom heaters for you.

An oil-filled bathroom heater typically has an excellent thermostat, featured in the majority of models. Oil heaters are excellent if you prefer a temperature that remains steady throughout the day.

Because of the excellent heat retention of oil heaters, they can keep their heat for several hours after they have been turned off. Excellent for energy conservation and for use at night.

Oil heaters can weigh more than 20 pounds since they rely on a heavy liquid spread over a broad surface area, but they often have wheels for improved portability. It will take some time to heat up all of the oil to the correct temperature, so plan on waiting 30 minutes before the room is fully heated.

Are Electric Heaters Allowed in Bathrooms?

Electric heating solutions, like radiators, baseboard heating systems, and heated towel rails, have grown in popularity in recent years due to their efficiency and major advances in quality and design.

However, because we are hardwired to be careful of the electricity/water combo, as we should be, it may seem a little dangerous to use an electric heater in a bathroom. The first step in understanding that it is indeed safe to use an electric heater in the bathroom is to familiarize yourself with your bathroom’s zones.

Pros and Cons to an Electric Bathroom Heater

The advantages and drawbacks of electric heaters depend on the type of heater in question so, instead of giving you a general and vague overview, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons for different types of electric heaters, so you can make a more informed shopping decision.

Electric Radiators

Pros:

Installation is simple and inexpensive.
It is the best space heater for radiative and convective heat while maintaining a suitable temperature in the room.
It requires little upkeep.
A boiler’s plumbing isn’t required in this case.
Day and night, you have the option of having temperature-controlled heating.
They help save floor space
There is no heat leaking.

Cons:

They tend to consume a lot of electricity.
Because of their high energy consumption, they are most useful in small rooms or when used as secondary heating sources.

Storage Heaters

Pros:

There is no need for pipes or a boiler.
They help to keep the house warm at night and in the early morning hours.
It may be a more cost-effective method of heating the home. If you have a time-of-use tariff, you will be able to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates.
In areas where mainline gas is not available, night storage heaters are used to provide heat.
There is little or no maintenance required.
Installation is less complicated and less expensive than installing a new central heating system.

Cons:

The nighttime electric pricing is frequently only as good as the standard price, and it does not always result in lower heating expenditures.
They are large and heavy, and they take up a lot more floor space than the radiators that are used in other types of heating systems.
It is possible that dust will be expelled from the heater when the fan is turned on to boost the heat transfer.

Convection Heaters

Pros:

Each room’s temperature can be changed independently of the others.
Convection heaters distribute heat evenly throughout a room. This is due to the fact that the warm air they produce rises and falls uniformly within an enclosed space.
The energy savings from convection heating systems are approximately 10 percent greater than those from electric baseboard heaters.
Depending on the size of the room, convection panel heaters can be installed higher up on any free wall space.
Convection heaters, with the exception of the fan-equipped heaters that are most usually found in bathrooms, are virtually silent in their operation.

Cons:

A significant amount of dust disturbance can be caused by convection heaters because they do not contain any air filters and instead move the air around the room. People who suffer from dust allergies may find this to be an issue.
Because of the technology contained within the heater, convection heaters can be more expensive to operate because they consume a significant amount of electricity.

Best Bathroom Heater Alternatives

As efficient as electric heaters might be, one of their major flaws is the fact that they increase the cost of your energy bills. So, here is a list of alternatives that you might find useful for even the best bathroom heaters:

Seal any gaps in the door and window frames to keep the warm air inside. Alternatively, no matter how much heat you put into your bathroom, the heat will continue to escape through the vents.
The color scheme of your bathroom can have a major impact on how warm or cold it is. Many people prefer to decorate their bathrooms with cool colors, such as different shades of blue, which are considered to be soothing. Consider introducing a warm color into your home’s decor.
As soon as you get out of a hot shower, put on the exhaust fan or open a window to allow for ventilation and the steam to escape. Mold growth cannot be prevented unless this step is taken.
Rather than utilizing huge towels, invest in a bathrobe to keep you warm. It will cover your entire body, and you will be able to step out without becoming numb.
Instead of utilizing cold white lights in your bathroom, try using warm yellow lighting instead. Whereas white lights are connected with cold, yellow lighting will assist you in visualizing warmth.
Alternatively, candles or string lights can be used to create a nice mood in the room. However, you must be quite cautious when placing them in order to avoid any hazards.

The Bottom Line

While these five products are really good at what they do, there are plenty of other bathroom heaters that you can opt for, regardless of the category that you most fancy.

