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A heated towel rail is an indispensable attribute of a modern bathroom. This is a heating element made of one or more pipe loops. It performs two main tasks: drying fabrics and lowering the humidity level in the room, in addition, this device also heats the air in the room. Basically, heated towel rails are installed in bathrooms and toilets, but they can be placed anywhere in the room – it all depends on the properties of the heater and the tasks of the user.
Types of heated towel rails for the bathroom
Towel warmers are divided into several types for a number of reasons. The most important classification method is the classification by type of coolant: water, electric and combined.
Water heated towel rail
The water heated towel rail is connected to system of hot water supply (DHW) or heating. The heated water passes through the heated towel rail circuit, and heat is transferred to its surface. Due to the constant circulation of water, the pipes of the device always remain warm. The most convenient way of installation is to the hot water supply system. Installation can also be performed to the heating system, but in this case it is necessary to obtain permission from the management company if you live in a city high-rise building, in addition, during installation, the heating must be turned off throughout the riser, and only employees of the management company can do this. In addition, if there is no heating (seasonally or due to an accident), such a heated towel rail will be cold. It is also possible to connect to an autonomous heating system if you live in a private house.
The advantages of such a device include their integration into the water or heating system of a residential building and, as a result, efficiency; no need to lay electrical cables. Disadvantages – the complexity of installation and dependence on the operation of the DHW or heating system. For example, in many apartment buildings in the summer, hot water supply is stopped for 10-14 days in order to maintain and repair heating networks, and heating – for the entire summer season. The reliability and durability of such devices is very high, subject to the high quality of the product itself and unconditional observance of the installation rules. You also need to remember that any water heated towel rail carries a potential risk of leakage. Moreover, a leak can occur both in the heated towel rail itself, and in the connections, and in the pipes of the hot water or heating system. A smart choice would be to install a water leakage protection system. Interestingly, according to the statistics of insurance companies, the amount of damage to property from flooding is several times higher than losses from burglaries.
Electric towel warmer
An electric heated towel rail is an autonomous device that does not depend on heat or water supply systems and is powered by the power supply network. This type is divided into two subgroups: “wet” and “dry”. In “wet” coolant is an oily liquid, which is heated by the heating element. Propylene glycol is often used in modern heated towel rails – it warms up quickly and retains heat well even after it is turned off. In “dry” heated towel rails, the heat carrier is a heating cable or a tubular heating element.
These devices can be used not only in the bathroom, they can be placed anywhere where there is electrical wiring. However, since they are powered by the network, the total power consumption will also increase. The power of such devices starts from 100 watts, the most common options are from 300 to 1000 watts. Many electric heated towel rails are equipped with thermostats, on which you can set the desired temperature, program the operating mode, turn on and off.
Advantages such heaters – autonomy, no need for installation, flexibility of settings (the set of settings depends on the specific model), no risk of leakage. To disadvantages include high power consumption for some models and the need for a waterproof outlet if the connection is made in the bathroom.
Combined heated towel rail
The combined heated towel rail combines the properties of electric and water. They are of two kinds. The first type consists of two sections – one of them is connected to the DHW or heating system, and the other carries a heating element (liquid or cable) powered by electricity. That is, each section is able to work on its own. In the second type, the electrical and water sections are connected. Thus, in order to switch the device from water to electric mode, it is necessary to block the inlet and outlet of water with the help of hinged taps, and the heating element will heat the amount that remains in the heated towel rail.
When connecting such a device, it is necessary to simultaneously comply with the requirements for water and electric heated towel rails. The main advantage is high versatility. Disadvantages – high cost and increased complexity of installation.
Step-by-step instructions for choosing a heated towel rail for the bathroom
” Healthy Food Near Me” turned to Lead Engineer Yuri Epifanov with a request to explain what this or that parameter of a heated towel rail affects and how to make such a choice that will best meet your requirements.
Type of heated towel rail
The most important thing is to decide on the type of heated towel rail, and for this you need to study the room in which it is supposed to be installed well. All three types of heated towel rails are suitable for bathrooms: water, electric and combined. For other rooms, it is recommended to use electric models. However, bathrooms and toilets differ from each other – they have a different area, layout, and most importantly, pipes are connected in different ways.
For bathrooms, a water heated towel rail is optimal, as it is integrated either into the hot water supply system or into the heating system. However, in some cases, it is either difficult or impractical to make an eyeliner under a heated towel rail, in which case it is more logical to use an electric model. Its main plus is that it can be turned on and off at will, and many models can also be programmed. But in this case, the bathroom should be equipped with a waterproof outlet, and manufacturers recommend connecting some models through a switchboard.
Electric heated towel rails have one feature: manufacturers often indicate the power consumption of the device, while the actual heating power may be lower. It is always necessary to check this information with the manufacturer or seller.
The most versatile solution for a bathroom would be a combined heated towel rail, but it is expensive, and its installation is very laborious: it needs both a waterproof socket and a water supply.
