Swap out bathroom recessed bulb for screw-in heat lamp?

[bsloan1960]

Is it possible to simply unscrew the existing LED in out recessed can near the shower and convert to a heat lamp by putting in a heating bulb? Or does it involve a remodel? Thanks!

[photo1902]

Is it possible to simply unscrew the existing LED in out recessed can near the shower and convert to a heat lamp by putting in a heating bulb? Or does it involve a remodel? Thanks!

Not likely. You’d have to look at the max wattage for your fixture (typically 100 watts), then compare it to the bulb you want to insert.

[villagetinker]

I agree with the previous comment, if your fixture is like ours, these are rated at 100 watts or less if I remember correctly. You will need to contact a licensed electrician to replace the fixture with a suitable one and also make sure the insulation around this is correctly installed. I have no idea if there is a suitable LED based bulb, but this might be a suitable alternative.

[CarlR33]

Your post made me think of the days in the old hotel that had the heat lamp in the bathroom ceiling next to the shower with the little timer knob on the wall.

[bsloan1960]

I agree with the previous comment, if your fixture is like ours, these are rated at 100 watts or less if I remember correctly. You will need to contact a licensed electrician to replace the fixture with a suitable one and also make sure the insulation around this is correctly installed. I have no idea if there is a suitable LED based bulb, but this might be a suitable alternative. Is a handyman allowed to do this? If not any idea what reasonable cost for a pro might be? I don't know the market down here.

[drpepper]

We replaced ours with a heated bulb and it has worked fine. Our home was built in 2006 .

[Maker]

Recessed light fixtures the developer used here are not rated for the wattage of an IR heat bulb. There should be a label visible indicating maximum wattage. Definitely a fire hazard in two ways. The undersized wiring in the fixture cannot handle that high wattage load and will overheat, and the radiant heat from that bulb cannot be dissipated properly away from the wood framing.

But since newer homes have the shower vent fan co-located with the light fixture, that air flow may prevent (or delay) disaster for those who tried doing it.

For drpepper - please inspect that fixture, and the framing around it.

[bsloan1960]

Recessed light fixtures the developer used here are not rated for the wattage of an IR heat bulb. There should be a label visible indicating maximum wattage. Definitely a fire hazard in two ways. The undersized wiring in the fixture cannot handle that high wattage load and will overheat, and the radiant heat from that bulb cannot be dissipated properly away from the wood framing.

But since newer homes have the shower vent fan co-located with the light fixture, that air flow may prevent (or delay) disaster for those who tried doing it.

For drpepper - please inspect that fixture, and the framing around it. Yes. We do indeed have the vent incorporated into the can. I will still check for a label in the can

[photo1902]

Yes. We do indeed have the vent incorporated into the can. I will still check for a label in the can

This is the model the builder installs.

Nutone 744NT

“CAUTION - RISK OF FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY: 75W
MAX. LAMP. Use R30, BR30, PAR30L, or PAR30LN lamps only
(75W Max.). For wet locations (tub or shower) - use PAR30L or
PAR30LN (75W Max.) lamp only. Use no other lamp types. Do
not install a lamp indentified for use only in enclosed luminaries.”

[bsloan1960]

This is the model the builder installs.

Nutone 744NT

“CAUTION - RISK OF FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY: 75W
MAX. LAMP. Use R30, BR30, PAR30L, or PAR30LN lamps only
(75W Max.). For wet locations (tub or shower) - use PAR30L or
PAR30LN (75W Max.) lamp only. Use no other lamp types. Do
not install a lamp indentified for use only in enclosed luminaries.” Yup. that's the one. And I see mine is labeled the same. Interesting to note that when I took down the trim ring and bulb I saw that when they sprayed the ceiling they just went ahead and sprayed the stuff all over the inside of the can, all over the motor housing, wires, etc.

[MrChip72]

Getting an in wall space heater installed might be a better solution if your main goal is for the room to be toasty when getting out of the shower.

[villagetinker]

I would guess $200+ for a replacement, not including the cost of the new housing, from a LICENSED electrician, and no a handyman cannot do this legally.

[metoo21]

This works very well. Heat or fan and is portable.

Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater AM09 (https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-Heater-Black-Nickel-Large/dp/B0CBZPFX69/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VEXNERY7FANW&keywords=dyson%2Bheater%2Band%2Bcooler&qid=1702756682&sprefix=Dyson%2Bhe%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2&th=1)

Pricey but probably cheaper than an in-wall heater and an electrician to do the install.

[photo1902]

This works very well. Heat or fan and is portable.

Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater AM09 (https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-Heater-Black-Nickel-Large/dp/B0CBZPFX69/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VEXNERY7FANW&keywords=dyson%2Bheater%2Band%2Bcooler&qid=1702756682&sprefix=Dyson%2Bhe%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2&th=1)

Pricey but probably cheaper than an in-wall heater and an electrician to do the install.

A much more practical and economical alternative.

[Altavia]

Here's another portable infrared direct heat option. It's like like having a fireplace in the room.

Limited-time deal: Sunkos Portable Electric Space Heater - Safe and Quiet Heater for Indoor, Large Room, Office, Bedroom, and Garage Use, Advanced Far-Infrared Heat with Thermostat, No Fan & Light, Energy Efficient https://a.co/d/71q7auf

[Pugchief]

1500 watts is 1500 watts.