The most important thing is to look for a product that can withstand being in a humid environment and, if you don’t opt for a wall or ceiling heater, you should at least choose one with a solid waterproof rating.

5 Best Bathroom Heaters (2023 Guide)

Buying a bathroom heater requires safety considerations, but you’ll also want to choose a model that will provide enough heat for your space.

Affiliate Disclaimer: All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Between showering, getting ready in the morning, and the calls of Mother Nature, we spend quite a bit of time in the bathroom. So, why not make it cozy? As cold weather approaches for most of the country, it’s time to start thinking about making your post-shower experience toasty and enjoyable.

If you’re tired of shivering in your bathroom on cold winter mornings, you may want to consider investing in a bathroom heater. There are tons of space heaters on the market, but not all are suitable for indoor use or safe to use in a bathroom. We’ve compiled a list of our five favorite bathroom heaters using market research, ratings, and customer reviews.

Top 5 Bathroom Heaters

Best Oscillating Heater: Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater
Best for Large Bathrooms: Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater
Best Design: Heat Storm Infrared Quartz Space Heater
Best Safety Features: Honeywell Surround Fan Forced Heater
Best Wall Heater: Broan-NuTone Grille Heater

Best Oscillating Heater

Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater

Fast Facts:

Size: 7. 25 x 23 x 8.5 inches
Heat Output: Up to 5,118 BTUs
Type: Floor, oscillating, electric

What We Like: This space heater features overheating protection, so even if you’ve been running it all day and all night, its exterior remains cool to the touch. It also includes a remote control, timer, and an auto-activation option, and it’s easy to choose your temperature preference on its digital display. Above all, the Lasko Ceramic Space Tower Heater is quiet, and its oscillation is widespread, making it an excellent space heater for bathrooms and larger spaces.

What Customers Are Saying

“I ordered a couple of these for my house to knock the chill in drafty areas. It is a really powerful heater and will heat the entire room…. It has a wide selection of features – temp, fan speed, oscillation control, etc. It also has a timer that is a nice feature.”—Michael via Wayfair

“Love these [space heaters] for heating areas, while being able to control when and when not you want them on or off. This is our only source of heat in our 2300 square foot home. Plan to get 2 more for our basement also!”—Donna via Wayfair

Best for Large Bathrooms

Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater

Fast Facts:

Size: 13.25 x 14.25 x 8 inches
Heat Output: 4,000 to 9,000 BTUs
Type: Floor, standalone, propane

What We Like: The Buddy Heater also offers built-in safety features, including a thermal shut-down system. It includes tip-over protection, automatically shutting off if knocked over or if the pilot light goes out. This energy-efficient bathroom heater will have no trouble heating small or large spaces for three hours straight.

What Customers Are Saying

“The Mr. Heater Buddy series had been among the most-recommended, portable warmers rated for safe indoor and outdoor use. … The Grid cage to keep flammable material (or your kids’ hands) from touching the heating elements.”—Amazon user “Outdoor Enthusiast” via Amazon

“I was impressed. Kept the cold out and worked perfectly for its small size.”—Adrian via Amazon

Best Design

Heat Storm Infrared Quartz Space Heater

Fast Facts:

Size: 13.5 x 15 x 11 inches
Heat Output: Up to 5,300 BTUs
Type: Floor, radiant heat, electric

What We Like: This bathroom heater model is available in three natural wood finishes: faded birch, dock wood gray, and modern oak. Its safety features include an overheat sensor with auto shut-off, cool-touch exterior, and washable filter. It comes packaged with four optional snap-in casters for easy maneuvering.

What Customers Are Saying

“This is an amazing heater so far. Heats up the room quickly and with relative low noise. I love all the options for energy saving, light level, temperature, and more. The remote is nice to have as well.”—Audrey via Wayfair

“I purchased this for my man cave. It’s a great little space heater…. I couldn’t see this being a good heater for a bedroom as it’s louder than others I’ve had. It heats up a 500sf space pretty fast and it has the blower towards the top so that it’s not blowing at your feet which is a nice feature. If noise from the heater isn’t an issue for you then this is your huckleberry.”—R. via Wayfair

Best Safety Features

Honeywell Surround Fan Forced Heater

Fast Facts:

Size: 8 x 8 x 11.5 inches
Heat Output: Up to 5,118 BTUs
Type: Floor, forced fan, electric

What We Like: We love the Honeywell Surround Fan Forced Heater’s built-in safety features. It has a 360-degree tip-over switch, so if it falls over, the fans will shut off, and the heater will stop producing heat. It also has an auto-off timer option, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it on accidentally (although it also has an overheat shut-off). Your wallet is also protected with this model, as it includes a three-year limited warranty.

