Bathroom renovations are pretty exciting.
Many homeowners love the thought of planning a new layout and all the fixtures, tiles and lighting options to go along with it.
But, there is one thing that often gets forgotten.
That’s the electrics!
Bathrooms are unique spaces in terms of electricity because of their close proximity to water.
That means safety and practicality need to be a top priority.
Let’s look into the essential electrical considerations for a bathroom so that you can ensure your space will be safe, functional and gorgeous all at the same time!
Safety First In The Wet Zone
Bathrooms are classified as wet areas which obviously means that special care needs to be taken to prevent water from coming into contact with any electrical fittings. Water + electricity is not a good equation. In fact, it can pose serious safety risks, so bathroom electrical installations need to follow strict electrical standards.
To keep things simple, NZ regulations divide the various areas in a bathroom into zones.
- Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower area - No electrical equipment should be installed in this area unless specially designed to be submerged, such as waterproof lighting.
- Zone 1: The area immediately around the bath and shower - Equipment with appropriate water resistance can be installed here.
- Zone 2: Up to 60cm from the edge of Zone 1 - More lenience is available here, but any fixtures must still have an element of water resistance (your electrician can guide you on this)
- Zone 3: The areas of the bathroom that don’t fall into the other zones - Mortly standard electrical fittings can be used here as long as they comply with bathroom safety requirements.
There is a bit more to the technical side of how each zone is handled - your electrician will be able to provide guidance on what types of fittings are suitable for each zone.
Lighting Considerations
You don’t realise how important lighting is in a bathroom until you try to get ready in one with crummy lighting! That’s why careful placement of the right kind of lighting is super important!
- Bathroom Appropriate: due to the high level of moisture and steam in a bathroom, not all lights are suitable. Any light installed must meet the standards for use in a wet area.
- Task Lighting: It is super hard to apply skincare, shave or style your hair when you can’t see yourself in the mirror! That’s why correctly placed task lighting is essential in any bathroom.
- Ambient lighting: It doesn’t have to only be about function, you can install other ambient lighting options to create tranquillity and vibe in your space.
A lighting plan can be really helpful as you’ll see it all visually mapped out in front of you. Your electrician can help you design a plan that encompasses safety and style to ensure your bathroom is well-lit and safety compliant.
Heating Considerations
Tiled bathrooms can look absolutely stunning, but they can also be absolutely freezing. So, you may want to consider some tasteful heating options like a heated towel rail or underfloor heating.
Heated towel rails are typically hardwired into your electrical system for a sleek and seamless look. Your electrician will likely install it on a dedicated circuit for easy control and to protect against electrical faults.
Underfloor heating is a little more complex, but every bit as easy to use once installed. To keep your toes toasty warm, underfloor heating systems require careful planning to ensure the correct placement of heating elements and thermostats. The perfect time to do this is if you are considering upgrading your existing flooring and engaging with your electrician to get it safely wired and installed.
Ventilation Considerations
Bathrooms are known for steam and moisture, which is why it is important to have proper ventilation. Without the right ventilation, moisture buildup can lead to mould, mildew and potential electrical hazards.
Ventilation fans or systems are a great way to ensure a safe and comfortable bathroom. In order to do that, they should be placed in a location where they can effectively extract moisture, usually near your bath or shower.
Often ventilation systems can be integrated with your lighting. They can also be equipped with smart functions like a built-in timer or humidity sensor to automatically trigger and control moisture levels.
Power Points
Powerpoints are super handy in a bathroom, but they need to be installed in the correct place to avoid potential hazards. As we’ve already mentioned, water and electricity do not mix well! So, there are strict regulations about where power points can be placed.
These are the considerations your electrician can help you work through:
- Distance from water: Any power point must be installed at least 60cm away from any water source, such as sinks, showers or bathtubs. This minimises the risk of electrical shock.
- RCD protection: All bathroom power points must be connected to a circuit protected by an electrical safety switch called an RCD. It will immediately cut off power if an electrical fault is detected.
- Shaver sockets: These specialised sockets provide safe, low-voltage power for razors and electric toothbrushes. They can be installed closer to water sources as they are designed with built-in isolation transformers to prevent electrical hazards.
Trust A Professional for Your Bathroom Electrics
Working with electricity in a bathroom setting is complex and comes with unique challenges due to the presence of water. To ensure your bathroom renovation is both safe and functional, it’s essential to hire a qualified and experienced electrician.
You can trust the team here at Retrolec for all your electrical needs. Whether it be to change a few fixtures or a complete bathroom renovation, we are on hand to help.
Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help you create a bathroom that is beautiful, safe and built to last.
