Choosing a heater for the bathroom and sauna

Many of us are accustomed to the fact that bathrooms are heated using heated towel rails or central heating radiators. However, sometimes other types of devices are installed as an alternative or additional means. They have a completely different principle of operation, and therefore differ in design and technological solutions. Such equipment is characterized by compact dimensions, the ability to withstand temperature changes, high humidity, and become a harmonious element of the interior.

When choosing the ideal heater for a particular case, you should consider:

• ratio of room area and model power;
• how quickly the device heats up/cools down;
• the material from which the device is made. It must have anti-corrosion properties, good thermal conductivity, and be safe;
• placement method (wall-mounted, floor-mounted, etc.);
• efficiency of work;
• availability of additional features (thermostat, zone heating of the bathroom, shutdown when overheating, etc.);
• product design.

Popular types of heating devices

The modern market of heating devices offers a fairly wide selection of devices designed for heating bathrooms. These include:

• metal water heating radiators;
• infrared heaters;
• convective-infrared heaters;
• oil instruments;
• electric convectors;
• fan heaters;
• cast iron radiators.

To have an idea of ​​the different types, you can consider the characteristics of the most popular models.

Water heating radiators

Popular with users. Such devices have replaced old, cast-iron radiators. Connecting a heated towel rail to a hot water riser is easy.

The advantages of such devices include:

• long service life;
• low price;
• a light weight;
• simplified installation process.

The connection diagram of the device is quite simple; any master can handle connecting the heater. In addition, this device does not consume electricity, unlike other heaters.

Important!

Connecting a heated towel rail to a boiler is also possible; this is especially true for residents of houses with no hot water supply system.

Panel heaters

It is not the air in the room that warms, but the walls and floor. The installation location of the device is the ceiling.

Such heaters do not take up room space; they are advisable to use in rooms with a lack of free space. In addition, such a heater meets the most stringent safety requirements.

The design of such a device is complex; it can function fully in rooms even with extreme humidity levels.

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The advantage is energy savings - the beams of the device, depending on the need, can be directed in any direction.

The disadvantage is the high price. Bathroom heating mats work on this principle.

Infrared models

The heating element in convective-infrared modular heaters is an element made from a special threshold with a nichrome thread inside.

This device can be hung on the wall; by the way, it does not spoil the appearance of the room at all. The power of the device is adjusted using a thermostat.

You can place the heater not only on the wall, but also on the ceiling, and the device will warm the room equally well.

The heating element is a ceramic panel, which is a radiator.

Once heated, it emits infrared waves. They do not come into contact with air, but affect surrounding objects. Such devices can be used in conditions of high humidity.

The undoubted advantage is that they do not produce unpleasant noise, unlike fan heaters, and act as a source of lighting at night.

When choosing a heating device, you need to start not only from taste preferences. It is important to compare the power of the device with the dimensions of the heated room. A summary table will help you understand these parameters:

The use of insufficiently powerful appliances in large bathrooms is unjustified; this will lead to energy costs, but the heat generated will not be enough to fully warm up the room.

Fact!

The internal part of the heater warms up to 150°C, but the body temperature does not exceed 60°C.

Oil appliances

They are one of the most popular devices. An electric spiral, which is placed inside the device, heats up the oil, due to the boiling of which the body is heated, and after which the air in the room warms up.

Presented in a metal case with a ribbed structure. They are installed using special anchors that come with the device.

Advice!

Such fittings may not be of very high quality, so it is better to purchase a set of anchors separately. The heating element of such a device is a heating element, and the coolant is oil.

The design is resistant to corrosion, as the surface is covered with enamel. The thermostat protects the device from overheating, which also affects energy consumption.

The device turns off automatically after the air in the room warms up to the required temperature. An oil radiator can be used to dry clothes.

The advantages also include:

• high maximum temperature;
• operational safety;
• no noise;
• automatic shutdown when overheating;
• wheels for ease of movement.

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Preference should be given to devices with a built-in air ionizer, because oil heaters dry out the air in the room.

You should not purchase cheap models, because during operation they can emit an unpleasant odor.

Electric convectors

Used for space heating. The device consists of a metal body and an internal heating coil. The air passes through the heating part and warms up.

It is worth noting that the efficiency of such heaters improves if such devices are located below.

When choosing heaters of this type, you should pay attention to:

• devices with a ceramic heating element do not burn air;
• for use in the bathroom, preference should be given to devices with high protection against moisture;
• the advantage will be the presence of wheels for free movement of the device;
• room heating speed.

The disadvantage of devices made according to this scheme is that they have a built-in fan, which often acts as a source of excess noise.

Fan heaters

They are the simplest heating devices, and many users choose them for heating bathrooms. The power of such devices is quite high.

They are quite compact, so they can be installed on the floor or other flat surface.

A fan heater is a simple device consisting of a plastic housing, a fan and a heating coil.

Among the advantages are:

• low cost;
• ease of use;
• device mobility;
• ability to quickly warm up the room;
• ease of operation;
• small sizes;
• modern appearance.

The device has certain disadvantages, for example, it makes annoying noise and emits an unpleasant odor.