Otis Singleton
There are several ways to fit an electric towel rail, and it's important to consider the various factors involved in installation, from safety regulations to aesthetic and practical value. Electric towel rails are a great way to enhance the luxury and comfort of your bathroom, providing warm and dry towels. The type of rail you choose will depend on your needs and the complexity of installation you are comfortable with. The simplest option is an electric towel rail that plugs into a wall outlet, while other options include hardwiring the rail into your electrical system or opting for a hydronic towel rail that connects to your home's hot water system.
Characteristics and Values Table for Installing an Electric Towel Rail
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Electric Towel Rails | Plug-in, wired, or hydronic |
| Tools Required | Tape measure, pencil, Allen key, hammer, drill, screwdriver, adjustable spanner, grips, masonry bit, screws, rule plugs, spirit level, PTFE tape, angle/straight valve |
| Installation Method | Drill into wall studs or use toggle bolts; ensure access to electrical outlet |
| Safety | Engage a licensed electrician for mains connection; adhere to installation regulations |
| Aesthetics | Consider rail design, size, and cost |
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What You'll Learn
Electric towel rail types
Electric towel rails are ideal for a range of rooms and heating needs due to their versatile looks and functions. They can be wholly electric or dual fuel, meaning they can work off your home's central heating system or in isolation from it.
There are three types of heated towel rails. The simplest is an electric towel rail that plugs into a wall outlet. This method requires you to drill into the house's studs to secure the rail and ensure that the cord will reach the outlet. The second type is wired into the electrical system of your home and mounted to the wall, requiring a professional electrician. The third type is a hydronic towel rail, which is powered by the house's hot water system and connects to radiator lines in your floor or wall.
Electric towel rails come in a variety of designs, from traditional chrome ladder towel rails to chic anthracite rails with an industrial flavour. They can also be purchased in different colours, such as chrome, matt black, or white, to complement the style of your bathroom.
Depending on your requirements, you can choose either a manual or thermostatic heated towel rail. Manual bathroom heaters offer basic temperature control, while thermostatic electric towel rails allow you to select different heat levels.
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Tools needed
To fit an electric towel rail, you will need several tools. The first step is to decide on the type of electric towel rail you want to install. The simplest type plugs into an electrical outlet on your wall, while another type is wired into your home's electrical system and mounted to the wall. The third type is a hydronic towel rail, which is powered by your house's hot water system and connects to radiator lines in your floor or wall.
If you opt for the first type, you will need a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall, as well as a pencil to mark the wall where the support anchors will sit. You will also need a drill to secure the towel rail to the wall. Additionally, you will require a tape measure to ensure the cord reaches the outlet.
For the second type, you will need a drill, screwdriver, and adjustable spanner at the very least. You may also need grips, PTFE tape, and blanking plugs.
If you choose to install a hydronic towel rail, you will likely need a drill, screwdriver, and adjustable spanner, as well as other plumbing tools.
It is important to note that working with electrical currents can be dangerous, and it is recommended to consult a professional, licensed electrician for certain steps of the installation process.
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Installation location
When deciding where to install your electric towel rail, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to plug your towel rail into a wall outlet or hardwire it into your electrical system. If you choose to plug it into a wall outlet, you need to ensure that the location is near an electrical outlet so that the cord will reach. You can use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall and drill into them to secure the towel rail. This will ensure that the towel rail is securely attached to the wall.
If you choose to hardwire your towel rail into your electrical system, you should be aware that this type of installation should only be performed by a professional, licensed electrician. This is because working with electrical currents can be dangerous.
Another thing to keep in mind is the location of your bathroom. If your towel rail is inside the bathroom, the installation work may need to be notified to the local authority, and it is recommended to hire a registered electrician to carry out the work.
Additionally, consider the size of the towel rail and ensure that it will fit in the desired location. You can use a tape measure to determine the size of the space and choose a towel rail that will fit comfortably.
Finally, think about the functionality of the towel rail. You may want to install it near your shower or bath to ensure that your towels are easily accessible and can dry quickly.
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Fitting the rail
There are three types of heated towel rails: electric, hydronic, and a hybrid of the two. Electric towel rails are either plugged into an electrical outlet or hardwired into the electrical system of your home. Hydronic towel rails, on the other hand, are powered by your home's hot water system and connected to radiator lines in the floor or wall.
Before installing an electric towel rail, ensure that you have the necessary tools, including a tape measure, pencil, Allen key, hammer, drill, screwdriver, adjustable spanner, grips, masonry bit, screws, plug sockets, spirit level, and PTFE tape.
If your electric towel rail plugs into an outlet, start by measuring the cord length and locating the studs in your wall using a stud finder. Ensure the location is near an electrical outlet so the cord can reach. Mark the wall with a pencil to indicate where the support anchors will be placed. Typically, towel rails have four support anchors, two on each side. Secure the anchors to the wall, then slide the towel rail into place.
If you opt for a hardwired electric towel rail, it is recommended that you hire a professional, licensed electrician to perform the installation due to the dangers associated with electrical currents.
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Connecting to power
Connecting an electric towel rail to a power source can be done in one of three ways. The first and simplest method is to plug the rail into an electrical outlet on your wall. This method, however, may result in unsightly cords. To avoid this, you can use toggle bolts that have wings that pop open inside the wall to prevent the rail from becoming loose. The second method involves hardwiring the rail into the electricity supply in your bathroom. This method should only be carried out by a professional, licensed electrician as it involves working with electrical currents, which can be dangerous. The third method is to install a hydronic towel rail, which is powered by your house's hot water system. This rail connects to radiator lines in your floor or wall.
If you are installing a plug-in electric towel rail, it is important to first test the length of the cord to ensure it will reach the outlet. You should also use a stud-finder to locate the studs in the wall and drill into them to ensure the rail doesn't get ripped out of the wall. Mark the wall with a pencil to indicate where the support anchors will sit. Typically, towel rails have four support anchors, two on each side.
For hardwired installations, it is important to note that most electrical work in a bathroom is notifiable to the local authority, and they will want to inspect the work. Therefore, it is recommended to hire a registered electrician to carry out this work.
Additionally, when installing an electric towel rail, it is important to consider the location of the rail in relation to the power source. If the rail is inside the bathroom, the work is considered notifiable and must be carried out by a registered electrician. In this case, the electrician may install a 13A RCD switched socket outside the bathroom and run the flex from the towel rail through a flex outlet plate in the bathroom, under the floorboards, or through the loft, and into the cupboard. A 13A plug can then be attached to the remote end of the flex, which can be plugged into the RCD switched socket.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three types of heated towel rails: electric, hydronic, and hardwired. Electric towel rails are the simplest, plugging into an outlet on your wall. Hydronic towel rails are powered by your house's hot water system and connect to radiator lines in your floor or wall. Hardwired towel rails are wired into the electrical system of your home and mounted to the wall.
You will need a tape measure, pencil, Allen key, hammer, drill, screwdriver, adjustable spanner, grips, masonry bit, screws, plug sockets, spirit level, and PTFE tape.
The best way to secure anything to the wall is to drill into the house’s studs. Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall, ensuring the location is near an electrical outlet so that the cord will reach. Mark the wall with a pencil where the support anchors will sit—towel rails typically have four support anchors, two on each side.
While you can install an electric towel rail yourself, it is recommended to hire a professional, licensed electrician, especially if you are installing a hardwired towel rail. Most electrical work in a bathroom is notifiable to the local authority, and they will want to inspect the work.
