The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:

1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).

2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.

Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?

Thanks,
Michael

According to Michael Press :

The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:

1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).

2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.

Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?

Code doesn't like electrical outlets or switches within 4' (or so,
details vary from code-to-code) from a shower or bath. This would
apply for a permanently installed heater too. I don't think they care
about toilets.

While code doesn't rule on how close a portable heater can be
to a shower or bath, it's best to follow it anyway. Make sure the
cord ain't long enough for it to fall into the bath...

It must be on a GFCI regardless (tho a permanently installed heater
may be code exempt if you want to be picky).

Under a window is best for efficiency.

I'd prefer a permanently installed one.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

From: (Chris Lewis)


According to Michael Press :

The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:

1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).

2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.

Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?



Code doesn't like electrical outlets or switches within 4' (or so,
details vary from code-to-code) from a shower or bath.

(1) Shower or Bathtub Space. Receptacle outlets shall not be installed in or
within reach [30 in. (762 mm)] of a shower or bathtub space.

This would
apply for a permanently installed heater too. I don't think they care
about toilets.

While code doesn't rule on how close a portable heater can be
to a shower or bath, it's best to follow it anyway. Make sure the
cord ain't long enough for it to fall into the bath...

It must be on a GFCI regardless (tho a permanently installed heater
may be code exempt if you want to be picky).

May be exempt, and is if it's permanently installed. I searched the NEC and
can't find anything that even remotely suggests you can't install a permanently
- connected, permanently installed in-wall heater or electric baseboard heater
right up against the bathtub...


Under a window is best for efficiency.

I'd prefer a permanently installed one.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

If you have wall space, and money, you might consider installing a towel
heater. The quality ones can double as a radiator and warm a small
bathroom. They can also be programmed to heat only at specified times.
Since we got ours, I have closed off the heating vent in the bathroom,
as the towel heater keeps the room warm.

Michael Press wrote:
The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:

1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).

2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.

Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?

Thanks,
Michael

--
SPAMBLOCK NOTICE! To reply to me, delete the h from apkh.net, if it is
there.

Subject: elec. code for heater in bathroom
From: Michael Press
Date: 1/5/2004 9:13 AM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id:


The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:

1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).

2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.

Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?

Thanks,
Michael







What about replacing your exhaust vent (if you have one) with a combonation
exhaust vent and heater.

Hi,
How about heat lamp on the ceiling?
Tony

wrote:
Michael Press wrote:

The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:
1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).
2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.
Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?


Don't know about code, but I did this recently: bought an oil filled
electric radiator for a somewhat large bathroom. I think it's a
Kenwood. It has a timer and heats the room up to 80 for 2 hours
every morning. Now my furnace only turns above "nighttime"
temperatures for a few hours in the evening as I no longer reheat
my house in the morning just to take a shower and dress.

I went with the portable as (a) it was a quick solution in the midst of
winter, and (b) I figured there may be times when I want to use
the heater in the basement or garage.

I *wish* I had radiant heat on a timer under the tile floor. And I'm
going to look into the duct or towel heater option.

Matt

I have electric heaters in both the tub bath and the shower
bath. It's a wonderful luxury to have a toasty warm shower or
bath. In one room I have a wall mounted heater. In the other,
it's in the cabinet "kick plate." The only problem with this is
you really can't stand in front of it with bare feet ... it's
way too warm. If I had to do this one over, I might put it to
one side or just use another wall mounted unit, although wall
space in this bath is at a real premium. I don't know
specifically about codes, however, these units have fully
grounded cases, so they should be no problem. Anyway, much,
much better than a corded heater.

wrote:

Michael Press wrote:

The master bathroom in my house is freezing in winter. I'm thinking
of installing a wall heater or portable heater that I could put on a
timer to run just for a couple of hours in the morning. I have 2
options:
1) Install an electric wall heater. There's an outlet on the other
side of the wall in where I'd install the heater, so I could run power
to it easily. The heater would be 2ft from the toilet, 4-5ft from the
shower and 6ft from the bath. It would be in a corner, almost under a
window (the window's on the other wall formed by the corner).
2) Install an outlet, presumably a GFI, in the same location, and plug
in a portable heater on a timer.
Any opinions? Are there any electrical code issues I should know
about?


Don't know about code, but I did this recently: bought an oil filled
electric radiator for a somewhat large bathroom. I think it's a
Kenwood. It has a timer and heats the room up to 80 for 2 hours
every morning. Now my furnace only turns above "nighttime"
temperatures for a few hours in the evening as I no longer reheat
my house in the morning just to take a shower and dress.

I went with the portable as (a) it was a quick solution in the midst of
winter, and (b) I figured there may be times when I want to use
the heater in the basement or garage.

I *wish* I had radiant heat on a timer under the tile floor. And I'm
going to look into the duct or towel heater option.

Matt

According to HA HA Budys Here :
Code doesn't like electrical outlets or switches within 4' (or so,
details vary from code-to-code) from a shower or bath.

(1) Shower or Bathtub Space. Receptacle outlets shall not be installed in or
within reach [30 in. (762 mm)] of a shower or bathtub space.

Is that all US codes? Our code used to say "within reach", and then
it's been specified more exactly. And moved around a bit. This is
why I hedged.

It must be on a GFCI regardless (tho a permanently installed heater
may be code exempt if you want to be picky).

May be exempt, and is if it's permanently installed. I searched the NEC and
can't find anything that even remotely suggests you can't install a permanently
- connected, permanently installed in-wall heater or electric baseboard heater
right up against the bathtub...

H'm. You'd probably find them covered under the switch rules if it has any
user-accessible controls on them.

An ordinary portable heater would _likely_ be considered to be non-exempt from
the GFCI rules. The exemption is primarily for large appliances that wouldn't
move, like a dryer or clothes washer, which usually have excellent grounding
anyway. Or builtins of course.

To be exempt by latest codes, a plug-connected heater also have to be on a
single outlet receptacle.

Thus, a plug heater physically attached to something in the bathroom on a
single outlet may be exempt.

Ie: a B&D plugin cube fan heater would need GFCI. A wall/ceiling mounted
plugin IR unit probably wouldn't if it was on a single outlet.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.