Many homeowners opt to replace standard radiators with heated towel rails, especially in bathrooms, ensuites and laundry rooms. But why?
Well beyond the practical benefit of warming and drying towels, heated towel rails also bring a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that elevates any room space compared to your standard compact radiators.
This Bathroom Takeaway guide is packed full of all the information you need, covering the reasons to upgrade from a standard radiator, how to do it and additional bits to bear in mind. So let’s get into it.
Can A Heated Towel Rail Replace A Radiator And Why Should You?
If you are wondering ‘can I replace my radiator with a heated towel rail?’ Yes, absolutely a towel rail can replace a radiator. A heated towel rail can offer many advantages, whether the objective is to increase bathroom functionality, add a little luxury, or even free up some space.
However, it's very important to understand the main advantages and what to expect before making the change from a radiator to a towel rail.
First and foremost, it's important to keep in mind that a heated towel rail can successfully take the place of a radiator, especially in smaller bathrooms or when warming your towels is the main priority.
To properly warm the area, it is important to choose a towel rail with a sufficient BTU heat output. A conventional radiator might be a better choice for larger bathrooms but if you have sufficient BTU output you should be fine.
If you don't have gas central heating or if the area where you want a rail installed doesn't have pipes. As an alternative, you can connect electric heated towel rails to your mains electrical supply and turn them on and off as needed making them a great choice for all types of homes.
How To Replace A Radiator With A Heated Towel Rail
Once your ideal heated towel rail has been chosen and delivered, you can replace your old radiator by following the steps listed below.
The necessary tools
- Adaptable spanner
- PTFE tape pipe cutter
- Valves for radiators (if new ones are required)
- Brackets for towel rails
Now you have all the equipment, let's check step by step on how to change your heated towel rail and radiator over.
- Disable the heating: Turn off the central heating system and let it cool.
- Close The Lockshield Valve: On both sides of the radiator you need to close the lockshields: and the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) to properly isolate the radiator.
- Drain It: To drain water from the system, place a bowl or towel underneath the radiator and loosen the valve nuts.
- Disconnect The Old Radiator: Loosen the wall brackets after it has been drained. Then check the pipe placement because radiators and towel rails frequently have different pipe centers.
- Adjusting The Pipework: If necessary, adjust the pipework. If the new towel rail has different connections, use flexible pipes or extenders to move the pipes.
- Prepare the heated towel rail: By encircling the valve threads with PTFE tape to improve the seal. If new brackets are required, make sure the heated towel rail sits level by marking and drilling holes to secure them.
- Install the heated towel rail: By leveling and fastening the brackets to the wall. After that, fasten the pipe connections and add the towel rail.
- Bleed the towel rail: To get rid of any trapped air after refilling the system with water and reopening the valves.
- Test and check for leaks: Turn on the heating system and check for leaks. Additionally, confirm that the towel rail heats up uniformly.
If this is something you are still unsure of doing by yourself we would always suggest contacting a professional, who will happily do it for you!
FAQ’s
Can Towel Rails Give Enough Heat For Your Bathroom?
The answer is yes! It can provide more than enough heating to your bathroom, as long as the BTU is suitable for your home, you will be absolutely fine.
Can You Fit A Towel Rail Onto Pipes That Are Already There?
Yes, it is an easy job to change them across if the pipes are already in place from a previous towel rail or radiator. If there are no pipes you will need a plumber to fit them in for you.
How Much Does It Cost For The Replacement Process?
With all of these variables taken into account, the average cost of installing a heated towel rail, excluding the unit itself, can range from £200 to £800. Keep in mind that these expenses can differ greatly based on your unique situation.
Do You Need A Plumber To Fit A Heated Towel Rail?
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a DIY expert then it is absolutely possible to complete the task by yourself, but we would always suggest letting a professional fit any items that connect to your central heating.
