While Perth winters might not match Melbourne’s chill, that doesn’t make stepping onto freezing bathroom tiles at 6am any more enjoyable. Modern Perth homes are built to handle scorching summers well, but are often lacking on those crisp winter mornings. A well-chosen bathroom heater can help you start your mornings right (and they’re more affordable than you might think).
Why Invest in Bathroom Heating?
Chilly Mornings and Cold Tiles: A Common Perth Experience
Perth’s winter temperatures can drop below 5°C in the early morning. In coastal homes, the humidity makes it feel even colder. Most local homes weren’t built with winter in mind – they may perform well in December, but not so much in July. A quality bathroom heater is an investment in comfort and one you and your family will be thankful for for a long time.
Health and Comfort Beyond Just Warmth
Bathroom heaters offer more than just a cosy experience, they actively make your bathroom a more healthy environment. By minimising the amount of moisture that accumulates during a steamy shower, they significantly reduce mould and mildew growth. With Perth’s above-average humidity, this is even more important in bathrooms lacking proper ventilation.
For young children and elderly family members, stable bathroom warmth is essential for comfort and health. The sudden change in temperature after a bath can be particularly uncomfortable for youngsters. By providing a consistently warm atmosphere, bathroom heaters make daily routines more enjoyable for everyone.
Bathroom Heaters Are Inexpensive to Run
Modern bathroom heaters are surprisingly economical. Most units cost between 15-30 cents per hour to operate, depending on the model and your electricity rates. If they’re only switched on for 10-15 minutes at a time, most households can keep daily running costs below 50 cents. If you limit usage to the cooler months, you’re looking at a significant quality of life improvement at a low cost.
That said, choosing the right size heater for your space is essential. If the unit is too large, you’ll waste energy and if it’s too small, it will take longer to provide adequate warmth. This means that selecting the correct heating capacity is important for maintaining comfort and keeping expenses in check. We’ll give recommendations based on your room size shortly.
Most Common Bathroom Heater Types
Heat Lamps: Instant Warmth with Focused Heating
Heat lamps are your best friend for instant warmth. They use infrared tech to heat you directly (rather than warming the air), perfect for quick morning showers.
Pros:
- Instant heat
- Cheap to run
- Easy to install
- Virtually maintenance-free.
Cons:
- Limited coverage area
- Not everyone appreciates the bright light
- Won’t heat the whole room.
Fan-forced Heaters: Even Warmth Everywhere
Want your whole bathroom warm? Fan heaters distribute heat evenly and help tackle post-shower humidity. They’re ideal for larger bathrooms or if you’re tired of cold spots.
Pros:
- Full room coverage
- Great for larger spaces
- Reduces moisture
- Modern units are quiet.
Cons:
- Takes a few minutes to warm up
- Higher running costs
- More space required for installation.
3-In-1 Units: Combining Heating, Lighting & Ventilation
These units combine heating, lighting and ventilation. Perfect if you’re renovating or want to minimise ceiling clutter. They’re usually fan-forced heaters with additional features.
Pros:
- Wide functionality within a single unit
- Cleaner look
- Cost-effective vs separate units
- Coordinated design.
Cons:
- Repairs may be vendor-specific, check your warranty
- Needs decent ceiling space
- Higher initial cost than alternatives.
Key Features When Choosing A Bathroom Heater
Heating Capacity: Matching the Heater to Your Bathroom Size
Measure your bathroom’s floor space. As a rule of thumb:
- Small bathroom (<6m²): 1000-1500W
- Medium bathroom (6-10m²): 1500-2000W
- Large bathroom (>10m²): 2000W+.
Remember: High ceilings or poor insulation mean that you’ll need more power. When in doubt, go bigger – you can always run it on lower settings.
Energy Efficiency: Keeping Bills Low While Staying Warm
Modern bathroom heaters are surprisingly cheap to run when used sensibly. Look for modern heaters with variable heat settings to avoid using extra energy. LED lights use significantly less power than halogens and give the same brightness, so keep this in mind. You may not need lighting at all depending on the current layout of your bathroom.
Pro tip: Don’t get hung up on energy ratings. Focus on getting the right wattage for your space – an undersized heater running flat out costs more than a properly sized one on low.
Installation: What You Need To Know
Before settling on a heater, check the following. You will need a minimum of 150-200mm ceiling space and access to power. Your building design may limit your ventilation option. Ducted units need external venting but are more effective at handling moisture. Non-ducted heaters are easier to install but rely on existing ventilation. If renovating, ducted will be worth the extra effort and we always suggest it to our customers. For quick upgrades, non-ducted heaters are the best way to heat up your room.
Safety Features: Thermal Protection and Quality Materials
Any decent modern unit will cover the following:
- Thermal cut-off (to prevent overheating)
- IP23 or IP44 rating (handles bathroom moisture)
- Quality fan motors
- Corrosion-resistant materials.
Our Top Picks
For Optimal Performance: Airbus 3-In-1
- Powerful 18W LED light (4200k)
- 2x600W heat lamps
- 330m^3/hr of air flow
- Low noise level (45db)
- Recommended for bathrooms that are larger, open to a bedroom or have high ceilings
- Price: $939.00
Best For Medium Bathrooms: Brook 4
- Supporting 10W LED globe
- 4 adjustable heat lamps (275W each)
- Instant warmth where you need it
- Good for spaces up to 10m²
- Easy installation with existing vent
- Price: $424.00
Budget Pick: Mercury Lite
- Fan-forced heating
- Independently toggle exhaust, light and heat
- Built-in rectangular LED light (12W)
- Perfect for spaces up to 8m²
- Recommended where roof clearance is restricted
- Great starter unit
- Price: $279.00
Why Choose Boardwalk Fans & Lighting For Your Bathroom Heating Needs
When you choose Boardwalk Fans & Lighting, you’re not only going to get competitive prices from a West Australian business, but over 40 years of combined experience in improving Perth homes. We are happy to answer any installation questions you may have. Our well-stocked showroom features a large range of heaters and lighting and, if you’re looking for a specific item we don’t stock, we can order it in for you from one of our reputable suppliers.
Visit Our Perth Showroom or Contact Us for Personalised Recommendations
Before you visit our store, we recommend taking note of your bathroom’s dimensions (including ceiling height), checking your ceiling space and wiring, and setting a realistic budget. Remember: A good bathroom heater will last 10+ years, so it’s worth speaking with an expert to find the right one for your home.
If you’re ready to take the next step towards a warmer, happier home, contact us or visit our store at Shop 1/712 Ranford Rd Southern River WA 6110.
