How to Safely Install a Ceiling Heat Lamp

A ceiling heat lamp is most commonly used in a bathroom, making it more temperature friendly after a shower or bath in the wintertime. While they can effectively heat up a room, ensuring a safe installation is not always an easy task.

As with any electrical installation, be sure the circuit breakers are in the off-mode to prevent electrocution.

Step One – The Junction Box

Open up the junction box, and use a screwdriver to pop one of the “knockouts” open in said junction box. Be sure the wires are in good shape. If they look at all damaged or worn, cut the exposed section, and strip a new ¾” section of the wire. After doing this, slide the wires through the “knockout” hole and secure them with a locknut.

Step Two – Wiring the Junction Box

Take the green or bare copper wire (ground wire) from the feed and loop it. Secure it with the green ground screw in the junction box. Connect the white feed wire to the white wire in the junction box, and secure with a wire nut. Wrap these with electrical tape.

Step Three – The Thermocouple

Next, look for a black or blue rod on the side of the junction box. This is the thermocouple, and there should be two (often a blue and red) wires coming out from it. Connect the blue wire to the black feed wire, secure it with a wire nut, and tape it like you did in the last step with the white wires. Connect the red wire to the black fixture wire and secure with a wire nut and tape.

Step Four – Securing the Junction Box

Neatly tuck all the wires into the junction box and secure.

Step Five – Installing the Heat Lamp

Follow the instructions to install the heat lamp in the ceiling.

Step Six – Replacing the Switch

After installing the lamp, you will need to replace the switch that controls the light with an electric wall timer. Take the switch cover off and pull the switch out after removing the securing screws.

Step Seven – Wiring the Switch

Cut the ends off of the wires and strip ¾” off the wires to create a fresh connection. You should notice two wire leads coming out of the timer, connect one lead to one of the wires in the wall and the other lead to the other wire. Because it is a switch, it does not matter which wires are connected to each other. As before, wire nut each pair and use electrical tape. You may need to organize the wires inside to make sure the timer fits, as it is larger than a regular switch. It should sit evenly inside the wall. Use the two longer screws to secure it.

Step Eight – Replacing the Switch Plate

Finally, replace the switch plate, install the dial, and install the heat lamp in the fixture. Turn your circuit breakers back to the on position, and you should have warmth for your post-shower chills from here on out.