ᐅ Is underfloor heating in the bathroom sufficient, or is an additional heater—such as a wall-mounted heater—needed?
Created on: 12 May 2014 09:34
H
hg6806
Good morning,
The heating system in our new build is scheduled to be installed in the coming weeks.
However, I am concerned whether the heating output of the underfloor heating in the bathroom will be sufficient.
Therefore, there are three options:
1. Plan for a wall heating system right away, connected to the underfloor heating
2. Connect a towel radiator to the underfloor heating
3. Use an electric towel radiator
Now the questions. Approximately how much extra cost would option 1 involve for a 16m² (172 sq ft) bathroom layout?
Option 2 seems more viable for me, especially since my partner wants it and it would be sufficient if it only gets lukewarm due to the low flow temperature.
Option 3 is what the heating installer suggests, but I’m not keen on it because of electricity costs and efficiency. However, it can be added later if the heating output really isn’t enough.
Who has experience with any of these options?
The heating system in our new build is scheduled to be installed in the coming weeks.
However, I am concerned whether the heating output of the underfloor heating in the bathroom will be sufficient.
Therefore, there are three options:
1. Plan for a wall heating system right away, connected to the underfloor heating
2. Connect a towel radiator to the underfloor heating
3. Use an electric towel radiator
Now the questions. Approximately how much extra cost would option 1 involve for a 16m² (172 sq ft) bathroom layout?
Option 2 seems more viable for me, especially since my partner wants it and it would be sufficient if it only gets lukewarm due to the low flow temperature.
Option 3 is what the heating installer suggests, but I’m not keen on it because of electricity costs and efficiency. However, it can be added later if the heating output really isn’t enough.
Who has experience with any of these options?
I have mentioned this elsewhere before: I think this towel warmer is the biggest waste of money in our house. It takes quite a long time to heat up and is not suitable for “spontaneous” showers or baths with a warm towel. You should turn it on at least half an hour beforehand.
I also don’t understand why anyone would want to dry wet towels with it. By the next time you use them, the bath towels are dry anyway. For small towels, we have one for each family member, so nobody has to use a damp towel.
Our towel warmer could actually be used for heating. It heats up well (unfortunately, it can only be switched on or off, with no temperature control). But as I said, you need to switch it on half an hour in advance or install a timer.
In winter (we moved in during February), we managed well with the underfloor heating. It is set to warm up the rooms from 5:30 a.m., so they are warm by the time I go to the bathroom at 6:00 a.m.
I admit that I keep the thermostat in the bathroom set to level 5 (ideal would be 4) because I like it warm there, so the bathroom is warmer than the rest of the house. During transitional seasons, the bathroom has always been sufficiently warm in the mornings as well.
I also don’t understand why anyone would want to dry wet towels with it. By the next time you use them, the bath towels are dry anyway. For small towels, we have one for each family member, so nobody has to use a damp towel.
Our towel warmer could actually be used for heating. It heats up well (unfortunately, it can only be switched on or off, with no temperature control). But as I said, you need to switch it on half an hour in advance or install a timer.
In winter (we moved in during February), we managed well with the underfloor heating. It is set to warm up the rooms from 5:30 a.m., so they are warm by the time I go to the bathroom at 6:00 a.m.
I admit that I keep the thermostat in the bathroom set to level 5 (ideal would be 4) because I like it warm there, so the bathroom is warmer than the rest of the house. During transitional seasons, the bathroom has always been sufficiently warm in the mornings as well.
Connecting towel rails or other radiators to underfloor heating does not make sense. Underfloor heating typically operates at a supply temperature of around 32°C (90°F). A radiator usually requires about 65°C (149°F) – these do not match. A towel rail connected to a 32°C (90°F) underfloor heating system will not dry anything, as it will only become slightly warm to the touch. Therefore, if you want towel rails, it is better to use electric ones and switch them on only when needed. The few kilowatt-hours used will not significantly impact your costs.
