How to choose an electric heated towel rail and connect it correctly

Shape and dimensions

The variety of configurations of heated towel rails is amazing. There are very simple devices familiar to all residents of Soviet high-rise buildings, and unique design samples of unusual configurations. Be that as it may, but the design is a very important parameter, because any element should complement the interior, and not spoil it.

Towel warmers come in the following forms.

1. U-shaped - small appliances, look simple and elegant, fit well into the interior of a small room.
2. E, M, S-shaped - classic options suitable for most cases. They have sufficient usable area, which is enough for a family of 2-3 people.
3. Ladder - very popular now, looks like two pipes with crossbars. This makes it possible to place more things for drying.
4. With a shelf - it is designed for convenient storage of clean towels: they will always be warm.

The number of sections must be selected, taking into account two factors: the area and the number of people living in the apartment.

With the first factor, everything is clear - sometimes the area simply does not allow you to accommodate the desired device, and you have to be content with what fits. If space is not limited, then everything is easy: take the one that you like and fits the style of the bathroom.

There must be at least one section per person. Then no one will be offended and everyone will have a warm dry towel.

The sizes are different too. There are compact products that occupy a patch of 40 × 40 cm, or you can find half-wall designs. For standard bathrooms, models are usually selected with a height and width of no more than 80 cm.

Installation method

To choose a heater, you need to find out how it is connected. Some models are designed only for heating systems. You should find out whether the diameter of the pipes and the distance between them correspond to the parameters of the radiator. If during the overhaul the wiring is to be replaced, it is necessary to carry out the calculation in advance so that later you do not have to redo everything. There are three main connection options.

• Lateral - it is typical for standard dryers. This is a universal method suitable for most designs.
• Lower - this option works well only with strong pressure in the pipes. In this case, compact batteries are suitable.
• Diagonal - provides the most efficient circulation, but requires replacement wiring. Suitable for all devices.

Mounting types

There are 3 placement options:

• installation of a floor heated towel rail;
• installation of equipment before laying wall tiles;
• connecting a heated towel rail to the laid tile.

Before starting installation, it is worth designating the installation site.When locating an electric heated towel rail, remember some safety rules:

• do not install it near plumbing fixtures so that water does not fall on the cable and switch;
• the socket must be used with a protective cover, there is also a hidden connection method;
• the cord of the product should not touch heated surfaces;
• the device itself must comply with safety parameters: have a moisture-resistant case and double insulation.

It is best to connect the heated towel rail directly to the mains, without using sockets. Since there is a large amount of steam in the bathroom, we should also not forget about the condensate that flows down the walls. You can put a waterproof outlet or purchase a residual current device, but even they will not provide 100% protection, and they are also expensive.

Self-installation of heated towel rail

Installation of the coil can be divided into several stages:

1. Dismantling the old heated towel rail.
2. Preparation of communications.
3. Installation of cranes.
4. Fastening installation.
5. Installation, tightening of "American".
6. Markup.
7. Hole preparation.
8. Fixing towel warmer.
9. Tightening the fasteners and checking the functionality.

Dismantling the old heated towel rail. Work should begin by blocking the riser (this event must first be agreed with housing and communal services). A grinder, putting a metal disk on it, cut off the old coil.

Preparation of communications. Adjust the position of the taps, aligning them in level. If the outlet diameter does not match the coil inlet, an adapter must be screwed on.

Installation of cranes. Cut-off valves should be installed on the leads sticking out of the wall

Such a precautionary measure will help to calmly deal with repair and replacement of heated towel rail without shutdown of the common riser. The so-called “bypass” should be built into the design - this is a small jumper that connects the inlet and outlet of the coil

Fastening installation. If the bracket is with a split ring, then first install the main one, install the heated towel rail, and then finally fix the structure. If the ring is one-piece, it is first put on the pipe. If the element differs from standard products, then proceed according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

Installation, tightening of "American". At the exits of the coil, using a sealing paste, sanitary impregnation, “American women” are installed. A well-tightened union nut allows you to make the connection as reliable as possible.

Mark. Leaning the heated towel rail to the conclusions, align its position according to the level, after which the places for the holes on the wall are marked with a pencil. It is recommended to make marks through the mounting holes.

