What is bathroom heating?
Bathroom heating refers to various techniques used to heat bathrooms. Loyal Bathrooms can install bathroom heating systems of all different types, which will help keep your home warm and comfortable regardless of the time of year or season.
The Advantages of Bathroom Heating
- Bathroom heating helps to keep your bathroom warm and comfortable.
- They are also sources of additional heat in your bathroom. We can install a variety of heating systems for you, depending on the type of system that you could need or want.
When is bathroom heating not advised?
- You have young children and/or pets who could be burned if they come into contact with hot surfaces.
- You have a bathroom that is not well insulated.
- We advise against installing a heating system as it can lead to the buildup of damp and mould.
The different types of bathroom heating
There are several types of bathroom heating. Our bathroom fitters can advise you which type is best for your home, according to the size and shape of your room, where it’s located in relation to other rooms in the house, what style of radiator you prefer if any are installed already, etc.
Towel rails and radiators
These are by far the most popular types of bathroom heating, but they won’t heat a room on their own, so pair them with an electric or panel heater for complete coverage. To avoid overheating in the summer months, place your towel radiator behind a door so it can’t receive any sunlight.
Electric space heaters
These are easy to install, but they should not be used in bathrooms because they emit a lot of moisture. They should only ever be used externally or in very large rooms.
Panel heaters
These are best installed outside, but can be used in bathrooms if the room is large enough and you like the look of them. They work by heating air that then rises into the bathroom when forced through an opening at ceiling level which draws it upwards via convection currents caused by the hot air rising.
In-floor heating
While this type of heating is more commonly used in commercial applications, it can be useful in a bathroom if the floor isn’t walked on frequently.
What is involved in bathroom heating?
The first thing we do when it comes to installing a heating system in a bathroom is calculate how many BTUs are required. This will help us in choosing the right radiator or panel heater for your bathroom.
Next, we start the installation process, which can vary depending on the type of system we choose.
FAQs
At Loyal Bathrooms, we strive to provide answers to all your bathroom heating questions. If you don’t find the answer here, please feel free to contact us at any time and we’ll be more than happy to give you a prompt response!
How much heat does a bathroom need?
This depends on the size of your room, but it should be at least 12 watts per square foot or more to keep you warm enough. If you’re using an electric heater, then the number will typically be higher, because electric heaters are less efficient.
How does bathroom heating work?
There are two main types of system: radiant and convection. Radiant systems use a panel heater to warm the air in your room, which then warms you as it dissipates into the atmosphere. Convectional systems will rely on the hot water in a radiator or on your floor to heat you.
What is a BTU?
A BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, and it’s the rating system used by all heating systems so that they can be compared fairly. The rating will tell you how much potential energy each particular heater has, where higher numbers are better. You can find the BTU rating on your home’s thermostat.
How is the required number of BTUs to heat a room calculated?
The required BTUs will be based on the square footage of your bathroom, with larger bathrooms needing more BTUs. A 100-square-foot room, for example, requires 30 to 40% fewer BTUs than a 150-square-foot room. You can also use online calculators that are available for free or you can contact an expert in your area to help you find the right number.
What if the radiator I want doesn't precisely match my BTU score?
Don’t worry. Radiators are rated for a range of BTUs, so the exact number isn’t important. You’ll be able to find one that matches your needed size in any case.
How should I choose a bathroom heating system?
When you’re choosing which type of heater best suits your needs, consider both cost and aesthetics when making your decision; towel rails can add elegance to bathrooms without taking up too much space or becoming an eyesore like electric heaters often do (not all styles will fit neatly into every room). If in-floor heating is what you prefer, this might not be possible if there’s no place where water pipes lie close enough together between rooms; it may work better with wall-mounted heating panels. Panels are also generally more discreet than radiators, which can look like an eyesore if you’re not careful about their installation.
Is it permissible to use gas heating in the bathroom?
Towel rails can add elegance to bathrooms without taking up too much space or becoming an eyesore like electric heaters often do (not all styles will fit neatly into every room). If in-floor heating is what you prefer, this might not be possible if there’s no place where water pipes lie close enough together between rooms; it may work better with wall-mounted heating panels. Panels are also generally more discreet than radiators, which can look like an eyesore if you’re not careful about their installation.