Hello,
we (new build 2012) also had the problem that in our 15 sqm (160 sq ft) bathroom a significant part of the underfloor heating was lost due to the bathtub and, because of the drain, half of a large walk-in shower area. The bathroom faces northeast. The underfloor heating pipes were already laid closely together – however, the heating surface is still almost too small if the temperature needs of the female members of the household are to be satisfied.
Unfortunately, 21 degrees Celsius (70°F) seems to be too low. So we installed a visually appealing (and somewhat more expensive than basic models) infrared heater above the bathroom door (directly opposite the shower area), and that solved the problem. The device also has a timer function, so nobody forgets to turn it off in the morning. This quickly raises the temperature by 3 degrees Celsius (5°F) or more for a short period.
In everyday use without showering or bathing, 21 degrees Celsius (70°F) is sufficient.
The solution cost less than 400 euros and seems very effective, as it heats up immediately. Raising the flow temperature throughout the entire house and throttling all rooms except the bathroom is certainly the wrong and ultimately expensive approach.
Best regards
we (new build 2012) also had the problem that in our 15 sqm (160 sq ft) bathroom a significant part of the underfloor heating was lost due to the bathtub and, because of the drain, half of a large walk-in shower area. The bathroom faces northeast. The underfloor heating pipes were already laid closely together – however, the heating surface is still almost too small if the temperature needs of the female members of the household are to be satisfied.
Unfortunately, 21 degrees Celsius (70°F) seems to be too low. So we installed a visually appealing (and somewhat more expensive than basic models) infrared heater above the bathroom door (directly opposite the shower area), and that solved the problem. The device also has a timer function, so nobody forgets to turn it off in the morning. This quickly raises the temperature by 3 degrees Celsius (5°F) or more for a short period.
In everyday use without showering or bathing, 21 degrees Celsius (70°F) is sufficient.
The solution cost less than 400 euros and seems very effective, as it heats up immediately. Raising the flow temperature throughout the entire house and throttling all rooms except the bathroom is certainly the wrong and ultimately expensive approach.
Best regards
Hello,
Best regards
Cascada schrieb:With proper and precise overall system planning, inactive heating surfaces as well as those with reduced output are taken into account when sizing the heating area, which is especially important for heat pump systems.
....we (new build 2012) also had the problem that a significant part of the underfloor heating was lost in our 15sqm (160 sq ft) bathroom, specifically due to the bathtub and, because of the drain, half of a large walk-in shower area....
Cascada schrieb:Correct!
.... So a visually attractive (slightly more expensive than the basic models) infrared heater.... On regular days without showering/bathing, 21 degrees Celsius (70°F) is sufficient.....The solution cost less than 400,-€ and seems very effective to me, as the warming happens immediately. Raising the flow temperature throughout the whole house and throttling all rooms except the bathroom is certainly the wrong and costly approach in the long run.
Best regards
Hello,
I wanted to chime in on this topic due to recent discussions.
I’ve heard that there are towel warmers connected to the underfloor heating system that also have an electric heating element inside. Does that make sense?
Our heating engineer suggested installing a suitably sized towel radiator connected to the underfloor heating and reducing the pipe spacing in the bathroom to 10cm (4 inches). The towel radiator would compensate for the lost heating area caused by the shower and bathtub.
We like it to be nice and warm when bathing or showering. Should we consider adding a purely electric heater as well? Or maybe an infrared panel?
I wanted to chime in on this topic due to recent discussions.
I’ve heard that there are towel warmers connected to the underfloor heating system that also have an electric heating element inside. Does that make sense?
Our heating engineer suggested installing a suitably sized towel radiator connected to the underfloor heating and reducing the pipe spacing in the bathroom to 10cm (4 inches). The towel radiator would compensate for the lost heating area caused by the shower and bathtub.
We like it to be nice and warm when bathing or showering. Should we consider adding a purely electric heater as well? Or maybe an infrared panel?
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