Hole preparation. If the wall is tiled, then take a tile drill and go deep to the concrete wall. Then they take a drill for concrete and continue drilling. A dowel is driven into the resulting hole. Special tile drills will help to avoid cracks, chips, crumbling of the cladding.

Fixing towel warmer. After installing the product in place, fix the base plates. To do this, insert the locking screws into the dowels, screw them in with a screwdriver until they are completely deepened. By turning the adjusting screws, the coil is set parallel to the walls. With the help of brackets, the distance to the wall is adjusted.

Tightening the fasteners, checking the system.All fittings installed on the heated towel rail are checked, tightened, twisted

It is important not to overdo it so as not to break the thread. To check the quality of work, slowly open the water supply valve, then drain

A well-attached appliance should heat up, not leak.

Installation of an electric heated towel rail is much easier to perform. It is carried out in several stages:

• device preparation;
• fixing fasteners;
• markup;
• hole preparation;
• fixing the device;
• laying hidden wiring;
• fixing decorative overlays.

Device preparation. The coolant is unpacked, the components for heated towel rails are removed, the cord is stretched so that it straightens. If holes are provided in the mounting strips, then the wire is passed through them. The device purchased in the cold season should warm up to room temperature.

Fixing fasteners. Elements are installed on the back of the device.

Markup. Having attached the heated towel rail to the wall, putting it on a plane, mark the places for the holes. At the drilling site, it is recommended to stick a masking tape, which will keep the finishing material intact after working with a drill, and avoid crumbling.

Hole preparation. Having chosen a drill of a suitable diameter, a hole is made in the wall, then a dowel is hammered into it.

Fixing the device. Having attached the heated towel rail to the wall, set the position using the building level. When everything is ready, fix the product.

Concealed wiring. The wires of the coil are connected to the wiring coming out of the wall, and the junction is insulated. The entire bundle of wiring is hidden in the cable channel or under the finishing materials.

Fixing decorative overlays.The mounting plates on which the coolant was installed are hidden with overlays. The last thing left is to check the operation of the coil.

The process of installing a heated towel rail can be simple or complex, as it all depends on the design, the selected fasteners, the availability of tools, and the experience of the master. To simplify the work, you should choose an electric coolant with a socket connection.

The cost of heated towel rails

Have you roughly decided what you want to see in your bathroom? Let's go shopping then.

What brands are the most popular and what is the cost of your comfort?

The most inexpensive device can be bought for 4 thousand rubles. This is for a conventional dryer, designed for a small room.

Here are some of the brands present on the Russian market:

• Margaroli;
• DeLonghi;
• energy;
• heatex;
• Elghansa.

If you are looking for an inexpensive and high-quality unit, pay attention to the domestic company Sunerzha. For example, a heated towel rail measuring 50 × 40 cm with a power of 300 W will cost about 10 thousand

rubles.

The British brand Energy offers the E-G1 model with a size of 43 × 49 cm, a power of 40 W, for 5 thousand rubles.

Model Margaroli Vento 50 (Italy), executed in colors "chrome" or "bronze", has dimensions 63×57.5 cm, power 100 W, swivel mechanism and the possibility of hidden connection. It costs about 19 thousand rubles.

Another representative of the domestic market has also proven itself well. Margroid Sail 80×75 cm with a power of 300 W has 5 temperature modes - from 30 to 70 ° C, light and compact. The average cost is 24 thousand rubles.

If you decide to purchase a combined heated towel rail, you will have to pay a tidy sum. Their cost reaches 200 thousand rubles.Thus, the German brand Zehnder offers a model from the YUCCA collection with dimensions of 176.6 × 60 cm with a power of 230 W and a cost of 200,600 rubles.

When choosing a device, also consider additional costs. So, fastening will cost you up to 300 rubles, the cost of installation work (if you invite a master) - up to 1500 rubles.

And how many skills are required, do you need special skills to install a heated towel rail yourself? This can be done by a person and weakly savvy in electrics. Let's consider the installation.

Peculiarities

The bathroom towel warmer is a device consisting of pipes that are heated using a special heating element. With it, you can easily dry towels and linen, and it also serves as an additional source of heating. It can be placed 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 accumulate and mold and fungus can form, a heated towel rail is simply an indispensable device for this room.

A 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 must be remembered that this device, located in the bathroom, poses a certain danger. Therefore, be sure to follow the safety rules and keep small children away from the device.

