Why Your Bathroom Heater Keeps Dying (and How to Fix It)
Ever notice how those old-school “lamp warmers” in bathrooms always seem to give up the ghost right when you need them? There’s a reason for that. They aren’t built for the steam and humidity of a real shower. That’s why we’ve been moving toward IP65-rated infrared heaters. It’s not about making the room look fancy—it’s about making sure your electronics don’t fry. The deal with IP65 Basically, an IP65 rating means the unit is sealed tight. No dust gets in, and water jets can’t penetrate it. Think about your bathroom: you’ve got steam everywhere and the occasional direct splash. In a cheap heater, that moisture creeps into the wiring and causes a short circuit. Or worse, it just corrodes the contact points until the thing burns out. By using a sealed unit, you’re just keeping the water where it belongs—out of the electricity. Why infrared feels different Most heaters try to warm up the air. But here’s the problem: hot air rises. You end up with a ceiling that’s boiling and a floor that’s still freezing. Infrared is a different beast. It sends out waves that heat you and the surfaces around you directly. You feel that warmth the second you flip the switch. Plus, since you aren’t trying to heat every single cubic inch of air in the room, it’s much easier on your electrical system. A few things to watch out for during install You can’t just plug these into a wall outlet and call it a day. They pull a lot of current to get that instant heat, so you’ll need a dedicated circuit and heat-resistant cabling. And be smart about where you put it. If you mount the heater too close to a plastic fixture or a mirror, things might start to warp. Give it at least 50cm of breathing room from anything that could melt or catch fire. They fit right into the spots where old halogen lights used to go. You might spend a bit more upfront on the wiring to make sure that IP65 seal stays tight, but it’s a lot better than replacing the whole unit every two years.