Have you decided to renovate your bathroom? Then, in addition to choosing a bathtub, toilet and other plumbing fixtures, you need to buy a heated towel rail. The question immediately arises: which heated towel rail is better - water or electric?

The main condition that must be strictly observed when arranging a bathroom is convenience. You should be comfortable taking a shower, washing your face and drying towels. Therefore, there is no need to purchase the first device you come across for drying towels; you need to understand the models and their differences in more detail.

Why do you need a heated towel rail in the bathroom?

Before you start choosing models, you need to understand what this device is.

We all remember from childhood our grandmother’s bathroom, where every centimeter of space was used for its intended purpose. And the role of a heated towel rail was assigned to a metal zigzag pipe, which was located on the wall opposite the bathtub. The pipe was connected to the heating system, so winter time the bathroom was warm and drying wet towels was not a problem. IN summer time, Without central heating, the pipe remained cold, so no one dreamed of drying bath items. IN in this case we remembered the water heated towel rail.

Recently, in plumbing stores you can find other heated towel rails that operate not from the presence of hot water in the pipe, but from the electrical network. Therefore, if your apartment has interruptions in hot water supply or heating, then it would be more advisable to choose the second option.

Purpose of the heated towel rail

The very name of the device indicates that it will be used for its intended purpose, that is, to dry wet bath towels. Many thrifty owners may argue, what would be worse if you allocate, say, a bar for a towel, or stretch a rope over the bathtub? In fact, there are differences. Typically, the humidity level in the bathroom is always higher than, for example, in the kitchen, so the towel will not be able to dry quickly on the line. And if you send bulky terry towels to dry on the warm coil of a heated towel rail, then they can be dried in a short time.

In addition, the device serves not only for drying towels, it creates a comfortable temperature in the room. This means that if you just took a shower, you won’t have to cringe and get goosebumps. Also, if you choose a heated towel rail according to all the rules, this will help get rid of the formation of condensation on the walls and mirror of the bathroom.

What are the types

There are two types of heated towel rails:

• water;
• electric.

A water heated towel rail is a structure made of a long curved pipe that needs to be mounted on the wall in the bathroom. Hot water passing through the pipe transfers heat into the room. This ensures maximum heating of the bathroom, and also allows you to always use dry towels.

Electric heated towel rails come in different capacities and designs. Installing such a device is very simple - you do not need to connect it to the heating or water supply system. You just need to attach the unit to the wall and plug it into an outlet. If you don't want to depend on heating or hot water, then you should choose electric heated towel rails.

How to choose a heated towel rail

To avoid any questions about which heated towel rail is better, electric or water, let’s take a closer look at each type.

Electric heated towel rails, when compared with water appliances, have a number of advantages. First of all, the unit operates from the network, it is easy to install and operate.

Advantages:

• no need to obtain permission from utility service(Housing Office) to carry out installation work;
• there is no need to invite a specialist to make a connection to the hot water supply system;
• the heated towel rail always works and does not depend on heating or the availability of hot water;
• It’s easy to install the device yourself;
• does not consume a large number of energy.

Many people, having read positive reviews about the operation of electric heated towel rails, choose this type of heater. In addition to the main advantages, certain types of models may have a built-in thermostat, allowing you to independently regulate the temperature and minimize energy costs.

The Energy heated towel rail has this function:

But before purchasing a unit, you need to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages. Thus, manufacturers note that some models require compliance with the following requirements during installation:

• when connecting, you need to output a separate power supply line;
• it is necessary to install an additional socket with high level protection;
• lay a grounding wire in the bathroom.

Despite these requirements, you can always choose the right heated towel rail for your bathroom.

Which company is better to choose a heated towel rail?

The designs of electric heating units may have different shapes: in the form of a ladder, coil and other design models that will take their rightful place in any interior.

In addition to shapes, heated towel rails can be made from different materials and have differences in color.