Characteristics of heating elements, how they work, the pros and cons of different types

Electric heated towel rails are cable, some models operate from a heating element.

Cable

The principle of operation is based on the action of the located inside the heating cable pipelike in warm floors. The advantage of the design lies in the uniform heating of the surface, when turned on, the heat is distributed over the entire surface of the dryer. The advantages also include the impossibility of overheating the device.

Important! Overheating is considered one of the common causes of dryer malfunctions, the presence of a thermostat will help extend the life of the device. Flaws:

Flaws:

• limited modifications - due to restrictions on the degree of bending of heating cables;
• impossibility of switching off - such a dryer works constantly;
• fragility - the service life in practice is several times less than indicated in the instructions;
• danger - if the cable is damaged, the dryer pipe is energized, in the absence of an RCD machine, the consequences can be terrible.

Important! Dryers with heating elements consume up to 165 W, so it is not advisable to use them for space heating. Most often they are used for drying towels and other products.

TEN dry and wet

The principle of operation of dryers with heating elements is based on heating the coolant, which can be used as water, antifreeze and others. The cost of wet heating elements is lower, which explains the consumer demand for them.

Advantages: a wide range of models, efficiency, high maintainability. This is due to the fact that the heater often fails, which is easily replaced.The main drawback is related to the design features of the device; due to the far location of the thermostat from the heating element, heating can be uneven.

How to calculate power?

The heated towel rail is very expensive in terms of energy consumption, but at the same time it boasts a high heat transfer coefficient. Depending on the size and materials, what area can be heated by an electric heated towel rail. How to choose the right model?

To calculate how much energy it consumes per month, you need to carry out simple calculations: 100 W of energy is needed per 1 m2. This means that the power of a heated towel rail in a 4 m2 bathroom should be about 400-560 watts.

You can find out how much electricity the device consumes using the formula:

• ErI = Pnom x Ks *t, where: Рnom is the power of the device;
• Кс - demand coefficient, for an electric heated towel rail is 0.4;
• T is the operating time of the device.

The capacity of a bath towel warmer can be found in its data sheet. Working hours per day are determined individually.

After you have figured out the indicators for the day, you can calculate how much electric heated towel rail consumes electricity per month or per year, simply by multiplying the resulting number by the number of days.

As the name implies, the main consumer property that distinguishes a rotary electric heated towel rail is the ability to rotate the coil. The dryer can be rotated 180 degrees relative to the wall. Moreover, in different models this function is implemented in different ways: somewhere the entire heated towel rail rotates, and somewhere only its individual parts.

Swivel modifications are easy to use and indispensable in confined spaces, for example, if there is a niche behind the dryer, which this device closes. In addition, if the rotary structure has the possibility of independent rotation of the hotel sections, it is more convenient to dry several things at once.

Modern models are usually divided into three groups:

• water;
• electrical;
• combined.

The principle of operation of electric heated towel rails is based on heating a heating element, which transfers energy to a heat carrier, which heats the surface of the device. Electric models are filled with mineral oil or specially prepared oxygen-free water (metal rusting does not develop without oxygen). The latter option is less common.

Combined devices combine two circuits: for hot water supply and for electricity. Such devices are not very popular due to their high cost.

It is traditionally believed that a higher power of a heating appliance provides more comfort. This is not true. Bathrooms are usually small area, and if you choose a heated towel rail that is too powerful, you may encounter the problem of unreasonably high temperature in the room, which, in turn, will affect the amount of payment for electricity.

The required power should be calculated based on the indicators recommended by SNiP 2.04.01.-85

In this case, always pay attention to the specific operating conditions and the purpose of the heated towel rail.

When buying a device, be sure to take into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. Too powerful a model will cause a lot of trouble in warm periods.If the power is not enough, a fungus may develop in the bathroom. There are simple formulas for calculating the power of household appliances. So, to maintain the temperature at 18 degrees for 1 sq.m. living space requires 100 watts of thermal energy. However, the bathroom is a room with high humidity, besides, after bathing, a person freezes much faster, so it is advisable to maintain a higher temperature - 25 degrees. In this case, 140 W / 1 sq.m.

We offer you to familiarize yourself with the Device of a flush tank with a lower water supply

If it is assumed that the device will not only dry towels, but also heat the bathroom, then the power calculation will look like this: the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room should be multiplied by 140. The resulting value will become decisive when choosing a specific model.

