Heated towel rails in bathroom

[Twinstar29]

Hello 👋

Could anyone answer a question about heated towel rails?

Do they heat the room well when they're actually got towels on them? Or do the towels block the heat?

I'm considering getting a heated rail instead a radiator in my bathroom, but I'm worried it won't heat the room that well if it's covered.

Any input appreciated 🙂
Thanks.

[bluebluezoo]

Towel rails have a heat output, which you can calculate whether they will be able to heat the room.

I have a matt black one, as it is much more effective than silver, so I’m told. It also has “arms” in front of it, so I can hang towels in front of it without blocking the heat output.

I don’t need a radiator as well.

[grey12]

In our house they seem to work fine. We usually don't leave the bath towels on them. It is a small one where we hang the face towel.

Before my shower I like to hang my bath towel hugging the heater so it's warm when I'm finished

[Twinstar29]

@PigletJohn

If you have a towel rail with a nominal output of, say, 800W, it will give out considerably less when it is wrapped in a thick insulating jacket of towels.

Radiators give out more heat than towel rails of the same dimensions.

Do you have a hot-water cylinder in, or adjacent to, the bathroom?

No hot water cylinder in the bathroom, just a combi boiler downstairs. Does that make a difference?

[PigletJohn]

yes

people who are lucky enough to have a hot-water cylinder nearby can have the towel rail plumbed in so it gets hot every time the cylinder is heated (e.g. during a bath or shower).

[Witchlight]

Stainless steel towel rails are almost the same colour as chrome, but keep their looks longer.

Also, if they are going on the usual central heating system circuit, you can add towel radiator element. This allows it to be on when the rest of the system is off.

[AnotherEmma]

So much excellent towel rail knowledge on this thread

[GrumpyHoonMain]

I have lived in a variety of houses from old Victorian terraces to new builds - all of them have just had heated towel rails in the bathroom. Get a big one and you should have no problem heating the space

[Guymere]

We have 4 bathrooms and all have large heated towel rails via the central heating system. The two largest bathrooms have underfloor heating too. The smaller ones don’t. So size of radiator and room matters. All are chrome. None have rusted and they were not cheap. I also have one in my laundry room! They don’t let out max heat when covered in towels so if it’s a big bathroom, definitely get ufh as well.

[Twinstar29]

@AnotherEmma

So much excellent towel rail knowledge on this thread

Indeed! I'm very grateful for it

[Pipandmum]

I have a heated wall mounted towel rail in all my bathrooms. I live in a drafty victorian house. I dont need any added heat source. The towels don't cover the whole rail and also there isn't much need to heat the room more.
If your bathroom is quite big then maybe, but the average size bathroom doesn't need extra heat source.

[WoolyMammoth55]

Hi OP, can't add much value that hasn't already been noted but would add another vote for getting a big enough (BTU output) towel rail and add the dual-fuel thermostatic element so that you can switch it on for 30 mins in the height of summer when GCH is off, and actually get your towels dry :)

Under floor heating is of course great but for us was impractical as seemed to require quite a big area for switches/controls and we couldn't spare the space... I'm sure you'll be able to get expert advice either on here or from an installer! Best of luck.

[Maya412]

You can find a large selection of bathroom and decorative radiators at https://grzejniki-royalterm.com/

[GasPanic]

You can work out the current BTU of your radiator by just going on screwfix and looking at one of the same dimensions and type if they are standard convectors.

They are all pretty similar in output. The only thing you need to be careful of is whether it is a double or single as doubles have about 2x the output of a single of the same area.

Of course if you have some fancy new design thing then that almost certainly won't be equivalent for the same area.

Don't really see the point of towel rails unless you add in an electric/dual heat option.

Without the electric option it basically identical to a radiator with the same limitations that it only comes on when the CH comes on. Just somewhat easier to hang more towels on.

the "oooooo towel rail factor" seems pretty high amongst most people though.

[LindaDawn]

We have a towel radiator with towels on it constantly and our big bathroom is plenty warm enough. It’s not white, maybe Crome?

[Achnahaird]

My bathroom in a Victorian flat also has two outside walls and a large sash window.
It's a funny shape but partially over 3m in length and width and the ceiling is also 3m high.
The plumber said that a heated towel rail wouldn't be enough and he was right. I definitely need a decent-sized radiator.

I do live in the north east, in a windy and chilly area. Perhaps you don't!