Electric heating in the bathroom

Electric radiators are ideal for use in the bathroom. They are easy to assemble and connect to a socket in the bathroom. Electric radiators are available in various designs and sizes. This makes them not only functional but also contributes to the design and style of the bathroom. Why it is useful to use an electric radiator in the bathroom is explained in this article.​

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Electric radiator properties

An electric radiator is filled with water, antifreeze and air. The ratio of these is 80% water, 10% Maxaro radiator filling and 10% air. The lower and upper part of the radiator is filled with air. This makes this part less warm than the rest of the radiator. In order for the radiator to function properly, it is important to have this ratio right.

Maxaro radiator filling:

The 'Maxaro' radiator filling in an electric radiator ensures rapid heating and better heat distribution. This makes the bathroom space warm faster with a more even distribution of that heat. An additional advantage of this filling is that it protects the inside of the radiator, which ensures that the lifespan of the radiator is extended.

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Additional options electric radiator:

Some electric radiators can be connected via WiFi. This makes it possible to operate the radiator remotely. This way, you can have the radiator heat up the room in advance, preventing you from entering a cold bathroom. An adjustable timer is also useful to heat the radiator at certain times of the day. You can control the temperature of the radiator with the towel and room mode. The towel mode ensures that the radiator is heated to 70 °C, so that your towel is nice and warm. In the room mode, the radiator is set to 37 °C.

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Bathroom zones related to electrical appliances

In the bathroom, there are rules regarding safety and devices. The bathroom is divided into different zones.

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• Zone 0:Here you are absolutely not allowed to place any electrical devices that are directly connected to the electricity network (socket)! Is nothing allowed to be placed there at all? Yes, of course, but then there are a number of safety requirements that need to be met. We will come back to that in a moment. A device that works on batteries or an accumulator cannot do any harm anyway, apart from the fact that the device in question still works if it has fallen into the bath or if you use the device in the shower area while showering. That is where the IP value comes into play again, which must offer at least IP68 protection for that device. Many of the current music boxes and telephones have that IP protection. But... there are sometimes spotlights in a (bubble) bath, how does that work? Is that safe? Yes, they are not connected 1-on-1 to the electricity network, but work at a safe low voltage. This is often 12 volts, sometimes 25 volts. Suppose that such a spotlight (despite the IP68 protection) were to leak, then at least you would not be electrocuted, which would certainly happen with 230V! Ok, strange you might think now, because in some bathrooms there is indeed a socket in Zone 2 above the sink where I can really plug a shaver or the charger of the toothbrush or a telephone charger directly into, and they really do work on a voltage of 230V and not on a battery! That's right, but that is not just any socket, that is a special socket. Those types of sockets do work with a voltage of 230 Volts, but not like a 'normal' socket! Those types of special sockets work with a very low and therefore safe power. So you can easily charge your shaver, your toothbrush and your telephone with it, but (if all goes well!) a heavy consumer like your hair dryer will not work. At least, that's what we hope, because even if that were possible, it would be anything but safe in this zone!

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• Zone 1:Zone 1 is the area directly above the bath, shower or sink. This area extends to a height of 2.25 metres. You may not install an electric radiator in Zone 1, because it does not operate on a safe low voltage. There is a risk of electrocution. Lighting installed in this zone must, just like in Zone 1, operate on a safe low voltage of (usually) 12V or 25V.

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• Zone 2:Also in this zone a very low safety voltage is still mandatory, 230V voltage is only allowed if it concerns a device that hangs at least 1.60 meters above the ground. Here it is allowed to mount, for example, the electric radiator discussed in this article. Make sure that you use a radiator with at least IP44 protection.

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• Zone 3:In zone 3, which is the rest of the bathroom, it is permitted to use devices with IP21 protection (or higher of course). A very low safety voltage is no longer mandatory in this zone, but is still recommended.​​

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​So, now you are fully aware of the safety requirements and rules regarding the use of electrical appliances in the bathroom. Would you rather heat the bathroom electrically in a different way? Of course, that is also possible. Read more about it in this article: 'Why would you want infrared panels?'.

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