Electric towel rails for a bathroom with a thermostat: how to choose?

Probably every owner of a house or apartment knows that the bathroom is a special room. There is always a not too comfortable climate prevailing - very humid, with frequent temperature changes. In order to make being in this room more comfortable for all family members, you can install an electric heated towel rail.

The heated towel rail for a bathroom is a device consisting of pipes that are heated using a special heating element. With it you can easily dry towels and linens, and it also serves as an additional source of heating. You can place it both on the wall and on the floor.

Such devices are most often installed in bathrooms, although they can be used in the kitchen, in the hallway, and even in the room.

Since the bathroom is constantly damp, condensation can form and mold and fungus can form, then for this room a heated towel rail is simply an indispensable device.

Properly selected and installed heated towel rail will become an indispensable device in the bathroom and will make staying there even more comfortable for all family members.

But during its operation it is necessary to remember that this device, placed in the bathroom, presents a certain danger. Therefore, be sure to comply with safety regulations, as well as not to allow small children to the device.

Today in the sanitary market one can find several variants of such devices:

• water;

• electrical;

• combined.

The choice of the type of device most of all depends on the living conditions. For example, if a heated towel rail is purchased for a private house, then you can safely take any of the options. If for an apartment, it is better to prefer electric or combined type. This is due to the fact that water models are connected to a centralized system for supplying heating or hot water. Owners of private houses have an individual heating system, thus they can regulate the process of water heating and, accordingly, a heated towel rail.

In apartment buildings, heating is performed only in winter, so the water device will not work in the off-season and in summer. When installed in apartments, an electric towel rail can be used at any time of the year. This option, of course, will be more convenient.

This device is convenient because it can be used at any time, and when it is not necessary, simply turn it off. Therefore, it is also an economical option for heating the room.

The combined device is distinguished by its versatility. It can be simultaneously connected to the water supply system and to the power grid.This option is also very convenient, as it can function when the light is turned off in the house, and in the absence of hot water. The downside of such varieties is that they still have to be placed near the communications for their convenient connection.

Among the positive qualities of electric towel rails are the following.

• They are economical. It should be noted that the power consumption required to heat the device is small. But the power of such devices is enough to maintain a comfortable temperature in the bathroom.
• They are sealed. One may not be afraid that such a device will start flowing a liquid over time, since inside they have only a special electrical cable. Water devices can sooner or later give a leak.
• They are independent of communication systems. If the operation of water systems can cause failures, for example, due to the pressure of water in the system or the formation of air jams, the electrical device is not subject to such problems.
• Rare and non-durable trips. It happens that in connection with the repair work can turn off the power supply.But these cases are rare, besides it does not turn off for a long time. As for the water supply system, in case of problems or maintenance, hot water can be blocked even for a sufficiently long period. And the device also will not work.
• A wide range of models. Devices of this type are very diverse, and everyone, even the most picky owner, will be able to choose a model for himself.
• They are mobile. Such a device can be easily transferred to another place, for this it is only necessary to rearrange its mounting. The situation with water heated towel rails is more complicated, since they depend on the location of communications.

Currently, there are many manufacturers of such devices. Their model range includes both the most simple devices and more expensive, equipped with additional and useful features. The simplest devices operate on the network, constantly maintaining the same temperature.They are cheap, but in terms of economy they are inferior to their more modern competitors, as they constantly consume energy.

One of the additional useful features is thermoregulation.p, which is equipped with an electric towel rail. With it, you can adjust the comfort temperature. It is very convenient and more economical. Its cost is not much higher than the cost of conventional devices, but in the operation of such a device will save money.

The most modern devices are equipped with energy saving system. They contain special sensors that, after reaching the desired temperature, put the heated towel rail into sleep mode. They are the most economical, but the initial price of such models is quite high.

A device with a thermostat has several advantages:

• its cost is not too high;
• it saves energy while maintaining the necessary temperature;
• with it you can quickly change the temperature in the bathroom;
• It is a more durable model, as it is not always on at full capacity.

Therefore, it can be argued that an electric towel warmer with a thermostat is the best option for installation in the bathroom.

The principle of operation of the electric towel rail is simple.

They operate from the electrical network and, depending on the type of connection, are divided into:

• heated towel rails with open wiring when the wire is connected to the outlet;
• towel warmers with a closed type of wiring when the wire is laid in the wall.

Of course, if a major overhaul is taking place in the bathroom, and an electric towel dryer is planned to be installed, it is better to choose the second option. It will be necessary to determine in advance the place of its placement and lead the electric cable there.

