Which water heated towel rail is better: learning to choose the right one

Water or electric

Water

A water heated towel rail is a battery in the bathroom connected to the DHW system. Hot water runs inside this battery. In ordinary homes, such heated towel rails work all year round, with the exception of two weeks when the system is started, and in homes where there is gas, towel warmers not working for 4 months.

When choosing which heated towel rail is better, electric or water, be guided by the type of house.If the water one does its job perfectly during the heating season, but when the heating is turned off for 4 months, dampness forms, then it makes sense to install an electric one in addition.

Water heated towel rails are made of stainless steel, copper, brass and cheap ferrous metal. Sometimes ferrous metal can be specially painted to look like stainless steel. To distinguish between them, you can:

1. View the coil passport. It contains the material of manufacture.
2. Attach a magnet. If it is magnetized, then in front of you is black metal.

Why is it all? Black metal is not durable. The water flowing through the pipe is very hard, it contains a lot of metal impurities that are deposited on the inner wall of the pipe. Plus, this water is saturated with oxygen, which corrodes the metal from the inside. For ferrous metal, these factors are detrimental. But the stainless steel pipe is not afraid of anything.

In form, there are fewer options for water heated towel rails than electric ones. The stores offer standard models of snake, ladder and horseshoe. Here everyone decides for himself what is best.

Life time

A water heated towel rail made of any material other than ferrous metal will last for decades (provided that it can withstand pressure drops in the system and does not burst at the seams).

Electric

Electric heated towel rails are powered by the mains. There are two types:

• Dry. Cable inside.
• Wet. Inside is oil or antifreeze, heated by a heating element.

Wet - more powerful, able to heat the room, but energy-intensive. Another drawback is only in such a way that the heater is located below, and the cable can be hung as you like.

When installing an electric heated towel rail, pay close attention to the socket.Install it in such a way that it is not splashed with water.

When choosing an electrical device, you need to proceed from the calculations of 150 W of power per square meter of bath. This power is enough to heat the bathroom.

Electric heated towel rails will increase the amount in electricity bills. If you leave it on around the clock, then a considerable amount will run up in a month.

To save money, turn it on for several hours a day, or with devices:

1. Thermal head. Set the temperature regime that will prevail in the bathroom.
2. Thermostat. The time is set when the dryer will turn on, and the temperature that it will set during this period. For example, you set the thermostat for a few hours before you wake up. Thus, electricity is saved at night, because. the dryer does not work, and when you come to brush your teeth, the bathroom is already warm.

Life time

If you choose a cable dryer, then it can last up to 10 years, but if the cable burns out, then it cannot be replaced. A “wet” dryer has a shorter service life, because tan needs to be changed periodically. Such a heated towel rail will last 3-5 years.

Criteria for choosing a water heated towel rail

To date, the heated towel rail in the interior of the bathroom is not the last place, therefore, when choosing it, you need to take into account all the features of the room.

Appearance, shape and size

Standard models often have the shape of a coil, the letter M or P. The number of bends depends on the size of the structure and the wishes of the buyer. Experts recommend choosing a heated towel rail with as many bends or ladders as there are people living in an apartment or house.Other forms can be purchased taking into account the future interior in the bathroom.

1. Zigzags.
2. U - figurative.
3. Ladders.
4. Dual circuit.
5. Semicircles.
6. Drop-shaped.
7. Spirals.
8. other configurations.

Many manufacturers can make a heated towel rail according to the individual order of the buyer.

Production material

The material of manufacture affects the durability and strength of the heated towel rail when the pressure in the DHW network increases. The main material for the production of heated towel rails today is metal and its alloys. Often used:

• Aluminum.
• Brass.
• Copper.
• Stainless steel.
• Alloys of metals.
• Black steel.

Sometimes the outer surface is chrome plated, it is polished and painted.

Stainless steel

Withstands high pressure and is resistant to corrosion. Universal material allows installation on any DHW system with water of different qualities. The main disadvantage is the high price, but the choice is worth it. The most expensive.

Non-ferrous alloys

Alloys of these metals create structures that can withstand a pressure of 5 - 6 bar, they are resistant to corrosion with water of any quality. Average price.

black steel

To protect against corrosion, painting or spraying is used. Most suitable for homes with an individual hot water system or high-quality water. Economy option.

Regardless of the material of manufacture, modern models are well protected by a special internal coating.

Therefore, in choosing a heated towel rail, you need to pay more attention to price, strength, shape and installation method.

