Beatrice Lang
Electric towel rails are supplied pre-filled with solution and a single heating element. They are controlled via mains electricity rather than a central heating system. Over time, air can enter the system and build up within the radiators, causing them to be colder at the top. Bleeding the towel rail involves opening a small valve and allowing trapped air to escape, which improves the efficiency of the heating system. This guide will explain how to bleed an electric towel rail and provide advice on when and why this process is necessary.
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What You'll Learn
When to bleed your electric towel rail
Bleeding your heated towel rail is a simple maintenance task that will improve energy efficiency and save you money. Over time, air enters the internal piping and affects the performance of your bathroom radiator. This air needs to be released by bleeding the radiator.
You will know that your towel rail needs bleeding if you notice the upper part is cold, or the top rungs of the rail are colder than the bottom ones. This is because air tends to rise. You may also hear knocking or tinkling through your pipes and radiators, which is usually caused by trapped air. Bleeding your heated towel rail will solve this issue.
For the correct maintenance of your towel rail, you should bleed it at least once a year, at the end of summer, before the cold weather sets in. This will ensure your system is fully operational and working as efficiently as possible during the colder winter months.
If you find you are bleeding your towel rail continually, or the issues are not fixed by bleeding, then you may need to contact a professional to diagnose the problem.
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Locating the bleed valve
The bleed valve is usually located at the top of the rail on one side or the other. It may be hidden behind a cover, so check carefully. If you have a modern ladder-style towel rail, the bleed valve will be at the top on one side, and the blanking plug on the other. If you have a Victorian-style radiator, the bleed valve will be at the top on one side, but it usually sits underneath the top rail where the radiator connects to the wall.
If you cannot locate the bleed valve, it may be at the back of the rail. If you still cannot find it, your electric towel rail may not have one. Some models are pre-filled with water and an inhibitor, and do not need to be bled.
If you do locate the bleed valve, place a towel or bucket underneath it to catch any water that escapes.
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Tools required
Bleeding your electric towel rail can be a simple process, but it is important to have the right tools to hand. The bleeding process will release air and steam from the radiator, so it is important to be prepared.
Firstly, you will need a radiator key. This is a specialised square-headed key, which is used to unlock the bleed valve. You may also need a wrench or pliers if the bleed valve is particularly tight. If you do not have a radiator key, a slotted or flathead screwdriver can be used as an alternative.
A rag or towel is also required to catch any water that escapes during the bleeding process. It is a good idea to place this underneath the bleed valve before you start.
You may also need a spanner or hex key to open the lock-shield and thermostatic radiator valves (TRV's).
It is important to note that electric towel rails do not always require bleeding. This is because they are filled with glycol instead of water and are isolated from the central heating system, so air cannot enter the rail.
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How to bleed
Bleeding your electric towel rail will help it run more efficiently and save you money on your energy bills. Over time, air can build up in your towel rail, making the top rungs cooler than the bottom ones. Bleeding the radiator will remove this air, allowing water to circulate through all parts of the rail.
Before you start, make sure your heating system is turned off. If it isn't, you may find that a lot of water escapes. You should also ensure that the valves are fully open by turning them anti-clockwise.
To bleed your electric towel rail, you will need a radiator key and a cloth or rag. Some radiator bleed valves can be opened with a slotted or flat-head screwdriver, so you may want to have one of these to hand as well.
First, place the cloth or rag on the floor underneath the bleed valve. The bleed valve is usually located at the top of the towel rail but can sometimes be found at the back. Many bleed valves have hexagonal or square screws, but some have a slot across the front for a screwdriver.
Once you have located the bleed valve, insert your radiator key into the air vent and turn it slowly anti-clockwise to open the vent. You will know that trapped air is escaping because you will hear a hissing noise. As the air leaves the radiator, water will likely splutter from the air vent, so use your cloth to catch it.
Once the water starts to squirt out of the air vent, you have released all the trapped air. Turn the bleed nipple back and close the vent.
Finally, inspect the water pressure gauge on your boiler. If the pressure has fallen too low, you will need to top it up with water.
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What to do after bleeding
Once you have bled your electric towel rail, there are a few more steps to take to ensure that your radiator is working efficiently and safely.
Firstly, make sure that the valve is securely closed to avoid any water leakage. You can then switch your central heating back on and closely monitor your towel rail. Check that it is heating evenly, with no cold spots, and listen out for any noises such as gurgling or banging. If your radiator is heating evenly and quietly, then you have successfully bled your radiator.
If you notice any issues, such as cold spots or strange noises, this may indicate that your bleed valve is broken and requires replacement. If bleeding your radiator has not resolved the issue, you may need to contact a professional to diagnose the problem.
To maintain the efficiency of your electric towel rail, you should bleed your radiator regularly. Bleeding your radiators annually and after any repairs or modifications will ensure that your heating system is well-maintained.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to bleed your electric towel rail at least once a year, usually after summer, to ensure your system is fully operational and working efficiently during the winter months when you need it the most.
You may notice that the top rungs of your towel rail are colder than the bottom ones. You may also hear knocking or tinkling in your pipes and radiators. This is usually caused by trapped air and bleeding will normally solve this issue.
First, turn off your central heating system. Then, find the bleed valve, which is generally located at the top of the towel rail but may sometimes be at the back. Place a towel or rag on the floor beneath the bleed valve to catch any water. Using a radiator key, turn the bleed nipple anti-clockwise. You should hear a hissing noise, which is the steam and air leaving the radiator. Once the air has left, bubbling water will emerge, so turn the bleed nipple back and close.
