Let me tell you about my new bathroom MVP - the Broan-NuTone 162 heater/fan combo. When winter hits, stepping out of the shower used to feel like walking into an icebox. Not anymore! This little unit blasts just enough infrared warmth (using a standard 250W bulb I already had) to take that painful chill off without roasting me alive.

The installation was shockingly simple - my handyman had it up in under an hour. The adjustable brackets fit perfectly between our ceiling joists, and the white grille blends right in with our bathroom tiles. Pro tip: spring for a timer switch like we did. Waking up to a pre-warmed bathroom at 6am? Game changer.

I was worried about noise, but at 4.0 sones, the fan is quieter than my old standalone unit. It moves air surprisingly well too - no more foggy mirrors after hot showers. The IC rating gave me peace of mind since our attic insulation sits right against it.

Is it a space heater? No. But stand directly beneath it after a shower and you'll get this wonderful focused warmth like sunshine on your shoulders. My teenager actually takes shorter showers now because she's not lingering for warmth!

The only quirk: that electrical box cover is awkward to reach once installed. We used a magnetic screwdriver to handle it from below during final adjustments.

After three months of daily use through a brutal winter, this $30 open-box find has proven itself as one of my smartest home upgrades yet.