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While many modern bathrooms will already have a radiator installed and connected to the central heating system, this isn’t always the case. If you’ve built a new bathroom or have a relatively small en-suite connected to your bedroom, you may not have a standard radiator. So, Are you wondering how to heat up a bathroom without a heater?
Just because you don’t have a traditional bathroom heating solution in place doesn’t mean you don’t want to take advantage of ways to keep your bathroom warm. After all, few things are worse than stepping out of a warm bath or shower into an icy cold room.
The good news is there are various heating options available to homeowners to help them make the most of their bathrooms without investing in a classic radiator.
Can You Have a Bathroom Without a Radiator?
There’s no law which says every bathroom has to have its own radiator connected to the central heating system. While it’s common to see various traditional column and panel radiators installed within modern bathrooms, plenty of washrooms don’t have any radiators connected to them.
On the one hand, omitting a radiator from your bathroom can be a good way to save some crucial space. Even the most attractive curved and straight ladder radiators take up a decent amount of space, making it hard to find room for your bathtub, shower, and storage systems.
Unfortunately, without a radiator system in your bathroom, you’re more likely to feel the effects of cold air chilling your floors and units. If you’re not careful, the cold in your bathroom can even increase your chances of various other issues, like mould and mildew build-up.
Is Heating a Bathroom Different to Heating Other Rooms?
On the surface, keeping your bathroom warm might seem very similar to maintaining the right temperature in any room of your house. However, there are some specific considerations you’ll need to think about when decorating this room with the right appliances.
First of all, bathrooms are often a lot smaller than the average room, so the heating ideas you use will need to be relatively compact. You may not have space for conventional radiators in every bathroom or en-suite, so you may need to think outside the box.
Additionally, you may find you don’t have an easy option to connect your bathroom to your home’s hot water supply and boiler. This could make a traditional radiator a no-go for many homeowners.
Secondly, bathrooms can experience many issues due to significant amounts of cold in the space. If your bathroom has no heating options at all, there’s a good chance moisture will linger for longer, leading to mould and mildew.
There is also the risk certain pipes and plumbing systems in your bathroom could become broken, frozen, or blocked as a result of excessive cold.
How Can I Make My Bathroom Heat Up?
So, what can you do if you want to avoid cold feet when you leave your shower or bathtub, but don’t want to spend a fortune on designer radiators and traditional heating solutions? There are a few options available, depending on how much bathroom design work you want to do.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best solutions.
1. Install an Infrared Lamp
Infrared lamps or heat lamps are a fantastic way to heat a small space when you can’t access a traditional radiator. Heat lamps typically produce infrared radiation, which can rapidly warm the space when you’re standing directly under a bulb. The exact heat output of each lamp will vary depending on the product you purchase, but some options can make it feel like you’re stepping directly into a ray of sunshine.
Infrared lamps are a great option for people with limited bathroom floor space. However, you may need to hire an electrician to make sure you install the product safely. It’s also worth noting that a heat lamp might not fill your entire space with warmth as quickly as a standard radiator.
2. Try Underfloor Heating
If you don’t have a lot of space in your bathroom for a conventional heater, floor heating could be the ultimate alternative. With floor heating, a plumber connects a series of small pipes to your hot water system and central heating supply. This allows your boiler to circulate warm water underneath your bathroom floor to heat up your feet.
While it can take a while to heat a larger bathroom with underfloor heating, small bathrooms can rapidly benefit from access to these simple heating alternatives. What’s more, many tile options designed for bathrooms are already underfloor heating ready. While you may need to pay a little extra to have someone install your heating, you’ll love the feel of the water-heated tubing under your feet when you step out of the shower.
3. Make the Most of Your Window
A window in your bathroom can either contribute to the cold in your space or help increase the warmth. Start by ensuring that any windows are sealed properly, without any small cracks, holes, or gaps that allow steam from your shower and bath to escape. You will need to get rid of this steam later with an extractor fan to avoid allowing moisture to build up, but it can help keep you warm when you’re in your bathroom.
It’s also worth ensuring that your window allows plenty of natural light into your bathroom, as this can warm up the space, particularly if you choose dark colours for its design which naturally absorb the heat energy.
4. Try a Space Heater
Just because you don’t have enough space for a traditional heater in a small bathroom, it doesn’t mean you can’t use any radiators at all. Various forms of portable heaters are available on the market today, which can help you rapidly warm up your bathroom without turning on your entire central heating system. A space heater can be an excellent way to enhance your bathroom experience without wasting a lot of money or energy.
In some cases, you’ll be able to find space heater fans and similar solutions designed to resist moisture exposure, making them perfect for your bathroom. However, if your heater isn’t waterproof, you may need to point it towards your bathroom for a while before you enjoy your bath or shower.
5. Use Fluffy Rugs and Accessories
Fluffy accents can seem like an odd addition to a bathroom at first, as they can often hold onto moisture for long periods. However, a soft rug can make a huge difference if you’re struggling with a cold bathroom. At the very least, it will prevent your feet from touching the floor when you step out of your shower.
Aside from investing in washable, moisture-resistant rugs, ensure you always have a set of warm towels and a robe available so you can grab them as soon as you get out of the bath. If you really want to enjoy a more luxurious bathing experience, hanging your towels and bathrobes on towel warmers can be an excellent strategy. A warm towel is a great way to finish a relaxing shower.
6. Towel Warmers
Speaking of towel warmers, you could also consider using one of these products as your core heating solution for your bathroom. A heated towel rail makes your robes and towels cosier and offers radiant heating support for your entire bathroom. These stylish products take up very little space, making them ideal for smaller bathrooms, and they don’t have the same safety risks as a fan heater.
Can You Heat a Bathroom Without a Heater?
Heating up a bathroom without a heater is easier than it seems. Whether you opt for radiant floor heating, heated towel rails, or electric bathroom heaters, there are plenty of great bathroom heating ideas to choose from.
You may even decide to use a combination of different strategies, like bathroom mats combined with a heated towel rail and underfloor heating, to make your bathroom as cosy as possible.
Rebekah is a writer who loves to explore new products and find hacks that make life easier. She has a knack for all things home improvement, health and fitness. So you’ll often find her on Pinterest or browsing Houzz for ideas.
She’s always looking for the next thing to fix up around the house or what gadget might be just right for her lifestyle. Rebekah enjoys exploring new recipes, taking care of her family, and making sure she stays healthy with regular workouts at the gym.
