How to choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom
An old heated towel rail in a bathroom often does not look aesthetically pleasing. Most often, he is completely out of the picture and negates the efforts of designers and builders. He will always draw attention to himself and spoil the mood of the apartment owners. Maybe it's time to leave him? Moreover, today there are plenty of “coils” of various designs and shapes on sale that fit much better into your interior than an “antediluvian” pipe. How to choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom, what kind of preference to give, how to install it correctly - we will try to answer all these questions as detailed as possible.
Most often, the heated towel rail is an element of the heating system. It is necessary to compensate for the pressure and is installed to prevent deformation of the pipeline. Recently, the "coil" is often connected to a hot water system or even install an electric model. Such devices are no longer responsible for the performance of this function. But there are common tasks that heated towel rails of any type can cope with.
A modern warm pipe in the bathroom is necessary for:
space heating - in a warm room it is much more pleasant to perform water and care procedures;
prevention of the appearance of molds in the bathroom - the humidity decreases, and due to this there is no nutrient medium for the fungus;
drying wet items - there is an excellent opportunity to dry a towel after taking a shower, washed underwear, socks;
creating a comfortable microclimate due to the stability of the temperature in the room;
adding a stylish and elegant accent to the bathroom interior.
Species - their advantages and disadvantages
Today, manufacturers offer 3 main varieties of heated towel rails - water, electric and combined. Each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Water heated towel rail
They are a “coil” of various configurations or combinations of pipes through which hot water circulates.
Advantages of water systems:
You can connect to the place of the removed coil.
It is economical because it does not use electricity.
Does not need to install additional cable and special sockets.
Disadvantages:
For installation, you will have to get permission from the housing maintenance service.
It is possible to connect only to heating systems and hot water, so the choice of location is strictly regulated.
At the time of shutdown of hot water or at the end of the heating period, it ceases to fulfill its functions.
There is a high risk of leakage.
A water heated towel rail is suitable for those who simply want to replace the old appliance with a newer one - aesthetic and modern, having installed it in the old place, or striving to limit the consumption of electricity.
A wide variety of models of water devices allows you to choose a dryer for any design. The traditional U-shaped and M-shaped snakes were worthy of competition with ladders with shelves for storing towels and without them.
Each connection increases the risk of leakage, so choose a product with a minimum number of welds.
Electric heated towel rail
The system can work autonomously without being connected to a source of hot water - heating is provided by electric heating. This allows you to place the battery on any free area of the wall in the bathroom. This is not the only advantage of an electric heated towel rail. Among the positive characteristics of the device can be identified:
obtaining permission is not required;
easy to install;
has a temperature regulator, which allows you to set the mode in which it will be comfortable;
can be used in any season - even when there is no heating and hot water. With it, in your bathroom, even in the off-season, it will be warm and cozy;
there are economical models that can work without shutting down and at the same time consuming a minimum amount of energy;
quickly heat the room;
You can fit into any design due to a wide variety of models.
Among the minuses are:
constant consumption of electricity, albeit in small quantities;
the need to lay wires and install a new outlet with a special cover.It protects contacts from flying splashes.
If you do not want to depend on heating and hot water supply, choose an electric heated towel rail with a sufficient protection class for installation in the bathroom.
Electrical appliances are not only wired, but also oiled.
Advantages of oil dryers:
Do not need to connect hot water and central heating.
Keep warm for a long time.
Weaknesses:
heavy because oil is contained inside;
ten should be constantly surrounded by oil, so it is located below;
the system heats up for a long time;
increased electricity consumption.
Combined
The combined device is a combination of a water and electric variety. Teng is inserted into the water coil, which can be included in the period when hot water is not supplied. With this device in your bathroom will always be comfortable. But this type of heater has a significant drawback - it costs slightly more than conventional models.
Size and shape features
Design features and dimensions of the radiator directly affect the aesthetics of the bathroom, the efficiency and reliability of the device and the comfortable conditions in the room. The photo shows the most common models.
