Replies

1. 
   BryanSayer | Apr 13, 2006 11:50pm | #1

   One option is a NuHeat mat under the tile. Go for the 220V model for efficiency.

   Or liquid filled electric baseboards. Something 'Sil' has gotten good reviews.

1. 
   Tim | Apr 14, 2006 09:36pm | #3

   "Go for the 220V model for efficiency."

   I agree with everything else you said, but what does this mean? The 120V model is inefficient? Running 4-wires and using a double pole breaker more efficient that 3 wires and a single? The largest stock NuHeat mat sold draws only 10.5 amps at 120V.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 14, 2006 11:01pm | #5

   "I agree with everything else you said, but what does this mean? The 120V model is inefficient? Running 4-wires and using a double pole breaker more efficient that 3 wires and a single?"Only 3 wires need for 120 or 240 heaters.

1. 
   Tim | Apr 17, 2006 04:15pm | #8

   My point was, and I believe that you know this, is that the nonsense posted about "efficiency" is just that. Wether there are 4 wires or 3 or 1 is immaterial. The poster obviously has no clue about electricity.

2. 
   BryanSayer | Apr 17, 2006 02:04am | #6

   Check how many amps the same mat draws on 220V. As I recall, the 220 V mats are about 50% more efficient than the 120 V ones. It has to do with how much you will spend on electricity, and with a mud room, I'd expect it to be on even more than our bathroom. And as Bill says, you only need three wires for 220 V.

1. 
   Stuart | Apr 17, 2006 03:00am | #7

   If the heat mat (for instance) is rated at 1200 watts, it will draw 10 amps at 120 volts or 5 amps at 240 volts, since volts x amps = watts.  However, it's not more efficient, it just takes less current.  Either way it will cost the same to operate since you pay for watts. 

   Edited 4/16/2006 8:01 pm ET by Stuart

2. 
   Brian | Apr 14, 2006 02:56am | #2

   I am doing the same thing - how big is your mudroom?  I am leaning toward electric baseboard, since my room will be small and not heated to house temps. 

   It would be pretty easy to add a small loop off your water heater for radiant, though.

   Electric baseboard is dirt cheap to buy...where do you live?  Here in MD we only heat ~5 months a year, and it will take a long time to recoup the investment on a system.

    

   Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
3. 
   Stuart | Apr 14, 2006 09:57pm | #4

   I often specify little fan forced electric wall heaters like this, for entryways or other small areas that only need supplemental heat.  They put out around 2kW and are pretty cheap, around $150.  View Image

   This one is made by Berko, there are a number of other similar brands out there.  Of course you need to determine just how much heat you need, this kind may not be big enough depending on your circumstances

4. 
   migraine | Apr 17, 2006 07:26pm | #9

   On the home we just build I opted for a toe kick heater that went under the sink base cabinet.  Our house before it had an an addional toe heater in sink base too.  So will the new bath when we remodel, as per the wife's instruction.  This was the resistant heater type that was previously posed by someone else.  King even makes them in stainless steel, I believe.

   For you that that don't know about the Pacific North Wet and razor clams, having this heater blow across your cold toes while cleaning them is a great bonus.   Plus, it doesn't take up any additional wall space. 

   No more standing outside next to a trash can in the rain, or in the kitchen stinking up the place and getting sand everywhere.  Exactly what the mudroom is for.