So, popular models of units are made from:

• bronze;
• chromium;
• metal with silver and gold plating;
• made of stainless steel.

The photo shows a sample of a stainless steel heated towel rail:

Electrical appliances are powered from a 220-volt network and maintain a temperature of sixty-five to seventy degrees.

To fill the internal space of the units, ordinary water, oil or antifreeze can be used as a heat transfer fluid. There is no significant difference - each of the liquids heats up well and retains heat. The only thing buyers need to pay attention to is the price of heated towel rails; it may vary slightly.

When buyers wonder which heated towel rail is best for the bathroom, it would be useful to remind you that when purchasing you need to pay attention to the power of the unit and the type of device heating element.

If you see an inexpensive model in a store, then most likely a cable is installed inside the fittings as a heating element. This will mean that such a device will not work for a long time.

If a heating element is installed as a heating element, its durability will depend on the material from which it is made. Thus, a case made of ferrous metal is considered the cheapest; it will corrode faster than a similar element made of stainless steel.

It is welcome to have a thermostat that provides heating to the room. If you decide to purchase a unit with a thermostat, its cost will be twenty percent higher.

According to the type of fastening, electric heated towel rails are divided into the following types:

1. Stationary.
2. Turning.

The first type is different in that it has four installation points. Installation is carried out with special fasteners.

Rotary types of units can be tilted away from the wall during operation. The advantages of rotary units are that they can be installed in small spaces.

If the goal is not to constantly operate the heated towel rail, then you can purchase a model with a timer to turn on the device for heating when necessary.

The Terminus heated towel rail meets these requirements.

It is made of stainless steel, reliable and durable. Will last more than thirty years.

Which heated towel rails are better: water or electric?

A water device for drying towels must be built into the water supply or heating system. Its operating principle is as follows: hot water passing through the pipes evenly warms up the heated towel rail, ensuring a comfortable temperature in the bathroom. The advantages of water heated towel rails are that you do not need to consume electricity, which means you can save on energy resources.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting that the unit must be connected to a hot water supply or heating system. Considering that hot water can be turned off and heating season lasts six months, then the remaining six months it will not be in demand.

In addition, to install a heated towel rail, you need to do a lot of work and involve specialists.

The photo shows a popular model of a water heated towel rail from Sunerzha:

If we compare water and electric heated towel rails, we can note that each type of unit has both advantages and disadvantages.

How to choose a heated towel rail, watch the video:

Choosing the right heated towel rail for your bathroom is very important. After all, the convenience of using the room where a person receives depends to a large extent on this device. water procedures.

The device we are interested in is used for drying wet things after washing, bathing and washing. In addition, it is necessary to maintain comfortable conditions in the bathroom. If the described device is installed in it, you will never freeze when leaving the water after swimming.

Device for drying wet items

Currently, you can choose one of three types of heated towel rails:

1. Water. This device is a pipe bent into a coil. Water (hot) circulates through it. Such structures are initially installed in the bathrooms of apartments in high-rise buildings. A water heated towel rail is usually connected to the heating system of the home. This means that it operates exclusively during the heating season. The rest of the time it is not used. Naturally, its operation is impossible even during any emergency work affecting the heating system of a high-rise building.
2. Electric. A more modern device that can be used at any time of the year. The main thing is that there is electricity in your home. Installation of such products can be done not only in the bathroom, but also in the kitchen. But, as you yourself understand, electricity bills during their operation will be slightly higher than usual.
3. Combined. It is a kind of hybrid of an electric and water product. The combined heated towel rail operates in two modes. It is very comfortable. When the house is not heated, you need to select the electric mode of operation of the device, and with the onset of the heating season, switch to a more economical water one.

Note that devices of the third type are not particularly popular among domestic consumers. This fact is due to their fairly high cost. Many people believe that it is better to choose a cheaper and fully functional electric or water heated towel rail. Let's talk about them in more detail.

