Electric heated towel rails for the bathroom: varieties, selection, installation

There are many facilities for creating amenities in the bathroom. A heated towel rail is one such accessory that has many features.

One of the most important advantages of an electric heated towel rail for a bathroom is its multifunctionality. In addition to its direct purpose - clothes dryers and towels, it can carry out the function of a conventional heater. By warming the bathroom, it thereby protects against the formation of condensation and moisture, which means that mold and mildew will not occur.

The electric towel rail has such advantages.

• Profitability of functioning. When consuming a minimum amount of electricity, the power of the device is sufficient to heat the bathroom. It consumes almost the same amount of electricity as an ordinary bulb at 25-100 watts.
• Tightness of a design and durability of operation. Unlike water devices, which corrode and leak over time, electrical models are free from this drawback and therefore last a long time.
• Autonomy of work. These devices do not depend on the pressure in the water supply system and long-term shutdown of water, since they work from electricity, which is extremely rare.
• Mobility. Since heated towel rails are not tied to the plumbing system or heating, you can install them in any place, as well as change the location if necessary.
• Easy installation. Devices are installed using fasteners, you can install them yourself.
• Possibility of shutdown and easy regulation heating intensity.
• Uniform heating to a certain temperature.
• Variety of design. This makes it possible to choose a model for any interior of the room, and individual models can truly decorate the bathroom.
• A large assortment models of different sizes and shapes.

The disadvantages of the devices are the following:

• appliances require an individual power line and may require the installation of an additional outlet;
• although small, but additional energy consumption;
• There are certain requirements for the installation of the device and the need to comply with the rules for its operation.

Often breakdowns occur precisely due to non-compliance with these requirements. However, they are quickly detected, and many of them can be eliminated on their own.

Towel dryers can have a different design, technological parameters, mounting methods. This device is a simple device made of metal tubes and a heating element that is connected to the power supply. Towel dryers are classified according to several criteria.

• Dry types, or cable, are heated using a cable located inside the device, which heats the air and the walls of the tubes. They heat up very quickly, in almost 15-20 minutes, reaching the maximum temperature level, but also cool quickly. They are characterized by low power consumption. Dry models are used mainly for drying things, but they do not have enough power for heating.

• Liquid or wet. They use as a coolant:
  • Water - such devices can heat up to 85 degrees, and after shutdown they quickly cool down;
  • mineral oil - the heating time of such models is much longer (about 1 hour), but they retain heat for a long time and cool for a long time after shutdown;
  • antifreeze - These models have a high thermal conductivity.

• Wall models. This type of fixture is attached to the wall and is the best option for small bathrooms, since it makes it possible to save the space of the room.

• Floor devices. They are installed most often in spacious rooms. These models perform the functions of drying things and heating the room. Their installation is very simple: they are installed on the floor in the right place and connected to the power supply. If necessary, they can easily be moved to another place.

Devices can be with and without a temperature controller. The temperature controller makes it possible to independently determine the temperature regime of heating the surface of the tubes. It represents a disk either with divisions, or with the indication of temperature. Upon reaching the set temperature, the heating element is automatically turned off and on again when the temperature decreases by 1 degree from the set. The temperature regulator allows you to select the desired mode of operation, avoiding overheating and high electricity costs.

Devices without a temperature controller equipped with a thermocouple, which is also able to turn off heating when it reaches the set temperature.

Towel dryers can also vary in shape and size. In form they are classic, in the form of ladders and designer. Classical models are simple constructions in the form of letters C, P, M, E, S, U, and also in the form of a zigzag and a snake, the so-called serpentine. Heated towel rails of such forms appeared first and have existed for a very long time. Devices of such forms are practical, they have compact dimensions, they take up little space. Currently, you can see the combined models - foxtrot, consisting of 2 coils: the outer U-shaped and the inner in the form of a zigzag.

A short flight of stairs is a structure consisting of 2 supports fastened by several crossbeams. They have a large heat transfer surface. As the crossbeams, hollow tubes with a cable or coolant can be used. Often the crossbars are metal plates, which further increases the heat transfer surface. Things on the stairs dry out quickly, as they warm up completely.

