Heated Towel Rail (merged threads)

divadee

sarahturner9 wrote:

On the same subject, we have a gas central heating radiator in our bathroom, when we get it redone I would love one of those heated towel rails but think they are electric so I guess this is not possible instead of the radiator?

Thanks, sarah.

if you mean are the towel rads electric, no they are just normal radiators, just more cosmetically pleasing and dont throw out as much heat. if you have got the room you could have no problem by the sounds of it.

bridiej

I think you can get electric ones but ours is linked to the central heating and just like a normal radiator, but it's much easier to dry your towels on.

Rhiannon_of_Woolamai

Does anyone know anything about those chrome heated towel rail thingies.

We'd like one for our new bathroom - but the prices seem to vary massively. I don't know if I'm just paying for style, or whether there are quality features to look out for. Most seem to be unbranded.

Had a look at Screwfix, Ebay and Victoria Plumb so far. Any suggestions appreciated.

Rhiannon

MAYFLOWERS

Rhiannon_of_Woolamai wrote:

Does anyone know anything about those chrome heated towel rail thingies.

We'd like one for our new bathroom - but the prices seem to vary massively. I don't know if I'm just paying for style, or whether there are quality features to look out for. Most seem to be unbranded.

Had a look at Screwfix, Ebay and Victoria Plumb so far. Any suggestions appreciated.

Rhiannon

I bought a very nice but cheap chrome Towel rail from B&Q and although it looks great - it provides virtually no heat to the bathroom - although it does get very warm to the touch. Unfortunatley I think I am going to end up changing mine as a cold bathroom is not nice at 4am!!!

I realise now that the vast differences in price on the whole depends on the heat output.

On the subject of the white ones providing more heat I think this may be true - My Mum and Dad have a white one and their bathroom is like a an oven!!!!! Must admit thought still think the chrome ones look nicer!!!!

Mayflowers

busymumof3

Hi Rhiannon

Compare prices with https://www.discountedheating.co.uk I bought a 600mm wide by 1200mm high chrome curved towel rail for £109 plus VAT and a 500mm wide one for £107 plus VAT. Free delivery. Absolutely ideal and give out more than ample heat. Great for towel drying too. Much cheaper than B&Q when I was checking and plumber thought I had got a bargain too.

unsure

We've just had one installed so we've been through the learning process and I hope I can answer a few of your questions.

1. You can get one big enough to heat a bathroom adequately. To check the output you need go to the the B&Q site (https://www.diy.com) and select the bathroom section. You will find a BTU CALCULATOR which works on room size, windows etc and will provide a BTU number just make sure any radiator you like matches/exceeds this and you'll be fine.

2. You can get electric versions ( not sure how powerul and presumably more expensive to run), but you can also add an electric element to many standard central heating ones. This is so you can turn it on at will and have it operating as a towel rail in summer when it is unlikely to be doing central heating duties. It's a matter of choice.

3. The white ones will throw out apx 20% more heat.

4. Most towel radiators (excepting all- electric ones!) can only be plumbed into the central heating system. If you want one that comes direct from the hot water supply it msut be stainless steel and will cost more...the more-oxygenated water will cause corrosion in standard towel rad.

5. B&Q etc are not the cheapest place to buy these items (nor do they have the best ranges) There are lots of websites that will do cheaper as will manufacturers such as Myson. But be warned to check delivery time...this can be weeks. We had to give up the perfect radiator at a good price because it would only arrive two weeks after our builder had moved on! If you go to Wickes or a plumbers merchants you can get brochures and prices (many of which are also available on line).

6. I'm told it's a relatively easy diy installation...but beyond my confidence levels!

7. Our new rad is doing brilliantly and we love it. Looks good too! Well worth the learning curve. I'd definitely recommend it...but it will be significantly more expensive than conventional rads. Hope that helps.

beefster

We got the cheapest one screwfix one at £99 and fitted a thermostatic rad valve. The valve is set on 1 and the room (2.5 x 2.5 . 2.25 m) is never cold!

mercurystar999

Where would you get a electric one from? Or an element to heat a normal one?

gromituk

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=electric+towel+rail&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

corduroy-boy

creda and dimplex are both pretty good manufacturers of electric towel rails. You can get these ordered from any plumbers merchant (won't be stock) but you'd do better going to an electrical wholesaler like Newey & Eyre.

Myson do some nice ranges but are pricey.

Warning - if you make a normal centrally-heated towel warmer electric only this will invalidate the warrantee. The manufacturers will often offer an electric model as an alternative but say it has to be factory-fitted (thus costing lots more). This is certainly true of Stelrad and Delonghi.