What type of heating should I choose for my bathroom?

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In the "type of heating" family, I would like ... Convector, towel dryer, inertia radiator, radiant panel, blower ...? You are lost! In this very humid room, subject to drafts that is the bathroom, the heating system deserves thought. Should we opt for electric heating? On what criteria to choose a radiator? All our tips are to be read here!

1. Which system: central heating or electric heating?
2. Choose a radiator: convector, inertia radiator, radiant panel, etc.
3. Other options: towel radiator, underfloor heating, wall heating, blower…
4. Our favorite: ceramic heating and timer for gentle warmth
5. Bathroom heating: save energy!

1. Which system: central heating or electric heating?

* If you have a boiler or a heat pump, it may be worth installing a hot water radiator in your bathroom. Generally made of cast iron, aluminum or steel, it is connected to the central system by pipes and diffuses a gentle heat to the entire room. It is an economical solution, but with a drawback: when the boiler is off, no heating! However, in mid-season in particular, a little bit of heat is not luxury ... * An electric heater can be turned on at any time. It remains to choose which one, because there are many systems: we will come back to this! * Unless you choose answer C: the mixed radiator! Connected to central heating, it is also connected via an electrical outlet to operate when the boiler is off, and its ignition can be programmed with a timer. The mixed radiator therefore combines the efficiency of a radiant panel and the strength of a convector, balancing these two processes for maximum comfort. You did not understand everything in this last sentence? We explain the difference right after. One last point: take your precautions during installation! Wet rooms like the bathroom are subject to very strict safety standards, which apply to electrical and heating appliances. All electrical installations must therefore be earthed. The equipment must bear the NF-Electricity symbol, belong to class II, and be installed at least 60 centimeters from the shower or bathtub. In a small bathroom where you do not have the possibility of moving your device away from the water points, you must imperatively install a hot water radiator, connected to the central heating.

2. Choose a radiator: convector, inertia radiator, radiant panel, etc.

© Castorama Once the type of heating has stopped, the question arises of the choice of the radiator itself. To put it simply, there are three main categories of radiators: * The electric convector: this radiator is based on the principle of hot air which rises. Cold air enters the convector through the lower inlet. It is heated by a resistance, then continues to rise as it rises in temperature. This solution is cheap and easy to install, but its advantages stop there: convectors have low yields, which makes them very energy-consuming and therefore expensive to use! What's more, they dry out the air and heat the room very unevenly, with a feeling of coldness on the floor. A convector costs between 25 and 300 €, depending on the model. * The inertia radiator (dry or fluid): in this system, the resistance is surrounded by a material that stores heat, solid (ceramic, volcanic stone, cast iron, brick, etc.) or liquid (oil, water). These radiators produce gentle heat, similar to that produced by a central heating system. Even when the radiator is off, it continues to heat the room through inertia. Remember that they are heavy and expensive to buy: prices range from 100 to 2,000 €! * The radiant panel (or radiant panel): this radiator reproduces the action of the Sun's rays. Indeed, its resistance emits infrared rays which heat the objects they meet (or people, walls…), rather than the ambient air. More comfortable than a convector, the radiant panel allows a rapid rise in temperature and diffuses a gentle heat. It is ideal for people with allergies or asthma since it does not rely on air circulation! Some models incorporate a timer to program the heating at the most opportune times. It is lighter and easier to mount than an inertial radiator, but a little less efficient. Count around 900 € (average price).

© The PKE store

3. Other options: towel radiator, underfloor heating, wall heating, blower…

We find in many bathrooms the towel radiator, whether electric or connected to central heating. Similar to a ladder, it is made up of two vertical tubes connected by horizontal tubes. A fluid or a solid heat transfer material diffuses the heat throughout the room. The towel dryer is made to accommodate bath linen and bathrobes. And that's why we love it: nothing more pleasant than wrapping yourself in a warm towel after coming out of the shower or bath! Some have a blower to diffuse the heat faster, but be aware that this solution consumes energy. Such a device costs between 70 and 1,000 euros.

© Thermor Note that after all, you don't have to fix radiators on the wall to heat your bathroom. There are other options: * Underfloor heating: the underfloor heating diffuses a soft and homogeneous heat, but takes a little time to heat, like any low temperature system. Very comfortable, but its installation is a bit expensive: around € 50 per m2 of heated floor. * Wall heating: little known in France, it is compatible with central heating. Hot water circulates in pipes placed in the wall. Easier to install than the floor, it also heats up faster, but it is much more expensive: count 100 € per m2! Scandinavian countries like ceiling heating, which works like floor heating. Despite its easy maintenance, this solution is still underdeveloped in France. Solutions such as a halogen radiator (which can be activated with a pull tab) or a fan heater should be kept as backup solutions. Very energy-hungry, they risk rapidly exploding your electricity bill.

4. Our favorite: ceramic heating and timer for gentle warmth

Of all the solutions mentioned, inertial radiators are the most energy efficient, since they restore heat for a long time. Among the possible materials, let us mention in particular ceramic, whose inertia is much better than heat transfer fluids. Ceramic heating is one of the best, thanks to a very high heat storage power. This is then restored gradually and homogeneously, for much greater comfort than with a convector, for example! The efficiency of a ceramic heater is excellent, and this material is lighter than cast iron.

© Espace Aubade As the temperature rise is quite slow, the ideal is to have a timer thermostat. If your radiator does not have one, install one! It allows you to schedule the heating to start 30 minutes or even an hour before you use the bathroom, and to stop it automatically when you no longer need it. The key to reducing energy consumption!

5. Bathroom heating: save energy!

Your heating needs will not be the same depending on the age of your accommodation, the surface area of ​​your bathroom, etc. If the insulation is poor, renovating is an excellent idea. Know that they benefit from a great many aids (zero rate loan, tax credit, etc.) and that they will make you realize significant savings. It is worth considering this option! If you have a boiler, consider replacing it every 15 years and maintain it carefully throughout its life. The replacement of this equipment is an opportunity to opt for a more efficient type of heating, and thus reduce your energy bill. Before switching on your radiators for the season, dust them and / or purge them for more efficiency. Equip them with a thermostatic anti-overheating tap, and use a timer to program the operation of your equipment. No need to heat the room when you are not there or when you are not using it! You are normally ready to equip yourself well. It's your turn !

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