When you decide which type of device is most suitable for your bathroom, you should understand the materials from which modern dryers for wet clothes are made. Such knowledge will help you choose the right heated towel rail.

The cheapest devices are made of ordinary steel. Experts do not recommend installing them in the bathroom, as they are mostly short-lived. This is primarily due to the low quality of water flowing through the pipes. Steel devices come in the following types:

• painted;
• polished;
• chrome plated

Chrome heated towel rail

Dryers with a chrome surface are considered the most expensive, but also the most durable. Polished designs have a presentable appearance, they serve for a relatively long time. But a painted heated towel rail almost immediately after starting use in the bathroom loses its original appearance. This does not apply to foreign steel products, which are produced with mandatory polymerization of the metal outside and inside the structure. Such devices can be used for decades.

Designs for drying things made from stainless steel are characterized by maximum durability.

If you plan to install a heated towel rail for years to come, you should choose just such a product. And lovers of special aesthetics and originality in the interior of the bathroom can be advised to take a closer look at brass and copper structures. They look great and have a high heat transfer rate. The disadvantage of such products is their relatively low durability (when compared with stainless steel devices).

Electric heated towel rail - reliable autonomous system, which will work regardless of the availability of hot water in heating system dwellings. In such structures there are no problems with water pressure, and air pockets do not appear in them.

Electrical structures can be “dry” or “wet”. A special heating cable is installed into the housing of the first ones (about the same as the one that is installed in the currently popular heated floor). But the circuit of “wet” products is filled with oil or antifreeze and these substances are heated by a heating element located at the bottom of the structure. Which heated towel rail should you choose – “wet” or “dry”? Decide for yourself. In doing so, pay attention to the following factors:

1. Devices with a heating cable heat up very quickly, but also cool down quickly. And “wet” structures remain hot for quite a long time after switching off.
2. Products with oil are more expensive than their cable counterparts (their production process is more labor-intensive due to the need to ensure absolute tightness of the housing in which the liquid circulates).
3. Systems that allow you to select the drying operating temperature are most often installed in devices with heating elements. “Dry” designs usually work according to a simpler standard - “turn it on and forget it.”
4. In terms of power, an electric heated towel rail with a cable is weaker than an oil one. You need to choose a “wet” unit if you plan to heat the bathroom with it. If the design is required solely for drying wet things, it is better to purchase a less powerful (and more economical in terms of electricity consumption) “dry” device.

Electric towel dryer with cable

Before you finally choose an electric heated towel rail, consider the following. Oil-filled devices require professional installation. And cable structures can be installed by any home craftsman without any problems. This electrical unit can be placed in any position; there are no special requirements for its installation.

In fact, you can already easily decide which electric heated towel rail will suit you in all respects. But don't rush. We have prepared a few more for you important recommendations from the pros. They are given below:

• The more horizontal tubes there are, the higher the heat transfer of a structure.
• For a small bathroom, it is better to buy sliding products. They have side “ears” that fold towards the center when the unit is not in use. Due to this, the design takes up minimal space when folded, and when opened, you can dry a lot of things on it.
• Convex tubes hold laundry much better during drying than straight tubes.

Let's add that electric dryers Available in floor-mounted and wall-mounted versions. Those that are placed on the floor are more mobile. If necessary, you can move them to another place (for example, to the kitchen) or even take them with you to the dacha when you plan a long vacation outside the city. Wall-mounted products are installed permanently using special fittings (in this case, you need to make holes in the walls for fastening them).

The water unit for drying clothes in the bathroom, as noted above, is made of different materials. But this is far from the most a big problem choosing such a device. The point is that specifications water devices must fully comply with the pressure testing and operating pressure that is present in the hot water supply system of an apartment building.

