Beatrice Lang
Electric towel rails are a convenient way to keep your towels warm and dry throughout the year. They are usually filled with a mixture of water and an inhibitor solution to prevent corrosion, and they can be wired into your electrical supply or plugged into a power point. To turn on an electric towel rail, you can use a control panel, a switch, or a valve, depending on the model. Some models also have a boost function for quick warming and an anti-frost mode that turns them on automatically when temperatures drop below zero.
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What You'll Learn
Electric vs. central heating
There are two main types of towel rails: those that operate using central heating and those that are electric. Some towel rails, known as dual-fuel, can use both electricity and central heating.
Central heating towel rails are connected to the main boiler or central heating supply, which provides hot water to warm up the rails. They tend to be less eco-friendly, as they rely on a boiler being fired up for the central heating. They also require the central heating to be turned on to make use of the towel rail, which is inefficient during the summer months.
Electric towel rails, on the other hand, are wired into the electrical supply of the home. They can be turned on and off with a simple switch, making them more energy-efficient. They can also be used to warm up a single room, rather than the entire building. Electric towel rails can be more cost-efficient, as they don't use a lot of electricity and have an 'on-demand' heating system. They also offer more accurate temperature control and can be useful during the summer months to warm towels without turning on the central heating.
Dual-fuel towel rails offer the best of both worlds, as they can connect to the central heating system but also have an electric heating element. This means they can work separately from the boiler. They are the most expensive type to install, as both a plumber and an electrician are required.
Some other factors to consider when choosing between electric and central heating towel rails include the style, size, and finish of the rail, as well as the available space in the bathroom. Electric towel rails tend to have a wider array of styles, sizes, and finishes, making them more visually appealing and easier to match to the décor. They can also be wall-mounted, saving space in smaller bathrooms.
In terms of functionality, electric towel rails with thermostatic controls allow for precise and adjustable temperature control, while central heating towel rails may offer less precise temperature control. Additionally, electric towel rails with anti-frost modes can be useful in colder climates, as they turn on automatically when outside temperatures drop below zero.
Overall, both electric and central heating towel rails have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best option will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.
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Thermostatic radiator valves
Electric towel rails are filled with a mixture of water and an inhibitor solution to prevent corrosion. They heat up via an electric heating element, with both single non-thermostatic versions and variable thermostatic components available. The former keeps the rail at a constant temperature, while the latter allows users to adjust the temperature.
TRVs should not be installed in the same room as the main thermostat. This is because if the TRV set temperature is below the room thermostat set temperature, the TRV would shut off the radiator before the latter temperature is reached. It is also important to ensure that the valve is not covered by material (such as curtains) as it works by sensing the temperature of the surrounding air.
Electronically controlled TRVs can be programmed so that individual radiators in a house can be set to different temperatures at different times of the day, or they can automatically respond to occupancy and occupancy patterns.
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Installation
Electric towel rails are ideal for a range of rooms and heating needs due to their versatile looks and functions. They are most commonly used in bathrooms to keep towels warm and dry throughout the year, regardless of whether the central heating is in use. They can also be useful in kitchens, where temperature control is desired without turning on the central heating for the entire house.
Electric towel rails are wired into the electrical supply of the home, allowing them to be turned on and off with a simple switch. They can be hardwired to the mains power or plugged into a power point. They heat up by warming a water-based solution inside the radiator, creating a water-based thermal transfer. This solution is a mixture of water and an inhibitor to prevent corrosion.
There are two main types of electric heating elements: single non-thermostatic versions and variable thermostatic components. The former keeps the rail at a constant temperature when switched on, while the latter allows users to adjust the temperature.
Dual-fuel towel rails are also an option, offering the best of both worlds. They connect to the central heating system and include an electric heating element, allowing them to work independently of the boiler. However, they are the most expensive type to install, requiring both a plumber and an electrician.
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Running costs
The running costs of an electric towel rail depend on various factors, including its wattage, the duration of usage, and the cost of electricity in a particular region.
Electric towel rails are wired into the electrical supply of the home and can be economical and energy-efficient as they only heat a single room or space. Most models range from 30 to 250 watts, with an average consumption of 100 to 200 watts of electricity per hour. The wattage of an electric towel rail is usually displayed on the device or in the product description.
To calculate the running costs, you can use the wattage information and the cost of electricity in your region, which is typically given in kilowatt-hours (kWh). As of April 2023, the kWh rate in the UK can be calculated using a standard electricity tariff value of 33.2p/kWh, according to the UK government's Energy Price Guarantee.
For example, at a rate of 35 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 200-watt heated towel rail used for six hours a day for a full month would cost approximately $5.69, which is very reasonable for a warm towel rail during every shower. This is significantly cheaper than using a tumble dryer to dry towels, which consumes around 3.3 kW per hour.
Additionally, it is important to note that most households do not need to have their heated towel rails on for an entire day. A typical usage duration of four hours per day would result in even lower running costs.
To optimise energy efficiency, consider choosing a smaller rail if you don't need to warm multiple towels daily. Vertical heated towel rails are also more efficient than horizontal ones, as they lose only around 7% of their heat, while aluminium towel rails are excellent conductors of electricity, providing efficient heat transfer.
Installing a timer on your electric towel rail can also help reduce running costs by ensuring the rail only operates when needed.
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Timer functions
If you have a plug-in heated towel rail, you can purchase a compatible timer that plugs directly into an outlet, with an additional outlet built-in for your device. These are simple to use and allow you to set a schedule for your towel rail to turn on and off. You can also buy plug-in timers that will achieve the same result, although they may be less aesthetically pleasing.
For a hardwired electric towel rail, you can replace your single socket with a timed spur and wire the towel rail directly to the timer. This will require the services of a qualified electrician. There are also sockets with built-in timers that you can use, although this will take up one socket space, leaving only one socket available for your towel rail.
Aftermarket timers can also be fitted, depending on the age and manufacturer of your towel rail. You may need to replace your current rail with one that has a timer option. A qualified electrician will be able to advise on the best solution for your specific installation.
When setting up your timer, it's important to consider the time it takes for your towel rail to warm up, as well as the duration needed to ensure your towels are warm and dry. Factors such as the ambient bathroom temperature, towel thickness, and surface area in contact with the bars will impact the time required. You can set your timer to turn on and off at specific times, or to run for a certain duration, depending on your daily routine and preferences.
With the right timer functions, you can enjoy the comfort of warm towels while also saving energy and reducing power costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric towel rails are wired into the electrical supply of your home. They can be hardwired to the mains power or plugged into a power point. To turn on an electric towel rail, simply flick the switch.
A central heating towel rail will turn on and off with your central heating. If you want to adjust the temperature, you can do so using the manual valve or thermostatic valve. Turn the valve anti-clockwise to increase the heat output and turn it on.
Dual fuel towel rails are connected to both your central heating and mains electricity. They will warm up when the boiler is on, but they can also be turned on using an additional switch.
Liquid-filled towel rails have an electric element that heats the liquid inside the rail. They can be hardwired or plugged into a power point.
