Chris Hedges
9 min read
Electric Towel Bar Buying Guide
Chris Hedges: Oct 5, 2022
In this article we will be covering everything you need to know when it comes to specifying and purchasing electric towel bars for your next bathroom...
In UK bathrooms, it is not uncommon to find a beautiful electric towel rail or stylish electric towel bars. Designed well, they can often become an eye-catching focal point to any modern bathroom. However, if you are considering using an electric towel rail or electric towel bars as a primary heat source, your bathroom heating may not be as efficient as it could be. Why? Take a look at the illustration below:
The traditional way
Fig 1: Towel rail installed. Convected heat rises and gets extracted by the fan leaving cold spots in the bathroom.
Fig 2: Towels on the towel rail. The majority of heat goes into the towel. Any remaining heat is prone to being extracted.
The primary purpose of an electric towel rail or electric towel bars is to dry towels. This has benefits including better hygiene. Moisture is a catalyst for the growth of mould and mildew and is more difficult to control in humid and cold conditions. An electric towel rail or electric towel bars removes moisture from the towel making it much more hygienic and takes away the horrible musty smell that damp towels give off.
The right way
So, if you are looking for a combination of heating efficiency and luxury, a great way to achieve it is by installing a heated electric towel rail or electric towel bars with electric underfloor heating as shown below. The electric underfloor heating creates an even spread of heat. The towels are warm and the bathroom is comfortable. Result!
Did you know...
You can control your electric towel rail or electric towel bars and your electric underfloor heating with one thermostat? Using our unique dual control thermostat you can do just that. It’s Eco Design Lot 20 compliant so that means it is jam packed full of practical functionality which makes heating your bathroom easier and more efficient.
What to choose? Electric towel rail or electric towel bars?
99% of the time the choice is based on design or style preference. However, when it comes to electric towel rails and electric towel bars, they tend to be best suited for flats or buildings where there is difficulty in achieving the pressure needed from the central heating system or where there is no gas supply.
|
Electric Towel Rails |
Electric Towel Bars |
|
|
Energy efficiency |
Outputs start from 45 Watts. The fast response heating means you only have your rail on when you need it. |
Our self-regulating heating elements save energy by using the minimum amount of energy to regulate the temperature of your towel bar. In fact they are up to 50% more efficient than standard electrical towel bars! Also an excellent safety feature as the bars do not overheat, even under a towel. |
|
Installation |
The heated towel rail range is designed to be easy to install. Each rail comes with our unique multi-flex wiring points at all four of the mounting legs. The dry electric element means that there is no need for any filling, pipe work or plumbing. Remember to have it installed by a qualified electrician. |
Use the patented ThermoSphere mounting system to make cable management and installation of multiple rails quick and easy. Comes with push-fit wiring connections making installation even easier. Remember to have the towel bars installed by a qualified electrician. |
|
Material & design |
Made from the highest quality 304 grade stainless steel and available in a range of designs and profiles including round, square and curved. |
Made from the highest quality 304 grade stainless steel and available as single fixed or double fixed bars. The range includes round, square, curved and vertical. |
|
Finishes |
We can colour match your towel rail to the rest of your bathroom accessories. |
We can colour match your towel rail to the rest of your bathroom accessories. |
Where in the bathroom should you install your electric towel rail or electric towel bars?
There are several factors to consider such as:
• The dimensions of the rail or bar
• The size and shape of the bathroom
• The position of fixtures such as the sink, bath, toilet etc
When installing either an electric towel rail or electric towel bars you must comply with Ingress Protection (IP) ratings which is a standard used to measure the level of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against moisture and dirt.
|
Zone |
IP Rating |
Description |
|
Zone 0 |
IPX7/IP67 |
Inside the shower or bath areas. Must protect against partial or total immersion in water. |
|
Zone 1 |
IPX4/IP44 |
Above the shower or bath to a height of 2.25m, it must be protected against water spray from all directions. |
|
Zone 2 |
IPX4/IP44 |
0.6m radius outside of the shower or bath area where electrical products must be protected against water spray from all directions. |
|
Outside Zones (Previously known as zone 3) |
N/A |
N/A |
Consider the finish you choose
The electric towel rail or electric towel bars that you select will be a focal point in your bathroom. So it is important to choose a finish that compliments the décor of the room. Gone are the days where you could only choose a chrome finish, there are now so many options available. We provide the following standard finishes:
|
Electric towel rails |
Electric towel bars |
|
Polished stainless steel |
Diamond polished stainless steel |
|
Brushed stainless steel |
Brushed stainless steel |
|
Matt Black |
Polished brass |
|
Brushed brass |
|
|
Matt Black |
|
|
Matt white |
Can’t see the right finish for you? Fear not. We can colour match your towel rail or towel bar to the rest of your bathroom accessories. Talk to us to find out more.
That’s it for now. Hopefully this article has given you food for thought when it comes buying electric towel rails and electric towel bars. Our friendly team are always on hand should you have any further questions.
5 min read
Top tips for converting to electric heating
Chris Hedges: Mar 12, 2021
It is a well-known fact that the majority of homes in the UK are using gas heating. The reasons vary, from ‘it was there when we moved in’, to it is...
2 min read
Naturally better by design: New electric towel bar range launched!
Chris Hedges: Jul 1, 2021
ThermoSphere, one of the UKs leading electric heating manufacturers, continues to innovate with their new ultra-energy-efficient electric towel bar...