A heated towel rail is a special device for drying towels. The device is installed in the bathroom and allows you not to worry about the safety of your bath accessories. Towels left wet for a long time deteriorate and quickly lose their strength, and can also become a source of an unpleasant musty odor. Constantly drying on the balcony and washing is also quite tiring. To solve this problem, most people decide to install a heated towel rail. Another reason for installing the device is that during the cold season it does an excellent job of heating the room. You can hang not only towels, but also other small items on the device. The diversity of the model range allows you to choose the optimal heated towel rail model.
What criteria must be taken into account when choosing a heated towel rail?
The device can be powered by electricity or water. The latter operate on the principle of heating radiators. Electric models are easy to connect, but require good, working electrical wiring. The preferred connection method must be taken into account when purchasing. Water ones are more common because they are considered as safe as possible and can be installed even in houses and apartments with old electrical wiring. Deciding on the connection method is not difficult. It is much more difficult to choose the right shape and dimensions of the heated towel rail. The dimensions of the device must be selected taking into account the area of the room, since it takes on the “responsibilities” of a heating device.
Advantages and disadvantages of heated towel rails powered by hot water
Choosing a water heated towel rail for the bathroom is not so easy. What's so complicated about that? But there are enough details and nuances that you don’t even suspect about. So, we'll have to figure it out. First, let's list the advantages and disadvantages of water models.
Some heated towel rails also serve as interior decoration.
pros
Most often in our country, water heated towel rails are installed in the bathroom. Why? They have a lot of advantages:
- Does not require additional operating costs.
- The dryer works as long as there is hot water.
- Low cost.
- Durability.
There are models that are more reminiscent of heating devices
The main advantage of a water heated towel rail is that it is installed once (correctly) and forgotten. It just exists and works. Requires almost no maintenance and is hassle-free. Replacement is usually only necessary for aesthetic reasons.
Minuses
The water heated towel rail can be connected to hot water supply or heating. In the second case, the device will only work during the heating season. When connected to a hot water supply, the “towel” works in the summer too, but its temperature depends on the water supply. If there is no movement of water, it is cold or barely warm.
In modern homes, the temperature of heated towel rails practically does not depend on the volume of water drawn. A return line is added to the hot water riser, thanks to which hot water always circulates.
In addition to large-diameter pipes supplying cold and hot water, there is a pipe of smaller diameter - this is the DHW return
Main sizes of heated towel rails for bathrooms
Plumbing fixtures are produced by many manufacturers. Heated towel rails differ from each other not only in shape, but also in diameter:
- “¾” with an outer diameter of 2.5 cm. Such models most often have a U- or M-shape. Finding a heated towel rail of this size in a different configuration is quite difficult.
- “1” with an outer diameter of 3.2 cm. They are most widespread. Devices of this type are usually installed in the bathrooms of apartments and houses. They have a classic appearance and shape. There are models with a ladder and with dryers in the shape of the letter F, as well as foxtrots.
- “1 ¼” with the largest diameter equal to 4 cm. They are represented mainly by U-shaped devices. They are not widely used and are rarely found in stores. This is due to the fact that the production process requires the use of large diameter pipes.
The first two options can be found in the line of almost any manufacturer of plumbing equipment and the choice, as a rule, comes down to these models.
Manufacturers
There are water heated towel rails on the market that are hardly distinguishable in appearance, but the price differs significantly. As a rule, the price depends on the place of production. Average in price - Russian or from neighboring countries (Belarus, Ukraine). They are also average in quality. They may be very good, or they may be “so-so.” Among the famous Russian ones we can recommend:
- Sunerja.
- Terra/Terra (stainless steel only).
- Aquanerzh (stainless steel).
- AZOTsM - Artemovsky (Bakhmutovsky) plant (brass).
- Grota/rota (stainless steel).
- Style (stainless steel).
