If you happen to live in a place with a generally cold climate then you must have a heater that may come in handy for those chilly days. Of all heaters, radiant heaters are the most common. They may also be referred to as thermal or wave heaters.
We will be looking at infrared heaters in this article and if they are safe to be used in the bathroom.
What are Radiant Heaters and How Do they Work?
A radiant heater is a type of heater that uses electricity to generate heat. It does this by heating conductive yet resistant coils to high temperatures.
The main working principle of a radiant heater is its ability to heat things around it. Unlike other heaters which focus on heating the air, radiant heater bounce off their heat from other objects. In most cases, radiant heaters bounce off their heat from the floor.
To increase the efficiency of radiant heaters, it is advised to face it toward a solid object like the floor or a wall to act as the primary source of heat.
Radiant heaters are most effective in garages or storage rooms. They can be used as the primary source of heat or an auxiliary source in areas with lower temperatures.
Can infrared heaters be used in bathrooms?
Infrared or radiant heaters are safe to use in bathrooms. Due to their compact nature, they can fit in small rooms and still be effective in producing enough heat. They also do not produce any significant levels of carbon monoxide thus making them safe for closed indoor spaces.
When positioning the heater, you should face it toward the wall or the floor to maximize its efficiency.
On top of Infrared heaters being bathroom safe, there are specific models made specifically for bathrooms. These Infrared heaters can be mounted as panels or as decorative art. Talk about functional art.
What Other Heaters Can you Use in the Bathroom?
Bathrooms are generally enclosed areas or small rooms with poor ventilation. When choosing a heater for your bathroom you should consider electric-powered heaters.
It is not advised to use LPG or kerosene-powered heaters in indoor spaces. This is because you risk carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation.
Even in large rooms, you should always ensure there is enough ventilation when using heaters that generate carbon monoxide.
Why it is Advised To Have an Infrared Heater In the Bathroom
Infrared heaters are a good choice for bathrooms. So, why are they so popular in bathrooms? Well, infrared heaters have the following benefits
Space Saving
Infrared heaters are designed to be compact. They require minimum space to mount and operate. The unique heating method makes them even more efficient when mounted close to walls making them perfect for bathroom spaces.
There are some uniquely designed bathroom-specific infrared heaters that you should consider.
Safe For Indoor Use
Infrared heaters produce little to no carbon monoxide. This ensures that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning which may be fatal.
Prevents Mold Growth
Mold is a general nuisance in homes. Besides growing in fridges they also grow in bathrooms. They are mainly prevalent in these two spaces because of the dampness.
Having a heater in your bathroom helps to keep it dry. This saves you the trouble of having to deal with mold. If you already have this problem you should try a vinegar solution to get rid of it.
Other Types of Heaters that are good for Outdoor Use?
Some heaters are especially good for heating outdoor spaces. These are heaters that are mainly fueled by LPG or Kerosene.
These types of heaters include:
Kerosene Heaters
These types of heaters are mainly used as a supplemental or emergency heat source. You will mainly find such types of heaters designed for outdoor activities like camping.
There are some that are also designed for use in recreational vehicles.
Wood Burning Heat Sources.
These types of heaters are mainly found in recreational homes like log cabins. However, they have also become popular with small homes as compact designs have emerged.
These types of heaters are recommended if you live close to an environment-friendly supply of wood. Living close to forests where fallen trees can be sourced as wood is ideal.