A heat lamp in the bathroom can provide a number of benefits. Heat lamps are designed to provide targeted warming, which can help relieve muscle aches and pains, warm up your body after a shower, provide therapeutic effects, and even help dry and style your hair. Installing a heat lamp in your bathroom is an easy way to upgrade your space and make it more comfortable and functional.
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Provide Targeted Warming
One of the main benefits of a bathroom heat lamp is that it provides warming exactly where you need it. Rather than heating your entire bathroom, which can get uncomfortably hot, a heat lamp focuses on warming a specific area.
Many bathroom heat lamps are adjustable, allowing you to direct the beam of light and warmth precisely where you want it. This makes heat lamps ideal for providing concentrated warmth to help relieve back pain, sore muscles, arthritis pain, or pain from conditions like fibromyalgia. The soothing warmth can relax tight muscles and increase blood flow to the area.
Warm Up After a Shower
Heat lamps are great for warming up after getting out of the shower. When you get out of a hot shower, your body temperature drops rapidly as water evaporates off your skin. This evaporation has a chilling effect, making you feel cold and chilled post-shower. Directing the beam of a heat lamp onto your body after toweling off can add comforting warmth and prevent shivering. This allows you to transition comfortably back into the cooler bathroom and bedroom.
Provide Therapeutic Effects
In addition to direct warmth, heat lamps also provide therapeutic effects. The infrared heat waves generated by heat lamps penetrate deeply into muscles and joints. This creates a soothing, relaxing sensation in the body. Heat causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood circulation. More circulation delivers nutrients and oxygen throughout the body to help reduce pain and accelerate healing.
The direct heat of a lamp can also help warm up your joints and make them more flexible before exercise like yoga or stretching. The increased temperature helps loosen ligaments and make movements more fluid. The deeply penetrating infrared heat is also thought to help detoxify the body by causing you to sweat.
Dry and Style Hair
A bonus use for bathroom heat lamps is drying and styling your hair. The direct warmth from the lamp helps rapidly dry wet hair. This can be especially useful for those with thick hair that seems to stay damp for hours. The heat also helps shape and set styles. Positioning yourself under the lamp is an easy way to add volume, wave, or curls as your hair dries. It provides many of the benefits of a salon hood dryer without taking up much space.
Where to Position Bathroom Heat Lamps
One decision to make when adding a heat lamp is where exactly to place it. Here are some of the most popular positioning options:
Over the Bathtub: Mounting a heat lamp above your bathtub allows you to bask in warmth as you soak. It creates a spa-like atmosphere and helps relax sore muscles. Make sure to position it high enough to prevent burns.
Inside Shower: Installing a waterproof heat lamp inside your actual shower enclosure directs warmth right onto your body as you shower. This helps warm you before getting out into the cool air.
Above Toilet: While not the most glamorous spot, mounting a lamp above your toilet provides targeted warmth to your lower back as you sit. The warmth can alleviate pain.
Near Mirror: Situate a flexible gooseneck lamp near your bathroom mirror. This allows you to adjust it as needed to aim at your face, directional warmth while styling hair and applying makeup.
On Wall/Ceiling: Place a heat lamp on the wall or ceiling above where you typically get ready after a shower. This provides full body warming.
Choosing a Heat Lamp
The type of heat lamp you choose for your bathroom will depend on factors like:
– Bulb wattage – Higher wattage bulbs emit more intense heat. Bulbs generally range from 250W to 1,000W.
– Lamp style – Fixed or adjustable/moveable lamps. Adjustable lamps allow directing the beam.
– Heat type – Infrared or standard heat. Infrared penetrates deeper and offers therapeutic benefits.
– Safety rating – Ensure any electrical items in bathrooms have appropriate water/humidity ratings.
– Size of lamp and coverage area – Lamps come in various sizes with different heating diameters. Choose one that suits your space.
– Special features – Some heat lamps offer timers, remote controls, and other conveniences.
Wattage Comparison
| Wattage | Heat Output | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 250W | 2-3 ft diameter of heat | Warming hands, feet, or small areas of pain |
| 500W | 4-5 ft diameter of heat | Warming larger areas of the body |
| 750W | 6-7 ft diameter of heat | Heating a full body area rapidly |
| 1,000W | 8+ ft diameter of heat | Heating an entire bathroom and multiple people |
Safety Tips
While heat lamps provide great benefits, you also need to keep safety in mind, especially since they involve electricity and water:
– Install wall-mounted lamps at least 5 feet above floors/tub. Ceiling mounts at least 7 feet high. This prevents accidental burning.
– Buy only fixtures rated for bathroom use with proper water/humidity resistance.
– Make sure your outlet is GFCI protected. This will shut off power if the lamp falls into water, preventing electric shock.
– Inspect lamps for damage like cracked sockets or frayed cords. Damage can lead to electric shock risk.
– Situate lamps away from flammable items like towels or shower curtains. The high heat can create a fire hazard.
– Use lamps only when room is ventilated to prevent buildup of heat, moisture and gases.
– Start with lower wattage bulbs if concerned about high heat, then work up as comfortable.
– Never leave on unattended or when asleep to prevent burns or fire.
Installation Tips
Properly installing your bathroom heat lamp will ensure safety and ideal function:
– Carefully review all mounting instructions provided by the manufacturer. Follow their guidelines for clearance distances and installation procedures.
– Make sure the lamp is connected to a circuit with sufficient amperage for the wattage bulb you choose. This prevents shorting out.
– Use the provided mounting bracket and hardware. Do not attempt to hang the lamp in other ways.
– When selecting a mounting area, check for hidden wires or pipes before drilling holes.
– Only connect to a GFCI protected outlet or install a GFCI outlet if needed.
– Hire an electrician if you do not feel comfortable installing wiring and outlets yourself.
– Test the lamp after installation to make sure the switch, bulb, and all features work properly.
Maintenance
Like any electric fixture, heat lamps will provide the best function if properly maintained:
– Keep bulbs and reflectors dust-free using a soft cloth. Dust can diminish heat output.
– Replace bulbs that become cracked, cloudy or stop working. Use only replacement bulbs as specified.
– Check the cord and sockets frequently for fraying, cracking or other damage and replace immediately if found.
– If the lamp stops functioning, check the circuit breaker or GFCI outlet to make sure power is connected.
– To clean, unplug the lamp and use a damp cloth to wipe down. Never immerse in water.
– Avoid harsh cleaners, abrasives or scrubbing to prevent damage to the finish.
Conclusion
Adding a heat lamp is an easy way to upgrade your bathroom into a more soothing, functional space. The targeted warmth can relax muscles, warm you post-shower, and provide therapeutic effects. Just make sure to select the right lamp and bulbs for your needs and install following safety guidelines. With proper use, a bathroom heat lamp can enhance your everyday bathing routine.