Bathroom Electric Heaters

Much of this depends on where you intend to install your electric heater in your bathroom. Official safety regulations split bathrooms up into distinct zones depending on their proximity to water. Protection levels differ for electrical products installed in each of these zones and this information is detailed below. Please note that we do not recommend panel heaters for use in bathrooms, whatever their IP Rating, because they cannot be used to dry towels.

Zone 0: this is the area directly inside the bath or shower cubicle where water will collect. Products in this area require an IPX7 rating, making them suitable for submersion in water.

Zone 1: this is any area directly above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m. Products in this zone need at least an IPX4 rating, which provides protection against splashes of water from all directions.

Zone 2: is the area up to 0.6m from the edge of the bath or shower, and extends the same distance above zone 1. Again, this requires an IPX4 rating.

Zone 3 (outside zones): this covers anywhere that falls outside of the above areas. There is no set IP rating required for this area.

Most installations will fall either within zone 2 or 3, so as a general rule of thumb, it’s advisable to choose a product that is at least IPX4 rated. If you think it will be installed near an area that will be hosed down to clean, you should choose an IPX5 rated heater which offers protection against low pressure jets of water.

It you’re at all unsure about what protection level you’ll need, you can discuss this with a professional electrician, as they will be required to install any bathroom electrical appliance safely. You should always adhere to any guidelines present in the product manual before having an electric heater installed in your bathroom.

No, all bathroom heaters must be hardwired by a professional electrician to ensure they comply with safety standards. Unlike other areas of the home, bathroom heaters are not suitable for ‘plug-in-and-go’ fitting because of the increased risk of electrocution when using free standing heaters near sources of water. Using plug-in heaters in bathrooms and wet rooms is incredibly dangerous and is absolutely not advised.

Bathrooms can be challenging spaces to heat because they change temperature often, need to be well ventilated, and are used at irregular times. To muddy the waters even further, many bathrooms have restrictive installation options because users have to work within the confines of limited wall space.

Infrared heaters are arguably best at overcoming these challenges because they heat objects and surfaces directly, so won’t lose heat through ventilation or draughts. They can also help keep damp at bay by warming the walls of your bathroom and preventing moisture from settling. Mirror panels are certainly efficient in terms of space, affording you with a two-in-one solution that’s both a functional reflective surface and a discreet heater. It’s a practical bathroom accessory that won’t mist up because its surface temperature is warmer than the air, however humid. Infrared panels provide comfortable heat and are exceptionally energy efficient, making them ideal if you tend to use your bathroom for long periods.

On the other hand, quartz bathroom heaters are handy because they give out instant heat – a useful option for bathrooms you visit at irregular times or for short periods. Quartz heaters can be the most economical choice as they allow you to heat your bathroom as-and-when you need it, rather than keeping it warm throughout the day.

We do not recommend using convection panel heaters in bathrooms. This is because they cannot safely be used to dry towels, and in bathrooms the temptation to do this is strong.