But in the case when you just need to supplement the room with this device, it is better to choose an open type of wiring. It can be placed anywhere near the outlet.

There are also electric towel dryers according to the type of their device:

• equipped with heating elements (tubular electric heater);
• equipped with heating cable.

With the heating cable is heated, it is the main element of the entire system.The principle of its operation is the conversion of electrical energy into heat.

This cable is most often electrical wiring, which can be made of steel, nickel or copper. Its length depends on the dimensions of the towel rail. Such models are characterized by long service life, as well as low power consumption - up to 165 watts

Tena in heated towel rails are installed in their lower part. The way they work is to heat the spiral, which heats the metal pipe. After switching on, they immediately consume a large amount of energy - about 600 watts. Further, during operation, they have equal proportions between the energy received and the heat given off. This type of device is often equipped with a thermostat.

It should be noted that electric towel dryers with tubular electric heaters have a short service life. After two to three years of operation, the tenes must be changed.

Today, there are two main types of electric towel rails:

1. liquid;
2. non-fluid.

Liquid options are filled with either water or oil, or antifreeze. They heat up and give off heat. For their heating uses tube heaters (heating elements). Each of them has its own characteristics.

For example, oil can heat up to a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. But after that it keeps the temperature very well and cools for a long time after switching off. The water variant heats up to 85 degrees Celsius, but it quickly cools. And antifreeze has a very good thermal conductivity.

The advantages of this option electric towel dryers include the fact that they keep heat for a long time after disconnecting from the network. The downside is their high power consumption, as well as a short service life.

Liquidless options are powered by a heating cable that passes through the entire heated towel rail. The range of such devices is much more diverse. They are more economical than liquid, and their service life is longer. When used properly, quality models can last up to ten years. Perhaps the only drawback of this type of towel is the fact that they do not keep the heat at all after turning off the network and immediately cool down.

Both types of devices are great for drying towels and linen, and are also able to perfectly heat rooms up to 20 square meters.

By location, electric towel rails are divided into:

• wall mounted;
• floor standing

Wall options are great for small spaces in which every centimeter of space counts. They can be installed in any convenient place, and they are also very convenient for drying clothes and towels.

Floor-mounted towel warmers are a fairly new model that is already in high demand. They combine two functions - drying things and heating the room.

They are also convenient way to install. To do this, you just need to install in the right place of attachment and connect the device to the outlet. They are very stable due to the legs, as well as mobile - they are easy to move. And also floor heated towel rails bring a certain highlight to design of the room.

The most common sizes of towel warmers are:

• 400x650 mm;
• 500x600 mm;
• 480x600 mm.

These options are convenient and suitable for almost any bathroom.

Among the not very successful locations of the devices can be identified the following:

• over the toilet;
• over the bath.

For the manufacture of electric towel warmers use a variety of materials, such as:

• steel (black and stainless);
• non-ferrous metals;
• aluminum;
• brass;
• copper.

Black steel products are notable for their cheapness. Inside they are covered with a special anti-corrosive material, and on the outside they look like stainless steel products. The undoubted advantage of such products is their more than affordable cost, and the disadvantage is their fragility. They are more susceptible to corrosion, and salts contained in water contribute to the corrosion of metal from the inside. Chances of leakage are high.

Devices made of stainless steel can be painted or chrome-plated. Preferring colored product, you can choose any color that matches the style of the bathroom. Chrome-plated devices are distinguished by their versatility, they fit perfectly into the interior of any room.

It is necessary to take into account that heated towel rails coated with a chrome layer retain their appearance longerrather than painted.After all, the device most of the time under the influence of sufficiently high temperatures. Also, products made of stainless steel, you need to install very carefully and in any case not to damage the thread.

Brass and aluminum heated towel rails have a very attractive appearance. They perfectly give off heat, but, unfortunately, do not differ in durability. They do not tolerate the effects of salts contained in water.

If we talk about the forms of electric towel rails, then there is a huge variety of options.

The most popular are:

• "Ladder";
• Snake;
• rotary;
• with shelf;
• E-shaped;
• M-shaped;
• U-shaped.

The most ergonomic option is the form "ladder". It does not take up much space, but at the same time it can accommodate a lot of towels or linen for drying. In addition, if you supplement it with a shelf, then you can add laundry to it.Such products usually have a greater value than the "snake".