Design
According to the type of design, heated towel rails are divided into stationary and rotary. Stationary devices are motionless, at rotary sections they move 180 degrees. Towel warmers of any type can be movable, some have sections themselves moving, while others have separate slats that do not have a heating element.
Variants with moving sections seem very convenient, but they have a flaw: the moving elements are interconnected by gaskets that wear out (the time from installation to the first leak depends on the quality of the components and the intensity of operation). If you are ready either for periodic repairs or for replacing the device and the presence of rotary heating parts is very important to you, then look at this solution.
A good alternative would be a heated towel rail with movable slats that do not receive water: you retain the convenience of a rotary heated towel rail, but at the same time get the reliability of a stationary one.
The best option for a rotary heated towel rail is an electric “dry” model. Leaks in this case are not terrible, and the heating cable is very elastic and is not afraid of bends.
Mounting method
According to the installation method, wall and floor heated towel rails are distinguished. Wall models are the most common, they are most often used in bathrooms. In spacious bathrooms, experts advise using floor models as zone separators (toilet, bathtub, sink). There are floor models that combine a radiator and a pipe circuit. If you choose between a floor and wall water or combined heated towel rail, you must immediately clearly understand how it is more convenient for you to run pipes to it (from a practical and aesthetic point of view). This may affect the final choice.
Shape and size
Towel warmers vary in shape. The most popular forms are “snake” and “ladder”. “Snake” – a repeatedly bent pipe, there are combinations of several “snakes”. “Ladder” – these are two vertical and a number of horizontal pipes, from two or more. There are also U-, M-, E-shaped products, there are also non-standard design solutions, for example, a spiral shape. Towel dryers are available in horizontal or vertical layout.
The standard sizes of heated towel rails are from 30 to 100 cm wide and from 40 to 150 cm in length. For an electric towel warmer, power is more important than size. As mentioned above, it usually varies from 300 to 1000 watts. For water and combined variations, not only the size matters, but also the frequency of the location of pipes or bends of one pipe. The higher these two parameters, the more heat the device will give off.
Popular questions and answers
What material is more reliable for heated towel rails
Steel models (as a rule, we are talking about stainless steel) are the most common, since steel is a fairly durable material with good anti-corrosion properties. This is especially important for water, combined and “wet” electric models. At the same time, the prices for such devices are very democratic. Stainless steel is usually either chrome plated or painted.
For heated towel rails, “black” steel is also used. It does not have an anti-corrosion coating and, therefore, tolerates the aquatic environment worse. Such a device can be chosen for an autonomous heating system, but to connect to centralized systems, you need to buy stainless steel models. “Black” steel, however, is cheaper than stainless steel. This rule does not apply to “dry” electrical devices.
Another cheap option is aluminum heated towel rails. Their heat dissipation is better than that of steel, but weaker than that of copper, and aluminum itself is less durable and looks less attractive.
Copper has excellent heat dissipation and strength, heats up quickly, but is expensive. Its appearance does not always match with modern interiors, but if your interior is made “antique”, then copper is a great choice. If you decide to choose a copper model, it is desirable that it be galvanized inside, that is, isolated from contact with the aquatic environment, in which case it will last much longer. Galvanization is optional for electric models with heating cable.
Brass is an alloy based on copper and zinc, heated towel rails made from it are in many ways similar to copper, but it is better not to use them in systems with strong water pressure, that is, in centralized ones. For autonomous systems, this is a very good option.
Ceramic models are considered the most durable, but at the same time the most expensive and rare. Ceramic heated towel rails are mostly electric.
What additional features and functions should I pay attention to when choosing a heated towel rail?
– When choosing a heated towel rail, it is advisable to choose one in which the pipes are made without longitudinal seams. The seam can be seen if you look inside the pipe. The construction with a seam is less reliable and durable.
– The wall thickness of the pipes must be at least 2 mm. The greater the thickness, the higher the reliability and better heat transfer.
– It is desirable that the diameter of the pipe itself be at least 32 mm.
– Consider the diameters of the risers and piping in your room. All necessary adapters must be stocked in advance.
– To install electric heated towel rails in the bathroom or in the kitchen, a waterproof socket is required. It must be connected permanently, the use of extension cords is unacceptable.
– When buying a heated towel rail, pay attention to the quality of the welds and bends and the overall workmanship. The seams should be neat, without sagging, notches, etc. The bends are smooth, without deformations. The design of the heated towel rail is generally smooth, symmetrical and without deformation. Threads must be cut cleanly and neatly. The coating itself is uniform, without chips, scratches and sagging.
– Attractive design is also important, but not all heated towel rails have it.
– Many electrical appliances are equipped with thermostats that allow you to program their work. It is recommended to choose a device that has an off timer (and preferably an on timer), as this will help save energy and generally simplify life.
– Ask the seller for all the necessary documentation: product passport, certificates, warranty card, etc.