Design models may have the most unusual original form.. The sizes of devices are also very different. Not only the efficiency of the device, but also the beauty of the interior of the room depends on the dimensions.

U-shaped models are the most compact: their height is usually 32 cm, width - within 40-80 cm. At the ladder the dimensions are slightly larger - the height is from 0.5 m to 1.2 m with a width of 50-80 cm. M-shaped models They have a beautiful view, their height corresponds to 50-60 cm with a width of 40-80 cm. Foxtrot Height can be from 32 to 60 cm, width - from 40 to 80 cm.

Electric towel dryers can be made of various materials: structural (black) steel, stainless steel and non-ferrous metals. Black steel is the cheapest material. The tubes are coated with an anti-corrosion compound inside, and the outside is coated with a paint or a layer of chrome or nickel-plated spraying. Typically, dry-type models are made from such material using a cable or a dry heater. The disadvantage of such devices is their fragility, since black steel is quickly damaged.

Stainless steel products are considered universal and will be appropriate in any bathroom. They are reliable and have a long service life. Such models are polished, chrome-plated or painted.

Polished and chrome are more expensive, but they have a longer life. Usually they have a shiny surface and look beautiful in the interior.

Copper, brass and bronze are usually used to make models of original design. Products from them have a more beautiful aesthetic appearance. They are characterized by quick heating and long heat retention. Compared to brass fixtures, copper models are the most practical and durable. However, copper and brass devices require special care. To maintain their beautiful appearance, regular surface polishing is necessary.

Design models include those that differ in form from the classic ones; their design can be very diverse. Various decorative elements are used in them, such as figures of animals, fish or flowers, silhouette screens, lattice overlays. They can be stationary and rotary, with rotating sections, which are conveniently installed at different angles.

Very fashionable at present are models in the form of many interconnected hexagons. Such products have a sufficiently large size and are suitable only for spacious rooms. Some appliances have built-in mirrors. Design models can have a different color: black, bronze, gold and silver. Such products often play the role of decorating the room.

Electric towel warmers are produced in many countries. They produce products of various quality, design and value. The rating shows that such brands are among the best.

• Kermi - manufacturer from Germany. Products of this brand are distinguished by true German quality.Devices have a reasonable ratio of price and quality. Models, usually in the form of a short flight of stairs, are made of high-quality steel and are characterized by durability, reliability and stylistic versatility.

• Arbonia. Towel dryers from a Swiss manufacturer have a high price. However, it is rightly justified by the high quality and beautiful appearance of the products. The material for their manufacture is stainless steel. Models are equipped with a mechanism that manually regulates the temperature.

• Margaroli. Products of this brand are also notable for their high cost, as they are made from expensive high-quality materials and equipped with automatic devices. Their distinctive feature is an elegant design and a long service life. They have a very long warranty of 15 years.

• Energy This company is one of the European leaders in the market for heating appliances. Towel dryers of this brand are characterized by the most diverse design and shape: voluminous and flat, rotary and stationary.

• "Sunergea." Products of the Russian manufacturer are elite models. They are popular not only in our country, but also in Europe. The models have a different design and are made of stainless steel with a glossy chrome finish.

• "Nika". The company has been producing electric towel warmers for more than 10 years. During this time, its products have gained well-deserved popularity due to their high quality and original design.

In addition to these brands, there are other Russian manufacturers - "Dvin", Terminus, "Leader-Steel", as well as the Polish Terma.

To choose the right coil or other type of instrument, certain characteristics must be considered.

Power at devices can be from 30 to 1200 W. The most common are models with a power of about 300 watts. Zigzag coils and letters P, C, S have a power of 100 watts. The same power and design appliances. In ladders, power ranges from 100-300 watts. When choosing a device, its intended purpose should be taken into account: 60-80 W power is enough to dry things. If the device is necessary for heating, then the area of ​​the room should be taken into account. A temperature of 22-25 degrees is considered optimal for the bathroom. To achieve this indicator, the model should produce about 100-150 watts of heat per 1 square. m

With a standard bathroom area the power consumption of the device should be from 560 to 600 watts. Units of lower power will not be able to eliminate the humidity of the room, and too powerful consume a lot of electricity.