Snake models are also popular, but depending on the number of bends, fewer things can be placed. By the way, it is not very convenient to dry large-sized things on them, since they can slide off from the rounded edges. They are distinguished by a large thickness of pipes, as well as the minimum amount of materials used in the manufacture. Such options usually are not too expensive.

There is also a huge variety of models that can not only heat the room, but also diversify its design. These are E-shaped, M-shaped and U-shaped. They look elegant and unusual.

Modern manufacturers provide a huge selection of options, so every buyer will be able to choose for himself exactly what he needs. There are even folding models and with folding parts. They are great help out when you need to quickly dry a large amount of linen.

When choosing a model towel warmer should pay attention to the following aspects:

• the more horizontal bars, the greater the heat transfer device;
• models with convex crossbars are very convenient, it is good to place linen on them;
• especially convenient are models equipped with sliding parts that open like cabinet doors.

It must be remembered that towel warmers can be both wall-mounted and floor-standing. This point may also affect the choice of shape of the dryer.

It is better to treat the choice of the electric heated towel rail with all responsibility. In order to find the perfect device in all respects, it is better to evaluate its features in the complex.

Pay attention to the following:

• The form of the device and its installation. It is worth considering in advance where it is best to place the dryer and how much space it can occupy. Dimensions always matter, especially in small-sized bathroom rooms.
• Power of the heated towel rail. This figure is very important, because with the wrong choice of power it may happen that the bathroom will not warm up. It should be noted that for each square meter of the room should be about 200 watts of device power. Only in this case a comfortable temperature will be reached.
• How the device will be connected to the network. This can be done in an open or closed way. The second one, of course, is safer, but not convenient, if the premises are not completely renovated, since they will have to remove part of the upper trim in order to hold the wires. The open method is more convenient, and also allows the unit to be moved as needed.
• Power usage. Power consumption depends on the power of the device. You should not buy too powerful towel warmers for small bathrooms, as they can overheat the room, as well as waste energy. Very good options are devices equipped with temperature controllers and special sensors. They regulate the temperature and can also turn off the device when the desired temperature is reached. When this occurs, energy savings.
• Variants of ten.
• Special functions, for example, temperature controllers, timers or energy saving sensors.

The most popular models today are stainless steel models. This is a great option for a comfortable combination of price and quality of the device.

Today there are many manufacturers of these devices. They are also better acquainted with the choice of towel warmer.

• Kermi. This is a German company that produces high-quality appliances. It has long been known in the world market and has already gained popularity among Russians. Her products are of high quality at reasonable prices. The most common material is steel, and the shape of the device - the "ladder".

• Arbonia. The Swiss company, which produces mostly designer models. They are distinguished by original design, excellent appearance and even uniqueness. The price of such products, of course, is very high. But the quality is beyond praise. The filler of such heated towel rails most often is antifreeze.

• Margaroli. This Italian brand produces its products exclusively from high-quality but expensive materials, equips them with various useful additional functions. The price is very high, but each device is given a fifteen-year quality guarantee.

• Energy. This company is one of the leading in Europe.It is distinguished by a huge range of products suitable for all categories of customers. All devices of this company are high quality and very durable.

• "Sunerzha". This Russian company produces luxury towel warmers. It is very popular not only in our country, but also abroad. It is distinguished by a huge range. The products are made of high-quality stainless steel, covered with an excellent chrome finish. Sunerzha provides a five-year warranty on its devices.

• "Dvin." Russian company specializing in ladder-shaped towel rails. Appliance prices are reasonable, the warranty provided is one year.

• "Nika". Very popular Russian brand with more than ten years of history. Produces quality products with an interesting design. Provides a five-year warranty on products.

• Terminus. This Russian brand fell in love with buyers due to its widest choice of models and very reasonable prices. All models have high performance, proven over the years of operation. This manufacturer gives a ten-year quality guarantee.

• "Leader-Steel". Produces stainless steel products with adjustable heating temperature, as well as an automatic shutdown function when overheated. Gives a five year warranty.

• Terma. This is a company from Poland. It is very popular in our country, as it is distinguished by the release of high-quality and durable products.

All of the above manufacturers have in their assortment all types of towel rails - both electric, and water, and combined.

The price range of these devices is very large. Rotary model can be purchased at a price of 6 000 rubles. The cost of the "ladder" starts from 5 000 rubles. The cheapest option is a "snake" - its price starts from 2 500 rubles.