Even classic shapes can have a modern twist
The cheapest are Chinese. When choosing a product from this category, you can only rely on luck. You may come across a very good copy, or maybe... The most expensive ones are European. We offer on the market:
- German manufacturers Zehnder (Zender), Arbonia (Arbonia);
- Italian companies Margaroli (Margaroli) and Irsap (Irsap);
- French Equation;
- the English company Energy opened a branch in the Kaluga region;
- Finnish manufacturer Purmo (Purmo);
- There are also Japanese and American ones, but there are few of them, and outside the capital they are hard to find.
It is almost impossible to distinguish the manufacturer by appearance
The world brands listed above have been on the Russian market for a long time, their products are adapted to our systems. Complaints are rare, but when purchasing multi-storey buildings, be sure to pay attention to the operating pressure. In our systems it can be very high, and usually depends on the number of floors of the building. The higher the house, the higher the pressure in the heating and water supply system (higher in heating).
How to correctly take into account the connecting size of the device?
Individual construction allows you to install a pipeline to connect a heated towel rail of the desired shape. In apartments, this option requires significant financial investments, but is often practiced when carrying out major renovations. The size directly depends on the shape of the device.
The most widespread are universal heated towel rails in the form of a coil, since they are manufactured according to generally accepted connection standards. Ladders and foxtrots also have close to standard parameters, which is why they are popular among consumers. When choosing a standard size, you should take into account such a parameter as the “conditional bore diameter” or the internal net size of the pipeline. It is always one size smaller than what is indicated in the classification. If you take a model with a connection of type “1”, the nominal diameter is “3/4”. This must be taken into account. Otherwise, you may encounter the fact that the purchased heated towel rail will not fit the pipeline.
How to determine the size of a product?
The size of the heated towel rail plays a decisive role in the choice of equipment. If you incorrectly calculate the dimensions, this will complicate installation and will not allow you to purchase equipment that will fully cope with the functions assigned to it. Experts advise taking into account the temperature of the coolant in the system. It is usually 70 degrees. This technology assumes that the ratio of the heated towel rail area to the bathroom area is 2.5 cubic meters/100 W. In addition, be sure to determine the installation location and add 10 centimeters on each side.
Shape and dimensions
Inextricably linked with each other. Dimensions directly affect the efficiency of the device and largely determine the aesthetic appeal of the bathroom:
- Foxtrots . Fits well into the design of absolutely any bathroom. They are available in widths from 40 to 80, and heights from 32 to 60 cm. This allows you to choose the most optimal option for both small and medium-sized bathrooms.
- M-shaped . They are distinguished by an original stylish external design. They have a rather impressive height, which varies between 50-60, which should be taken into account when purchasing. The width is standard, that is, 40-80 cm.
- U-shaped . They are the most compact models of heated towel rails. They are most often installed by developers in modern new buildings. Their height, as a rule, does not exceed 32 centimeters, and the width of the device is standard.
- Ladders . They are the largest. They have a standard width. The height of the device starts from 50 and ends at 120 centimeters. Thus, this type of heated towel rail takes up quite a lot of space.
The choice depends on the size of the bathroom and the buyer’s own preferences.
Type
All heated towel rails are divided into water, electric and combined. We all know what mermen are. Electric, as the name suggests, is powered from the mains. And combined ones can function either in the presence of hot water or in its absence (for example, during repairs of the water supply network or planned outages) - they have a built-in thermal electric heater (TEH). In appearance, they can be distinguished only by the presence or absence of an electrical wire and socket. And if your wiring is hidden, this sign also disappears.
An electric heated towel rail usually looks the same as a water heated towel rail. This can be a rotary coil (similar to the letter “M” or “W”, only with rounded tops, and also rotating relative to the wall), a “ladder” (really similar to a ladder in a wall bars), a perforated metal model (a metal sheet in hole) or several flattened hoops connected by two vertical pipes.