Design solutions and place in the interior

A variety of modern models will make it easy to choose the heated towel rail that will best match the design of the bathroom. The outer surface is only rarely left unfinished, as manufacturers try to give the surface a noble look.

To do this, it is covered with paint of different colors, brushed nickel, chrome plated or sprayed with precious metals. A huge selection of shapes and sizes, as well as the ability to make to order, allow you to choose a model that complements even the most unusual interior.

When installing a heated towel rail, they try to hide the pipes in the walls or in a false wall. But in some cases, everything remains in sight. Often heated towel rails are complemented with decorative elements, shelves and temperature control devices are installed. Sometimes there are models with the ability to turn 180 °.

It all depends on the wishes of the buyer, because some types of heated towel rails are not suitable for all interiors.

How to choose a heated towel rail

• To size. Since the bathroom is not so large, the coil should be small and not small. Too small will not be able to heat the bathroom sufficiently and it will be damp and mold will develop. A battery that is too large will provide less heat for you and your neighbors. Conclusion: in terms of size, the golden mean is what you need.
• By manufacturer. Russian or imported? It's up to you, but imported heated towel rails are not designed for our parameters. For example, imported ones are produced with a pipe diameter of 1.2 and 3.4 inches, and Russian ones - an inch or an inch and a quarter. It turns out that it will be necessary to weld adapters. One more moment.Russian-made towel warmers perfectly pass the test of pressure drops, but imported ones may not be able to cope. See that the heated towel rail can withstand a pressure of 6 atmospheres, and at increased loads and 10 atmospheres.
• By form. It's a matter of taste and creativity.
• Water or electric. There is no clear answer, which is better: a heated towel rail water or electric. It all depends on a number of factors. More on that below.

Which heated towel rail is better to buy

If you have a spacious bath, drying not only performs its intended function, but also works as a heating radiator. In this case, it is better to buy equipment with high heating capacity and a large heating area. However, even the smallest heated towel rail 40x40 cm is enough to heat 4-5 sq.m of a bathroom.

Consider the parameters of utility networks - water pressure and temperature in the pipes. The passports of heated towel rails indicate the permissible limits of these indicators.

The best materials for the production of heated towel rails are brass, stainless steel and copper - that is, metals resistant to corrosion. Brass and copper appliances are covered with a special protective chromium layer on top, steel ones are polished to a shine, since otherwise it is difficult to achieve perfect smoothness from them.

Until recently, serpentines were installed in bathrooms, which had a standard M-shaped design. Today, there are many more interesting models on the market. However, the design will have to be chosen, taking into account the practicality of the device of one form or another, and not according to the “like it or not like it” principle:

• U-shaped heated towel rails are best installed in small rooms, as they have low heat dissipation.In addition, they are designed for only 1-2 towels.
• The ladder is convenient because you can dry several things on it at the same time. Usually has a bottom connection.
• A ladder with a pull-out shelf allows you to additionally dry small items (gloves, socks or shoes).
• The swivel L-shaped models offer the ultimate in ease of use when the towel rails can be swiveled to either side or folded flat.

You need to select the size of the heated towel rail depending on the space in the bathroom. The smaller the room, the simpler the design should be. Sometimes it is required to take into account the center distance of the device - when it is planned to connect the equipment to existing communications.

The standard distance between the axes of the supply line is 60 cm. If a major overhaul is planned, then the wiring can also be adjusted to a non-standard heated towel rail.

The outlet diameter of the device must correspond to the cross section of the installed pipes. Most often, sections in an inch are used, sometimes ¾ or ½ inches. If you made a mistake with the size, the adapter will solve the problem.

Manufacturers

In a business like buying a heated towel rail, one of the most important parameters is the name of the manufacturer. It is a high-profile brand that guarantees that high-quality materials were used in the manufacture and technology was observed.

Self-respecting companies give a guarantee on their product from 1 year. The longer the warranty, the more reliable the product can be considered. However, please note that the installation of the dryer must be carried out in accordance with all standards. Otherwise, the warranty may be voided.

There are several Russian companies that have a sufficient level of reliability: Terminus, Sunerzha, Nika, Dvin, Trugor.

Among European manufacturers, products from Arbonia, Energy, Terma, Margaroli, Kermi demonstrate high quality.

The heated towel rails of the Italian-French brand Atlantic stand apart. These are designer models with a top-end feature set in any, even the most budget-friendly device.