Electric heated towel rails are easy to install compared to their water counterparts. They do not need to be connected to a common cold or hot water supply system. The only thing that will need to pay close attention in the process of installing the device with your own hands - this is the perfect insulation. After all, electricity in the bathroom can pose a great threat to residents of an apartment or house.

First of all, you need to check the wiring from which the device will be powered. It is also necessary to ground it and connect the RCD in order to avoid problems during power surges.

There are two main options for connecting electric dryers in the bathroom.

1. Connect to an outlet located directly in the bathroom. In such rooms it is necessary to use special sockets equipped with covers and moisture-proof casing. They are best mounted as deep as possible into the wall. This connection option is more suitable for ordinary towel warmers, not equipped with sensors and a thermostat. To turn them off, you just need to unplug the power cord. It should be noted that it is better to place the outlet on the inner wall, since condensate most often accumulates on the walls facing the street. And it can lead to a short circuit.

2. Connect to an outlet outside the bathroom. This method is more appropriate and safer. To do this, you need to drill a hole in the wall where the wire will go. If you need to place the cable and in the bathroom, you need to consider that it is better to lay it at least 10 cm above the floor to avoid problems when flooding occurs.

In order to properly install and connect an electric heated towel rail, you need to know the wiring diagram in the apartment or house. It is best to hang the device at a sufficient height from the floor. Also, if it was decided to connect the dryer to the outlet in the bathroom, and it is of the old sample, it is better to replace it with a more modern and suitable for wet rooms.

To install a heated towel rail, even the simplest type of "coil", you will need a set of the following tools:

• hammer;
• perforator;
• screwdriver;
• chisel.

It is very important to pay attention to the installation standards and in no case do not overload the power line with too powerful a device.

Before self-installation of the device, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the instructions for use, as well as to comply with all rules and regulations of safety when working with electric current.

The main ones are:

• Do not work with the device if it is connected to a power outlet.

• All necessary tools for working with electricity must be equipped with rubberized handles. It is important to remember that rubber does not conduct electrical current.

• Before starting work, it is necessary to disconnect the place where the installation and connection will take place.

• Be sure to verify the absence of voltage with the help of special indicators.

• During performance of any manipulations it is impossible to adjoin to metal surfaces. Metal has a very high electrical conductivity.

• You need to make sure that the room where the work will be done is dry. In no case should there be contact with water.

• All installation work must be done in rubber gloves of high density.

Electric heated towel rail with the right choice,installation and use is perfect not only for the bathroom, but also for other rooms.

During its operation it is better to follow some tips.

• the choice of power devices to produce taking into account the dimensions of the room;
• during installation, it is imperative to use grounding and check the wiring readiness for connection;
• it is better to choose devices with a thermostat, they cost more, but during operation they will be more economical;
• the form of the device can be preferred to any, as long as it fits the size and design of the room;
• during operation, you must ensure that water does not fall on the outlet;
• check the tightness and insulation of the wire as often as possible if the heated towel rail is connected in an open way;
• the humidity level of the room must be within the normal range; otherwise, there may be a risk of a short circuit;
• An electric towel rail should not be placed next to easily ignitable objects.

If a situation arises when the towel warmer does not heat, it is possible that the heating element broke. For accurate diagnosis, it is better to consult a specialist.

Most users respond well to electric towel rails. Some say the ease of installation, as well as the possibility of moving them around the house. Others like the fact that it is convenient to use the device at any time. Also, many argue that these devices are really economical and do not consume a lot of electricity, especially those that are equipped with thermostats and electronics.

The owners of such devices even note the fact that modern Russian models are in no way inferior in quality to foreign ones. And for the price you can choose the most suitable option.

Today, technology does not stand still. If earlier apartment owners had access only to water-heated towel rails that were not distinguished by a special variety of models, today everyone can pamper themselves with such an innovation as an electric device. Now his form is not limited to a snake or a three-step ladder. You can choose for yourself any shape and size. To save energy, such towel warmers are equipped with additional functions - thermostats, temperature sensors.

Make the right choice, as it turned out, is not so simple.Not the best option would be to buy the first model you like. It is necessary to comprehensively study all the characteristics of such devices and take into account all the nuances - from the power and material of manufacture to the shape and size. And since modern manufacturers care about consumers, it has become quite realistic to buy a high-quality and durable electric heated towel rail. Such a device will become indispensable in the bathroom, not only for drying towels and linen, but also to maintain a comfortable temperature and avoid the development of pathogenic fungi and germs.

On the advantages of electric heated towel rails, see the following video.