What Customers Are Saying

“I love that it’s safe for my kids!! I have a 6yo, 2.5yo, and 10mo. But even if any of them touch it or knock it over, they do NOT get burned.”—Kayla via Amazon

“Automatic shut off at certain temperatures and when one of my pets tips it over, it automatically shuts off”—Meg via Amazon

Best Wall Heater

Broan-NuTone Grille Heater

Fast Facts:

Size: 10.5 x 3.38 x 12.5 inches
Heat Output: Up to 5,120 BTUs
Type: Wall mounted, convection, electric

What We Like: The adjustable thermostat feature prevents the fan from spinning until the heating element has reached the indicated temperature, which avoids wasting energy and wearing out the part. If the Broan Grille Heater overheats, it will automatically shut off. This machine, while unassuming, is quiet, efficient, and requires no maintenance.

What Customers Are Saying

“Other than the unnecessary installation hassle, the heater is very quiet and works well in the bathroom space. It heats the area very quickly.”—Richard via Amazon

“I bought this to replace a 65-year-old wall heater in the bathroom. It’s exactly the same size, so it fits the existing hole in the wall without extra work. Looks nice and is quiet…”—Pamala via Amazon

What to Look For in a Bathroom Heater

The following are some features to consider when shopping for a portable bathroom heater.

Heater Types

Certain bathroom heater types may fit your needs better than others. If you want heating in your bathroom for most of the year, a ceiling heater is an excellent option; it’s completely out of the way and easy to control with a remote. Wall-mounted heaters also have the advantage of being away from pets, children, or clumsy adults, and they are barely noticeable when installed correctly.

Exhaust fans that include infrared heaters are also a safe option, although they don’t pack quite as large a heating punch as propane or electric space heaters. Portable heaters are the most popular option because they’re multifunctional—you can use them in any room, and you can safely store them when you no longer need them.

Safety

Safety features are important when buying a bathroom heater. Since bathrooms are some of the wettest areas in a home, electronics need certain specifications to be safe to use in them. Look for ALCI plugs on your space heaters—these are specifically made to resist moisture and provide an extra layer of safety to your heater use.

Make sure the heater you choose has built-in safety measures to ensure it will shut off if it overheats. You can also get a standalone heater with an anti-tip feature, which prevents the unit from catching on fire or causing electricity-related problems. Timers are another feature to look for; they are convenient and prevent you from overusing the heater and leaving it unattended while it’s on.

Heat Output

Heat output is measured in British thermal units (BTUs). One BTU is equivalent to the energy it takes to heat a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Depending on your bathroom’s size, you can purchase a heater that produces the appropriate number of BTUs.

For example, the Buddy Heater heats a space of 225 square feet and can produce between 4,000 and 9,000 BTUs of heat, depending on your preference. If your bathroom is small, you may not need a heater with such a large output. If your bathroom lacks insulation, you may want to opt for a heater that produces several thousand BTUs. A propane heater’s power can be appealing if you live in a drafty home.

Installation

Portable heaters require no installation. Most don’t even need assembly and are ready to use once you unbox them. However, if you wish to install an exhaust fan heater, you will need to open up the existing exhaust fan and add an infrared feature.

Wall-mounted heaters are easier to install than ceiling heaters. The former require external wall mounts, which are easy to access online and at your local hardware supply store. Ceiling heaters require a higher level of expertise and may require cutting into your ceiling to install. This job should be left to the professionals, especially when electricity connections are involved.

Size

If you need a portable heater, it’s important to consider both the size and weight of the unit. For example, the Honeywell Surround Heater weighs three pounds, whereas the Amazon Eco-Smart Heater weighs 23 pounds. Balance portability and strength when selecting a bathroom heater, as lighter units cannot usually produce as much heat as larger models.

While the recent trend of installing fireplaces in the bathroom may be here to stay, it’s more convenient and less time-consuming to use a propane or electric space heater in your bathroom. We chose our favorite options above based on style, safety, convenience, power, size, or combinations of several of these. The Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater is powerful, quiet, and useful in large or small spaces. Its safety features and convenience make it an excellent pick and the top bathroom heater on our list.

Bathroom Heater FAQ

How We Chose the Top Bathroom Heaters

To help you select the top appliances for your home, we’ve vetted hundreds of products.