Atlantic is one of the TOP-3 manufacturers of heated towel rails in Europe. Due to the scale of production, the company's models are 3-5 times cheaper than their Russian counterparts and 8-10 times cheaper than the devices of European brands such as Zehnzer and Margaroli. The power of the models is high - from 350 to 750 W, for quickly warming up the bathroom and drying towels. At the same time, various modes allow you to configure the heated towel rail so that the monthly electricity costs do not exceed 200-300 rubles.

Differences between water and electric models

Before buying heated towel rails, you need to pay attention to how they differ from each other. The following points can be highlighted:

1. Water appliances are powered by central heating, electric ones serve all year round.
2. It is better to install water pipes before finishing the bathroom. Electricity can be connected at any time.
3. The tie-in into the pipe of the water model must be carried out by the master.
4. Many electrical devices have microprocessors that can be used to control the heating temperature. Water coils are heated to the temperature of the water in the heating system.

Given these points, you can choose a device based on individual preferences.

What types of heated towel rails are there?

All heated towel rails on the sanitary equipment market can be divided into three groups.

Water devices

They are initially included in the standard equipment of the bathroom and are a pipe bent in the form of a coil, through which hot water circulates. At the moments when the hot water supply is turned off, the operation of the tubular product for its intended purpose is impossible until the repair work is completed.

If the device is connected to the heating system, then the period of its use coincides with the heating season. This means that the water heated towel rail in this case is idle for more than three months a year. However, life does not stop and residents of apartment buildings have to look for a replacement for this equipment.

Electric towel warmers

These devices can be an excellent alternative to water models. After all, they can be operated offline, regardless of the functioning of other systems. There are also no strict requirements for the installation site of such equipment. Therefore, you can find electric towel warmers not only in bathrooms, but also in kitchens and hallways. For operation of such equipment, only an uninterrupted supply of electricity is necessary. Naturally, the constant use of an electrical appliance will lead to an increase in bills for the consumed kilowatts.

Combined heated towel rails

These units combine the design features of water and electrical appliances, so they can, if necessary, work in one of two modes. However, many buyers are still repelled by the cost of such products.

Water heated towel rails are the most popular among Russians

So which towel warmer is still better to buy?

According to customer reviews on the forums, the sales leaders are Sunerzha, Energy and Margaroli heated towel rails. Moreover, consumers from the city of Moscow respond better to the first brand, while the last two are praised by residents of the Moscow region. It depends on factors such as water quality and pressure in the plumbing system.

What is the best heated towel rail? To answer this question, it is advisable not to start from the manufacturer, but from what these devices are made of. Then select the one you need from the list of brands.

Water heated towel rails are made from stainless steel, black steel or brass; ferrous metal appliances are not very good because of their fragility - they are prone to corrosion. Models made of brass or stainless steel do not have this drawback.

Sunerzh towel warmers are the leaders in sales.

It is generally accepted that stainless steel, ceteris paribus, is preferable. However, knowledgeable people say that it is just the same better to choose specimens from brass.

The thing is that stainless steel bends easily, in order to bend a brass pipe you will have to try hard, special equipment is required. As a result, brass heated towel rails cannot be made in artisanal, non-factory conditions.

We advise you to read a series of articles on the topic of flooring with your own hands: how to choose and lay linoleum correctly; how to properly lay the laminate is described here, and about the tiles on the floor in this article.

And stainless steel appliances - maybe. The question may not be fundamental. But fakes are always inferior in quality. The second reason is that there is always a weld on the pipes of stainless steel heated towel rails, which, in case of poor-quality workmanship, will certainly leak.

Devices made of brass are made in one piece. One-piece parts, without a seam, are better for the reasons mentioned. Therefore, for reasons of quality and safety, it is better to immediately spend money on a good heated towel rail and purchase a brass one than to pay for repairs later, or change the entire equipment.

Stainless steel water heated towel rail: which one is better to choose

Water models can be made in different configurations

That is why it is important to responsibly approach the issue of choosing a heated towel rail.

So you should pay attention to the appearance of the equipment. At the same time, the dimensions of the structure may differ

A small compact version will fit perfectly into a small bathroom, while larger pipes are used for larger rooms.

Forms of water dryers:

• M-shaped;
• U-shaped;
• Zigzag;
• Stairs.

In the plumbing market, you can find absolutely unusual forms of heated towel rails. The required number of pipes allows you to dry several towels at once. In addition, some models are equipped with protruding shelves. Individual units are equipped with a thermostat or have special reflectors

You should pay attention to the material of construction, as it will be in constant contact with water.