In accordance with domestic State Standards and Sanitary Standards, any sanitary and technical water intake equipment in high-rise buildings must withstand pressure of up to 7.5 atmospheres. In practice, water intake systems in high-rise buildings operate at average loads of no more than 4–6 atmospheres. But with water hammer, this value can increase. In this regard, be sure to look at the passport of the heated towel rail you like. And clearly recognize in it the maximum pressure at which the device is capable of functioning.

Water heated towel rail passport

This advice should always be followed when you buy products from foreign (in particular, European) manufacturers for high-rise buildings, and do not pay attention to it at all if you are purchasing a device for installation in a private home. In it, the pressure in the heating and water system, as a rule, does not exceed several atmospheres. Any model of dryer is suitable for a private home.

Structurally, water heated towel rails from foreign manufacturers vary. They are made with side shelves, various ladders, in the shape of the letters P, M, and so on. Which specific device to choose is up to you. The main thing is that it fits in the bathroom and does not clutter it. To do this, it is enough to correctly measure the dimensions of your bathroom.

Installation of water structures, if desired, can be done with your own hands. carried out near the heating riser, connected to the pipe using elbows, couplings or a shut-off valve. All connections made must be sealed. The easiest way to do this operation is with Teflon tape. And do not forget to turn off the hot water before starting installation work. Let your bathroom always be warm and dry!

Every experienced master decorator will confirm that the bathroom is perhaps the most difficult room to renovate. The humid, damp microclimate of the bathroom and increased functional load complicate the task. Therefore, there are no trifles when renovating a bathroom.

Even a heated towel rail, which, according to ignorant people, plays a purely decorative role, actually performs important functions, so you need to choose this element wisely. In this article we will tell you which water heated towel rail is better and what its advantages are over electric models.

What is a heated towel rail and what types are they?

When entering the bathroom, you see a curved pipe made of stainless steel or other material, which is attached to the wall on special brackets. This radiator, necessary for heating the bathroom, is popularly called a heated towel rail, since towels are most often hung on it.

According to the heating method, water and electric heated towel rails are distinguished; they differ according to the following criteria:

Important! If you decide to replace the heated towel rail in the bathroom, but don’t know how to choose, think about how important it is for you that this device works at any time of the year. If it doesn’t bother you that the radiator won’t work in the summer, then it’s better to opt for a more reliable, durable water-based one.

Device functions

Although a bathroom radiator is often called a “bathroom heated towel rail,” it is not only used as a towel dryer. A correctly selected device plays an important role in the interior of the bathroom, performing several useful functions at once:

Please note that a heated towel rail in the bathroom is a must. It is not simple decorative element, on which you can hang towels to dry if necessary. Without this device, which in its essence and functions serves as a battery, the inside of the bathroom will be so cold that taking a bath in it will simply be uncomfortable.

What is the difference between radiator models for bathrooms?

When deciding which heated towel rail is better, you need to understand that the models differ significantly in many factors. You can choose the right device, taking into account the area of ​​the bathroom, the mounting location and the needs of the apartment’s inhabitants. Different types bathroom heated towel rails have the following characteristics:

Note! Once you know what heated towel rails are, it’s easier to make an informed choice. Therefore, before purchasing, it would be good to become better acquainted with the range of dryers, compare their pros and cons, compare prices and characteristics of models, and only then buy the device you like.

What to look for when purchasing?

During renovations, many homeowners think about how to choose the right heated towel rail so that it lasts a long time, warms the room well, and at the same time serves as an interior decoration.

It would seem that in an oversaturated market sanitary products it will be easy to do. But in fact, you can get lost in the abundance of forms and manufacturers, forgetting to clarify the main characteristics of the device. When purchasing a radiator coil, the following parameters are taken into account:

Important! The choice of a heated towel rail for the bathroom should be thoughtful and balanced. Before purchasing, you need to study all the information indicated on the packaging, check the certificates of conformity, technical specifications and instructions. If there are no questions left for the manufacturer, you are confident in the quality of the device, then you can safely purchase it, not forgetting to fill out the warranty card.

What are the benefits of water models?