I have used something similar to this UpNorth for 25 years (several different brands /models, they are all pretty much the same). Forced air heat, multiple settings. Will heat up your bathroom in minutes if you keep the door closed. The thermostat can be adjusted for how warm you want the room. $17

https://www.amazon.com/JNDRO-Portable-Electric-Space-Heater/dp/B0C8V6D7CD/ref=sr_1_8?crid=Y8UD4NA6SWXC&keywords=heater+fan&qid=1702759588&sprefix=heater+fan%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-8

Dyson makes nice products, good quality with fancy features, but waaay too expensive IMHO.

[Dusty_Star]

It depends on what you want, if it is the IR then this is a possible portable option: Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Beurer-Infrared-Increases-Circulation-IL50/dp/B00IVPMZKE/)

[Lyarham]

Is it possible to simply unscrew the existing LED in out recessed can near the shower and convert to a heat lamp by putting in a heating bulb? Or does it involve a remodel? Thanks!

I believe Heat lamp fixtures have a fan that keeps them cool if they overheat

[merrymini]

Got a Dyson fan, heat when you need it, cool when you need it and can be used anywhere. Love it in the bathroom.

[MandoMan]

Yup. that's the one. And I see mine is labeled the same. Interesting to note that when I took down the trim ring and bulb I saw that when they sprayed the ceiling they just went ahead and sprayed the stuff all over the inside of the can, all over the motor housing, wires, etc.

I’m not sure a heat lamp in a fixture like that would make much sense, as a lot of the heat would be sucked out with the exhaust. My home has a can light with a plastic cover above the shower and above the toilet near the ventilation fan. A plastic cover over a heat light isn’t a good idea. IR bulbs seem to use about 250 watts, and most of the outlets in my house say maximum of 60 watts. That’s because more than that leads to a level of heat that would damage the glass or plastic near the bulb or the ceramic fixture or cause a fire.

[togabill]

This works very well. Heat or fan and is portable.

Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater AM09 (https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-Heater-Black-Nickel-Large/dp/B0CBZPFX69/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VEXNERY7FANW&keywords=dyson%2Bheater%2Band%2Bcooler&qid=1702756682&sprefix=Dyson%2Bhe%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2&th=1)

Pricey but probably cheaper than an in-wall heater and an electrician to do the install.


Does this really cool in a Florida summer like a small lanai?

[metoo21]

Does this really cool in a Florida summer like a small lanai?

Maybe. It is a fan with a heater that can be turned on too when needed.

[jimjamuser]

Is it possible to simply unscrew the existing LED in out recessed can near the shower and convert to a heat lamp by putting in a heating bulb? Or does it involve a remodel? Thanks!
Heat lamp tempered glass is thin (I believe) and if any water spray hits it ........I think that VERY bad things will happen,like a small explosion and many small glass fragments on the floor. I would be very careful.

[retiredguy123]

Don't be surprised if these portable heaters cause the circuit breaker to trip, especially if you are using another appliance.

[ton80]

This works very well. Heat or fan and is portable.

Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater AM09 (https://www.amazon.com/Dyson-Heater-Black-Nickel-Large/dp/B0CBZPFX69/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1VEXNERY7FANW&keywords=dyson%2Bheater%2Band%2Bcooler&qid=1702756682&sprefix=Dyson%2Bhe%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2&th=1)

Pricey but probably cheaper than an in-wall heater and an electrician to do the install.

The Dyson Site does not include any technical information. You have to hunt for it via Google. It is basically a fan with heater. The cooling is only a fan so no heat is removed from the room. To answer another Post, it will not do any cooling of a lanai.
In the heating mode at top setting the electric power draw is 1500 watts and will draw 12.5 amps. So RG123 in post #23 is correct. The typical room outlets are 15A and some are 20A and can trip the breaker if you any other large loads on the circuit.

My question to metoo21, did you ever use one of these units? If so, did you use it in heating and cooling?

I agree that it would be a cheaper way to go for occasional heating than an installed wall unit. However, it will not do any cooling. It is simply a fan.

[metoo21]

The Dyson Site does not include any technical information. You have to hunt for it via Google. It is basically a fan with heater. The cooling is only a fan so no heat is removed from the room. To answer another Post, it will not do any cooling of a lanai.
In the heating mode at top setting the electric power draw is 1500 watts and will draw 12.5 amps. So RG123 in post #23 is correct. The typical room outlets are 15A and some are 20A and can trip the breaker if you any other large loads on the circuit.

My question to metoo21, did you ever use one of these units? If so, did you use it in heating and cooling?

I agree that it would be a cheaper way to go for occasional heating than an installed wall unit. However, it will not do any cooling. It is simply a fan.

Yes I own one and have used it in the bathroom multiple times. I set it on 79 and it does its job. Of course I do close the bathroom door too.

I’ve used it in an RV too. As a heater and also as a fan.

[Pugchief]

The Dyson Site does not include any technical information. You have to hunt for it via Google. It is basically a fan with heater. The cooling is only a fan so no heat is removed from the room. To answer another Post, it will not do any cooling of a lanai.
In the heating mode at top setting the electric power draw is 1500 watts and will draw 12.5 amps.

I agree that it would be a cheaper way to go for occasional heating than an installed wall unit. However, it will not do any cooling. It is simply a fan.

Like I said in an earlier post in this thread, 1500 watts is 1500 watts. Same amount of maximum heat output. So why spend a ton on Dyson when you can buy another for under $20?

Incorrect on the no cooling; you can run the fan without the heat and it works....wait for it...just like a fan.