We’re building a new house, and I’m exploring heating options for the master bathroom. I need something that is not on all the time, primarily just in the mornings. Ideally something on a timer that would warm the bathroom up before I get in there.
(I am a cold wimp that has a hard time dragging myself out of bed to a cold bathroom in the winter and then out of the finally warm shower into the cold room–a flaw I acknowledge.)
We’ll have forced-air heat (LP) for the house, but that’s not very effective for the bathroom. In my current 50’s era house, the bathrooms have small gas heaters (attractive ones, even) that do a fabulous job, and I know I’m going to miss them.
What about electric radiant heat for a small area? What about it for shower walls and floor? What else is out there?
(I tried searching the forum, but couldn’t get it to work this morning.)
Leigh
Replies
You can certainly get electric radiant. Probably cheaper to install.
There is also a hydronic option, which would likely be cheaper to operate.
You could pull a micro zone off of a gas hot water heater. This would require a plate heat exchanger, 2 small circulators, an expansion tank, some sort of controller, and a few other bits. You could potentially integrate this with a hot water recirculation system so that you do not have to wait for hot water.
The recirculation system would be the primary loop through the heat exchanger, and the heating system would be a secondary loop. A simple implementation could use 2 Grundfos UP circulators with built in thermostats and timers. They could be setup to serve you hot water and warm toes in the morning (or whenever you like). The heating loop could just be shut off in the summer.
Of course, I would suggest hydronic heating for your entire new house.
Grundfos UP recirc system:
http://www.grundfos.com/Web/HomeUs.nsf/Webopslag/D6600B14F5C7C73386256AE9005326AE
go to runtal -- really nice wall units - heated towels, bathrobes, etc
Thanks for the information and the link.
Our hot water heater will be in the corner of the laundry room right next to the master bathroom (sharing a wall with the shower), so a mini hydronic system may be a feasible option.
As for the whole house, well, I do love radiant heat, but hydronic heating is rare down here (Arkansas). We mostly work at staying cool in the summer, not warm in the winter!
Leigh
Electric radiant under flooring tile works quite well, and the installations I have had done have programmable thermostats which will meet your needs, and beyond.
Cost of t-stat plus cabling, maybe $600.
A Runtal electric omnipanel can be had with a programmable thermostat, but for that combo, your cost might be more like $1100.
The electric warm floor is probably your least cost and best option. To do something with warm water will require controls, mixing valves, etc., and the installation will probably go higher than even the Runtal option.
Consider, also, a heat lamp in the ceiling, over the area where you dry off from a shower or bath. With warm feet and a heat lamp over, you'll be real comfy.
Do you have a brand recommendation for the electric under-floor radiant heat?
Edited to add: Okay, I got the advanced search to work (for a change) and found some of your posts about this, as well as a lot of other information about electric radient heat. Thanks for posting!
Leigh
Edited 10/1/2004 3:28 pm ET by aberwacky
Here you go. This is what I have used, without any problems. Cable, accessories, t-stats, etc.
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/cgi-bin/frameit/FrameIt.cgi?Url=/cgi-bin/links/jump.cgi?ID=977&Text=Return+to+your+search+results&Title=The+Guide+to+Suppliers&FooterSize=40&FooterLocation=2&ShowRemoveFrame=1
> Consider, also, a heat lamp in the ceiling, over the area
> where you dry off from a shower or bath. With warm feet
> and a heat lamp over, you'll be real comfy.
This is exactly the configuration I've planned for my bathroom, except .... I can't find a heat lamp that isn't cheap POS. Anyone have a recommendation? I've got an ic-rated 375W heat lamp, not air-tight though so I'll have to build a box out of duct board around it. I'm sure air-tight will shorten its life span, since it's got a cooling fan, plan to have a timer switch and tell everyone to pick the 5-min setting.... Would rather just put in something built to be air-tight ic-rated.
Not sure where you are located, but in So. Cal under Title 24 (new energy regs) an electric heat mat can be confusing to the inspecting agancy. Some believe is it just forbidden. That being said, in our master bath we did it a few years back (pre 24) and love it. You will have to check with the locals...
We're in Arkansas, but thanks for the heads up.
Leigh