The main forms of heated towel rails and their dimensions:
U-shaped. The most compact models are perfect for small rooms. As a rule, developers install them, since this is the most budget option. It should be noted that the safety of water dryers of this type is superior to some expensive models. The fact is that they do not have welds, and the risk of leakage is minimized. Products have a standard width of 40-80 cm, and their height is 32 cm.
M-shaped. Like the previous form, they consist of one element, which means that they do not have joints in which leaks most often form.Their height is twice the characteristics of the previous ones and is 50-60 cm, and the standard width. Such products fit perfectly into the design of a spacious bathroom and create comfortable conditions for its owners.
S-shaped - it is often called a "snake".
Foxtrots. In this embodiment, the U-shaped design is complemented by a wave-shaped pipe. Due to this, its area and efficiency increase. It features an interesting highlight of any project. Available in heights from 32 to 60, and the standard width is 40-80 cm.
Ladders. They differ in large dimensions. Their minimum height is 50 cm and the maximum is 120 cm.
In a small room, an excessively large heated towel rail will look bulky, so when choosing a product, you should take into account not only its appearance and suitability to the design of the room, but also the dimensions of the bathroom.
Material
The material for the manufacture of a heated towel rail can be various types of metals or their alloys. And depending on which one was chosen for production, the service life and wear resistance of the product may differ.
Towel dryers are made from:
black steel - the most budget option, and this is where its advantages end. The fact is that products made of black steel do not have an internal anti-corrosion coating, are not sufficiently resistant to the effects of the aquatic environment and coolant. Such systems are best chosen for private homes with autonomous heating, where there is no high pressure and drops;
stainless steel - the most popular and popular type of coil. This is both budgetary and at the same time reliable material that will last a long time. It is because of its affordable price and durability that it is recommended to be installed in apartment buildings. Such a heated towel rail is a product without welds, and therefore has the ability to withstand the high pressure that is so common in central water supply systems. Products can be painted, chrome-plated or coated with materials that look like bronze or brass;
When purchasing a stainless steel heated towel rail, make sure its walls are no thinner than 3 mm. The product with too thin walls will not last long, and its heat transfer will be lower.
At the time of purchase, carefully inspect the joints for defects. Too much budget cost may be due to poor product quality;
Copper is one of the most reliable options, but far from the cheapest. Despite the low weight, copper products have high thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. They are excellent for connecting to a central or autonomous domestic hot water system, since they can withstand high pressure of the aquatic environment. Copper heated towel rails are an excellent accessory that can decorate any interior, especially in combination with copper fittings;
brass - has characteristics similar to copper - has excellent heat dissipation and resistance to aggressive water. However, it should be borne in mind that the imported brass products on the market today are not able to withstand the high water pressure in apartment buildings. Therefore, they are best used in autonomous heating systems.
Whatever towel rail you choose, always carefully study its characteristics and instructions for installing it.
Design and color
Manufacturers strive to satisfy any needs and produce heated towel rails that can be harmoniously combined with other details of any interior. You can choose the best option for any style. For a room with a modern design, a chrome, white, silver or black product is suitable. The nobility of the classics will be supported by a copper or brass model. Black or steel shades will fit perfectly into industrial styles.
Installation location
The location of the electric heated towel rails depends on the output of the power source.Their location must be determined at the design stage. Then, during the wiring, it will be possible to output the wires exactly in the place where the device will be located. If the finish is completed or you are replacing an old radiator, you will have to hang a new one next to an existing outlet.
For water and combined models, the situation is somewhat more complicated. Here it is necessary to focus on the location of the hot water pipes. Often a sink is placed next to them and you have to hang a heated towel rail directly above it, which is very inconvenient. If the device is connected to the heating system, as a rule, choose a place opposite the bath. Another good idea for placement is above the washing machine. The most unfortunate option is over the toilet when it comes to the combined bathroom. Towels can fall and get dirty at any time. It is better not to place the radiator over the bathtub either, as splashes of water will fall on the towels.
How to choose the right
Different types of towel warmers have their own important characteristics.
When choosing a water model, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
correspondence of radiator parameters to the level of both working and pressure testing up to 6 atmospheres and more;
material quality;
the presence of an anti-corrosion layer inside the pipe;
number of welds;
design;
color.
