A heated towel rail is a convenient device that allows towels to always remain dry and prevents the formation of mold and mildew in such a damp room as a bathroom. But how to choose the location of the heated towel rail in the bathroom interior? Photos with different types of design of this device, optimal placement options, as well as recommendations for installing a heated towel rail can be found below.
Overview of types of heated towel rails for baths
Classification of heated towel rails is carried out according to the coolant, installation method, shape, type of connection and materials of manufacture. So, the source of heat is electricity or a heating network. Depending on their location, there are wall-mounted, floor-mounted, stationary or rotary models. Design execution is based on the following standards:
- coil;
- steps:
- bowl;
- spiral.
The heated towel rail is connected to the electrical network or water supply diagonally, horizontally or vertically. For the production of water equipment, metal is used:
- Seamless stainless steel with walls greater than 3 mm and a diameter of ¾-1 inch copes with the pressure in the city heating network.
- Black steel is only permissible for autonomous systems, since the internal surface does not have anti-corrosion protection.
- Copper quickly acquires the temperature of the coolant, but the inner surface of the pipe must be insulated from direct contact with water.
- Brass is protected by a chrome layer, but is sensitive to pressure changes.
Copper radiator for the bathroom Source pechiexpert.ru
Electrical units are equipped with a heating element, which transfers thermal energy to the coolant liquid. This could be technical oil, antifreeze or water. Another option involves pulling a heating cable through the channels.
The dimensions of a water heated towel rail have a wide range of values depending on the design. Thus, U-shaped products are often 32 cm in height, ladders are 50-120 cm, and coils are up to 60 cm. The width of all products is in the range of 40-80 cm, which can be explained by the small dimensions of the bathroom and its purpose for drying small textiles.
An independent approach to the manufacture of a water heated towel rail allows the use of metal-plastic or polypropylene pipes. It is important to observe the restrictions on channel bending and the diameter, which must match or exceed that of the water supply.
Polypropylene pipe dryer Source beliashou.com
Combined products are connected to a seasonal central heating system and the electrical network. Such equipment provides heating of a damp room in the summer and in emergency situations at a heating station.
Combined dryer for wet rooms Source yandex.net
Main types of dryers
Different types of coils differ in shape and material from which they are made. Products made of stainless steel have a long service life. Their surface is not coated with additional coating, but is simply polished to a shine, thereby creating an attractive appearance.
As for brass and chrome-plated products, the service life varies from 5 to 10 years, after which replacement will be required.
We advise you to choose heated towel rail models that do not have jumpers or connecting seams.
, the diameter of the pipes and the shape of the dryer structure are important . Among the most common forms:
Building regulations
The height of the lower edge of the heated towel rail from the floor, based on SNiPs, is permissible at 90 cm, provided that it is an M-shaped coil or a ladder. The top edge should not be higher than 1.70 m. For a bowl, the value is 30 cm higher, and for the combined type 1 m. It is recommended to maintain a distance of 60 cm from the doorway and wall cabinets with shelves. The same applies to the mixer, bathtub, shower cabin. For electrical appliances, the minimum distance is 70 cm.
In small bathrooms, standards are often violated. This can be explained by the lack of standards in the construction and engineering of bathrooms. But there are requirements that must be met in any case:
- access to all communications must be open;
- using the dryer should be safe and comfortable;
- cannot be hung over a bathtub, but is acceptable over a sink or side-loading washing machine;
Electric rotary dryer Source dizainexpert.ru
- sockets must be grounded and connected to a separate circuit breaker; they can be installed indoors only if there is proper ventilation;
- the distance from the wall is maintained in accordance with the thermal expansion of the finishing material of the walls, but not less than 30-55 mm.
The dimensions of the heated towel rail are determined by the owner of the bathroom, but it is not recommended to violate the maximum distances between other objects. The manufacturer, in the product instructions, indicates the area that the product is designed to heat under certain conditions.
For example, at a coolant temperature of +70℃ and a heat output of the unit of 100 W, the serviced cubic capacity of the room will be equal to 2.5 cubic meters. m. Upon closer examination of the issue, the ratio of the volume of the bathroom and the parameters of the dryers approximately looks like this:
- up to 6 cubic meters – 50*40-60 cm;
- up to 8 cubic meters – 60*40-60 cm;
- up to 11 cubic meters – 80*40*60 cm;
- up to 14 cubic meters – 100*40-60 cm;
- more than 14 cubic meters – 120*40-80 cm.
Among other things, it is important to consider the weight of the equipment with components and coolant. Not every foundation can cope with the total load.
Consequences of incorrect calculation of the load of the unit on the wall Source filesonload.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in heating, water supply and sewerage systems
As a result, you will have to either strengthen the wall and floor, or choose a different design in terms of material, shape or size.
