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

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.

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.

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.

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.

heated bulb
 

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater AM09

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

A much more practical and economical alternative.

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