The best products are made of stainless steel. It is resistant to corrosion, and able to withstand the desired pressure. In private homes, you can install dryers made of brass or copper. They are able to withstand medium pressure. For steel structures, it is necessary to provide for the complete filling of pipes with water, otherwise the material will quickly corrode.

What are the sizes of towel warmers?

First of all, we highlight the difference between plumbing fixtures according to the principle of operation. There are three types of structures:

• electrical;
• water;
• combined.

The layout of housing in apartment buildings involves the installation of a stainless steel heated towel rail in the bathroom and connection to a hot water or heating system (in older houses). Therefore, water plumbing fixtures are very popular. The simplicity of design and connection makes them popular. The peculiarity of the work is that the heating of the surface occurs only when hot water (heating) is turned on.

Electric heated towel rails include in the required mode, and this allows you to be independent of the operation of the water supply. The complexity of the design makes the equipment expensive, which reduces demand.

A combined type heater is installed if the consumer wishes to use two types of heating for greater efficiency.

dimensions

Since Soviet times, a prototype of a heated towel rail has developed in the form of a coil of the same size. Progress does not stand still and, today, manufacturers of sanitary equipment offer a large selection of equipment for drying towels, which differ in shape and size. External devices are:

• M-shaped (usual coils);
• U-shaped;
• ladders (with or without a shelf);
• S-shaped;
• other designs.

These structures have different overall dimensions, both in height and in width. Plumbing manufacturers are trying to comply with the standard height of the coils, which is used for the usual connection to the hot water riser, while the length and internal weave of the pipes are performed in various ways.Other configurations of heated towel rails have no size restrictions, and if the consumer wishes, custom-made designs are made according to the specified dimensions.

The smallest plumbing fixture for drying towels has dimensions of 400x500 mm. Such a unit will be convenient for use in a small bathroom, or when installed as an additional heated towel rail.

Characteristic, for devices resembling any letter, is the elongation of the structure. For example,

• M-shaped: height - 55 cm, length 50-120 cm;
• U-shaped, with a height of 30 cm, have a length of 50–90 cm.

For plumbing fixtures, in the form of a ladder, more often - on the contrary, the height is greater than the length. For example, with a structure width of 50 cm, the vertical dimension ranges from 60 cm to 130 cm. At the same time, the width can also change.

When it comes to standard sizes, this means that the applicant for a plumbing fixture is talking about the accepted height for connecting to a hot water riser. It is also possible to tacitly standardize the rounded dimensions of any structures. Let's say 60x80 cm, 50x90 cm or 60x120 cm, etc.

Connecting

According to the type of installation to the required engineering network, the connection of a plumbing fixture can be of the following types:

• vertical (straight);
• bottom (horizontal);
• diagonal.

The diagonal connection method is considered effective in terms of heat transfer. But its use is not always convenient and requires design features of the water supply. The remaining two methods allow you to clearly mount the unit to the required engineering networks and use it comfortably.

The connection diameter of heated towel rails is threaded and is calculated in inch values.Most of the manufactured devices are made with a 1/2” internal thread. Given the large number of manufactured products and manufacturers, not everyone makes just such a design for connecting to network pipes. The size can be 3/4 "or 1", and the thread is made both external and internal.

The purchase of a device for drying towels is due to its further installation in the required place. Depending on the distance between the connection pipes, select the required option. When carrying out repairs in an apartment or house, it is advisable to purchase equipment before laying the supplied communications. The supply of pipes in this case is carried out according to the size of the plumbing fixture.

Pipes for water heated towel rail

The radiant heat prevents the mirror from fogging up and prevents mold growth.

For the correct connection of the heated towel rail, the pressure level must be more than 6 atm. The indicator depends on the location of the apartment, the quality of communications, the number of floors. In multi-apartment buildings, the pressure is in the range from 2.5 to 7.5 atm., in private houses - from 2 to 3 atmospheres.

Allotment area

The power is affected by the area of ​​the layout in the manufacture of the water pipe. The larger the dimensions of the hollow product, the stronger the circulation. Maximum heat transfer is possible from the device, which is a combination of thick and thin rungs in the form of a ladder. To calculate the power, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bathroom is taken into account.

The optimal parameter is determined by multiplying the quadrature by 140 watts. The indicator will allow you to choose a device for heating a room up to 25 degrees - the prescribed norm according to GOST. An electric temperature controller allows you to track temperature changes.

Diameter

The parameter affects the correct connection of the water heated towel rail. Modern models have different outer diameters:

• 3/4”–25 mm;
• 1 1/4” - 40 mm;
• 1” -32 mm.