Is a heated towel rail as good as a radiator?

A towel rail usually gives out less heat than a radiator, however, if it has been sized correctly, then it should still be able to make your bathroom a warm and cosy place. A towel rail might take less time to heat up than a radiator.

What is the difference between a heated towel rail and a radiator?

Customers ask us all the time; “what's the difference between a radiator and a towel warmer?” In simple terms, radiators are more efficient at transferring heat; their job is to keep your room at an optimum temperature, whereas towel warmers do what they say on the tin, 'Heat your Towels', offering minimum heat output.

Is a heated towel rail worth it?

You may ask yourself “is a heated towel rack worth it?” But a better question to ask is, “am I worth it?” The answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely are.

Do towel warmers heat the room?

Does a Towel Warmer Heat a Bathroom? Yes, a towel warmer is more than capable of keeping the average bathroom nice and toasty. They kill two birds with one stone because not only will you have a warm bathroom, but you will also benefit from a fluffy heated towel after your shower or bath.

Are towel radiators worth it?

However, people who use towel warmers regularly often won't throw their towels into the laundry as often. The reason is that the warmers not only dry the towels but also they kill mold and mildew that can grow in moisture. So you just don't need to throw them in as frequently.

Heated Towel Rail - Luxury or Necessity?

How long does an electric towel rail take to warm up?

A towel rail might take less time to heat up than a radiator. When you turn on your central heating, it can take around 15 minutes for your radiators to reach their full temperature. An electric towel rail could heat up fully in just 5 minutes.

Will a heated towel rack heat a bathroom?

The truth is, electric towel rails certainly have the capability to heat a bathroom space. The size and layout of the area, and the level of warmth you're looking to introduce to it, are big factors in deciding whether they represent the right option for you. Our BTU Calculator is your best buddy at this point.

Are heated towel rails expensive to run?

Electric heated towel rails are operated like any other electric heater, being turned on and off with the flick of a switch. These rails avoid the issue of having to switch on the rest of your central heating, however they can be expensive to run due to the power requirements of the heated element within.

Can you leave heated towel rail on all the time?

Heated towel rails are designed to be left on all the time and there are no safety issues to consider if you decide you want to keep them running. A standard heated towel rail will typically come on and off in accordance with the main central heating system.

Do white towel rails give off more heat than Chrome?

You would think that in the same size, they would all give the same heat output, but this is not the case. Instead the white and black models give out 20% more heat output than the chrome version. Chrome radiators will always give out less heat (up to 30% less) than a painted equivalent.

What's the point of a towel warmer?

They are used to heat towels or bathrobes so that the user has a warm towel and/or bathrobe when drying off after a shower or leaving the pool, beach or spa. After a towel is used, the towel warmer will dry it out, reducing laundry loads and water consumption, as the towels will not need to be washed as often.

How much does it cost to run an electric towel rail?

Using this formula, it would be safe to estimate the average cost to run an average towel rail heater for 24 hours at a cost to you of £ 0.23 per 24 hour day. That's a cost of less than £0.01 per day to be warm in the mornings and the nights when showering.

Where should a heated towel rail be placed?

In modern, insulated homes the installed location is less important, but ideally, your heated towel rail should be placed on the coldest wall of your bathroom. The outside wall with the window on it is often the best one. If this isn't possible, try to fix it on one of the external walls of the room.

What type of heated towel rail is best?

Popular Towel Rail Finishes

Chrome - The most popular type finish is a chrome heated towel rail and is the immediate choice for the majority of people renovating their bathrooms. Other fixtures like taps, light fittings and shower heads are chrome plated, so a matching towel rail always works well.

Are electric towel rails energy efficient?

Today's modern heated towel rails are designed to keep both you and your bathroom feeling wonderfully warm, especially during the cold winter months. Electric towel rails are a safe, efficient, and cost-effective heat source designed especially for bathrooms.

How good are electric towel rails?

Yet, towel rails are powered directly by electricity and therefore are a great deal more efficient. So much so that they are regarded as being nearly 100% efficient as all the energy consumed by the electric towel radiator is converted into heat and transferred into the surrounding room.

Do heated towel rails have thermostats?

A towel rail will emit heat according to the temperature you have set on your thermostat and the BTU output capabilities of the rail. Though this is the standard method of how heated towel rails switch on and operate at temperature, there are variations which we will explore below.

Do you need an electrician to install a heated towel rail?

All electric towel rails and bathroom heaters must be hardwired by a qualified electrician which is usually a speedy task for a pro and one that doesn't involve lengthy callouts or expensive fees. As standalone heating solutions, there's no plumbing involved with electric towel rails.

Can you turn a heated towel rail off?

The most common method for adjusting temperature will be to adjust the knob by turning clockwise to turn off - I.e. cool or anti clockwise to open and up the heat. Turning the knob could be difficult, and so pliers might be required.

How long do heated towel rails last?

A stainless steel towel warmer is better at this, than chrome towel rail. This is why these come with a guarantee period going up to 25 years.

Do you fill an electric towel rail with water?

Top-up the towel rail by removing one of the top plugs and fill it with water only allowing around 10% of the height for expansion when the water gets hot. If you are refilling a towel warmer from empty then a combination of 85% water and 15% corrosion inhibitor is recommended.

How hot does a heated towel rail get?

Heated towel rails are designed to run on the lowest wattage possible without compromising comfort, generally heating up to around 35 degrees. When a towel is placed over the bars the towel insulates the rail and absorbs the heat, meaning that beneath the towel the temperature will rise to between 50 - 55 degrees.

What are the best towel radiators to buy?

How high from the floor should a heated towel rail be?

Your towel rail should be fitted at the most practical height to facilitate easy use. As a safety precaution we recommend the towel rail is placed no closer than 600mm off the floor.