A heated towel rail is practically the main device in any bathroom. It can perform two functions at once: heating the bathroom to prevent the appearance of fungus and drying towels or other things. At the moment, you can find dryers of different shapes and materials on sale. In this article we will talk in detail about the best models and discuss in detail all their strengths and weaknesses. Happy reading!
Advantages of the device
Connecting an electric heated towel rail provides the following advantages:
- Low power consumption. Power consumption is regulated using a thermostat. Not all models are equipped with a built-in thermostat, but it can be installed separately.
- Durability. The device has a simple design, and if the operating rules are followed, it lasts a long time.
- Wide variety of models. You can choose the optimal solution for your personal needs, size and interior of the bathroom.
- The device can be installed independently and, if necessary, moved to another room.
- No connection to a centralized water supply system is required. The device can be installed anywhere in the apartment.
- The thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature of the heating element.
Kinds
The temperature source depends entirely on the type of device selected. Available on the market:
- Aquatic. These are pipes through which water flows. Therefore, they must be connected to the DHW. If in a private house this is difficult, but possible, provided that the temperature of the water supply is fully controlled, then for apartments this solution is used less often.
- Electrical. An ideal solution for an apartment due to the presence of a central heating system, which often does not allow connecting third-party devices.
Always choose a heated towel rail depending on external factors and never neglect the criteria.
No. 10 – Tera M-shaped
Price: 1,800 rubles
A good solution with a budget price. If you are limited in funds or simply do not want to spend money on an expensive modern model, the debutant of our top will suit you. It connects to both right and left directions and has 4 sections. The maximum coolant temperature reaches 115 degrees, which, considering how much the device costs, is an excellent indicator. Only a few inexpensive heated towel rails can boast of this.
The device performs its direct task, and nothing else is required from an inexpensive device. The owners cite the flimsy fastening elements included in the kit as the main drawback in the reviews.
Tera M-shaped
High-tech bonus - thermoregulation function
A powerful electric liquid-type heated towel rail cannot always work at full capacity, otherwise energy bills will reach astronomical proportions, and the device itself will soon fail due to overheating. For this reason, the heating elements of heated towel rails of prestigious brands are equipped with thermostats. By setting the heating temperature to the desired value, you will be able to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the bathroom without wasting electricity. The best samples are also equipped with timers to set the device to warm up the room at a given time. Regulatory equipment is less common in “dry” models, but if desired, you can also choose a cable heated towel rail with a thermoregulation function.
Shape and size
The standard coil shape in the form of a rounded zigzag is quite boring, so modern manufacturers offer fantasy options, the number of which will never end. Look at the photo below and you will understand that it will be difficult to decide on the shape in advance.
It's easier with sizes. Here you should proceed from the availability of free space. If it is not enough, then give preference to small models. Pay special attention to sliding options. If you are drying one towel, leave the dryer folded, and if there are several, move the “ears” apart for a while.
If there is enough space, then large models will look good, even if you have few wet towels. They can also be used as a clothes dryer. The swivel heated towel rail is easy to use, the arms of which can be rotated up to 180 degrees for better drying.
Other useful things
The ability to regulate the temperature has already been discussed above. This is one of the useful features that allows you to independently set the temperature to which the coil will heat up. If an electric heated towel rail with a regulator additionally heats the bathroom, then you can set the desired temperature for the air in the bathroom.
Models with a timer will be useful for those who like to take a shower or bath in the morning or after work. You can turn on the heated towel rail and go to bed or go to work so that the bathroom is warm when you arrive. But how much energy will be wasted? Using the timer, you can set the on and off times. Once you do this, your device will automatically turn on at the right time and then turn off. And you will always wash in a warm bathroom, and electricity will be spent sparingly.
If the bathroom is not very big, then instead of a cabinet with clean towels it is convenient to buy a heated towel rail with a shelf. You will hang wet ones on horizontal tubes and put dried ones on a shelf.
The right electric towel dryer is a great addition to your bathroom. In it you will not be covered with goose bumps from the cold after water procedures. And you will always use only dry and warm towels, regardless of the time of year.
