How to pick the right infrared heater for your bathroom
When you’re picking out a heater for the bathroom, your first instinct might be to just grab the biggest, most powerful unit on the shelf. But here’s the thing: that’s usually a mistake. If you go too big, you’re just throwing money away on your electric bill. Go too small, and you’re still shivering while you dry off. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where the room feels cozy without turning into a sauna. Sizing it up Before you buy anything, take a quick look at your space. If you’ve got a tiny powder room—something under 5 square meters—a 400W to 600W shortwave lamp is plenty. It hits you instantly. You step in, and you feel the warmth right away. But if you’re dealing with a big master bath (think 10-15 square meters), one little lamp isn’t going to do the trick. You’ll likely want a few lamps working together or a beefier unit in the 800W to 1200W range. Otherwise, you’ll end up with those annoying cold spots. Where to put it One thing to keep in mind: shortwave infrared doesn’t really heat the air. It heats you and the things around you. That’s why placement is everything. If you cram a 1200W lamp into a tiny shower stall, it’s going to feel oppressive—and you might actually overheat the walls or tiles. Instead, hang the heater right above where you’ll actually be standing. It makes the “warm-up” time basically zero. A quick warning on your wiring More power means faster heat, but it also puts a lot more pressure on your home’s electrical system. If you’re installing these in an older house, please check your wiring first. Dropping a couple of 1200W lamps onto an old circuit is a great way to trip your breakers in the middle of a shower. It’s a pain to deal with. Just balance the heat you want with what your walls can actually handle. Your electrical panel will thank you.