The effectiveness and energy efficiency of your towel rail depend greatly on the heating element you choose. Your towel rail's wattage has a direct impact on how quickly it heats up, how warm it becomes and how well it matches the heating requirements of your bathroom. We'll go over the important things to think about in this article when selecting the appropriate wattage or size heating element for your heated towel rail.
1. Determine the Size of Your Bathroom
The first step in choosing the right heating element is understanding the size of the space you want to heat. Larger bathrooms require more heat output to maintain a comfortable temperature, while smaller bathrooms or en-suites need less wattage. As a general guide:
- Small bathrooms/en-suites: 150–300 watts
- Medium-sized bathrooms: 400–600 watts
- Large bathrooms: 700–1,000 watts
2. Understand the Purpose of the Towel Rail
Is the main purpose of your towel rail to warm towels or to heat the entire room? You might not require a high wattage if you're utilising the towel rail as a backup heat source (for example, in addition to underfloor heating or a radiator). To keep your towels warm, a lower wattage heating element of 150–300 watts might work just fine.
However, if the towel rail will be the primary heat source in your bathroom, it’s essential to opt for a higher wattage to ensure both your towels and the room stay warm.
Explore our range of heating elements for towel rails, with various wattage options to suit your needs.
3. Match the Heating Element to the Towel Rail Size
The size of your towel rail will dictate how much wattage of heated element it needs. A larger towel rail will require a greater wattage heating element in order to operate properly, whilst a smaller towel rail intended for tiny bathrooms might not require a powerful element. As an illustration:
- Small towel rails (up to 600mm high): 100–200 watt heating elements
- Medium towel rails (600–1,200mm high): 300–600 watt heating elements
- Large towel rails (over 1,200mm high): 600–1,000 watt heating elements
For smaller spaces, the Elegant 300W Heating Element could be ideal, while larger rails would benefit from the Elegant 600W Heating Element for maximum efficiency.
4. Consider Energy Efficiency
Selecting the right wattage takes energy efficiency into account in addition to heating efficacy. Because an enormous heating element will produce more heat than is needed, installing one may increase energy bills. Conversely, a weak element will find it difficult to achieve the right temperatures, which could result in long heating times and unhappy users.
Thermostats are a common feature of contemporary towel rails, particularly electric ones, which help control temperature and ensure effective heating. Seek for heating elements with thermostatic controls integrated right in, like the Elegant Thermostatic Heating Element, which assists you in keeping the ideal ratio of heat to energy use.
5. Dual Fuel Option
Consider using a dual fuel towel rail arrangement if you want versatility. You can use your towel rail with both an electric heating element and central heating if it has a dual fuel system. This implies that you won't need to run your central heating system nonstop during the summer to warm your towels.
Our Dual Fuel Conversion Kit provides the ideal answer for individuals seeking year-round comfort, enabling you to utilise a heating element in addition to your central heating system for further adaptability.
Visit all dual fuel towel rails.
Final Thoughts
It's not difficult to select the ideal wattage or size heating element for your heated towel rail. You may make an informed choice by considering the size of your bathroom, the purpose of the towel rail, and your demands regarding energy efficiency. Recall that for best results, the heating element's size must match the towel rail's diameter.
If you’re unsure which heating element would best suit your towel rail, explore our full range of heating elements or get in touch with our team for expert advice.