ᐅ Looking for a supplementary heating solution for a bathroom with a slow-responding underfloor heating system
Created on: 2 Oct 2018 11:36
D
DasHausimWald
Hello everyone!
Background first:
Last year, we purchased a house from the 1980s in southern Germany, located in the forest, which has an equally old but fully functional electric underfloor heating system that is incredibly expensive to operate.
The system uses wires embedded in the floor; there are no water pipes.
So, we are heating 250 sqm (2690 sqft) of living space with a "heater" that hangs on the basement wall and is about the size of a shoebox.
After receiving several quotes for converting to an oil- or pellet-fired central heating system—which would be very costly since we don’t have pipes in the walls or radiators—and considering various suggestions from heating technicians (such as a single pellet stove in the open living-dining-kitchen area and continuing to heat the rest electrically), we decided to continue using the existing electric system for now and supplement it with wood heating from the masonry stove (Kachelofen) in the living area.
Nevertheless, in the first winter, we had an electricity consumption of about 17,000 kWh per year (estimated, just for heating electricity). Of course, we would like to reduce this in the second winter.
Now the heating season is starting again, and I am looking for an economical and safe solution for the bathroom. We both work full-time outside the home, so we only use the bathroom about one hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening.
Starting this winter, a baby will be joining us, which will change our usage pattern.
I am looking for an idea on how to keep the bathroom pleasantly warm during those usage times while maintaining the electric underfloor heating—which is very slow to respond—at a base temperature of about 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F).
I would then like to heat the bathroom up to a comfortable 24°C (75°F) in the morning and evening, and additionally during the winter, for example, when bathing the baby.
I thought about a small fan heater, but it would probably need to be wall-mounted and splash-proof to avoid any safety risks. My husband rejects a fan heater for safety reasons.
What would be the best option for this? Radiant heaters? Infrared heaters? Wall-mounted towel warmers?
Does anyone have any ideas?
Background first:
Last year, we purchased a house from the 1980s in southern Germany, located in the forest, which has an equally old but fully functional electric underfloor heating system that is incredibly expensive to operate.
The system uses wires embedded in the floor; there are no water pipes.
So, we are heating 250 sqm (2690 sqft) of living space with a "heater" that hangs on the basement wall and is about the size of a shoebox.
After receiving several quotes for converting to an oil- or pellet-fired central heating system—which would be very costly since we don’t have pipes in the walls or radiators—and considering various suggestions from heating technicians (such as a single pellet stove in the open living-dining-kitchen area and continuing to heat the rest electrically), we decided to continue using the existing electric system for now and supplement it with wood heating from the masonry stove (Kachelofen) in the living area.
Nevertheless, in the first winter, we had an electricity consumption of about 17,000 kWh per year (estimated, just for heating electricity). Of course, we would like to reduce this in the second winter.
Now the heating season is starting again, and I am looking for an economical and safe solution for the bathroom. We both work full-time outside the home, so we only use the bathroom about one hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening.
Starting this winter, a baby will be joining us, which will change our usage pattern.
I am looking for an idea on how to keep the bathroom pleasantly warm during those usage times while maintaining the electric underfloor heating—which is very slow to respond—at a base temperature of about 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F).
I would then like to heat the bathroom up to a comfortable 24°C (75°F) in the morning and evening, and additionally during the winter, for example, when bathing the baby.
I thought about a small fan heater, but it would probably need to be wall-mounted and splash-proof to avoid any safety risks. My husband rejects a fan heater for safety reasons.
What would be the best option for this? Radiant heaters? Infrared heaters? Wall-mounted towel warmers?
Does anyone have any ideas?
I believe that when it comes to consumption costs, all of this is irrelevant; it calls for more extensive energy-related measures. Why not install oil/wood pellet heating and radiators? Especially in buildings with basements, it isn’t such a big undertaking. I myself live in a rented house and have experienced the renovation phase (previously night storage heaters). With your consumption costs, the investment would pay off in about 10–12 years, not including any subsidies.
For temporary additional heating, I would also recommend infrared heating. For example, infrared heating panels can be covered with attractive films or pictures. Alternatively, for the bathroom, you could opt for an infrared mirror. We use a panel from Trotec in our bathroom ourselves. It is relatively affordable and has a nice, neutral appearance. As a long-term solution (once the changing table is no longer needed), I would then consider larger energy upgrades.
Best regards
Best regards