Towel radiator
Starting the day by entering a bathroom that has a warm temperature in the middle of winter is simply a joy. And if we also have the towels or the bathrobe a little warm, we will definitely start the day well.
Although there are multiple heating systems for improve the temperature of the baths, the great unknown are the towel radiators or as many of us call them in a more generic way, towel rails. But… What are heated towel rails for and what are they for?
What are heated towel rails?
The towel radiator It is a device that works like heating and is placed in the bathrooms. The objective is to heat the bathroom at the same time that we can dry and warm the towels or the bathrobe.
Comfortably heating a bath while enjoying a warm towel is the promise of the towel dryers. However, there are many technologies available and not all devices offer the same benefits.
The electric towel racks It is usually the majority purchase option for many of the users who are looking for improve the bath temperature and be more comfortable, but, in reality, there is a wide range of models that work in different ways, and this is where we have to be careful when buy a heated towel rail if we don't want to waste money or end up with a high electricity bill.
Here is a very useful buying guide to help you find the product you need …
Types of towel radiators
First we must clarify that there are three types of heated towel rails for the bathroom. Three generalized options that depend on the energy that we are going to use; one electric, water or mixed. and according to the installation we have at home:
| Types of towel radiators | It works with | Installation | Price for sale |
| Water towel radiator | Central heating - Boiler | Needs Works - Complicated | €€ |
| Electric towel radiator | Electricity connection | No works - Easy installation | € |
| Mixed towel radiator | Centralized heating - Boiler + electrical connection | Needs works | €€€ |
1.- Hot water towel radiators
We can install this type of towel dryer if we have a centralized radiator system with its boiler timely. It is certainly the best option since we take advantage of the heating system that we already have in the housea, with the small caveat that it will work if the central system is activated.
In short, it is like having a typical radiator but its shape will be adapted (normally they are elements in vertical format) so that we can hang the towels or bathrobe.
Its installation is more complex; we need to do works to pass the corresponding pipes and carry out the different tests so that everything works correctly (See article gas boilers for heating).
It must be taken into account, although it is not common, that the water heater can be fed, for example, with hot water from the shower, so when we finish we have a hot towel (the bathroom is not heated here) or with underfloor heating if it works with water. They are other options although less known.
As information, there are also heated towel rails that, through an individual thermostat, allow us to adjust the temperature of the bathroom independently of the other rooms in the house.
2.- Electric towel radiators
In this case, only an electrical connection is needed to operate the towel rail. This appliance will work independently of the other heating equipment that we may have at home.
Although from the perspective of energy consumption it is not as efficient as the one mentioned above, it has palpable advantages such as; a quick and easy installation where practically no works are required (fix the device to the wall and plug it into the mains).
In addition, practically all electric towel racks have a thermostat where we will control the on and off, even the most expensive ones can be controlled with the mobile via WiFi.
Let's see the different electric towel warmer models most common that the market provides us according to their operation (later we will see according to materials) and what their characteristics are:
| Electric heated towel rail model | Warming towels | Bathroom comfort | Temperature increase shape | Price |
| By convection | Under | Under | Medium | € |
| By radiation | medium | Medium | Medium | € |
| By fan | Under | Under | Fast | € |
| By aluminum with inertia | Medium | High | Slow | €€ |
| By tubes | High | High | Slow | €€ |
| Mixed | High | High | Fast | €€€ |
- Convection towel radiators. A simple resistance in the low position heats the air directly. The towels are housed in a holder hanging from the radiator. The heating of the towels is limited as most of the heat escapes from the top. The bath heats up quickly thanks to the high reactivity of the heating element. However, a significant stratification phenomenon is created (hot at the top, cold at the bottom).
- Radiating towel radiators. Two vertical radiant plates mounted in parallel offer this greater exchange surface. Therefore, towels are better heated, but only on one side.
- Fan towel radiators. A thermal resistance directly heats the air and a blower takes care of quickly diffusing the heat in the room. Although the heating of the towels is quite uneven and due to the shape of the appliances, the heat is focused. On the other hand, the heat diffuses very quickly in the room thanks to the fan.
- Radiators heated aluminum towels with inertia. These inertial towel dryers have a large, fairly reactive aluminum heating element. Towels can be stored on racks. They have a large and fairly homogeneous heat exchange surface.
- Tube towel warmer radiators (heat carrier fluid). The tubes are heated by a fluid or a resistance that provides a large exchange surface. The heat is more homogeneous.
- Mixed towel radiators. They are the most technically advanced but also the most expensive. The towels are heated with tubular elements and we can use - as an option - the fan to quickly heat the bathroom.
Inertial aluminum radiators and tube radiators have a coherent relationship between heating the bathroom, having a dry towel and price
If we had to opt for some electric towel dryer, we would go more to the inertial ones or the tube ones, which has a coherent relationship between heating the bathroom and having a dry towel. The mixed one is the best option, but for sale it will be the most expensive.
3.- Mixed towel radiators
The mixed heated towel rail is a combination of the two previous technologies. It can work by means of the boiler that provides heat to the centralized radiators or by electricity.
As the devices are more complex, the sale price in the market is more expensive, but we will have the option of using one system or another when we are interested. It is the same possibility as electric water heaters that accumulate hot water thanks to the centralized boiler.
Features towel dryer radiators
The towel rail by water radiator has fewer models for sale since its technology that provides heat depends on the boiler, but, the electric towel radiator It can emit heat in many ways, and this is where it gets tricky. So let's look at a few important aspects.
