Adding heat to a small bathroom can make it much more comfortable during colder months. When the bathroom is drafty or cold, it’s an unpleasant place to shower or get ready in the morning. There are several effective ways to add supplemental heat to a small bathroom to raise the temperature and increase comfort.
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Use a Small Space Heater
A compact space heater is one of the quickest and easiest ways to add heat to a small bathroom. Models are available in sizes as small as 10 inches high that can be placed on the floor, wall mounted, or hung from the ceiling. These small heaters are designed for warming up smaller areas like bathrooms, closets, and other tight spaces.
When selecting a space heater, look for a model with the following features:
- Automatic shut-off if tipped over
- Heating power of 750-1500 watts
- Adjustable thermostat
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- Quiet operation
A space heater with a high heat setting can raise the temperature in a small bathroom quickly. Turn it on 10-15 minutes before using the bathroom to take the chill out of the air. Just be sure to turn it off and unplug it after each use for safety.
Positioning Considerations
When placing a small space heater in a bathroom, be conscious of safety:
- Locate it near an outlet and where it won’t be accidentally knocked over or come into contact with water
- Keep it at least 3 feet away from flammable items like towels, shower curtains, and wastebaskets
- Don’t place it directly under plumbing lines or valves that could leak drops of water onto the heating unit
With some care taken in where you position the space heater, it can be an effective way to get comfortable heat into a chilly small bathroom.
Install a Wall Heater
While a space heater is a temporary heating solution, installing a wall heater provides permanent heat. Wall heaters designed for small bathrooms attach directly to the wall and plug into a standard 120v outlet.
Benefits of an electric wall heater include:
- Provides ambient warmth that evenly heats the air
- Has a slim profile that doesn’t take up floor space
- Often includes a fan to better circulate heated air
- Thermostat maintains the set temperature
- Permanent solution not requiring storage when not in use
Wall heaters range in power from about 400-1500 watts and in price from $50-$150. Select a model appropriately sized for the bathroom’s square footage.
Installation Tips
When installing a wall heater, follow these guidelines:
- Mount it at least 12 inches off the floor on a wall without plumbing lines
- Do not install above an electrical outlet
- Keep it at least 3 feet away from shower enclosures and bathtubs
- Set thermostat to lowest setting initially to check it’s working properly before increasing heat
Take the time to install the wall heater correctly and it can provide soothing, even heat to make your bathroom cozy.
Use Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant floor heating warms up a small bathroom by conducting heat directly through the floor. This type of in-floor heating consists of:
- Heating element – thin wires or electrically conductive mats
- Thermostat – controls system based on preset temperature
- Subfloor – plywood or cement backer board providing a stable surface for heating system and finish flooring
- Finish flooring – tiles, laminate, linoleum set over subfloor and heating elements
As electricity runs through the wires or mats, it is transformed into heat that radiates up through the floor. The main benefits of radiant floor heating include:
- Even warming without hot spots or drafts
- Doesn’t take up wall or floor space
- Long life expectancy with proper installation
- Energy efficient
Radiant heating costs $6-$12 per square foot installed. Hiring an electrician is recommended unless you have experience with wiring and meeting building codes.
Tips for Installation
If installing a radiant heating system in your small bathroom, keep these tips in mind:
- Have existing flooring removed prior to installation
- Plan wiring layout wisely to evenly heat floor
- Separate heating elements from contact with conductive materials like water pipes using insulation
- Install floor sensor that communicates with thermostat to regulate temperature
- Carefully select bathroom-appropriate finish flooring like tile, linoleum, or vinyl
Though more complex to install than other options, in-floor radiant heating can transform a cold small bathroom into a warmth-filled space.
Use an Infrared Heater
Infrared heaters warm people and objects directly using electromagnetic energy, rather than heating the surrounding air. For a small bathroom, a portable infrared heater can provide targeted heat when needed.
Benefits of infrared bathroom heaters include:
- Lower energy use than conventional heaters
- Warms people and objects, not air
- Reduces humidity and dampness
- Options like wall-mountable panels take up minimal space
Infrared heaters designed for small bathrooms cost approximately $50-$300. Models include freestanding portable heaters and thin wall-mounted panels.
Positioning Tips
When using an infrared heater in a bathroom, follow these guidelines:
- Install wall-mounted panels at least 18 inches above sinks or bathtubs
- Keep portable models away from water sources like showers and sinks
- Face units toward areas you want directly heated, like towel racks or grooming stations
- Make sure portable models have tip-over shutoff features
- Plug into GFCI outlets and use outlet covers
With an infrared bathroom heater conveniently warming you as needed, you can stay comfortable even in a drafty small bathroom.
Conclusion
Adding supplemental heat to a small chilly bathroom can make a big difference in comfort. Options like compact space heaters, wall-mounted units, radiant floor systems, and infrared heaters all have their advantages. Consider your bathroom’s needs, budget, and layout to select the right solution for conveniently raising the temperature.
With some small upgrades like these, your bathroom can shift from a cold room you want to quickly escape to a warm, welcoming space you enjoy spending time in.