When buying, check the availability of all necessary components and purchase the missing parts.
Keep in mind that imported water products are not designed to be connected to a domestic hot water system and may not cope with water pressure. Today on the market there are plenty of options from Russian companies, whose products are not inferior in quality and appearance, and have a high rating. An overview of popular models, see the video.
Installation of a water heated towel rail
When planning to replace a heated towel rail, you must first contact the Management Company with a statement about blocking the riser with hot water. The application must indicate the time for completion of work.
After making sure that there is no water in the riser, you can proceed to dismantle the old device and directly connect the new one.
Installation steps:
Bypass installation. The design is a jumper made of a polypropylene pipe. It is necessary when it is necessary to shut off water without contacting the UK. This is an indispensable element of the system that can help out a lot if there is a leak or you need to replace the heated towel rail. It is mounted on pre-installed ball valves, which can be blocked at the time of force majeure. In this case, the circulation of water in the riser does not stop. Air may accumulate in the system. Therefore, a ball valve should also be installed in the jumper itself. Due to this, it is possible to ensure unhindered water circulation in the coil.
Installation The requirements for connecting the coil are described in SNiP 2-04-01-85. Polypropylene pipes are welded to the bypass ball valves, which are subsequently connected to the heater. The structure is mounted on the wall and connected to the laid pipes. The system is fixed with supporting brackets to protect the walls from excessive loads that may occur due to deformation of the heated water supply and drain pipes. A distance of 35 cm should be maintained between the heated towel rail and the wall for pipes with diameters up to 23 mm, and 50 mm for wider pipes. The supply riser is connected to the socket located in the upper part of the device.
During installation, one should not forget that the supply pipe should be installed under a slight slope in the region of 5-10 cm in the direction of water movement.
System testing. After installation, check the connections for leaks. Turn on the water and carefully inspect all welds. Compounds must be completely dry.
Installation of an electric heated towel rail
The technology for installing an electrical appliance is not too complicated, so you can easily do it yourself. The product is mounted on the wall and connected to the mains.For the latter, you can use an existing outlet or conduct covert wiring from a distribution box.
Instructions for connecting an electric heated towel rail:
Prepare the necessary tools - drill, tile drill, building level, tape measure, marker and voltage tester, or indicator screwdriver.
Decide how to connect to your home network. If the repair is at the stage of laying communications, it is better to lay a separate wire from the junction box. This is a safer option. If a replacement is made in an already renovated bathroom, then this option will not work without destroying the lining, which is completely unnecessary. In this case, it will be more correct to connect to an existing outlet. This option is more dangerous, but provided that the outlet is correctly selected - with a waterproof housing, a correctly calculated installation height and location at a sufficient distance from the water, there will be nothing to fear.
Preparing the wall for installation. It is necessary to mark the places for mounting fixtures and make sure that the points are at the same height. This can be checked using the building level.
We drill holes and hammer the dowels into them.
We assemble a heated towel rail according to the drawing in the instructions.
We connect the wires to the terminals of the device, after turning off the light in the shield.
We install - we attach to the wall and tighten the screws.
Turn on the machine in the shield.
Installation of a combined model
Connecting a universal product is like water. After that, an electric heater is introduced into the lower bell. The heating element is tightly screwed in the system and connected to the mains.
In more detail, the process of installing a heated towel rail is shown in the video:
An old heated towel rail in a bathroom often does not look aesthetically pleasing. Most often, he is completely out of the picture and negates the efforts of designers and builders. He will always draw attention to himself and spoil the mood of the apartment owners. Maybe it's time to leave him? Moreover, today there are plenty of “coils” of various designs and shapes on sale that fit much better into your interior than an “antediluvian” pipe. How to choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom, what kind of preference to give, how to install it correctly - we will try to answer all these questions as detailed as possible.
Content
Heated Towel Features
Most often, the heated towel rail is an element of the heating system. It is necessary to compensate for the pressure and is installed to prevent deformation of the pipeline. Recently, the "coil" is often connected to a hot water system or even install an electric model. Such devices are no longer responsible for the performance of this function. But there are common tasks that heated towel rails of any type can cope with.
