How do towel rails work

An average bathroom measures around 2. Generally, the larger the towel rail the higher the heat output, using an online heating calculator like this one here can help you determine the BTU recommended for a particular room. It is important to take some time to consider exactly where you want to place your new towel rail for convenience, ease of use, and how it looks in relation to the rest of your room.

The position will normally depend on:. If using your towel rail to heat the room as well as warm towels it is most important to have it in a position where heat can radiate around the room without being blocked by doors or furniture. Ideally, this will be the coldest wall in the room, the wall with a window or other external wall to help distribute the heat. Practically, it is also important to position the towel rail within reaching distance of your bath or shower so warm towels are easy to get to.

You will need to take some measurements and consider both the size of the heated towel rail and the wall you are fixing it to.

You also need to consider any restrictions in fitting a towel rail near water sources. If you are unsure if this applies, we would recommend contacting a registered tradesperson to check before making a purchase.

Installing a heated towel rail need not be a difficult task, if you have DIY experience and the confidence to tackle such a task, it is relatively simple to install a heated towel rail. If you do not have DIY or plumbing experience or do not have a conventional heating system, we recommend employing a plumber. With electrical or dual fuel towel rails you MUST use a fully qualified electrical engineer to install as the towel rail is connected to the mains electricity supply.

Before beginning to fit your heated towel rail ensure that it does fit in the space required. If you are redecorating the room, it is much easier to paint or tile the area before you fit the towel rail so we do recommend doing this first. You may need to make changes to pipework under the floor though so it is best to leave the flooring until afterwards just in case.

Ensure that your central heating system is fully switched off and drained. If you are replacing an existing heated towel rail with the same dimensions you should be able to do a straight swap providing the pipework is in the same position.

If the new towel rail has a slightly wider or slimmer profile you may need a plumber to adjust the existing pipework particularly if it comes from the floor rather than the wall. When not replacing an existing towel rail or radiator you will need to make a note of any obstructions and the location of where the pipes will be connected.

You will also need approximately mm at the bottom of the heated towel rail to be able to connect it up. From here the electrical connection must be completed by a qualified electrician in accordance with relevant electrical regulations, unless you are plugging it into a power point however this is not an option with all rails. Further Installation Tips: It is always recommended that the electrical connection is made where it can be accessed at a later date if required.

Ensue the wiring is going to the correct leg on the towel rail unless your rail comes with universal wiring which allows connection at any leg. Do not attempt to drill the holes before you have the towel rail as most suppliers have a manufacturing tolerance, meaning your holes may be in the wrong location. These rails are safe for use in wet areas due to the low voltage.

Some ranges excluding the 12V range have the option of exposed wiring for easy mounting in existing bathrooms - meaning no wiring is required in the wall or roof cavity. A V rail and 12V rail will put out the same amount of heat if they have the same wattage. If you'd like the freedom of moving your heated towel rail then make your heated towel rails freestanding - these rails only need to be plugged into a power point and can be moved from room to room.

Controlling Your Rail. Browse Heated Towel Rails. Stainless Steel vs Chrome. Stainless Steel. Stainless Steel is the coming together of two sometimes three parties, involving steel, chromium and nickel. It is resistant to corrosion, tarnish and scratches - the perfect solution for an area where moisture is generally present. Stainless steel is extremely hygienic with no known health risks. Chrome generally refers to a chromium overlay or plating.

The lustrous, hard, steel grey metallic material is electroplated onto the outside of a plastic or metal product. Chromium plating looks great when used decoratively as a thin corrosion free veneer to bathroom accessories. Although this material strengthens the object which it covers, over time, the material can scratch exposing the product below to possible rust. What are IP Ratings? Electrical fixtures in bathrooms are certified using an IP Ingress Protection rating.

This rating uses 2 numbers and refers to the level of protection against the ingress of foreign bodies 1st number and protection against the ingress of liquids 2nd number. The higher the second number is the greater protection the item has from water ingress. Many heated towel rails have an IP55 Protection Rating, making them safe for use in bathrooms. So are heated towel rails worth it?

Previous article Top Water Saving Tips. Photograph courtesy of Drummonds. There are two basic types: electric and hydronic. Both systems heat the towel rail from the inside out, are highly efficient, and have low energy consumption.

As an added feature, many towel warmers are equipped with auto shut-off timers and thermostats. Above: A wall-mounted towel warmer is at the ready in a renovated rectory from our post Springtime in Sussex. Electric towel warmers are self-contained units that operate independently from your heating system. They contain electric-powered, low-watt elements within the towel rail. Hydronic towel warmers are connected to either hot-water plumbing or radiant-heating systems.

Like a radiator, the hot water runs through the towel bars, providing even and consistent warmth. The complexity of installing towel warmers depends on the heating source and mounting style. Electric towel warmers are available as either hardwired or plug-in units. Hydronic towel warmers are best installed during a remodel. Above: Freestanding towel warmers offer the most flexibility in placement and the most ease in installation. All models are electric and most are of the plug-in variety.

They can be moved to a laundry room for drying delicates, and to the back door to heat up winter scarves and coats before you heat out into the cold. Photograph of a freestanding towel warmer from Mr.