Tired of that blast of cold air as you step out of the shower? Installing a heat lamp in your bathroom will help keep you warm all year round.
Heat lamps are less expensive and require a lot less work to install than other bathroom heating methods, like in-floor radiant heating and wall heaters. Here’s a rundown of how heat lamps work, what they cost, and some of the best heat lamps on the market.
How Do Heat Lamps Work?
Heat lamps are typically mounted on the ceiling above bathroom vanities. Unlike regular light bulbs, the infrared bulbs in heat lamps turn energy into heat instead of light. Heat lamps then use reflectors and fans to push that heat down into the room.
Heat lamps can’t replace standard in-room heating. Instead, they create smaller “heat zones” and pockets of warmth. Manufacturers advise never mounting a heat lamp directly above a shower or bath, since direct contact with moisture can cause them to malfunction.
What to Look For in A Heat Lamp
Most modern heat lamps either take one bulb or two. Two-bulb lamps provide more heat coverage, while one-bulb lamps are better for smaller bathrooms with less space to heat.
Heat lamps can be standalone devices or combined with exhaust fans to provide a more complete package. They don’t have to be an eyesore, either. Modern heat lamps are designed to be low-profile. They even can be painted to better fit into your bathroom’s overall design.
Best Modern Bathroom Heat Lamps
Here are three styles of heat lamps for your bathroom:
Best One-Bulb Heat Lamp: NuTone Ceiling Heater
- Rust-proof steel housing that cuts down on vibrations.
- Convenient ceiling mounting system.
- Requires one 250W BR40-size infrared bulb (sold separately.)
Best Two-Bulb Heat Lamp: Aero Pure Bath Fan with Heat and Light
- Built-in backdraft damper prevents outdoor air from entering the fan.
- Comes with two 270W infrared bulbs and one incandescent light bulb.
- Fan, light and heater can be wired separately for convenient installation.
Best Heat Lamp and Exhaust Fan Combo: Aero Pure Quiet Fan with Heat and Light
- Uses four 270W infrared bulbs for maximum heat output.
- Exhaust fan runs quieter than most.
- Includes four-year warranty.
