I have a ceiling vent fan with a light and heater combined in mine. Each turns on individually so you can have one or all as you desire. I'd also make sure that window was well insulated and had no drafts coming in. That will go a long way to retaining the heat from the shower without cooling it down. I rarely use the heat though because I like hot showers and that heats the room pretty well.

There is no best way as such. Underfloor heating is great, IXL Tastic type of thing also works ok. We have ducted heating, I have a friend who has underfloor hydronic through bathroom (and whole house...). Depends on budget, where you are, existing heating source to dwelling.

I had a builder tell me once that IXL Tastic lights use a whopping amount of energy. And those bulbs are rated 250W+. So is there anything that would be lighter on the energy costs?

Was thinking about one of these slimline panel heaters -

Noirot 7358-8T 2400W Spot Plus Panel Heater with Timer · More Info

@whynottryit - there are drafts around the window. Silly old house.

Heat lamps may use a lot of energy but you don't have them on for hours at a time.

I wouldn't think they would cost a huge amount to run in whole scheme of things. Heating, cooling and hot water is where your energy bills go. If you want to reduce costs sort these first such as drafts, insulation, etc..

These will reduce the need for extra heating costs.

A Tastic type of unit has a extraction fan as well so its a quite inexpensive fix for something that won't ever be used for extended periods.

Luke can you fit a fireplace in there? Even if you have to take space from another room (They did it on the Block)

Lund Residence · More Info

I know this is not practical advice and the heater is probably the best option. The Tastic sucks a lot of power due to the 250 watt halogen lamps, I don't think they have an eco option unfortunately. I think you can get wall mounted heaters like the Noirot above.

We were in Tasmania in February at Port Arthur and they told us that the lake was where the convicts had to bathe. It was snowing down to the waterline in Hobart this year!

I have found the Tastic pretty useless as it takes too long to really heat up and I am in and out with tank water. If I won lotto I would redo the bathroom with underfloor heating, ducted air and heated towel rails. In the meantime a couple of bath matts to cover the cold floor, dry towels and a warm dressing gown to put on as soon as possible do the trick.

I have a similar bathroom which I'm about to renovate. Intend to just put a power outlet on the wall and use the old-fashioned bar heater on the wall. For the amount of time required it's quick, hot, at my level and cheap. The new designs looks quite acceptable too.

Instead of a bar heater try the slim black heaters they often use in bars and cafes. I have seen them just attached to the roof rafters, they provide pretty good heat.

I think they are called a heatstrip. Ask at your hardware store.

if you have long cold spells then underfloor heating plus a "tastic" style blow heater..best option for warmth and dry towels etc gorgeous!!

@Yol Salla Do you find that blow heater uses a lot of electricity?

BTW, yes I realise this post began in 2015 but i have STILL not sorted the heating for this bathroom. Hoping to one day rip it out and start again. Then, i guess, we might get a panel heater or underfloor heating.

Here is the heater @CloudyHaze mentioned - looks modern. 2000W sounds pricey to run.