A heated towel rail or radiator used to be considered a luxury item in a home. But thanks to modern technology and intelligent design, they are much more affordable. Towel rails heat not only a room but also warm towels.
There are many designs to choose from. Modern heated towel rails come in many styles, including ladder towel rails or curved ones. They can also be finished in a wide range of colours. Traditional towel rails are reminiscent of older designs. They typically have a white column-style radiator, chrome, or gold rail to make a statement. Your towel rail size will depend on your wall space and your space. However, there are many sizes and shapes of heated towel rails that can be used in smaller rooms.
This guide will help you choose, install, and maintain your heated towel rail in your bathroom. It will also provide information on how to make your bathroom look great.
Towel Rails
A heated towel rail can be used as a radiator in a larger bathroom or as a heat source for smaller rooms. These rails can be stylish and functional and come in a variety of colours and designs to add a unique touch to any bathroom. They are connected to the existing gas central heating system, and hot water is pumped through to provide heat, much like a traditional radiator. If the towel rail is not included, you will need to purchase a set of valves to adjust the heat level.
A traditional heated towel rail is a good option if you want to add character to your property or make it a heated towel rail. They are smaller than ladder-style towel rails, but they can provide an excellent heat output and complement other period features
You don't need a gas central heating system to use an electric towel rail. An electric towel rail's great advantage is its ability to be turned on and off as needed. This makes them very economical and efficient. Some have a thermostat that allows you to adjust the heat output, while others have a fixed outcome. To install this, you will need to hire an electrical engineer.
Dual fuel towel rails combine the electric and heated towel rails. Dual fuel towel rails allow you to choose whether you want the towel rail to operate independently or in conjunction with your central heating system. This is particularly useful during the summer when central heating is not used. You can still heat and dry towels. It is essential to determine if the heating element must be purchased separately or included.
A Towel Rail can heat a bathroom.
The heated towel rails connected to the central heating system function similarly to regular radiators but emit less heat than radiators of comparable size.
You can leave heated towel rails on like regular radiators, but it is safer and more efficient to use them only when they are needed.
When looking at heated towel rails, it is essential to think about how they will be used. To heat towels, the towel rail will need a lower output than if you want the room to heat. A heated towel rail would be required to heat a bathroom measuring 2.5m x 2.5mx2.5m. This heating output (British thermal units) should be around 1150 BTU. The heat output of a towel rail is generally higher than the size. An online heating calculator, such as this one, can help you determine how many BTUs are recommended for your particular room.
Where do I put my heated towel rail?
For convenience and ease of use, it is essential that you take the time to think about where your towel rail should be placed. Also, consider how it will look concerning your other rooms. The following factors will affect the position:
You are replacing an existing towel bar
The space you have
The shape of the room
The wall space that you have
Whether it is electric, plumbed, or dual
The position of existing pipes
Position of doors and furniture
The size of the heated towel rail
It is essential that your towel rail can be used to heat your room, as well as warm towels. This should be the coldest wall in your room. It should also have a window or another external wall that distributes heat.
The towel rail must be placed within reach of your shower or bath so that warm towels are easily accessible.
It is important to measure the space of the towel rail and the wall it will be attached to. Consider any restrictions regarding fitting towel rails near water sources. We recommend contacting a registered tradesperson to verify if these restrictions apply before purchasing.
Maintenance and Installation
It is not difficult to install a heated towel rail. If you are a competent DIYer and have the confidence to do so, it will be relatively easy.
We recommend hiring a plumber if you don't have any plumbing or DIY experience or your heating system is not conventional. To install electrical towel rails or dual fuel towel bars, you must hire an electrical engineer who is qualified to do so. The towel rail will be connected to mains electricity.
Make sure that your heated towel rail fits in the required space before you begin to install it. It is more accessible to tile or paints the space before fitting the towel rail. You may need to modify the pipework underneath the flooring. In this case, it is better to leave the flooring alone. Make sure your central heating system has been turned off entirely and drained.
You can replace an existing heated towel rail with the exact dimensions by swapping the pipework. A plumber may be needed to modify the pipework if the new towel rail has an unusually wide or narrow profile, especially from the floor.
If you are replacing an existing towel rail, radiator, or other fixture, it is important to note any obstructions and where the pipes will be located. To connect the heated towel rail, you will need to measure between 100 and 200mm below the surface.
What Does it Cost to Install a Heating Towel Rail?
Costs to install a heated towel rail can vary depending on what type of towel rail is being installed, which heating system you have, where you live, and who is doing the work. The expected cost of fitting a standard heated towelrail or electric towelrail is around PS200-300. A dual fuel heated towelrail would cost approximately PS300-500.
How can I adjust or replace heated towel rail valves?
Most people replace the heated towel rail valves because they can now adjust the heat output or set the radiator to turn on when the temperature drops. If they are damaged or worn out, the valves might need to be replaced.
How do I Bleed Heated Towel Rail Valves
To get the most out of your heated towel rail and ensure it runs smoothly, it should be maintained as with any other radiator. It is recommended that radiators be bled annually and that heating systems are repaired or modified. The most common reason your towel rail is cooler at the top than it is at the bottom is that the air in the system is preventing water from flowing throughout the towel rail. This valve must be opened to get rid of it. It is easy to clean a heated towel rail. A flat head or radiator screwdriver, a spanner/allen wrench, and a towel/rag are all you will need.
Turn off your heating
Let the system cool for at most 30 minutes
Remove the caps from the radiator valves. Open them fully anticlockwise using a spanner/allen.
The radiator bleed valve is usually located at the top of the towel rail. It can be either hexagonal or square.
Place your towel/rag underneath the bleed valve. Turn it counter clockwise. As the air leaves the radiator, you will hear a hissing sound. After the water has escaped from the valve, close it.
If water is not coming out of the valve, but the air stops, you will need to increase the pressure. Check your boiler's user manual and do this as directed.
How do I clean heated towel rails?
Your heated towel rail's longevity will be increased, and it will run at its best. Heated towel rails are most often used in bathrooms, kitchens, or utility rooms. They can collect dirt and dust, so it is essential to clean them frequently. To remove dirt and dust from heated towel rails, you need to wipe them with a damp cloth. This will keep them looking great and preserve their quality and ensure maximum heat output.
