How to choose a heated towel rail and figure out which one is better?

When repairing a bathroom, outdated equipment is replaced, which also includes a heated towel rail connected to a heating or hot water supply system. When choosing a new heating device, it is necessary to evaluate not only its external attractiveness, but also the strength of the material of manufacture. Not every device is able to withstand the differences in working pressure that occur in the heating system of an apartment building. Please note that the peak values ​​of this indicator can reach up to 10 atmospheres. Therefore, it is so important to know how to choose a heated towel rail and what technical characteristics of the product to pay attention to as a matter of priority. The proper installation of the purchased equipment is also important. Typically, installation of the device is carried out before the start of finishing finishing work in the room. It is more profitable both in finance and in the time spent on installation work. Many problems can be solved more easily using electric models.

After watching the video, you can understand how to choose the right heated towel rail from a variety of models on the market.

What types of towel warmers are there?

All towel warmers on the plumbing market can be divided into three groups.

Water devices

They are initially included in the standard equipment of the bathroom and are a pipe curved in the form of a coil, through which hot water circulates. When the hot water supply is turned off, the intended use of the tubular product is not possible until the repair work is completed.

If the device is connected to the heating system, then the period of its use coincides with the heating season. This means that the water heated towel rail in this case has been idle for more than three months a year. However, life does not stop and residents of apartment buildings have to look for a replacement for this equipment.

Electric heated towel rails

These instruments can be a great alternative to water models. After all, they can be operated offline, regardless of the functioning of other systems. There are also no strict requirements for the installation site of such equipment. Therefore, you can find electric heated towel rails not only in the bathrooms, but also in the kitchens and hallways. To work, such equipment only needs an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Naturally, the constant use of an electrical appliance will lead to an increase in bills for consumed kilowatts.

Combined towel warmers

These units combine the design features of water and electrical devices, so they can, if necessary, work in one of two modes. However, many buyers are still repelled by the cost of such products.

Important! Having appreciated the advantages and disadvantages of each type in relation to the individual characteristics of your apartment, you can understand how to choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom so that it is beautiful, profitable and functional.

Water heated towel rails are most popular among Russians

The main nuances of choosing a water heated towel rail

As mentioned above, the technical parameters of water models should correspond to the level of working and pressure testing characteristic of the water supply system of the house. In accordance with construction norms and rules, as well as the requirements of GOSTs, which regulate the installation of water supply and heating systems for apartment buildings, all water-folding sanitary fittings used must be operated at a pressure of up to 6 atmospheres and above. Although theoretically the water pressure in the system should not exceed 4 atmospheres, but in practice this value can vary from 2.5 to 7.5 atmospheres depending on the number of storeys of the building, its location, state of utilities.

Note! Before buying a water heated towel rail, you need to find out the pressure indicator in the water supply system of the house, add several positions to possible water shocks and choose a device based on this information. Remember that all important technical parameters are indicated by the manufacturer in the product passport.

For a country house with autonomous water supply and heating systems, the pressure of which does not exceed 2-3 atmospheres, the choice of a heated towel rail is not so difficult, so you can buy any model.

What are the interesting models of imported production?

The diameter of the pipes of imported equipment differs from the diameter of domestic heated towel rails, which makes the products more elegant and expressive. In addition, the color gamut of devices of foreign manufacturers is much more diverse. This expands the possibilities of custom interior design of the bathroom.

Bribe products imported into the Russian market from other countries with a variety of forms:

• MP-shaped models;
• M-shaped;
• U-shaped;

all kinds of ladders (including with side connection, with ribs of various types and other configurations).

Imported models of heated towel rails differ in fancy shapes and various sizes

When choosing a form, do not forget about the size. After all, the presence of free space in the room affects which water heated towel rail is best to choose for the bathroom.

Particularly attracting the attention of Russians are the rotary models that are manufactured by DM (Germany), Global Ship (Italy), Korin (Finland), LVI (Sweden), Varmos (Norway). Their feature is that the products can be installed perpendicular to the wall, while they can be moved in both directions, because the rotation angle is 180 degrees. White, gold-plated, chrome-plated swivel heated towel rails can decorate any room.

Important! The presence of shut-off valves that allow servicing devices, bleeding excess pressure and eliminating air congestion is an integral part of imported devices. These measures contribute to uniform heating of the device along the entire length.

German equipment of such well-known brands as Art-Tec, Zehnder, Emco and Arbonia is also popular with Russian buyers. Each consumer decides for himself which company to choose a heated towel rail from the listed brands, the main thing is that the devices withstand operation taking into account Russian conditions and do not fail prematurely.

The influence of the material of manufacture on the term of work

The quality of water used in Russian water supply systems leaves much to be desired. Stainless steel models can resist the corrosive effect of the coolant. The upper surface of stainless steel products may be chrome, polished or painted.

Most expensive are the painted towel rails, while polished appliances are very expensive. The equipment made of non-ferrous metals (brass, copper, aluminum) is inferior in terms of duration of use.

Advice! Stainless steel products are popular, so they are often faked. In order not to run into defective equipment, it is necessary to carefully examine the quality of the welds, as well as require documentary evidence of the origin of the goods.

Stainless steel heated towel rails feature a long service life

It is advisable to purchase heated towel rails from ferrous metals for suburban cottages equipped with individual heating systems. Because when used in apartments of multi-storey buildings, devices made of ferrous metals are corroded by corrosion, clogged with salts and other impurities present in the coolant, and deposited in the form of a solid precipitate on the inner surface of the pipes.

It is worth paying attention to devices manufactured by Zehnder, Arbonia, Kermi in Germany, as well as the Czech company Korado and the Russian company KZTO.

Knowing the material of manufacture of the device, as well as the degree of its resistance to corrosive processes, you can understand which heated towel rail to choose and how much this equipment can approximately serve.

Operational safety of electric models

If the possibility of connecting a water device is excluded in the room, then which heated towel rail is better to use? Of course, electric. The indisputable advantages of these models include:

• the beauty of design design;
• lack of leaks;
• independence of pressure in the hot water supply system;
• ease of installation;
• freedom in choosing the installation location;
• regulation of heating temperature;
• enable / disable if necessary, etc.

However, there is a significant drawback, which is associated with the complexity of the safe connection of any electrical appliance in the bathroom in conditions of high humidity. To eliminate the likelihood of electric shock, installation work must be carried out by a professional electrician using concealed wiring and special outlets that are built into the wall of the room.

Important! Electricity consumption directly depends on the power of the heater for an electric heated towel rail, which can vary from 100 to 2000 watts. Since modern models turn on and off automatically when they reach the specified parameters, it is possible to economically consume energy.

The painted models of heated towel rails make the interior of the room brighter and more unusual

This equipment is produced by Russian and foreign manufacturers, and which heated towel rail is better to choose specifically, each buyer needs to decide independently. Domestic models are inferior in design, but also cheaper. Imported devices are distinguished by beauty, functionality and, consequently, a greater cost.

It is advisable to buy the device and order its installation in one place, so that the only company is fully responsible for its work. Otherwise, the seller may say that the equipment has failed due to errors made during installation. Upon presentation of a claim, the installer will blame the seller who, in their opinion, delivered the defective product. To exclude this scenario, you can entrust the representative of the installation organization with the selection of suitable equipment from a technical point of view.The appearance of the heated towel rail is, of course, determined by the owner of the apartment.