Modern heated towel rails have relatively low power consumption with high heat dissipation at the same time. But, models with a heating element in the form of a cable have lower power consumption than oil ones.

Liquid models with oil filler or antifreeze have greater performance, but they also have more power consumption - within 200 watts. Different types of models also differ in the amount of power consumed. When choosing, devices with a temperature regulator should be preferred, which, by regulating the temperature regime, thereby save electricity.

When choosing a model, you should take into account the size of the bathroom and choose a model based on its dimensions. Also, the installation location of the unit and the interior of the bathroom should be provided. The size and shape of the product will depend on this. When choosing the shape of the model, you need to remember that the more bars in it, the greater the heat transfer.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the length of the cord.Consider the distance from the installation site of the unit to the outlet so that the cord does not turn out to be shorter.

Models may have a timer and a temperature controller and some other options. Such models are more expensive, but are able to create additional comfort. Using the timer, it is possible to pre-heat the bathroom to the desired temperature, and the thermostat will constantly maintain the temperature in the set mode. In order not to make a mistake when choosing and buy a device of good quality at an affordable price, You should first familiarize yourself with the manufacturers ratings and user reviews.

When buying, it is necessary to inspect the device well, especially pay attention to the condition of surface joints. For a quality product, the surface of the seams is smooth and even, without roughness, recesses, and protrusions. The connection areas of the cord with the electric plug and the housing must be firmly fixed, and the cord - flexible and plastic.

There are two ways to connect the heated towel rail to the mains.

• Openwhen the wiring is installed directly on the wall and its connection is made directly to the power source. This is the easiest and easiest way.
• Closed, when the wiring is hidden under the wall decoration material. This is a more complicated, but most secure way.

Regardless of the design features of bathrooms and appliances, there are general rules for installing these units.

• In case of high room humidity and large condensation to prevent a short circuit, the outlet must not be installed in the bathroom, but in another room. In the bathroom, you can only mount a moisture-proof model of the outlet, which is equipped with a protective cover and a rubber seal.
• Socket must be mounted as far as possible from sinks or bathtubs.
• It is recommended to install a residual current device (RCD) in the room, which will stop the flow of current during its surges or other accidents.

Before installation it is necessary to take safety measures:

• you can use at work only with rubber handles;
• should work in tight rubber gloves;
• the installation location of the device must be disconnected from electricity, and the absence of voltage must be checked using the current indicator;
• the room should be completely dry.

Installation is carried out in this way.

• The installation location is determined and carried out grounding.
• Mounted moisture-proof socket and RCD.
• Models are placed on the case brackets.
• With the help of an assistant you need mount the appliance to the wall, level it and mark the location of the brackets on the wall. At this point, holes are made for fasteners.
• The size of the holes should be slightly smaller. (approximately 1 mm) than the diameter of the dowels, and the depth is greater.
• Insert into holes dowel tips.
• Having mounted the device, the brackets are installed on the dowels, which are slightly tightened.

This completes the installation and the device can be connected to electricity, but first you need to wait a while (about 10 minutes).

A review of customer reviews and towel warmers shows that This appliance is suitable for its intended use.. It is indicated that due to its modern appearance it can be installed not only in the bathroom, but also in the hallway, corridor, and kitchen. If we talk about the device in principle, then most users are satisfied with it: it performs its direct drying function well and heats the room pretty quickly. Parents of young children consider it indispensable, since it allows you to dry a lot of children's things.

A lot of positive reviews about individual models of different brands.It is considered positive that the products have small dimensions, are convenient and easy to operate, and are installed quite easily. Negative user reviews generally relate to additional energy costs when using a heated towel rail. Private negative statements also apply to individual models and indicate such disadvantages: fragility, flaws in the design of the power button, poor assembly and the discrepancy between the real power and the declared.

In the next video, you will find the installation of an electric heated towel rail in the bathroom.