Picking the Right Infrared Heater for Your Bathroom
Let’s be honest: nobody likes stepping out of a hot shower into a freezing bathroom. It’s a shock to the system. But if you’re picking out an infrared heater, you don’t want to just grab the most powerful one on the shelf. If you do, you’ll likely end up baking yourself in a tiny room while your electric bill spikes. The trick is to match the wattage to the actual size of your space. Remember, infrared doesn’t really “heat the air”—it warms you and the surfaces around you. It’s a direct kind of heat.
Finding the Sweet Spot for Wattage
If you’ve got a tiny powder room or a small ensuite (we’re talking under 4 square meters), keep it simple. A250W to 400Wlamp is usually plenty. If you throw an 800W unit in there, it’ll get too hot, too fast. It’s overkill. For bigger bathrooms, you’ll need more punch—somewhere between600W and 1000W. But here is a pro tip: don’t just buy one massive heater. One giant lamp creates a “hot spot” right underneath it, leaving the rest of the room chilly. You’re much better off installing two 400W lamps in different spots. It spreads the warmth around so you aren’t just standing in one tiny circle of heat.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
More power means more heat, but it also puts more pressure on your wiring. If you’re adding a few units, just double-check that your breakers can handle the load. You don’t want the lights flickering every time you turn on the heat. Then there’s the kind of heat you prefer. Shortwave lamps are instant. Flip the switch, and you’re warm. But if they’re mounted too low, they can feel a bit intense—almost harsh. Longwave lamps are a bit gentler and feel more natural, though they take a minute or two to really get going.
Saving a Bit of Cash (and Energy)
To keep things efficient, I’d suggest pairing your heater with a timer or a motion sensor. That way, you aren’t accidentally leaving the heat on all day while the room is empty. One last thing: look up at your ceiling. If you’ve got really high ceilings, some of that heat is going to vanish before it ever reaches you. In those cases, you might want to bump up the wattage just to make sure you actually feel the warmth when you’re standing on the bathmat.