Choosing the right bathroom ceiling heater balances warmth, ventilation, noise level, and installation. The table below summarizes five top models selected for performance, features, and compatibility with typical American bathrooms. Use this as a quick comparison before reading the detailed product sections and buying guide.
| Model | Brand | Airflow / Heater Type |
|---|---|---|
| Broan-NuTone BHFLED80 | Broan-NuTone | 80 CFM / Integrated Heater + LED Light |
| Broan-NuTone 157 | Broan-NuTone | Ceiling Heater 1250W / Low-Profile Sheath Element |
| Broan-NuTone 164 | Broan-NuTone | 70 CFM / 2-Bulb Infrared (250W bulbs) |
| Panasonic WhisperWarm FV-0511VH1 | Panasonic | 50-80-110 CFM / 1600W PTC Heater |
| Delta Breez Radiance | Delta Breez | 80 CFM / 1300W Integrated Heating Element |
Content Navigation
- Broan-NuTone BHFLED80 PowerHeat Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Heater, and LED Light Combination
- Broan-NuTone 157 Low-Profile Fan-Forced Ceiling Heater
- Broan-Nutone 164 Bulb Heater And Fan, Infrared Type Ceiling Heater
- Panasonic WhisperWarm FV-0511VH1 Ceiling Mount Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Heater
- Delta Breez Radiance Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, Heater & Thermostat
- Buying Guide: How To Choose A Bathroom Ceiling Heater
- 1. Heater Type And Wattage
- 2. Airflow (CFM) And Ventilation Needs
- 3. Noise (Sones) And Motor Type
- 4. Integrated Lighting And Controls
- 5. Installation And Housing Compatibility
- 6. Safety Features And Certifications
- 7. Energy Use And Operating Cost
- 8. Maintenance And Replacement Parts
- 9. Sizing Guidance
- Comparison Perspectives
Broan-NuTone BHFLED80 PowerHeat Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Heater, and LED Light Combination
This combo unit integrates an 80 CFM exhaust fan, a heater, and a dimmable LED light with selectable color temperatures. The fan operates at 1.5 sones, which is relatively quiet for an 80 CFM unit. The LED offers three CCT options—2700K, 3500K, and 5000K—allowing you to match the bathroom lighting to preference.
Key listed features include independent operation of fan, light, and heater for flexible use. The design uses a white decorative grille intended to fit standard installations. The unit targets moisture control and mirror clarity while providing localized warmth during use.
Broan-NuTone 157 Low-Profile Fan-Forced Ceiling Heater
The Broan 157 is a ceiling-mounted fan-forced heater using a metal sheath element, rated at 1250W and 120VAC. Its low-profile housing is intended to minimize visual impact and fit in shallow ceiling cavities. The satin aluminum grille aims to match common decor.
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Listed features emphasize energy-saving supplemental heating, a durable aluminum grille, and enclosed heating element for reliability. This model is suitable when the priority is a compact, dedicated ceiling heater without integrated lighting or high exhaust airflow.
Broan-Nutone 164 Bulb Heater And Fan, Infrared Type Ceiling Heater
The Broan 164 combines ventilation and infrared bulb heating. It uses two R40/BR40 infrared bulbs (250W each, not included) to provide instant radiant warmth while the fan offers 70 CFM ventilation at 4.0 sones.
Features emphasize energy-efficient spot heating that avoids raising whole-home thermostat settings. The fan/heater combo is a common retrofit choice where a simple infrared bulb heater is preferred for quick warmth but lower continuous energy use.
Panasonic WhisperWarm FV-0511VH1 Ceiling Mount Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Heater
Panasonic’s WhisperWarm offers a 1600W PTC heater paired with a DC/ECM motor and Pick-A-Flow selectable airflow: 50, 80, or 110 CFM. It is Energy Star-certified and designed for quieter operation compared with many alternatives.
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Installation features include the Flex-Z Fast Bracket that simplifies alignment and supports 4″ or 6″ ducting. The PTC heater provides instant warmth with thermal management, and the selectable CFM is useful for sizing the fan to room dimensions and code requirements.
Delta Breez Radiance Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, Heater & Thermostat
The Delta Breez Radiance integrates an 80 CFM exhaust fan, LED light, thermostat-controlled 1300W heater, and a brushless DC motor rated for long life. The fan operates at about 1.5 sones and aims for high efficiency measured as CFM per watt.
Features call out the thermal cutoff fuse for heater safety and an energy-saving motor rated to long operating hours. This unit targets users who want a compact integrated solution with a focus on reliability and efficiency.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Bathroom Ceiling Heater
Selecting a bathroom ceiling heater involves balancing wattage, airflow, noise, installation constraints, and safety features. The guide below outlines the primary factors to compare.
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1. Heater Type And Wattage
- PTC/Element Heaters (e.g., Panasonic 1600W, Delta 1300W): Provide steady forced warmth and often include thermal cutoffs.
- Infrared Bulb Heaters (e.g., Broan 164): Produce instant radiant heat, useful for short-duration warmth; bulbs may be replaceable.
- Fan-Forced Sheath Elements (e.g., Broan 157): Compact, good for shallow ceilings and continuous supplemental heat.
2. Airflow (CFM) And Ventilation Needs
- CFM should match bathroom size and local code—higher CFM removes moisture faster. Models with selectable airflow (Panasonic Pick-A-Flow) add flexibility.
- If you only want spot heating without strong ventilation, an infrared bulb heater paired with a separate vent may suffice.
3. Noise (Sones) And Motor Type
- Sones measure perceived loudness. Values around 1–2 sones are typical for quieter units. Units with DC/ECM motors (Panasonic, Delta) usually run quieter and more efficiently than AC motors.
4. Integrated Lighting And Controls
- Many modern units combine LED lighting with adjustable color temperature or dimming (BHFLED80, Panasonic VHL1). Decide whether you want separate switches or combined controls.
- Night light or low-power modes are useful for overnight use and safety.
5. Installation And Housing Compatibility
- Check ceiling cavity depth, duct size (4″ vs 6″), and bracket design. Models with quick-mount brackets simplify retrofit and new-construction installs (Panasonic Flex-Z).
- Low-profile housings (Broan 157) suit shallow ceilings; integrated fan/heater combos may require larger openings or attic access.
6. Safety Features And Certifications
- Look for thermal cutoff fuses, overheat protection, and compliance with UL/ETL listings. Energy Star certification indicates motor efficiency for fans.
7. Energy Use And Operating Cost
- Higher wattage heaters deliver more heat but consume more power. Infrared bulbs provide quick bursts of warmth for short durations; PTC and sheath elements offer steadier heating.
- Fan motor efficiency matters for continuous ventilation—brushless DC motors typically use less energy over time.
8. Maintenance And Replacement Parts
- Consider availability of replacement bulbs for infrared models and ease of cleaning grille and fan. Durable grille materials (aluminum, stainless steel) resist discoloration from heat and humidity.
9. Sizing Guidance
- For ventilation, common guideline: 1 CFM per square foot or follow local code—choose adjustable CFM if uncertain. For heating, match wattage to user needs: 1000–1600W is typical for single-bathroom targeted warmth.
Comparison Perspectives
- Noise-Focused: Prioritize DC/ECM motors and low sones (Panasonic, Delta).
- Instant Warmth: Infrared bulb solutions (Broan 164) give immediate radiant heat during showers.
- Integrated Lighting: Units with dimmable LED and CCT selection (Broan BHFLED80, Panasonic VHL1) reduce fixture count.
- Shallow Ceiling Installations: Low-profile heaters with compact housings (Broan 157) fit tighter spaces.