How to Pick the Right Infrared Heat for Your Bathroom
Here is the thing about infrared heating: you aren’t actually trying to warm up the air. If you do that, the heat just floats to the ceiling and disappears. Instead, you’re warming up the floor, the tiles, and—most importantly—you. Because of that, getting the wattage right is everything. If you go too low, you’re shivering. Too high, and you’re stepping into a sauna you didn’t ask for. Finding your number If you’re dealing with a tiny powder room or a tight shower stall (anything under 4m²), a 400W to 600W lamp is usually plenty. They heat up fast and don’t overwhelm the space. Once you move into a mid-sized bathroom (around 4m² to 8m²), you’ll want to bump that up to 800W or 1000W. For those big master baths or open wet rooms, don’t just buy one giant heater. That’s a mistake. You’ll end up with one scorching hot spot right under the lamp while your toes are still freezing in the corner. Your best bet is to use a few 1200W units spread out evenly. It creates a nice, consistent blanket of warmth. Dealing with steam and ceilings Bathrooms are wet. Obviously. That’s why we use IP-rated housings—it keeps the moisture from messing with the electrics. We also stick with shortwave infrared because it cuts right through the humidity and hits your skin instantly. But keep an eye on your ceiling height. If your ceilings are higher than 2.5 meters, some of that heat is going to get lost on the way down. You’ll probably need a higher wattage just to make sure the warmth actually reaches you. The balance: Speed vs. Cost It’s tempting to just go for the highest wattage for that “instant-on” feeling. But be careful. Plunking a 1200W lamp into a tiny 3m² room is a recipe for overheating. Your thermostat will be clicking on and off every few seconds, which wears out the equipment and wastes electricity. Just match the power to your square footage. Your energy bill—and your heater—will thank you.