The towel drying apparatus, being in a humid area, the bathroom, it is necessary that it have some characteristics in its materials and finishes, especially a treatment to protect from oxidation if we want it to have a long life.
Remember, that they have anti oxidation treatment so that they last longer
The best known brands (Baix, Rointe Delta, Bisque, Ferrolan, Rodriguez Calderon, Irsap, Koralux, etc) and reputed in quality, they carry out a long process to obtain adequate anti-corrosion qualities due to humidity, as well as in the painting or finishing of the radiator.
Towel radiator materials
Depending on the material manufactured, we also have different models that will affect their design, their thermal inertia (how they give off heat), their resistance to humidity and, consequently, their durability.
- Ceramic towel radiator. They are made up of flat transverse tubes. Devices that integrate a resistance with a variable power that heats the ceramic material. They have better inertia (heat preservation) but take longer to produce heat.
- Soapite towel radiator. Soapstone is a natural stone that retains heat. It has the same system as ceramic, in short, it is a solid body heated by an electrical resistance that is housed inside.
- Volcanic stone towel radiator. With many similarities to is soapstone, in this case they are normally sold with rectangular and flat plates. They have good thermal inertia, but they take time to heat up.
- Steel towel radiator. They are the best sellers on the market with the typical rounded or flat tubes. Of various colors, although it is normally sold in white, they can work with both water (we need to have a boiler), oil or some coolant that will already have an electrical connection.
- Aluminum towel radiator. It works the same as steel ones, although here, aluminum facilitates a faster temperature rise. In these cases we can find them in a thousand ways.
- Stainless steel towel radiator. It has the same operation as the previous two with the exception that it is a more durable material and we are already in a high range of heated towel rails.
There is an interesting article that we do about designer radiators where we can see the thousand shapes and materials that are presented in the market. And now it's time to see how we select the best for our home …
How to choose a heated towel rail
At the time of choose the most suitable heated towel rail For your bathroom, there are some keys you should look at and take into consideration.
What type of air conditioning do I have? We refer to the current heating system of the house: if we have a boiler (centralized heating in the house) or we can only choose an electrical appliance. Remember that at the beginning we explained the three options: electric, water or mixed.
Where will we place the heated towel rail and bathroom dimensions? Later there is an infographic that we see the safety separation with reference to bathtub and washbasin (60 Cm). Take the appropriate measurements of the hole and make a small outline - sketch. With the bathroom dimensions we will be able to recognize if you need a single heated towel rail or several, and if you need a higher or lower power.
What power do we need? Since we have already measured the surface of the bathroom, usually 100 W is calculated for every square meter of the bathroom. That is, a bathroom of about 10 m2, we would need a 1,000 W appliance.
What is the design we need? Apart from our tastes in decoration, if the design fits us. You have to take into account the number of people using the bathroom. More people, we will need a towel rail with more grooves, large and wide, if we are few, then look for a small towel radiator.
Which heated towel rail is more efficient and costs less? This is the million dollar question, and if someone is answering you quickly, they do not know what they are talking about. The habit of showering and the needs of the occupants of the house play an important role here.
It is not the same to shower every day at the same time where we can program the ignition by means of the thermostat, than if we vary the time at the time of the shower and we want a bath that heats up quickly. Nor is it the same if our showers are 10 minutes, 30 minutes or if we want our towels to be hot all day.
- Option a. If we have boiler at home = We opted for a range of water heated towel rail to take advantage of the centralized heating (if it is mixed, better, but they are more expensive and we will not always depend on whether the boiler is on) and that it has a programming system.
- Option B. If we look for an electric one = The one of aluminum or stainless steel material (Rapid temperature rise) with dry thermal inertia (the material is heated by resistance) or a fluid towel dryer radiator. The best option is the mixed one, which also has a fan to quickly heat the bathroom (They are more expensive and, honestly, rare to see).
Always remember of look at the energy label of the appliance to see its energy efficiency before buying. An example of common and general characteristics that you can find is the following scheme:
Compare prices in different stores and department stores; Leroy merlin, Bricomart, stores Bauhaus, Tien 21, etc. And remember that neighborhood stores often surprise with very competitive prices.
To start getting an idea quickly, you can check the price of heated towel rails on an online platform such as Amazon. Sometimes they launch interesting offers and we can already have a general idea of prices.
How to install an electric heated towel rail
Both towel racks and radiators they should never be located inside the bathroom, shower or sink area. The towel radiators are prepared to withstand the humid environment of the bathroom, but not for direct water. Remember that there is a safety distance as shown in the following image:
Remember, heated towel rails located in prohibited areas of the bathroom lose their warranty
Should be installed with the resistance located at the bottom of the radiator. It must not be manipulated in any case by us, since the resistance has been tested and assembled in the factory to guarantee its correct operation (Remember our article on how to reform and carry out works in a bathroom without bricklayers).
In low consumption electric towel racks, it is normal that the temperature of some of its bars is irregular. The temperature of the bars depends on the natural circulation of the thermodynamic fluid. The powers are certified taking into account this natural circulation.
To see how to install an electric towel radiator we better leave the following video that explains it great:
The maintenance of the towel rail is easy. Periodically clean the surface with a clean and soft cloth, do not use abrasive or corrosive products. Remember to shut down the system before cleaning. When cleaning the case with the controls, use a dry cloth, without solvent.
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