Before recommending any products, we’ve analyzed and reviewed them based on the following factors:

Customer reviews: We read at least 100 customer reviews for every product in our lineup, considering pain points and advantages cited by customers.
Ratings: Each product we recommend has a high amount of verified customer ratings on sites such as Amazon and Google.
Brand research: We conduct research into each brand to assess its reputation in the industry.
Features: We compare products based on their key features, customization options, and other factors related to performance.

Our data points and review content are regularly updated to account for shifts in customer consensus, product availability, and overall quality.

how and with what it is possible to heat the bathroom

The bathroom occupies a special position in a modern dwelling. It needs its own microclimate associated with high humidity, water procedures, and health hazards. And the main role in ensuring the specific requirements for this room is played by air temperature.

For a long time it was believed that a standard heated towel rail, installed by builders, is enough to solve all the problems associated with a comfortable environment in the bathroom. Not a single bathroom can do without them today, but the number of types and varieties of various heating devices has increased significantly.

Towel warmer models. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: Teplolux Models of heated towel rails. Photo: “Teplolux”

How and with what the bathroom is heated

As a rule, heated towel rails, radiator or convector heaters, as well as warm floors are used to heat the bathroom.

Bathroom towel warmers

There are three main types of towel warmers: water, electric and combined.

Water heated towel rails

Traditional and by far the most common option. By default, a pipe bent several times adorns most of the country’s bathrooms. In the assortment of plumbing stores there are water heated towel rails of different sizes and colors, made of stainless or chrome steel. But the principle of operation is unchanged – the heating device is included in the circuit of the central or individual heating of the house. Its efficiency can be changed only by increasing the size, the coolant temperature is uncontrollable.

Water heated towel rail. Photo: shutterstock.com

Electric Towel Warmers

These units do not need to be connected to a heating system, but a waterproof socket is required. Their form is very diverse, but the “ladder” has become the most effective and popular, that is, two vertical pipes connected by several horizontal ones. Inside, a heating cable can be laid along the entire length, or a heating element (an electric heater in the form of a metal tube) can be installed in the lowest crossbar, and the entire volume is filled with a heat-conducting liquid. Such devices consume electricity, and this is their disadvantage. But on the other hand, they are very effective, heat up quickly and are equipped with automation. Sensors maintain the set temperature, the timer turns the unit on and off according to a schedule, reducing power consumption.

Combination towel warmers

These devices combine the design features of both types of heated towel rails along with their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, it is also noticeably more expensive than any other design. It is worth installing them if there are frequent power or heat cuts, and then there is only one way to warm the bathroom and dry the towels.

Bathroom convectors

The most efficient heaters work, performing only one function: either heating or drying towels. In a large and cold bathroom, it is best to install a convector in addition to a heated towel rail. This is a thermal device where the air is heated, passing through the ribs of the heating element inside the closed case and enters the room through the grille with shutters. At the same time, the convector itself has a low temperature, does not dry out the air, is controlled by automatic temperature maintenance and a timer. Such devices should be installed strictly far from water sources.

Bathroom radiators

In everyday life, radiators mean several heating devices at once. For example, heated towel rails, especially those that are made in the form of a “ladder”. The convectors mentioned above are also called radiators. However, in this case we are talking about wall batteries. They, as a rule, are connected to a hot water main, how effective is the use of such a device in the bathroom on a par with a heated towel rail, a moot point.

Bathroom floor heating

Everyone knows how unpleasant it is to stand on a cold floor after swimming. Underfloor heating systems help eliminate this discomfort.

Installation of underfloor heating. Photo: teploluxe.ru

Stationary

At the construction stage, a special heating cable is laid into the concrete screed under the tile or other floor covering, which is connected through the control unit to the household network. There are several options for constructive solutions, all of them are effective and safe. For the bathroom, this option is highly recommended.

Mobile

There are also mobile warm mats that do not need to be installed, but just spread on the floor and plugged into the network. But for a bathroom, this option is of little use: moisture often appears on the floor in the bathroom, or even water at all, which threatens with a short circuit. However, such a rug can be placed in the hallway before entering the bathroom.

Frequently asked questions and answers

How to calculate the total power of bathroom heating appliances?

Vladimir Moskalenko, founder of the Aquarius company, recommends making calculations based on the volume of the room: 40 W per 1 m ³ . For example, a 2 * 2 m bath with a height of 2.5 m will require 400 W of heating. This is solved by conventional electric underfloor heating. The heated towel rail in this case is used only for its intended purpose: to dry and warm towels. If it is impossible to install a warm floor, a more powerful heated towel rail is taken.

