How to choose a heated towel rail: types, manufacturers

Towel dryers are familiar to most of us firsthand: they are present in many the bathrooms and have a serpentine appearance. Their functions come down to being clothes dryer and towels, because in such a humid room, like a bath, things dry very slowly. In addition, a heated towel rail is also an element. heating, which is able to improve the microclimate, and it will be possible to leave the hot bath or shower comfortably without being covered with goosebumps. An additional bonus is the prevention of condensation on the mirror and some other surfaces, which is also important. A similar element becomes a real necessity in a modern bathroom. How to choose the right heated towel rail, which will be the most suitable in terms of parameters for this room? What to look for, and which manufacturers can be trusted?

Types of heated towel rails

Today, water and electric towel rails are widespread, and each of them has its undeniable advantages and disadvantages. It is impossible to clearly distinguish which one is better, since when choosing you need to proceed from the prevailing conditions.

Water towel warmers

This is the simplest and most popular option, which, as a rule, is included in the standard equipment of the bathroom in apartment buildings. Such a heated towel rail is a curved pipe through which hot water circulates from the domestic hot water system. To the benefits This option includes ease of use, durability, low price of the device, as well as the absence of additional boards during operation.

At the same time, the water heated towel rail has some disadvantages. The key one is the dependence on the supply of hot water: if carried out repair work or if they just turn it off, the bathroom will be cold and damp. If we are talking about a private house, where autonomous sources of heating and water heating are used, then we can safely stop on a water heated towel rail. It is also worth noting that it warms up quite slowly, and from the inclusion of hot water to the moment when the bathroom is warm, time will pass. But even despite these disadvantages, water heated towel rails are now the most popular option.

Given the unstable pressure in the water supply networks of apartment buildings, when buying a water heated towel rail you need first of all pay attention to then on what working and maximum pressure is it calculated, and then compare this indicator with the pressure in the network of a particular house. The norms regulate that all elements of the water supply network of a house must withstand pressure of 6 atmospheres, normally cope with pressure testing, when a couple of times a year in order to check the pressure can increase up to 10 atm. At the same time, according to the norms, the working pressure of the coolant is 4 atmospheres. But, as many have already seen on their own experience, the indicators do not always correspond to certified standards. So, depending on the season, home, number of storeys and the state of communications, the pressure can be both 2.5 atm and 7.5 atm.That is why the likelihood of water hammer and pressure increase should be considered when choosing a heated towel rail. Another thing is if you live in a private house, where the pressure in the internal system actually never exceeds 2-3 atm. In this case, the choice of different options for heated towel rails is expanding.

Electric heated towel rails

Great alternative heated towel rails - their electrical counterparts. This option is ideal when interruptions in the supply of hot water occur regularly, and you no longer want to depend on its presence in the pipes, on its pressure, on the quality of the composition, etc. Electrical devices most often have a pleasant design, they are mobile and autonomous, they do not require a connection to a water supply network. To start using such a device, just attach it to the wall and plug it into an outlet. That is why they can be used not only in bathrooms, but also in the kitchen or hallway, for example.

Electric heated towel rails are much more convenient to use, since almost all models are equipped with a control system: you can set any required temperature and adjust it in the process. Also, this is the only possible option to install a heated towel rail without destroying the existing water supply system, if such an element was not previously designed. There will also be no problems with poor water, causing corrosion of the material, which can be considered significant advantage.

Minuses such models also have, and the main one is an increase in payment for electricity. In addition, you will need to take care of safety, because in such a humid room, like a bath, an electric appliance will constantly be present. It is better to provide splash protection for the outlet and think in advance, how to arrange the cableso that he does not get confused and does not really spoil the interior of the bathroom.

When choosing an electric heated towel rail it is worth paying attention not only to its shape and size, but also to power consumption and the presence of a temperature controller. Naturally, the more economical the heated towel rail is, the better for the family budget. As for management, there may be two options. The first of them is as simple as possible: there is a thermostatic head with which the temperature regime is manually regulated. The second option has a higher cost and advanced functionality. It is enough for the user to indicate a comfortable temperature in the room, and the heated towel rail will maintain it independently. Some devices are additionally equipped with a timer, with which you can set the mode for a day or a week. Such functionality allows not only more rational use of electricity, but also to make your life more comfortable. So, for example, the timer can be set so that when you get home or wake up from sleep, towels and bathrobes are warm.

Combined towel warmers

As you might guess from the name, combined heated towel rails are a compromise and can receive heat from both hot water and electricity. Recently, such devices are becoming increasingly popular, although they are still produced a little.

Combined towel warmers combine the advantages of both types of devices, and the reliability of the design in the end only increases. This option is also indispensable in the case when the hot water is turned off in the summer: in this case, you can save and use the device as a water heated towel rail in the winter, and turn it on in the summer if necessary and set the desired mode using electric energy.

Only disadvantage of such a solution - high price, which scares off many potential buyers.

Towel warmer material

If your choice has stopped on a water heated towel rail, then it is worthwhile to look especially carefully at the material for its manufacture.The main danger in this case is the water in the central water supply system, which often does not meet the standards, is saturated with oxygen, salts, and ultimately leads to the development of corrosion processes, clogging, which gradually destroys the heated towel rail. So, what material will be the most durable and durable?

• The best option is a heated towel rail stainless steelthat can be used in almost any bathroom. Externally it can be painted, chrome or polished. Paint coating is the cheapest but short-lived option, and chrome plating will fit in modern-style bathrooms much more successfully.
• Heated towel rail black steel Outwardly often resembles steel models, and inside, a corrosion-resistant coating is applied to the surface, designed to become reliable protection. Nevertheless, such devices are best used in private homes with individual heating systems, as these heated towel rails are more susceptible to corrosion. Such models are designed for systems with constantly high quality coolant, so if this is not so, you will have to choose either another option or use special adapters.
• Models from non-ferrous metals, and most often copper is used, they have a solid appearance, as well as a high price. But such a heated towel rail will serve faithfully for many years, decorating any bathroom with its appearance.

These are the most popular and most represented types of heated towel rails, although in the elite collections of some foreign manufacturers you can also find stone and even glass products.

Towel dryer power

The capacity of the heated towel rail plays an important role: a correctly selected device will fully cope with all the tasks assigned to it. Based on the size of the bathroom, you also need to make a choice, as well as the functions assigned to the heated towel rail. So, if the task is simply to dry the linen and towels, then there will be enough power at the rate of 100 W / m² or 40 W / m³. These are old Soviet norms, which suggest maintaining the temperature in the bathroom at +18⁰FROM.

If you want the heated towel rail to also fulfill the role of a heater, then it is better to use other norms when calculating: 140 W / m² or 56 W / m³. Thus, for example, for a bathroom with an area of ​​3.5 m² a heated towel rail with a capacity of 490 watts will be enough.

Design and dimensions

Given all the points of functionality and reliability, do not forget about the aesthetic component. It is also important that the heated towel rail fits the size of the bathroom, does not interfere with free movement, fits into the interior. In addition, you also need to be able to choose the most convenient model for you, because the number of bends, crossbars can be different. Moreover, the shape of the device can be so bizarre and unusual that it will become not only convenient, but also a beautiful addition to the bathroom.

If in the bathroom before there was no heated towel rail, then you can choose, in principle, any in shape and design. Those who got bathrooms with old M or U-shaped a heated towel rail option, you should carefully think about whether to change it, and which one. In domestic apartment buildings, the heated towel rail also serves as a compensating loop. The fact is that the whole system of water pipes in the house is combined, and according to the laws of physics, pipes can lengthen slightly with increasing temperature, and shorten with decreasing temperature. If you imagine the whole process at the scale of the whole house, then it’s something like an accordion, in which towel rails play a key role, thanks to which the risk of accidents due to temperature changes is reduced.It is not difficult to imagine what will happen if something radically changes in the bathroom, so it is better to try to choose a heated towel rail that fits as much as possible into the place of the old and boring.

As for the form, today the simplest heated towel rails of the M- and U-shape are still popular. There are also snake-like options with many bends. Another popular option is ladderswhich differ in their advantages. Many people call this option more convenient and practical, since more things are placed on the ladder and they can be dried along the entire length.

