DIY Heat Lights in Bathroom
Installing do-it-yourself - DIY - heats lights in your bathroom is a good way to provide additional warmth for your bathroom during the winter season or just to make the environment more comfortable year-round when exiting the shower. The basic heat lamp assembly is a self-contained unit that includes a light, one or two heat lamps and an exhaust fan. You can purchase more expensive models with four heat lamps, which provides a higher heat output.
Preparation
Check into the local building code regarding requirements for installing heat lamps.
Measure the height, width and length of the bathroom. You will need the dimensions in order to choose the correct size heating lights unit for you space. The heating capacity is basically determined by the number of "watts" produced by a lamp or multiple lamps.
For example, a unit with one lamp may produce 250 watts. A unit with four heat lamps may produce a combined total of 1000 watts of heating power.
Compare the various products on the market and the warranties. Besides purchasing the heat lamp assembly, you will also need to buy the duct, heat lamps and timer switch.
Location & Safety
Heats lamps are designed to be installed in the ceiling. Determine where you want to place your heat lamp. Most people replace the existing bathroom ceiling fixture with DYI heat lights. Others may choose to mount their lamps near the showers.
Heat lamps build up a tremendous amount of heat; these lamps can easily heat up a towel bar or shower rod if placed too close. Therefore, the proper location of the unit is essential to reduce safety risks.
In addition, when you mount the housing unit in the ceiling, make sure that it doesn't come into contact with any insulation. Some heat light assemblies come with optional kits that are designed to keep insulation away from the housing.
Installation Tips
You'll need to have some basic electrical skills to successfully install your DIY heat lights. If you are not confident in your electrical acumen, solicit the help of a friend or family member. Read the instructions for mounting and wiring the particular model you're installing.
Before you do anything, turn the power off at the circuit breaker or fuse box.
If you are replacing a ceiling fixture, you'll need to remove the fixture. The electrical box concealed by the fixture will be the source of power for your heat lights. Although you shut the power off at the panel or fuse box, use a voltage tester to test the wires in the electrical box and make sure that the electricity is off.
Inspect the wires in the box; if any of the wires are frayed or damaged, cut the wire and remove the damaged section. Strip about ¾ inches of insulation from the wire for your new connection.
Cut out the plaster or drywall in the area where you are placing the unit. Most heat lamp housing units have four adjustable arms, which allow you to mount the casing between the ceiling joists.
Once you have the heat lamp housing unit secured, take your screwdriver and remove one of the round enclosures on the side of the electrical box attached to the housing. You'll probably need to do the same on the electrical box at your power source. Now you can run the wires from the heat lamp to the power source. At each box, insert the wires through the openings and secure them to the electrical boxes with the proper locknuts.
You'll need to install a wall timer in place of the old light switch. The timer switch provides an extra layer of protection by automatically shutting off the heat lamps after a certain period.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for connecting to the power source and wiring the switch. If you are not replacing the bathroom ceiling fixture, you will need to run a new circuit for the power source.
Vent the exhaust fan to the outside. The straighter the duct run, the more efficiently your unit will operate. So try to eliminate bends and turns. The diameter of the duct is usually 4 inches. You can use flexible or rigid material for the duct; however, rigid ductwork is better.
Tags: heat lamp, heat lamps, power source, , heat lights, your heat