Level of sockets for connection
The installation of sockets and other electrical equipment is regulated by the requirements . The main aspect in this matter is human safety; the slightest possibility of electric shock must be excluded. It is advisable to entrust the installation to electricians, because the cost of wiring 1 point will not greatly affect the family budget.
A simple rule applies: the higher the socket is from the floor, the better and safer.
The optimal outlet level for a heated towel rail is 60 cm . This is enough to connect electrical equipment and eliminates the possibility of a short circuit in the event of a flood.
The installation of a heated towel rail must be carried out by specialists who comply with GOST standards in their work. If the heated towel rail is not installed according to the rules at the wrong height, it can cause subsequent leaks and other problems, including flooding of neighbors. Educational institutions, for example, kindergartens, have their own regulatory indicators.
Installation of an electric heated towel rail
Installation of electrical equipment in a wet area requires protective measures to ensure safe use. This is a separate RCD, grounding and the installation height of the heated towel rail socket is at least 70 cm from the floor. The connection is made by installing the latter inside or outside the bathroom.
The electrical socket must be protected by a sealed housing and a cover with a rubber seal. It is permissible to place the device on a wall with minimal moisture load, but not bordering the street. This is explained by the difference in temperatures, due to which there is a high possibility of condensation forming in the seat.
The most reliable option is to lay serviced communications in the body of the wall.
Hidden installation of electrical wiring with socket Source mainavi.ru
To do this, grooves and recesses are formed for the socket, through holes for bringing the latter out. Filling the voids with plaster mortar and finishing materials will protect the wiring from contact with moisture. External installation with a high degree of insulation is also acceptable. The cable for installing the heated towel rail is placed at a height of more than 10 cm from the floor, so that it later leads to a short circuit.
Connection procedure
The cable, machine and socket are selected with a small power reserve relative to the connected equipment. So, for example, 1.8 kW is divided by 220 V, and 8.2 A is obtained. The cable must have a copper conductor cross-section of at least 1 sq. mm. With respect to furniture they maintain 750 mm, corners - 300 mm, floors - 200 mm.
The heated towel rails to be hung are applied to the area permissible for installation, and the position of the brackets is noted. Mounting holes are drilled and the equipment is fixed to the wall. Stationary floor models are fixed to the base according to the same scheme. Next, connect to the power source. The socket should be at a distance of 25-35 cm to the side of the device.
Correct location of the outlet for the dryer in the bathroom Source maxi-svet.by
Additional installation options
Even with every desire, it is not always possible to take into account the standards and requirements of SNiP in design projects. This may also be due to the presence of a multi-level floor in a small room. We advise you to follow simple rules:
- The location of the dryer in the bathroom is from 95 to 170 cm . You need to choose a distance to the floor so that an adult can comfortably use the device.
- When installing a ladder coil, a person must reach its top rung.
- M-shaped coils are attached at least 90 cm, U-shaped coils at least 110 cm.
These simple rules will help you carry out installation work with your own hands in the shortest possible time.
Installation of a water heated towel rail
The installation of a heated towel rail with water coolant is pre-coordinated with utility services. This is necessary to determine the time to turn off the water supply service. The unit is connected to general communications in the same way as the developer did. Reworking the system can lead to changes in pressure and temperature in the network, and less often to depressurization of the main line.
Water models operate by connecting to a heating network or hot water supply system. In this way, the coolant circulates through the pipes of the heated towel rail. The choice of equipment is determined by the pressure in the service line:
- old stock – 5-7 atm;
- new buildings – up to 10 atm;
- autonomous system – as a rule, below 1.5 Atm.
It is also necessary to read the recommendations from the manufacturer. So, there are models that are not allowed to be connected to the hot water supply. In this case, units intended for installation in the water supply system can be embedded in the heating circuit. And there are coils for installation in any water main.
Connecting equipment to hot water supply Source mirvannaja.ru
Before connecting a heated towel rail to a hot water supply or domestic hot water system, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of the solutions. So, in the first case, there is a seasonal dependence and the presence of a system with a water coolant. But the circulation of the environment occurs around the clock. In the second case, the heating of the unit occurs during active use of hot water, which is why the pipes are noticeably colder at night than during the day. But the equipment works all year round.
Replacing a heated towel rail in a centrally serviced building with an analogue from the developer can be done independently. It will be enough to agree on the suspension of water circulation. If the devices differ from the original ones, then the drafting and approval of documents by the housing and communal services will be required.
To understand how to connect a heated towel rail, you need to familiarize yourself with the general requirements:
- narrowing the diameter of the coolant source is unacceptable;
- a bypass is installed between the riser or water supply and the unit;
Location of the bypass in front of the heated towel rail Source mhremont.ru
installation of shut-off valves on the jumper and in the area between it and the supply main is excluded.