A modern warm pipe in the bathroom is necessary for:
Species - their advantages and disadvantages
Today, manufacturers offer 3 main varieties of heated towel rails - water, electric and combined. Each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Water heated towel rail
They are a “coil” of various configurations or combinations of pipes through which hot water circulates.
Advantages of water systems:
Disadvantages:
A water heated towel rail is suitable for those who simply want to replace the old appliance with a newer one - aesthetic and modern, having installed it in the old place, or striving to limit the consumption of electricity.
A wide variety of models of water devices allows you to choose a dryer for any design. The traditional U-shaped and M-shaped snakes were worthy of competition with ladders with shelves for storing towels and without them.
Electric heated towel rail
The system can work autonomously without being connected to a source of hot water - heating is provided by electric heating. This allows you to place the battery on any free area of the wall in the bathroom. This is not the only advantage of an electric heated towel rail. Among the positive characteristics of the device can be identified:
Among the minuses are:
If you do not want to depend on heating and hot water supply, choose an electric heated towel rail with a sufficient protection class for installation in the bathroom.
Electrical appliances are not only wired, but also oiled.
Advantages of oil dryers:
Weaknesses:
Combined
The combined device is a combination of a water and electric variety. Teng is inserted into the water coil, which can be included in the period when hot water is not supplied. With this device in your bathroom will always be comfortable. But this type of heater has a significant drawback - it costs slightly more than conventional models.
Size and shape features
Design features and dimensions of the radiator directly affect the aesthetics of the bathroom, the efficiency and reliability of the device and the comfortable conditions in the room. The photo shows the most common models.
The main forms of heated towel rails and their dimensions:
Material
The material for the manufacture of a heated towel rail can be various types of metals or their alloys. And depending on which one was chosen for production, the service life and wear resistance of the product may differ.
Towel dryers are made from:
At the time of purchase, carefully inspect the joints for defects. Too much budget cost may be due to poor product quality;
Design and color
Manufacturers strive to satisfy any needs and produce heated towel rails that can be harmoniously combined with other details of any interior. You can choose the best option for any style. For a room with a modern design, a chrome, white, silver or black product is suitable. The nobility of the classics will be supported by a copper or brass model. Black or steel shades will fit perfectly into industrial styles.
Installation location
The location of the electric heated towel rails depends on the output of the power source.Their location must be determined at the design stage. Then, during the wiring, it will be possible to output the wires exactly in the place where the device will be located. If the finish is completed or you are replacing an old radiator, you will have to hang a new one next to an existing outlet.
For water and combined models, the situation is somewhat more complicated. Here it is necessary to focus on the location of the hot water pipes. Often a sink is placed next to them and you have to hang a heated towel rail directly above it, which is very inconvenient. If the device is connected to the heating system, as a rule, choose a place opposite the bath. Another good idea for placement is above the washing machine. The most unfortunate option is over the toilet when it comes to the combined bathroom. Towels can fall and get dirty at any time. It is better not to place the radiator over the bathtub either, as splashes of water will fall on the towels.
How to choose the right
Different types of towel warmers have their own important characteristics.
When choosing a water model, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
Keep in mind that imported water products are not designed to be connected to a domestic hot water system and may not cope with water pressure. Today on the market there are plenty of options from Russian companies, whose products are not inferior in quality and appearance, and have a high rating. An overview of popular models, see the video.
Installation of a water heated towel rail
When planning to replace a heated towel rail, you must first contact the Management Company with a statement about blocking the riser with hot water. The application must indicate the time for completion of work.
After making sure that there is no water in the riser, you can proceed to dismantle the old device and directly connect the new one.
Installation steps:
Installation of an electric heated towel rail
The technology for installing an electrical appliance is not too complicated, so you can easily do it yourself. The product is mounted on the wall and connected to the mains.For the latter, you can use an existing outlet or conduct covert wiring from a distribution box.
Instructions for connecting an electric heated towel rail:
Installation of a combined model
Connecting a universal product is like water. After that, an electric heater is introduced into the lower bell. The heating element is tightly screwed in the system and connected to the mains.
In more detail, the process of installing a heated towel rail is shown in the video: