Are you thinking about upgrading your bathroom? Heated towel rails are a small but impactful addition that can bring luxury, practicality, warmth and energy efficiency to your space. If you’ve never used one before, you might be wondering how they work, what they cost to run, and whether they’re worth the investment. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide!
Types of Heated Towel Rails
When it comes to heated towel rails, not all designs are created equal. The two main types you’ll encounter are electric heated towel rails and liquid-filled (hydronic) towel rails.
Electric Heated Towel Rails
These are the most common type in Australia. Electric heated towel rails use a heating element inside the rails to warm towels and provide a touch of ambient heat to your bathroom. They’re quick to install and can be either hardwired into your bathroom’s power supply or plugged into a standard outlet. High-end models like our Gordon and Loop Heated Towel Rails can even be wired to timer switches for full autonomous control.
Pros:
- Cheap and easy to install
- Heats and cools quickly and efficiency
- Low maintenance
- No chance of rust as there is no liquid
Cons:
- Won’t heat the entire room
- Requires electricity access nearby
Liquid-Filled (Hydronic) Towel Rails
These towel rails are filled with a liquid, such as water or oil, which is heated by an internal or in-wall element. They provide more room heating as well as warming your towels, but they take longer to heat up and generally cost more to install and run over time.
Pros:
- Can contribute to heating the room
- Long-lasting warmth
Cons:
- Higher installation costs
- Slower to heat up and cool down
- More expensive to run due to lower efficiency
- Harder to replace parts
Gordon Electric Heated Towel Rail
How Much Do Heated Towel Rails Cost?
Like all consumer products, there is a wide range of price-points for heated towel rails, and the cost varies widely depending on their size, material, build-quality, and design. Budget options can start at around $200, while premium models may cost upwards of $1500.
While the upfront cost of higher-end towel rails might seem like a splurge, it's important to think of it as an investment that you and visitors to your home will enjoy for years to come. Higher-end towel rails are more efficient, lowering usage costs, and are built to a higher standard with more thought-out design decisions to achieve a longer lifespan with less maintenance.
Are Heated Towel Rails Expensive to Run?
One of the most common questions people ask is, “do heated towel rails use a lot of electricity?”
The short answer? Not really.
Most electric heated towel rails use between 100 to 200 watts per hour. At an average electricity rate of around 35 cents per kilowatt-hour (as of 2024), running a 200-watt towel rail all day would cost approximately $1.68. However, most households only use their towel rails for 4-6 hours a day, bringing the daily cost down to just 28-42 cents.
Using a timer or smart control system, like the one compatible with Eskimo’s Gordon Heated Towel Rail, makes these devices even more efficient. You can program them to turn on before your morning shower and turn off automatically once your towels are dry, saving both energy and money.
What Size Heated Towel Rail Do You Need?
Choosing the right size depends on your bathroom and household needs. Here’s what to consider:
- Bathroom Size: Larger bathrooms benefit from bigger towel rails, while smaller spaces may only need compact models.
- Towel Volume: If you’re drying towels for a family of four, opt for a rail that accommodates multiple towels, like the Double Gordon Heated Towel Rail, which holds up to 8 towels.
- Style Preferences: Beyond practicality, the design of your towel rail should complement your bathroom. Vertical towel rails like the Gordon and Loop are not only efficient but also a stylish choice for modern bathrooms.
Why Choose a Heated Towel Rail Over a Non-Heated Rail?
A heated towel rail doesn’t just warm towels—it dries them too, which can reduce bathroom odours, extend the life of your towels, prevent mould growth, and keep your space fresh and clean. For residents of Australia's more humid locations, a Heated Towel Rail can be the difference between multiple loads of washing to just once a week washing, further creating cost-efficiencies in the household. Traditional towel rails simply don’t offer the same functionality.
Key Features to Look for in a Heated Towel Rail
When shopping for a heated towel rail, keep these features in mind:
- Material: Aluminium models like those offered by Eskimo Heat are excellent conductors of heat, making them more efficient in heating and drying.
- Timers and Smart Controls: Save energy by setting your towel rail to operate only when needed. Some models, like Eskimo’s Gordon, can be controlled from your phone for maximum convenience.
- Horizontal vs Vertical: Vertical heated towel rails reduce humid air pockets and dry towels quicker than horizontal rails.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to elevate your bathroom experience, investing in a heated towel rail is a no-brainer. Not only do they offer a touch of everyday luxury, but they’re also practical and energy-efficient. Whether you opt for a standard electric rail or a sleek vertical design like the Gordon, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.
Discover the perfect heated towel rail for your bathroom at Eskimo Heat.
