Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

[jsfinn]

I feel a little silly asking this - but here it goes anyways...<br /><br />Some hotels have a heat lamp in the bathroom. A long time ago, my grandparents had one in their bathroom... <br /><br />I guess I just don't understand the point of it. What's it for? What's it do? Why is it on a timer? Why are they sometimes red and sometimes white?<br /><br />This has been a mystery to me for too long.. I need answers!!!

 

[Pony]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

tanning? to warm up after a shower??

 

[DJ]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

My wife-INSTANTLY-gets cold after stepping out of the shower/bath.<br /><br />I know about hotel rooms, we-guys-tend to keep them COLD.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

it's just for instant personal heat.. timer is for conveince an so it shuts-off after the pre-set time allotment..<br /><br />different bulbs are different types of heat.. <br /><br />white,, just puts out heat.. <br /><br />red,, only heats up an object that's in it's lite path..<br /><br />people love 'um..!!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

It's on a timer so that folks don't walk out the door and leave it on for long periods. Those things soak up the current, and in summer, fight with the A/C.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

Ok - thanks for the replies... I used it this morning after getting out of the shower.. and yeah, it's pretty nice.<br /><br />Looks like I have a new project to do at home and install one...

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

They're great when it's cold, but make sure it's close enough to the point you're gonig to actually use it (e.g., near toilet, sink, etc.) Too far away (including too high, as I learned in my bath with a cathedral ceiling) & it doesn't do much good...

 

[Mark42]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

I have a dual lamp w/fan unit right outside the shower so when you are drying yourself off on the bath mat the lamps are directly overhead. Works well. Also having the fan just outside the shower helps vent the steam before it has much chance to build up and condense on walls, mirror, etc.

 

[timfromfc]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

Just out of curiosity, how much power do they draw? I would imagine it is quite a bit. Would it need it's own circuit?

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

shouldnt... we used those when we raised chickens when I was a kid... we'd plug a few of them in into one outlet no problem... ob they werent the bathroom fixture lights but same bulbs. They make the lil disc in your electric meter spin really fast

 

[magster65]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

I think they're only a 150 to 200 watt bulb.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

Originally posted by magster65:<br /> I think they're only a 150 to 200 watt bulb.

Which is quite a bit, considering hotels/motels are notorious for using the smallest wattage bulb they can, to keep you from tripping.<br /><br />When I traveled a lot, I used to carry a couple of 100w bulbs in my suitcase, so when I wanted to read, I didn't suffer eye strain from those little 40W bulbs.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

They are usually a 250 Watt R40 lamp. There are 125 watt, but they are not as common.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

Yep, 250 watts is the ticket. Put in a dual unit and that is pulling 500 watts. My setup has the fan and lights on separate switches. No need to put on the fan, the safty switch in the light/fan unit will put the fan on when it gets hot enought, usually after about 5 minutes. <br /><br />Btw, it only costs about 6¢ an hour to operate those lights. Fairly inexpensive luxury.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

Btw, it only costs about 6¢ an hour to operate those lights. Fairly inexpensive luxury.<br />

Hmmmmmm,................<br /><br />I wonder if I can heat the House with'm................

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Heat Lamps in Bathrooms

It's radiant heat rather than convection. I THINK are whole house radiant heating systems, but I bet you'd really need to design the house to use one rather than retrofitting.