Picking the Right Infrared Heater for Your Bathroom
Let’s be honest: there is nothing worse than stepping out of a hot shower into a bathroom that feels like a walk-in freezer. The problem is that bathrooms are heat-killers. You’ve got cold tiles and porcelain sinks that basically suck the warmth right out of the air the second you create it. To actually feel warm without running up your electric bill, you have to get the wattage right for the size of your room.
Getting the Power Right
For most medium-sized bathrooms, a 1500W ceiling heater is the sweet spot. Here is the thing about infrared: it doesn’t bother warming up the air first. It just beams the heat directly onto you and the surfaces around you. It’s instant. But be careful with tiny powder rooms. If your space is under 4 square meters, 1500W is way too much. You’ll turn the room into a sauna in two minutes or, worse, trip your circuit breaker because the wiring can’t handle the load. On the flip side, if you have a massive master bath, one unit isn’t going to do it. You’ll end up with one tiny warm spot and a lot of freezing floor. In those cases, it’s better to spread a few units around so you aren’t shivering in the corners.
The “Hot Spot” Problem
We use short-wave infrared for these because it cuts through steam and humidity. It means you actually feel the warmth even when the room is thick with fog. But there’s a catch. High-wattage lamps are intense. If you mount the heater too low, it doesn’t feel like a cozy glow—it feels like a heat lamp at a buffet. It’s uncomfortable. I always suggest mounting them at least 2.2 meters high. That gives the heat enough room to spread out so it feels natural.
A Quick Warning on Wiring
Before you start drilling, check your breaker. A 1500W heater pulls about 6.25A at 240V. That sounds small, but if you decide to put three of these in one room, you’re suddenly pushing nearly 19A. Make sure your wires are thick enough to handle that. You don’t want the insulation degrading because the wires are working too hard every time you take a shower. It’s just not worth the risk.