The trend in recent years has been towards soft waterbeds, also known as hybrid waterbeds. The thick padding and foam structure of these hybrids had largely eliminated the need for an electric heating system.
A waterbed heater was an absolute requirement back in the days when sleeping on a waterbed meant sleeping with the only thing between you and the vinyl water bladder being a sheet and possibly a sheet in combination with a mattress pad. .
The water in the bladder would never rise above ambient room temperature and would never approach the normal human body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Before the introduction of electric heating systems, homeowners had to place a piece of foam directly over the vinyl bladder. Without a layer of insulation between the sleeper and the bladder, the sleeper would experience a mild case of what could only be described as hypothermia, in which body heat was drawn out leaving the sleeper quite cold.
With the introduction and widespread use of electric heating systems, the need for an insulation layer was eliminated. The heating systems allowed the sleeper to control the temperature of the bed, which allowed for maximum sleeping comfort. Waterbed heating systems have been shown to have some therapeutic benefit for those with joint pain and other minor medical conditions. For the rest of us, the feeling of a nice, warm bed is simply comfortable.
Newer hybrid waterbeds have largely eliminated the need for a heating system and the decision whether or not to have a heater is strictly a personal preference and comfort. Hybrids take a page from past waterbed history by using thick foam padding on top of water-filled bladders or water cylinders. Adding a heating system to a hybrid waterbed can help take the chill out of a winter night in the same way a heated blanket or heated bed pad can when used with a traditional flat bed.
Designed for traditional mattresses, electric blankets and heated mattress toppers should never be used with any type of waterbed. Even if you own a hybrid waterbed, a leaky tube can spell disaster with the very real possibility of electrocution. When it comes to heaters and other electrical devices for your waterbed, use only those products that are specifically designed for your type of bed.
When setting up a hard-walled waterbed, it’s important to follow some basic safety rules. Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding the proper placement of the heater. Make sure the power cable, temperature sensor and heater control cables are not twisted and routed correctly.
The ability to buy products globally over the Internet has many advantages. Along with those advantages comes a responsibility on the part of the consumer. Products can be purchased for what appears to be a great price, but the money saved may not be worth it. Cyberspace is full of unscrupulous sellers offering shoddy products that can be downright dangerous. The cardinal rule is always buyer beware. Another way to think of this rule is that the buyer be aware. If the price of something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Organizations like Underwriters Laboratories and the Canadian Standards Association rate the safety of many different types of products. Always look for the UL or CSA label on any electrical device you plan to use with your waterbed. This includes heaters, heater controls, and lighting fixtures. Avoid any product that is not safety rated.