By the way, electric heated towel rails can be hung anywhere - on any wall in the bathroom, kitchen, hallway. For example, you need to dry wet clothes - press the button on the wall, and the process begins... There is no need for heating, let the heated towel rail be a nice hanger.
The temperature of an electric heated towel rail is controlled either manually (by a thermostatic head) or by a thermostat (a device that turns the heating on or off depending on the room temperature). You can set a specific mode with a timer. The thermostatic head is usually included with the heated towel rail. But the thermostat, which “monitors” the maintenance of a constant temperature in the room independently, and the timer, which sets the daily or even weekly heating program, must be purchased separately. These devices are necessary for the rational use of electricity and, in general, for convenience. For example, the timer will turn on the heated towel rail in advance so that the towels and bathrobes on it warm up to a comfortable temperature.
If possible, it is best to entrust all the troubles of installing imported heated towel rails to specialists from the company where you will buy it.
Bathroom area
Heated towel rails are only conditionally designed for drying bath accessories. In winter, these devices serve to heat the room. In order for the device to cope with this task, you should listen to the advice of experts and select a size commensurate with the bathroom:
- from 4.5 to 6 cu. m requires models 50x40, 50x50 and 50x60 cm;
- from 6 to 8 cu. m requires installation of a heated towel rail 60x40, 60x50 or 60x60 cm;
- from 7.5 to 11 cubic meters. m needs a device of the following dimensions: 80x40, 80x50, 80x60 cm;
- from 10 to 14 cubic meters m, the best option would be a model with a size of 100x40, 1000x50 or 100x60 cm;
If the bathroom has a large area, you should purchase and install a large model with a height of 120 cm. Otherwise, the room will not warm up properly. The largest model should only be taken into a spacious bathroom. It will clutter up a room with a small to medium area, and the heat generated will be excessive.
General recommendations for choosing a heated towel rail
To select a plumbing fixture that will fully meet the assigned functions, the following criteria should be taken into account:
- fastening method;
- material of manufacture;
- connection size and shape of the heated towel rail;
- the size of the bathroom and the location where the device is planned to be installed.
It is impossible to single out any specific version of the heated towel rail. The choice must be made on an individual basis. Many criteria should be taken into account, including the sufficient amount of heat generated by the device. Otherwise, it will not be possible to heat the room. Another important nuance is the weight of the heated towel rail. A plasterboard wall, for example, cannot withstand any load. To avoid force majeure situations, they calculate not only the optimal size, but also the weight of the future plumbing fixture. There is no need to calculate this parameter yourself. Weight is indicated in the accompanying documentation.
What else is it advisable to keep in mind when buying a water heated towel rail?
Be sure to request a passport for the product and a warranty card, which must be valid for at least a year. Pay attention to the material from which the heated towel rail is made.
Stainless steel models are considered the most durable and reliable. But, as a rule, imported heated towel rails are not made from this material. Therefore, the most reliable imported devices are made of chrome-plated brass.
Chrome plating is considered more reliable. Enameled coating can also be different: painting is a less reliable option, polymerization is a more reliable option.
Check whether the model you choose has an air bleed valve (the so-called “Mayevsky valve”). It should be located at the top point of the heated towel rail. When the system is filled with water, this valve removes the air inside. If there is no valve, you will not be able to eliminate the resulting air lock, the water will not circulate or will not fill the entire volume of the heated towel rail. Accordingly, it will not be able to heat at full capacity.
Summarizing
You cannot purchase a heated towel rail solely based on individual preferences. The device should not only keep towels dry, but also heat the room. Choosing the wrong size will result in the bathroom simply not warming up properly. The aesthetic component is also important. You should never rush into a purchase. They always pre-measure the location of future installation and calculate the optimal size. In addition, you should pay attention to the protection class, which is indicated in the passport for the heated towel rail. Experts recommend choosing models whose indicators are 22 and 24. The first number means protection from damage, and the second from moisture.