Does it make sense to install several heated towel rails?

Philip Strelnikov, chief engineer at Engineering Systems , thinks this only makes sense for a very large bathroom. Ideally, it is possible to reach for a dry towel without leaving the shower or rising from the bath. That is, in an ordinary bathroom, one heated towel rail is enough.

What are the features of bathroom heating in wooden houses?

According to Philip Strelnikov , convectors, fan heaters, air conditioners with a heating function are undesirable in a wooden house. They dry the air and create convection currents, which in turn spread dust. Any heating devices that work with infrared radiation are recommended: they heat objects and people around. Infrared heated floors are very common, infrared heated towel rails are also on the market, but their share is quite small. Such units maintain the recommended humidity of at least 30%, which prevents the wood from drying out. During installation, additional efforts are required to ensure fire safety: heating appliances must be installed further from the walls than in stone houses. Splash-proof outlets are required.

Bathroom heater types and requirements

To additionally heat the bathroom is a fairly popular task, which can be solved with the help of modern heaters. However, when choosing a suitable model, you should take into account the specifics of the room, as well as the technical characteristics of the device. Therefore, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the devices that exist today and the features of their use in the bathroom, and decide which one is better.

Requirements for bathroom heaters

The bathroom is a high humidity area. Therefore, heaters that are used for its heating must have a number of characteristics, without which their use becomes impossible for these purposes. Devices must be:

completely safe for work in a damp room and when exposed to splashes, steam, etc.;
are resistant to temperature changes;
corrosion resistant;
are compact according to the size of the room;
powerful enough to heat the room to a comfortable temperature;
are aesthetic and hygienic.

Types of bathroom heaters

Based on the requirements listed above, there are several types of devices suitable for installation in bathrooms.

Electric towel warmers

As a rule, this type of heaters means electric heated towel rails. Their main advantage is autonomy. Such a heater consists of a coil with a heating element. In order for it to start working, it must be connected to the electrical network.

They are liquid (they work on the principle of heating oil or antifreeze) or cable (the heating element is a cable).

The disadvantages include the fact that some models consume a significant amount of energy. In addition, electric heated towel rails cannot boast of mobility, like other types of heaters.

In the photo: Electric heated towel rails in the interior

Electric convector

The principle of operation of the convector is simple. Inside the device there is a heating coil that warms up the incoming air. Then the warm air masses rise up, from where the cold air is displaced back down to the heater. This ensures continuous air circulation.

There are two types of convectors – wall-mounted and those that are installed on the floor on legs.

Such a heater has a fairly high power and can easily heat a large area.

Electric convectors have a high level of safety. In addition, they are practically silent, do not “dry the air”, quickly reach the desired temperature indicators of the air.

Other advantages include – waterproof housing, ease of installation and maintenance, mobility.

In the photo: Electric convectors in the bathroom

Infrared heaters

The action of this type of heater is based on infrared radiation. With the help of IR waves, it warms up objects located in the zone of their distribution, which then give off their heat to the space of the room. Such a heater can be directed only to that part of the room that needs to be warmed up more.

As a rule, infrared heaters are mounted on the wall or under the ceiling, which can significantly save space. Other advantages of such devices include a large selection of models, reliability and compactness.

But you need to remember that being under direct IR rays for a long time is dangerous to health, as it is fraught with overheating.

In the photo: Infrared heaters in the interior

Oil cooler

This device consists of a metal case, inside which there is a heating coil and mineral oil. When the device is plugged into the outlet, the spiral heats up the oil, bringing it to a boil, due to which the temperature of the case rises, and it gives off its heat to the room.

The efficiency of such devices is quite high, but they are not so safe. The surface temperature of an oil heater can reach very high levels, resulting in severe burns. However, they often exude a specific smell. Other disadvantages include significant, in comparison with other types of heaters, dimensions. In this case, the models are only floor type.

Among the advantages of oil coolers are the presence of a regulator and the mobility of the design.

In the photo: Oil radiators in the interior

Fan heater

To heat the bathroom, you can also consider a fan – a device inside which a fan is installed that drives air through the heating elements. It has a fairly high power, sufficient to heat a standard bathroom. The heating element in such heaters can be ceramic, spiral and tubular. The first option is considered the safest, but it also has the highest price.

For a bathroom, a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted option is preferable, as this minimizes the risk of direct contact with water.

Thermal fans also have a number of disadvantages – they produce a lot of noise, emit an unpleasant odor, and “dry the air”.