How to pick the right infrared lamp for your bathroom
Here is the thing about infrared heaters: more power isn’t always better. You don’t just grab the biggest wattage on the shelf and call it a day. If you go too big, you’re just throwing money away on your electric bill and risking a melted fixture. But go too small? You’re still shivering when you step out of the shower. It’s all about the size of the room. For those tiny powder rooms—you know, the ones under 4m²—a single 400W to 600W short-wave lamp usually does the trick. These are great because they don’t waste time heating up the air; they go straight for your skin and the surfaces around you. It feels like stepping into a patch of sunlight. If your bathroom is a bit more spacious (somewhere between 4m² and 8m²), you’ll probably want a high-output 800W to 1200W unit, or maybe two smaller lamps. And for the massive master baths? Don’t just buy one giant heater. You’ll end up with one spot that’s scorching and another that’s freezing. I’d suggest spreading a few 600W lamps around the room. It creates a nice, even blanket of warmth across the whole floor. Now, let’s talk about the “wet” part of the bathroom. Steam and electricity don’t mix. That’s why the IP rating actually matters here. We use sealed quartz envelopes and connectors that can handle the moisture so you don’t have to worry about a short circuit while you’re brushing your teeth. Just a heads-up on the wiring: check your gauges. A 1200W lamp pulls a lot of juice. If your wires are too thin, they’ll overheat and burn out over time. It’s a headache you definitely want to avoid. One last thing: the speed. Short-wave lamps are incredibly fast. They hit peak heat almost instantly, which is exactly what you want when you’re dripping wet and cold. The only catch is that initial “spike” of power when they click on. If you’re fitting out a whole building with twenty bathrooms, you can’t just flip one switch. If every lamp fires at once, your breakers will probably trip. To stop that from happening, we usually suggest using soft-start relays or staggered timers. Just a simple way to keep the lights on and the room warm.