For example, for a small bathroom of 3.4 sq.m. a device with a power of about 500 W (3.4x140 \u003d 476) is enough.

Usually, the more horizontal tubes, the more powerful the device, but this is not always the case. Before the final choice, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical documentation of each model you like and stop at the most suitable one in terms of parameters.

Electric towel warmers

Electric towel warmer

They are notable for the fact that their installation is possible in any of the premises of an apartment or a private house and they can be turned on or off as needed.

The heating element in them is a special moisture-proof cable or heating element (tubular electric heater).

Devices with power from 25 to 1200 W are produced.
There are "dry" and oil dryers. In the manufacture of the second specified type, a coolant with an increased heat capacity is used.As a result, the device cools down for a longer time.

Connection of electric types of dryers is possible in two ways, open and hidden. With the open connection method, the device cable is simply connected to the outlet. In the case of hidden connection, the cable is mounted into the wall and goes to the junction box. This option is suitable for models with a control unit with on, off and temperature control of the heating element. Similar models for hidden connection have the function of automatic shutdown when heated to the desired temperature, or in the event of a breakdown.

Correct installation: step by step instructions

1. Decide on the installation location. The device must be located away from water and furniture: at least 60 cm from the bathroom, 70 cm from furniture, 20 cm from the floor.
2. Attach the heated towel rail with the supporting side to the wall.
3. Mark the attachment points.
4. Choose the type of fastening: for a solid concrete / brick wall - screw ø4, plastic dowel 35 mm, drill ø6; for hollow walls (e.g. gypsum boards): metal dowel 32 mm, screw ø4, drill ø8.
5. Install the brackets on which the heated towel rail will be mounted.
6. Attach the device to them.
7. Connect your device. If the room does not have an IP44 socket, you can bring the cord outside. To do this, make a hole in the wall. Make sure that the cable is not pinched anywhere.

Hidden connection is possible only if the bathroom is scheduled for renovation.

With proper use, the product will serve you for a long time.

It is important to remember: use only crossbars intended for drying; do not place paper or plastic objects on them; periodically remove dust from the heated towel rail with a dry cloth, after unplugging it from the mains

Criterias of choice

The choice of an electric heated towel rail is best taken with all responsibility. In order to choose the ideal device in all respects, it is better to evaluate its features as a whole.

You should pay attention to:

• The shape 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 take up. Dimensions always matter, especially in small bathrooms.
• Towel dryer power. This indicator is very important, because if you choose the wrong power, it may happen that the bathroom will not warm up. It is worth considering that for each square meter of the room there should be about 200 watts of device power. Only in this case will a comfortable temperature be achieved.
• How the device will be connected to the network. This can be done in an open or closed way. The second, of course, is safer, but not convenient if the room is not completely renovated, since you will have to remove part of the top trim in order to run the wires. The open method is more convenient, and also allows you to move the unit as needed.
• Energy consumption. The power consumption directly depends on the power of the device. You should not buy too powerful heated towel rails for small bathrooms, as they can overheat the room, as well as waste energy.Very good options are devices equipped with thermostats and special sensors. They regulate the temperature, and can also turn off the device when the desired temperature is reached. This results in energy savings.
• Ten options.
• Special functions such as thermostats, timers or energy saving sensors.

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

Today, there are many manufacturers of these devices. It is also better to familiarize yourself with them when choosing a heated towel rail.

• Kermi. This is a German company that produces high-quality devices. It has long been known on 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 is a “ladder”.

• Arbonia. A Swiss company that 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 is most often antifreeze.

• Margaroli. This Italian brand manufactures its products exclusively from high-quality, but expensive materials, equips them with various useful additional features. The price is very high, but each device comes with 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 of 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 has a huge range of products. The product is made of high quality stainless steel, covered with a beautiful chrome composition. Sunerzha provides a five-year warranty for its devices.

• "Dvin". Russian company specializing in ladder-shaped heated towel rails. Prices for devices are acceptable, the warranty provided is one year.

• "Nika". A very popular Russian brand with more than a decade of history. Produces high-quality products with an interesting design. Provides a five-year product warranty.

• terminus. This Russian brand fell in love with customers 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". It produces stainless steel products with adjustable heating temperature, as well as an automatic shutdown function in case of overheating. Provides 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.