The heated towel rail in the form of a snake also has advantages: it is two times cheaper, and it is easier to install it if the apartment already had such a device - you do not have to redo the riser and adjust everything to the new model.

But the various design options for the heated towel rail do not end there, because there are so-called design radiatorsthat can really become a stylish decoration of the room. Such interesting models are presented mainly in the assortment of foreign manufacturers: they can be rotated by 180⁰ heated towel rails, perforated models with rounded holes, and other most unimaginable options.

Top towel warmer manufacturers

In addition to all of the above tips, when buying, you also need to check everything relevant product documentsalso does not hurt inspect the surface: It should be smooth and even. If the price of a particular model is several times lower than everywhere, then you should think about the quality of such a heated towel rail. And in order not to miscalculate, you need to be in the know, what are key manufacturers appear in this marketand whom you can trust.

Imported Products They bribe us with their more subtle and elegant appearance, variety, but still, when choosing such heated towel rails, you need to be extremely careful. The thing is that in Europe, for example, heated towel rails are connected not to a hot water supply system, but to a heating system for which the water undergoes appropriate treatment. Therefore, these devices, which do not have an anti-corrosion coating and feel great in European countries, may not be durable in our country, because they are not adapted to pressure drops and aggressive composition of the coolant. However, foreign manufacturers do not want to lose the Russian market, therefore offer towel warmers adapted to local conditions. When choosing, it is worth paying attention to exactly this and carefully considering how suitable one or another model is.

When choosing foreign-made models, it is important to check if they have shut-off valves, thanks to which you can release excessive pressure, eliminate air jams, thereby normalizing the operation of the device and promoting uniform heating of the heated towel rail.

So what are foreign manufacturers established themselves among domestic users?

1. 

   Zehnder heated towel rail

   Zehnder - A well-known German manufacturer of heated towel rails, in the assortment of which there are models of all types. In addition, there are options that can serve as partitions in large bathrooms. All devices combine maximum functionality and beauty. The company tries to satisfy all the wishes of its customers and can apply a certain color to a specific model in a certain color, perform chrome plating or powder enamel coating, as well as create electrical options for some models.

2. Margaroli - An Italian company, in the assortment of which a huge number of different heated towel rails is presented. These are water and electric models, with a different, but always elegant design. The company's models are distinguished by their appearance, because in fact they are works of art.They are made of plumbing brass, and the finish can be chrome-plated or made of brushed chrome, nickel, antique, bronze, gold, silver, etc.
3. 

   Towel warmer Margaroli

   Warmos - heated towel rails made in Finland. Here, great attention is paid not only to the appearance and functionality, but also to the safety of products. That is why electrical devices have multi-level protection, so as not to cause electric shock and not to fail when exposed to environmental factors.

4. Arbonia - A German company that produces electric heated towel rails. These are functional, reliable devices that can become an excellent addition to the interior of the bathroom.
5. Gorenje offers a small assortment of simple and inexpensive high quality heated towel rails.
6. Vogel & noot - An Austrian manufacturer, which in a wide assortment offers various heated towel rails and design radiators. All devices pass the strictest control and comply with the requirements.

From domestic companies, proven in this market, it is worth noting:

1. 

   Heated towel rails "Tera"

   Thera Is a manufacturer that offers stainless steel water and electric heated towel rails. The company has passed certification, and its products comply with all European requirements. This is the largest domestic company in this field, which monitors quality and is constantly expanding the range.

2. Trugor - A company that manufactures heated towel rails with the most thoughtful and convenient design. Models are of good quality, rich colors, a variety of configurations: there are both the simplest options, and very unusual.
3. 

   Heated towel rails "Dvin"

   "Dvin" - one of the largest domestic manufacturers, which produces heated towel rails, the most adapted to Russian operating conditions. In terms of the assortment and quality of the products of this company, there are no equal in the national market, and luxury products are presented separately, which have very bizarre and interesting shapes.

4. "Terminus" - A leading manufacturer that offers more than 200 different types of heated towel rails, presented in different price categories. Due to the variety of shapes, types, colors, sizes and prices, everyone can find the perfect model for themselves.