Will a Towel Rail Heat a Bathroom?
Will a Towel Rail Heat a Bathroom?
There’s nothing more inviting than a warm bath on cold winter days. Better still, you could even install an electric towel radiator in your bathroom to keep your towels cosy and dry - so you can wrap yourself up and keep warm afterwards.
But, for something quite small in size that takes up little space, you might be wondering if these fixtures are enough to heat up a whole bathroom - especially if you’re considering buying one. Fortunately, at UK Radiators, we discuss this and more in our latest blog. Read on to find out more about towel rails, the different types, and the answers to other important questions.
If you'd like a little more guidance before making a purchase, please get in touch with our expert team here.
What is a towel rail used for?
A heated towel rail is used by many in their bathrooms, and even kitchens. They heat up the towels and keep them dry, so they can be used multiple times.
Towel rails are most popular in bathrooms - as warm, dry towels are a necessity after long showers or baths. What’s more, bathrooms typically take up less space than a kitchen or living room - so can be easier to heat up with a smaller fixture like a towel rail.
So… will a towel rail heat a bathroom?
Yes and no. If you own a smaller sized bathroom or ensuite, a towel rail may heat it up effectively. But if you have a larger sized bathroom - a towel rail might contribute to and boost warmth, but might not heat it up as efficiently as a radiator would.
However, there are many different types; such as chrome electric towel rails and designer heated towel rails. You can even purchase some with larger surface areas if you have a bigger-sized bathroom. All of these different factors make a difference when it comes to how well it will heat a bathroom.
How important is BTU output when heating a bathroom with a towel rail?
BTU (British Thermal Unit) output, is a reflection of the towel rail’s heating power. Therefore, the higher the BTU output, the more warmth the towel rail will generate.
If you have a larger bathroom, you’ll need a towel rail with a higher BTU output, and vice versa. To work out the BTU output you need for your bathroom, you can use our very own BTU calculator.
Different types of heated towel rails
The type of heated towel rail you purchase will have an effect on how well it heats up your bathroom. Let’s explore the different ones in more detail below.
Electric heated towel rails
Whilst electric heated towel rails generate less heat than a dedicated bathroom radiator, they heat up much more quickly.
Meaning, you’ll feel the warmth of it on your towels much sooner - and if you have a timer function, you can make the most of the towel rail when necessary.
Aluminium heated towel rails
Aluminium heated towel rails can heat up a bathroom, and do so quickly. This is because aluminium is a good conductor of heat, so it will absorb the warmth from the heating system quickly, and radiate it throughout the rails efficiently.
Aluminium also has a lower heat capacity than steel, so it takes less energy to raise the temperature to a level the user desires. This means that they heat up faster than other towel rails, such as steel bathroom rails.
Dual fuel towel rails
Dual fuel towel radiators are often misunderstood when it comes to energy - but when used correctly, they can provide good levels of energy efficiency for your home.
This is because these radiators allow you to heat only the bathroom rail, using just the electric element, when you don't want to use your entire central heating. Dual fuel towel radiators also utilise your central heating when you do want to generate warmth around the whole house. So, depending on your needs, they can offer versatility.
Do electric towel rails use a lot of electricity?
Typically, electric towel rails don’t use a lot of electricity. This is because of several factors, including:
Should electric towel rails be left on?
Whilst leaving electric towel rails on all of the time can mean your bathroom is never short of cosy, warm towels, it can lead to increased energy bills.
Of course, you’ll want to benefit from the heat of these rails as it can prevent moisture build up in your bathroom - and keep your towels dry. That’s why it’s best to put your electric towel rails on for a couple of hours each day. This way you can benefit from a warmer bathroom with drier towels, without compromising lower energy bills.