Before choosing a water heated towel rail, it is important to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of this device. Installation of water models built into a general heating system is much more expensive than electric ones.

It is better to carry out work on inserting a radiator from May to September, when the heating season is over, then this procedure will not require approval from management company, and also will not cause inconvenience to neighbors.

To be satisfied with a water-type towel dryer, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics of the device:

We hope that after reading this article you understand how to choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom so that it will serve you faithfully for many years and not only warm you in the cold winter, but warm your soul with a beautiful, aesthetic appearance.

Video instruction

How to choose a water heated towel rail for your bathroom?

This question is asked by many people who have started renovations in their apartment.

If you want to know the answers to the most common questions on this topic, then read the article.

Read more about water heated towel rails

Modern stores offer a huge selection of stylish and functional water-type heated towel rails, which have little resemblance to the bulky models of these devices that were located in every Soviet apartment.

Before you start renovating your bathroom and choosing the final style of its interior, you should decide on your budget and find models of heating products that not only appeal to you visually, but are also suitable for installation specifically in your room.

It is worth noting that water heated towel rails are in great demand not only because they have a beautiful appearance, but also because they are more economical to use, especially in comparison with electrical products. However, installing water heated towel rails is more difficult.

Pipes that will perform the declared function can be connected both to the heating system and to the central water supply.

If you choose the first option, then get ready for the fact that the water heated towel rail will only be active in the off-season and winter.

So, how to choose a water heated towel rail? The main factor that should influence the choice of this device is the material from which it is made.

The most popular material used to create a new generation of water heated towel rails is considered stainless steel(food type).

This steel is not afraid of corrosion and does not deform even under high pressure.

A rarer material used to create these products is black steel, protected by a thin layer of polymer coating.

This type of material looks more presentable and unusual, but it is significantly inferior to stainless steel. food grade steel in reliability and service life.

A material such as copper is considered more expensive, but also more stylish and attractive.

It is important to understand that a water heated towel rail made of copper will cost more than a product with the same visual characteristics made of stainless steel.

Copper has the main advantage that makes it so highly valued: it transfers heat perfectly.

In some cases, for the manufacture heating structures With the function of drying clothes, brass is used.

This material is light in weight, beautiful shade and excellent thermal conductivity, but is more susceptible to water pressure.

Secrets of choice

Before you go to the store to make a purchase, look through the information about water heated towel rails and be sure to check out the photos of their designs.

Having this information will allow you to choose suitable model, which is guaranteed not to disappoint during operation.

The design of this product must have high-quality assembly and strong solder joints.

If the quality of the metal welds seems unsatisfactory, then refuse to purchase the model.

It is better to choose the option that completely suits you in all respects. The best way seam connections in modern models heating devices For the bathroom, laser welding is considered.

Remember that you can also choose completely seamless monolithic models, which are presented in abundance in modern plumbing stores and shopping malls selling household goods.

If you do not know how to choose the size of a tubular product, then contact the store consultants or calculate the maximum allowable size of the installed model using a specialized formula.

If the bathroom space does not allow for the installation of a large stylish water heated towel rail, then you can choose small narrow or corner options these products, characterized by their compactness.

If you are the happy owner of a luxurious bathroom with a large size, then you can choose any model from the presented ones without limiting yourself in any way.

If you want to create an exclusive bathroom interior, then take a closer look at products that have stylish and unusual shapes.

Before you finally choose a heating product model for your bathroom, evaluate its wall mounting systems and, most importantly, discuss with the store manager the diagram of its connection to the water supply system.

Connection of water heated towel rails can be:

• diagonal;
• bottom;
• lateral.

The most functional and heat-intensive are water heated towel rails, which require a diagonal connection diagram.

Products of this type are best placed within a large bathroom.

If the size of the bathroom in the apartment is relatively small, and you do not want to clutter it with a stylish, modern, but large heated towel rail with a diagonal connection, then take a closer look at the more compact sizes of these products with a side connection.

