How to pick the right infrared heater for your bathroom
Ever stepped out of a hot shower into a freezing bathroom? It’s the worst. You want that cozy, warm feeling immediately, not ten minutes after you’ve already started shivering. That’s where infrared lamps come in. But here’s the thing: you can’t just grab any heater and hope for the best. You’ve got to match the power to the size of your room. Getting the wattage right If you’ve got a tiny bathroom, a 1500W ceiling unit usually does the trick. It’s plenty of heat for a small space. But if your bathroom is bigger—say, double the size—one unit isn’t going to cut it. You’ll end up with one warm spot and a bunch of freezing corners. In those cases, you’re better off installing two units or finding something with more punch. It’s all about making sure the warmth actually reaches you, no matter where you’re standing. Why infrared is different Most heaters try to warm up all the air in the room. That takes forever. Infrared is different. It beams heat directly onto you and the surfaces around you. It’s fast. Really fast. You turn it on, and you feel it instantly. A few things to watch out for Before you go for the highest wattage possible, check your wiring. High-power lamps pull a lot of electricity. If your circuits are old or overloaded, you’ll be spending your morning flipping the breaker switch back on. Not a great start to the day. Also, because these lamps get hot quickly, make sure the housing is high-quality. You don’t want a cheap mount that warps or damages your ceiling because it can’t handle the heat. Making it work for you To save some cash on your electric bill, don’t just leave these things running. Since they don’t need to “warm up” the room, running them 24/7 is just throwing money away. Hook them up to a timer or a motion sensor. That way, the heat is there the second you walk in, and it shuts off the moment you leave. And a pro tip: put the lamp exactly where you spend the most time—usually right by the shower or the vanity. You’ll feel the warmth immediately, and you won’t need nearly as much power to feel comfortable.