We know bathrooms like no other, and we also know just how cold they can be in the early hours of the morning or those chilly evenings. Taking this into account, showering in the coldest part of the day is something we all do and it doesn’t have to be a miserable cold experience.
Remember that time you woke up in the early hours of the morning and had to get out of a warm bed and into a cold shower? Do you also remember getting out of the warm shower and using a cold damp towel? Well, then you need to look at investing in a heated towel rail that repurposes the traditional towel rail into a more functional bathroom fixture.
- What Do Heated Towel Rails Do?
- Who Should Buy Heated Towel Rails?
- What Types of Warm Towel Rails Are There?
- Selecting Your Heated Towel Rail
- Are Heated Towel Rails Worth the Investment?
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What Do Heated Towel Rails Do?
Stepping out of a hot shower into a cold bathroom can be unpleasant. A heated towel rail offers a simple solution by providing a warm towel after your shower. This improves comfort and extends the relaxing feeling of your shower.
In addition to warm towels, heated towel rails efficiently dry damp towels and clothes, preventing them from becoming musty. They are a practical addition to any bathroom.
While warmth and functionality remain key factors, we've noticed a growing trend: customers are increasingly seeking designer towel rails to complement their stylish bathroom suites. Heated towel rails are evolving into statement pieces, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication.
It's important to remember that towel radiators differ from bathroom radiators. Towel radiators prioritise warming and drying damp towels for a more comfortable post-shower experience. Bathroom radiators, on the other hand, focus on heating the entire bathroom space.
Interestingly, our customers have found creative uses for their towel warmers, extending beyond just towels. They're also using them to dry delicate clothing items and other household linens. This highlights the versatility of these stylish and functional bathroom additions.
Remember that the heating capacity varies depending on the model size. Smaller towel rails are ideal for warming smaller bathrooms or cloakrooms, while larger models can effectively heat more spacious areas.
Who Should Buy Heated Towel Rails?
The heated towel rails are a great addition to any bathroom. They are safe for children and provide a cosy post-shower experience for everyone.
In case you’re worried about the cost, heated towel rails are surprisingly affordable to purchase and operate, consuming minimal energy. Plus, bundling accessories can often lead to greater savings.
In fact, many families purchase extra units specifically for drying clothes, offering a gentle and energy-efficient alternative to tumble dryers.
And the uses extend beyond the bathroom. Heated towel rails are becoming increasingly popular in pool houses, where they effortlessly dry large beach towels and damp swimwear.
What Types of Warm Towel Rails Are There?
We have an extended range of warm towel rails that come in a variety of finishes. Our most popular finishes are chrome and stainless steel.
There are two main types of heated towel rails - electric or hydronic. Electric towel warmer rails run on electricity while the hydronic towel warmer rails run on hot water, depending on the model being used.
Additionally, we have various styles of heated towel rails in stock:
- Rail Design
- Bar Design
- Ladder Style
- Mounted Frame
- Standing Frame
- Designer Heated Towel Rails
Selecting Your Heated Towel Rail
When choosing a towel rail, consider both aesthetics and functionality. Wall-hung towel rails save space in cluttered bathrooms, whereas freestanding models are best positioned near the shower. For a touch of elegance, explore designer towel rail options.
Popular towel rail options include classic chrome and stainless steel, along with various grey, white, and alternative chrome finishes. Need help navigating the endless style combinations?
Our helpful sales team is available to help online and in our Birmingham Bathroom showroom.
Are Heated Towel Rails Worth the Investment?
As a leading seller of heated towel rails, we conducted a survey among staff members and walk-in customers.
We discovered that a large majority of participants agreed (~82%) that heated towel rails are totally worth the investment. If you can’t take our word for it then whose word can you take?
The towel warmers are worth the initial investment. It's one of those things that the first time you use them all doubts will be washed away. It takes just one chilly morning to get the full picture and realise that you need a towel warmer rack in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Towel Rails Affect the Towel Quality?
Each time you heat the towel, it warms up and provides you with a toasty feeling when using it. The towel doesn’t burn or get crusty if you continue to heat the towel rail while it's on the holding rack.
A towel warmer is a post-shower/bath luxury and an essential addition to any modern bathroom.
How Much Power Will the Heated Towel Rail Consume?
Heated towel rails are surprisingly affordable to run, comparable to an 80-watt light bulb. They also reduce the need to crank up the heating after a shower, saving you money in the long run.
While hydronic models may cost slightly more to operate than electric ones, the difference is minimal. For a precise estimate of running costs for your chosen model, consult our in-store sales representatives.
For example, with an electric heating rail:
Using an 80 watt, light bulb – for 1 hour = 80 so that’s 80 / 1000
This is equal to 0.08 kWh
We then take the 0.08 kWh £0.12 (cost per kWh average cost) = £0.01 rounded up
Using this formula, it would be safe to estimate the average cost to run an average towel rail heater for 24 hours at a cost to you of £ 0.23 per 24-hour day. That’s a cost of less than £0.01 per day to be warm in the mornings and the nights, when showering.
Pro Tip: If you have multiple bathrooms or en-suites and use towel rails, remember to double the estimated usage. Simple tip but we find many people with multiple heat rails don’t multiply the power estimates.
Where Should You Position Your Warm Towel Rail?
The best position is always near the shower, but you can also place the heated towel rail on a wall that is deemed as the coldest wall. This will allow for the circulation of warmth throughout the bathroom and through the damp towels.
The damp towels will dry easily enough in any position. If there are multiple towels on the heated towel rack they should be spaced out to ensure heat passes through them and is not caught if bundled up together.
How to Install and Maintain a Heated Towel Rail?
Like all electrical and plumbing systems, regular maintenance is crucial for a towel rail’s longevity. We recommend servicing every 6 months, but annual checks can suffice.
Most problems are caused by a lack of care and rust build-up. Our sales team can connect you with trusted repair services, ensuring expert support should any issues arise.
What Are The Most Popular In-Store Heated Towel Rails?
The popularity of different towel warmer racks depends on the look of the heating rail.
We must admit that it makes little sense to splurge on a heating rack for towels as the towel will be covering the rail most of the time. As we quickly learned in the first months of selling designer heated towel rails that it's all about the look.
Black Towel Rails are our most popular sell with the ultra-chic look and sleek black minimalistic appeal.
Chrome Heated Towel Rails come in as the second best seller and provide a distinctive look that really stands out in the bathroom.
Finally, Curved Towel Rails are also a stylish and fairly popular option among Bathroom City customers.
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