If you want to choose a high-quality water heated towel rail for your bathroom, then ask the store specialists to show you those product models that are equipped with a Mayevsky tap.

This tap allows air to bleed from the heated towel rail pipes to prevent air jams, reducing the quality of the product.

Visual characteristics

Classic water-type heated towel rails, familiar to all residents of the Soviet and post-Soviet space, are made in the shape of the letter “P” or the letter “M” with rounded corners.

Photos of such heated towel rails prove that they fit organically into modest interiors, not burdened by an abundance of details.

If you want to diversify the appearance of your bathroom, then install a water heated towel rail with additional functionality and made in the form of “ladders”, “lattices” or any fantasy figures.

Photos of such heated towel rails clearly demonstrate that they can become a stylish addition to any ultra-modern design bathroom.

Some modern heated towel rails have hooks that allow you to place towels and other items on them without having to drag them over the pipes.

Other models are equipped with rotating mechanisms that allow products to be freely rotated around their axis.

Products based on rotating mechanisms, are more reliable in operation and are able to withstand the large weight of things placed on them.

Products presented in modern stores can be painted in various colors, for example, bronze, brass, copper, silver, white and even black.

If you are buying a water heated towel rail painted in a “non-metallic” color, be sure to ask the sellers what paint was used to tint the product.

If the heated towel rail is painted using powder coating of a coloring pigment, then feel free to buy this model, since this coating It is characterized by great durability and reliably protects the product from external corrosive processes.

After reading this article, you were able to learn about the main specific characteristics of products such as water heated towel rails intended for installation in bathrooms.

Before purchasing this product, carefully weigh the pros and cons and do not make rash decisions so that you can enjoy the quality of your purchase for many years.

Designing a bathroom means not only tiling the floor and walls, installing a sink, bathtub and the required furniture. To fully equip this room, you cannot do without a heated towel rail.

With the help of such a device, the bathroom will always be comfortable and warm, the towels will be dry, and condensation will not accumulate on the pipes and mirror. It provides the required microclimate in the room and acts as a dryer. There are the most different kinds heated towel rails for the bathroom and their sizes, which is why it is important to understand the main nuances of such products and choose the required option.

What is a heated towel rail

A bathroom is a hygienic and sanitary room where people carry out water procedures and also do laundry. As a result of the constant use of water in this room, there is high humidity. That is why it is imperative to install a heated towel rail in the bathroom. This appliance is a device with a curved tube used for drying towels and laundry. Basically, such a device is mounted on the wall.

There are a variety of types of heated towel rails for the bathroom, their sizes vary in pipe diameter, connection method, shape, as well as the material from which the device in question is made. Thanks to the wide selection of similar plumbing products, choosing the required model is quite simple. To do this, you just need to measure the distance between the entry points and select the shape and diameter of the pipes.

Basic functions of the device

During the repair work Many people wonder whether it is really necessary to install a heated towel rail in the bathroom. Such a device is required for such purposes as:

• drying;
• decrease in humidity levels;
• heating the room.

How to choose a device by size

For each bathroom, the dimensions of the water heated towel rail are selected individually so that such a device fits perfectly into the interior. In addition, you need to consider how many towels will be dried on this device at the same time. It is worth remembering that the larger the surface of the heated towel rail, the faster the room will heat up and the towels will dry.

Types of connection

Connecting a heated towel rail in the bathroom largely depends on the diameter of the pipes and the shape of the device. There are several options for devices that differ in the type of connection. good and convenient option A water heated towel rail with a side connection is considered. This model is characterized by the fact that it has a connection that connects to the hot water pipes on the side.

A coil with a bottom or universal connection is perfect for a bathroom. When installing a heated towel rail with a universal connection, the unnecessary option is simply closed with a plug. Replacing a heated towel rail is quite simple and can be done even without the help of specialists.