The bypass will ensure that water circulation is maintained in the central system in the event of a heated towel rail failure. If you install ball valves in front of the equipment, it will be possible to repair or replace the device without coordinating the event with utility services.
Principle of operation
There are 2 types of heated towel rails - water and electric. Many apartments have pipes that are connected to heating. Their disadvantage is that drying can only be done during the heating season. Electric models do not have this disadvantage - they can be turned on only when the need arises. In addition, they are easy to install and can be located in any part of the bathroom.
There are combined models that are connected to the water supply, but heating is carried out using electricity. Their installation is carried out in the same way as the installation of water models.
A heated towel rail is a curved pipe through which hot water constantly circulates. The flow is directed from the upper floors to the lower ones, so the pipes of the residents of all apartments have the same temperature. The main requirement is the same diameter of the pipes on the riser and heated towel rail.
Video description
The video discusses in detail the advantages of installing a bypass:
Installation diagrams for a water heated towel rail
For most models, the working medium is supplied through the top outlet, and the outlet is provided from the bottom. This is a universal approach that can be applied to any design. In addition, there are other advantages:
- efficiency does not depend on the pressure in the serviced network and the direction of water movement;
- air does not accumulate in the pipes of the unit;
- the distance from the highway is determined by the desire of the bathroom owner.
Lateral connection of drying equipment Source polotenhik.ru
Let's consider how to install a heated towel rail with a lateral or diagonal connection so that the equipment functions correctly:
- The slope of the pipes should be 20-30 mm when water enters towards the heated towel rail, and when exiting towards the main line. The exception is pipes with a diameter of 32 mm at a distance of up to 200 cm. Then it is permissible to maintain a horizontal level.
- The supply contours must only be level. Any curvature will provoke the formation of air with subsequent disruption of the natural circulation of fluid.
- Connecting pipes for devices with steel lines can be at least ¾ inch in diameter. For reinforced polypropylene the limit is 25 mm.
For hidden connections, experts recommend resorting to thermal insulation measures. This applies to plastic pipelines. For this purpose, polystyrene foam sleeves or polyurethane foam shells are often used. The materials are resistant to temperature changes, moisture, inert to biological damage and serve for a long time.
Insulation of connecting circuits and water supply Source montagtrub.ru
Video description
From the video you can learn how to connect a dryer at a great distance from the riser:
How to properly connect a heated towel rail to a hot water riser using fittings:
- The taps are installed between the pipes and the dryer. If there is already a thread on them, then it is worth correcting it with a die to ensure a tight connection.
- It is important to secure the fittings correctly here. They are prefabricated, so there is a seam on the body. It should be directed in the direction of the flow.
- Flax is used for compaction.
- The final fixation after manual tightening is carried out with a key ¼-½ full turn.
If you violate these simple rules, a leak will soon appear, a seam will rupture, or a nut will burst.
The last thing you need to do before launching the system is testing. To do this, turn on the riser for a short period of time. This will be enough to determine the tightness of the structure. If everything is in order, then you can put the heated towel rail into operation. Otherwise, eliminate the deficiencies and repeat the test again.
Leak detected during system testing Source www.tproekt.com
Briefly about the main thing
Bathroom heated towel rails are made from various metals. This determines the permissible pressure that can be created inside the product.
The heat source can be electricity, hot water supply or a heating system. Depending on this, it is necessary to pull a cable with a terminal socket or install connecting circuits between the riser and the equipment.
The choice of dryer is based on material, coolant and size. The latter is justified by building codes, according to which it is necessary to maintain specific distances to plumbing fixtures, floors, and furniture.
There are several schemes for connecting units: lateral, diagonal, horizontal (top or bottom). In the case of liquid coolant, it is important to monitor the location of the outlets on the riser in relation to the pipes on the heated towel rail. They should be straight or with vertical inserts, but without loops. Then the independent circulation of water will not be disrupted and air will not form in the system.
When replacing a water heated towel rail, you must contact utility services to turn off the riser and obtain permission to install the selected model. Not always, but in some cases, drafting and approval of project documentation is required.
Ratings 0
Location rules
Water devices for drying towels are installed near the hot water riser or heating pipe running between floors.
Shut-off valves cannot be installed on the coil; only a Mayevsky valve is allowed to bleed off excess air. The pressure in the water pipe is checked; the connection is not made using “American” pipes with a union nut and narrow fittings. Electric dryers are connected according to two schemes:
- with open wiring;
- with closed cables.
The second method is safer because the cable is enclosed in protective sheaths and in the wall. The open version is represented by a wire that extends over the wall from the outlet to the device.
