A towel warmer or radiator is becoming an essential part of a standard bathroom installation. They come in different shapes and sizes so how do you make sure that you make the right choice? Read this quick guide for an overview of the different types of bathroom towel warmer.

Bathroom towel warmers or radiators are generally fed by 3 types of heating supply:
1. System fed (through the hot water central heating system)
2. Electric only
3. Dual fuel - electric and system fed.

System fed can be supplied in two ways; open or closed circuits. A closed circuit is the most common. The radiator is part of the designated heating system from the boiler, which circulates hot water to all the radiators in the house, and is protected by the presence of an anti-corrosive agent such as Fernox. This is possible because the closed circuit is separate from the domestic drinking water supply. All radiator types are suitable for this system.

An open circuit is where the radiator is included on the domestic water feed; this water has no anti-corrosion protection, and most radiators are unsuitable for this type of installation. The few radiators recommended still carry many restrictions to their suitability, and is the responsibility of the installer to check thoroughly. These would include contacting the local water authority to check the water quality is not prone to dezincification in the area, and that there is not a water softener included on the system.

Many of the biggest manufacturers in the industry do not have any radiators suitable for an open circuit, and I would only recommend Vogue as a reliable source of suitable radiators because they clearly identify their range and lay down the installers' responsibility. Vogue do offer special materials and manufacture for any special needs which can be quoted individually.

Electric only radiators come supplied sealed with a factory fitted electric element. Alternatively an element can be supplied separately for the fitter to install using an appropriate mixture of fluid, such as Glycol and water, to the required volume for the radiator, allowing for expansion. These should be installed by a qualified electrician. Most electric radiators are safe in zones two & three with special IP66 rated elements for zone one but no electric radiator should be fitted within a shower cubicle.

The right model of electric only radiators are very much under utilised; the ideal bathroom would include an electric only radiator with the sole purpose of drying and warming towels. The electric only radiator is designed with a fewer rails giving less output, and this can be as little as 50 watts (no more output than a light bulb). This is sufficient to dry the towels, but will not give the unwanted background heat for the summer months that the normal size radiator would give and is economical to run. Under floor heating would be the perfect partner to the all electric radiator where space is a problem.

Dual fuel radiators are a popular choice but should be treated with caution. The main supply would come from the main closed circuit system, and would then be backed up by the electric element when the central heating is switched off. The main problem arising is when the main system is switched off the circulating water supply can drain from the radiator in part or fully, and the electric element must always be fully immersed in water. The element must also never be switched on when the main system is active. The element is often designed to burn out quickly to prevent fires, about 4 seconds with some makes, which will allow no real time before irreparable damage to the element occurs ( a change of colour to the element would indicate the radiator has been operated while dry.)

Another disadvantage with dual fuel is caused by the size of the element supplied; it needs to have approximately 80% of the radiator's full output, resulting in an element of 300 watts or more. This gives an uncomfortable amount of background heat during the summer when it is used the most!