Source
How to install a heated towel rail
There are two methods for connecting a heated towel rail:
- A tap into a heating system is often used in the absence of a central hot water supply network. The snake remains hot all day thanks to the forced water circulation method. The disadvantage is that the dryer only works during the heating season.
- Connection to the hot water supply system guarantees heating throughout the year. The dryer pipes heat up as hot water is used, but they cool down completely overnight, so overnight drying is no longer an option.
Installation is carried out in compliance with the following series of rules:
- The diameter of the pipes must match the diameter of the riser.
- A jumper must be installed between the drying outlets. This makes it possible to shut down the device for repairs without completely stopping the operation.
- Shut-off valves must not be installed on the pipe section at the jumper and up to the bypass. The closing sections can be equipped with ball-type valves or three-way valves, which allow you to set the direction of the coolant.
- It is recommended to place the dryer at a height of 120 cm from the floor.
Filler type
Unlike battery-type heated towel rails, electric models have a closed coil shape. Therefore, they do not depend on central heating, and problems such as air locks, excess or low pressure are unacceptable for them.
Electric heated towel rails themselves also differ. There are two types of models:
An electric cable-type heated towel rail is called dry. Instead of oil and a heating element, it has an electrical cable inside, protected by a silicone sheath. It is made of metal with high resistance, allowing it to heat up to the desired temperature.
Comparative characteristics of wet and dry heated towel rails
Cable or electric radiator heated towel rail? Which is better? To make a choice between them, get to know their differences:
When you come to the store, you will see another difference - the cost. Cable heated towel rails cost less because their production does not require sealing the structure. If a wet-type device turns out to be leaky, then coolant will seep through small cracks.
Review of coolants in wet-type devices
The coolant used for radiator coolants can be:
Water heats up slowly and cools down for a long time due to its high specific heat capacity. Antifreeze heats up quickly and cools down quickly due to its high thermal conductivity. Mineral oil heats up faster than water, but slower than antifreeze. But it retains heat for a long time because its thermal conductivity is low.
Instal-Projekt SPINA ELECTRO 550×625
Main characteristics:
- Material: steel;
- Power - 115 W;
- Maximum heating temperature - 95°C;
- Possibility of rotation - 90°;
- Dimensions - 104.5x40x5.5 cm.
Design and material of manufacture. The “dry” type heated towel rail weighs 3 kg and has dimensions of 625x550x8.5 cm. It is a combination of a vertical tube and an W-shaped coil. It can be mounted along the wall or used as a rotating model. All parts are made of easy-to-maintain chrome-plated stainless steel.
Parameters and connection. The product consumes 90 W of power sufficient to dry towels. It is connected to the power source externally using a twisted cable with a standard plug at the end.
No. 3 – Lemark Melange P7
Price: 13,000 rubles
In our rating, which contains the best electric heated towel rails with a description of the pros and cons, the Lemark Melange P7 model occupied the bottom step of the pedestal. The unit is equipped with everything necessary for ease of use - it can be turned off using a button, and it is possible to adjust the temperature. The device is protected from overheating by a special system that extends its life.
Users also like the possibility of optionally installing the heating element on the right or left. The new model has 7 bars, each maintaining the same temperature, so the towels will dry evenly. As for the downsides, the included mounts are not very convenient to install; not everyone can handle it.
Lemark Melange P7
Tips for choosing
Tips from experienced buyers will help you choose the right model in the store and enjoy its quality work:
- The first thing you should definitely pay attention to is the principle of operation of the device.
- An important parameter is the material of manufacture. Most often, stainless steel with a chrome finish is used in its role. There may also be black steel, brass and copper.
- When choosing and purchasing a water dryer, you should take into account the water pressure in the pipeline.
- The choice largely depends on the pressure in the DHW system. Most often it is 8-10 atmospheres. Due to the low pressure in the system, the choice of coils is quite large.
- In order not to waste a lot of energy, you should choose a device based on the size of the room. The optimal calculation is 140 W of energy per 1 square meter.
- The optimal power of dry models ranges from 100 to 200 W, and of wet ones about 2 kW.
- Combined heated towel rails are considered the most practical and effective in operation.
- The configuration and size of the structure are determined based on the installation location. There is a shackle, a snake, a ladder, a foxtrot and a modern style.
