A warm bathroom is a daily luxury, especially in winter. But if every hot shower leaves your space fogged up and dripping with condensation, it’s time to rethink how you’re heating and ventilating. Without good airflow, all that cosy warmth turns into trapped steam. And that can lead to mould, mildew, and long-term damage.

Many people rely on heating alone to dry out their bathroom, but that’s only part of the picture. You still need an extractor fan to pull moist air out of the room and push it outside. This stops condensation from settling and keeps the air fresh. A good fan should run during and after your shower, and be powerful enough for the size of the room. A timer switch can help it keep going even after you’ve left.

That said, heating still plays a part. It won’t remove steam, but it can help stop it from turning into water on your walls and mirrors. Condensation happens when warm, moist air (like steam from your shower) hits a cold surface. If the surface is warm, condensation is less likely to form. So by keeping surfaces like tiles, mirrors and glass closer to the air temperature, you reduce the chance of water droplets forming.

Radiant heating systems, such as underfloor heating, heated towel rails, or wall panels, warm up the surfaces in the room. This helps them stay above the dew point; the temperature at which moisture in the air condenses. So while heating doesn’t remove moisture, it does play a role in reducing where and how much condensation forms.

Of course, heating doesn’t replace ventilation. You still need a good extractor fan to remove the moisture altogether. But radiant heating can definitely help support a drier, more comfortable space. With the right combination, you get a bathroom that feels warm and welcoming, without foggy mirrors or damp corners.

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