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Should Heated Towel Rails Be Left On?
Heated towel rails are one of the best ways to dry your towels and keep them toasty while you shower. They’re perfect for any sized bathroom and there are many ways to make the most of your towel rail all year round. Typically, your heated towel rail will turn on and off alongside your central heating but they can be left on constantly instead if you need them to. However, doing this does come with some considerations to keep in mind. Read on to learn why it might not be best to leave your heated towel rail on at all times.What types of towel rails are there?
There are three different types of heated towel rails you should know about if you’re considering installing one in your bathroom. Standard central heating towel rails get plumbed into your central heating system and are heated using the same hot water as your radiators. They’re great for the winter and can help save energy over the colder season, however there are some issues that need considering if you want to leave a central heating towel rail on:- Control - The boiler on/off function is generally governed by the main boiler thermostat, usually located in the living room. Without separate zone control, you’ll find that the boiler may never turn off and burn constantly to heat the towel rail, as you wouldn't want the radiator in your living room to be on in the warmer months, so that room may never reach the temperature required for it to turn off.
- Environmental/cost - Even if you do have your bathroom set up on a different heating zone, the excessive energy needed to produce heat in just one room has a high environmental and monetary cost.
- Boiler Health - If you try to control the bathroom temperature with a TRV in the summer months, turning off all other radiators, you will likely break your boiler. As the TRV shuts off, the boiler will still try to heat hot water but with nowhere to go.
Electric towel rails use electricity to heat up - ideal for during the summer months when the central heating is off but you still need to dry your towels in the bathroom. They often have a built-in function to ensure they don’t overheat, however, as they rely on electricity, they’re not always the most cost-effective option. 
Dual-fuel towel rails on the other hand offer the best of both worlds as they are both connected to your central heating and electricity. They offer you the flexibility to save energy during the winter but still heat the rail up when needed when your central heating is off. You can also purchase dual-fuel towel rail kits to transform your already existing standard towel rail into a dual-fuel rail.
Why you should turn off heated towel rails
Although safety isn't an issue, thanks to the features most towel rails offer, you may want to consider both how expensive it might be to run one constantly, and the environmental impact it might have. Heated towel rails are normally quite efficient and are not generally expensive to run, but why increase the cost of your heating bills unnecessarily? If you have an electric towel rail or a dual-fuel one currently using electricity to run - consider turning it off when you’re not in the house, or only having it on for a few hours a day. This could help to cut down on the amount you’re spending on your bills. You might also want to consider the environmental impact of leaving your heated towel rails on all the time. For example, if you have a rail in a spare bathroom or utility room that isn't being used all the time, it might not be necessary to leave them on all the time. It’s not financially or environmentally responsible to heat a room that isn't being used, after all.How to save money and energy with your heated towel rail
If you need your heated towel rail to be on at specific times of day, but not all the time, there are ways you can automate them so you can save energy and money. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to automate your heating. They automatically detect the temperature of the room and heat the radiators to the setting you select. They don’t work if the central heating is off but they can help to make your heating more energy efficient during the times the heating is on.
Central heating systems can be controlled by other automated gadgets such as smart controls and timers that ensure the radiator is only on during specific times or when you need it. Our electric and dual fuel towel rails are available with different electric heating elements, giving you the choice between 3 control types - smartphone/WIFI, programmable or the simple on/off. If you want to be super efficient and environmentally friendly then we recommend opting for a smartphone controlled dual fuel or electric towel rail because it gives you the same smart control, with programming and timers so not a minute of heat is wasted - let the flexible smart technology save you some pennies! As you can see, although you can leave your heated towel rails on at all times, there are plenty of other options available to help save you energy and money. Browse our full range of bathroom radiators to find the perfect addition to your bathroom including electric towel rails and dual-fuel towel rails in a variety of sizes, colours, and styles.
