Best Bathroom Heating Options

Picture this: it’s the middle of winter and you’re about to take a shower. The tile floors feel frigid under your feet, the water is taking its sweet time to warm up, and the exhaust fan is feeling extra drafty today. Your bathroom is working against you. But there are ways to make it work for you instead. You may want to consider your bathroom heating options.

The process of heating your bathroom properly starts with understanding why the room may be chilly in the first place. 

In bathrooms across the country, cool-feeling tile and stone floors play a large role in why things may feel cold. Exhaust fans that help prevent humidity can also play a role. No matter the cause of your chills, the ever-evolving home improvement market has plenty of bathroom heating options to help upgrade your space. We’re here to walk you through them. 

What Is the Best Way to Heat a Bathroom? 

Let’s start big. The ultimate way to heat your bathroom is to install a floor heating system. 

Radiant heat flooring — also known as underfloor heating — is a heating process that provides warmth and comfort to your home from the ground up by being installed under your floors. 

The use of floor heating systems was first engineered by the Romans to heat their marble floors. The process today isn’t much different. It is lauded in cooler climates as a way to keep bathroom tile feeling welcoming. Underfloor heating is energy efficient as well as a great space saver compared to alternative home heating units. 

Find local bathroom pros

How Much Does a Bathroom Floor Heating System Cost? 

The cost of installing a floor heating system varies depending on whether you are hiring a general contractor, plumber, or electrician to do the job. All of these services may be required depending on the system you choose. 

Radiant Bathroom Floor Heating

Underfloor heating is energy-efficient and keeps bathrooms a cozy temperature

• Effective

• Energy-efficient

• Great in cold climates

• Good ROI should you someday sell your home

Average Cost per sq. ft:

$1.50

If you are installing radiant floor heating in a 2,000 square feet home, you can expect to pay around $3,200 for total installation or $1.50 per square foot of your home. 

Are There Other Tips for Heating Bathrooms? 

Yes! If a floor heating system isn’t feasible — or even if it is and you just want additional options — there are several different ways to crank up the heat in your bathroom. 

Examine Your Bathroom Windows and Doors

If your windows and doors aren’t properly sealed, it can impact the amount of cool air coming into your bathroom. Depending on the severity of the opening, a simple addition of an adhesive weatherstrip from your local hardware store may help. 

Consider a Water Preheating System in Your Bathroom

A water preheating system can help warm up a large water heater or boiler and make sure temperatures are optimal when you need that warmth. 

Flooring Matters When Keeping Bathrooms Warm

If you are doing home renovations any time soon, consider your bathroom flooring materials. Ceramic tiles can feel cold to the touch without a heater underneath, while laminate flooring feels warmer. 

Consider Portable Heaters in Bathrooms

Purchasing and placing portable heaters — like panel heaters, wall-mounted heaters, or ceiling heaters — is a non-permanent way to get more warmth in your bathroom if an entirely new heating system isn’t feasible. 

What Heating Accessories Can Be Added to the Bathroom For Heating? 

Along with portable heaters, there are other bathroom-specific accessories that can help retain heat in your space. Here are some examples: 

• Padded and plush bathroom mats
• Heated toilet seats
• Heated towel warmers and heated towel racks 
• Bidets with warm water temperature control 
• Dehumidifiers
• Heating lamps or warm light light bulbs

We hope these tips and tricks will help convert your chilly bathroom into a warm oasis. Let Modernize help you plan out your future bathroom renovations.