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Will an electric heated towel rail heat my bathroom?

Electric towel rails for the bathroom

Electric heated towel rails are an increasingly popular home heating vice.

Available in a range of stylish contemporary designs, there’s absolutely no doubting they can benefit your home from an aesthetical perspective.

But are they up to the task performance-wise, as well as stylistically? Can they turn your damp towels to toasty warm and adequately heat the room you desire in little time?

Or, a bit like Johnny Bravo or Derek Zoolander, are they just nice to look at with nowt much between their ears?

Here, we explore if an electric towel rail will make your bathroom a warm and comfortable haven with minimal fuss, and what advantages or drawbacks they might provide in comparison with designer radiators.

First things first, will an electric heated towel rail actually heat your bathroom properly?

Milano Nero Electric Flat Matt Black Heated Towel Rail

Can an electric towel rail heat my bathroom?

There’s no point beating around the bush.

You’ve come here to find out whether an electric towel radiator will heat your bathroom to a decent effect, or just sit there looking pretty.

The truth is, electric towel rails certainly have the capability to heat a bathroom space. The size and layout of the area, and the level of warmth you’re looking to introduce to it, are big factors in deciding whether they represent the right option for you.

Our BTU Calculator is your best buddy at this point. Several models are available which deliver contrasting heat outputs, so this can help you make the right call specific to your needs.

Are you choosing between electric towel warmers simply to heat the towels in your bathroom? Or hoping to invest in a source of heating that will offer sufficient energy to properly warm the space even outside of the typically hotter summer months?

Once you know what you want to achieve with your towel heater, you can ramp up your search for the perfect electrically heated version.

To begin with, we’ll look at some electric heated towel rails for smaller bathrooms…

Electric towel rails for small bathrooms

In recruiting small bathroom heating solutions, electric towel rails are instantly advantageous considering their diminutive design compared to radiators. Lots of wall mounted towel rails are available as well, serving to further enhance wall space.

It’s far more likely that for a compact bathroom or en-suite area, an electric towel radiator will be used as a primary source of heating, rather than to simply dry towels. So look carefully into heat output capabilities, and make sure they align with the size and design of your bathroom space.

Now, what to look for in electric heated towel rails for bigger bathrooms?

Milano Minimalist Electric Traditional Heated Towel Rail Oil Rubbed Bronze

Electric towel rails for large bathrooms

With larger bathrooms, the case may be that a radiator is needed to provide an appropriate level of heat for your specific dimensions.

But that doesn’t mean electric heated towel rails should be dismissed. Even as an extra heating source, they can prove very useful even if it is just to heat the towels.

Think of them as a supplementary device that adds a touch of eye-catching designer flair to a large bathroom area. If an electric towel rail can’t deliver the necessary heat output, radiators can be tasked with mainly heating the floor space and areas immediately surrounding the bath or shower.

Milano Artle Electric Flat Anthracite Heated Towel Rail

Is it safe to leave an electric heated towel rail switched on?

Us British love a bargain. And if there’s any way we can keep our home heating costs down, you can bet we’ll have a fair crack at it.

We looked into the possibility that it might be cheaper to leave your heating on all day recently. It’s a worthwhile concern whether it is even safe to leave an electric heated towel rail switched on throughout the day.

Whilst it is not recommended without good reason, there aren’t really any safety concerns linked to leaving an electric heated towel rail switched on if you want to claim a head start in that all-important quest for warm towels.

Furthermore, you won’t need to worry about a negative impact on energy efficiency or increased heating bills. An incorporated heating element is used to make an electric towel rail work, which will cause no strain whatsoever on your central heating system.

Is an electric heated towel rail a good substitute for a radiator?

So many stunning heating options, and only one must do. Right?

Not necessarily.

Whilst electric heated towel rails are an excellent radiator substitute in smaller bathroom or en-suite spaces, it might be that you need more than one appliance to adequately heat the area.

Many of our electric designer towel rails are moderately priced, so you wouldn’t necessarily have to break the bank or smash your budget to acquire one alongside a rad. Especially when you consider they wouldn’t pose any further burden on your heating bills.

Essentially, electric towel radiators can make for a decent substitute to a standard bathroom radiator if you are satisfied that the heat they kick out is enough to warm your room to a comfortable temperature.

But there’s nothing stopping you from investing in both should your budget allow for it. And don’t forget that electric towel rails aren’t solely restricted to bathroom installation. They make for a great option in kitchens as well, and can always be trusted to enhance the look of a room. Toasty warm tea towels are miles better than damp and disheveled rags too!

Milano Elizabeth White Traditional Dual Fuel Heated Towel Rail

What is the best type of electric heated towel rail?

From electric chrome heated towel rails to white models and many other styles, there’s an impressive variety of designs available to buy from BestHeating.

It would be a mistake to assume that all electric heated towel rails incorporate the same features and performance properties. In fact, thermostatic electric towel rails are widely considered to be the best type to opt for in most circumstances.

With an in-built thermostat, this type of design can be programmed to deliver whatever heat output you deem necessary, for as long or as little as you’d like or require.

For instance, you can set a thermostatic electric towel rail to emit a low amount of background heat when appropriate. Or instruct it to belt out its maximum output on a chilly day when there’s plenty of people in the house.

Essentially, there’s the facility to nominate your preferred temperature down to the degree, and specify as and when your appliance heats up to that chosen level.

Just like the mother-in-law, except you’re the one dishing out the orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any type of heated towel rail is appropriate for installation in a small bathroom. Standard central heating towel radiators, plus electric heated towel rails can both be used to populate a small bathroom. Or, you could opt for dual fuel towel rails that can work either from a boiler or independently via their electric heating element.

Your own unique heating requirements and preferences can practically decide which type of bathroom towel radiator you select. For more information, consult our blog, What are the best heated towel rails for small bathrooms?

A relatively simple equation can be used to work out electric heated towel rail running costs, with the same formula able to be used for practically any electrical appliance.

The equation to use is as follows…

Watts / 1000 = Kw X Hours in Operation = kW x kWh rate = Cost

An electric towel rail’s wattage will typically be displayed on the device, and is noted in the product descriptions on BestHeating.com.

As of April 2023, the kWh rate can be worked out off a standard UK electricity tariff value of 33.2p/ kWh according to the UK government’s Energy Price Guarantee.

For further information, take a look at our blog, Is a heated towel rail expensive to run?

Electric towel rails heat up through an electric heating element, with both single non-thermostatic versions and variable thermostatic components available. The former type enables electric heated towel rails to remain at a constant temperature when switched on, whilst the latter allows users to adjust towel rail temperature when turned on.

The incorporated heating elements are activated via a mains electricity supply, with zero reliance on a central heating system.

To find out more, explore our dedicated blog, How do electric towel rails work?

You should never attempt to install an electric towel rail by yourself, as the appliance connects to the mains electricity supply.

That said, it is essential that the services of  a qualified electrician are enlisted to ensure a safe fitting that adheres to building regulations.

For a more detailed insight, take a look at our blog, How do electric towel rails work?

Get in touch with BestHeating

If you want to know more about electric towel radiators, have any queries on how to install a heated towel rail or want further advice on any home heating topic, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Leave some words of wisdom in the comments section below, or contact us via InstagramFacebook or Twitter.

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