There are a few very common questions that shoppers always have in mind when considering a towel warmer.  Are they difficult to install?  Absolutely not, they’re extremely easy to install.  Many wonder if their electric bills will go sky high or if it’s safe to leave the warmers on?  Many electric towel warmers and hydronic towel warmers actually use less energy than a light bulb.  They’re made to safely stay on 24 hours per day.  Besides keeping your towels warm and fluffy on a cold winter day, the heat created from the towel warmers will cut out any mildew smells in the bathroom since the heat will diminish moisture in the bathroom.

An electric towel warmer is extremely easy to set up and there’s a variety of price ranges available to fit your budget.  These warmers can easily be plugged into a 120V outlet or can be hardwired.  They look great when they’re mounted on to the wall, but they can also be floor mounted.  It’s just a matter of preference and the style of your bathroom.  They are many different styles to choose from when shopping for an electric towel warmer.  This again, is all matter of preference but you can find an electric towel warmer made in contemporary styles, classic or traditional styles and even customizable for your own personal touch.  The prices really vary depending on quality, but they start at just under $100.  On the really high end, expect to pay $2,000+ but with this you’re paying a large portion for the design of the electric towel warmer.

The other option for towel warmers are hydronic towel warmers.  These aren’t as popular as an electric towel warmer, since they rely on a hot water circulating system or on central heat.  If you have one of these systems, then this is a great option.  Hydronic towel warmers take the hot water and release up to 3,294 BTU per hour of heat.  They do not add any humidity to the room!  They’re more energy efficient, since they run off the hot water system in your house.  Hydronic towel warmers are also extremely safe.  In order to prevent over-heating, many of them come with a built in system that will automatically turn the warmer off, when they get too hot just like a hot water heater does.

Hopefully this article has helped you understand the difference between an electric towel warmer and a hydronic towel warmer.  There are many options to choose from once you’ve figured out the type of towel warmer for your bathroom, so be sure to take your time and shop around!

Before electric towel warmers were invented, this is how towels were kept warm.  Hydronic towel warmers are more energy efficient; so many people are going back to this style as opposed to electric towel warmers (although electric towel warmers don’t require much energy anyway).  The downside to setting these warmers up is that it can get a bit complicated when installing.  It will require some plumbing to be rerouted, but once it’s complete you’ll be happy you did it.  The other option is a self-contained hydronic towel warmer.  This type of towel warmer takes oil or water and combines a glycol mixture and circulates the mixture which is heated by a built-in element.

Now that we know how hydronic towel warmers function, let’s discuss some of the different models available.  The prices will obviously vary depending on the quality, however there’s a huge price range for all different budgets.

On the less expensive side of the spectrum, there’s the Myson Hydronic Towel warmer.  This hydronic towel warmer is priced just under $300 on nextag.com.  It’s received a five star rating and it looks nice.  At this price, it’s a steal!  It can easily be wall mounted and it comes in two colors.  Unfortunately, if you want it in chrome the price will double.  The other option is a nice white finish.  It’s 48.25 inches tall, so it can hold several towels at once.

The next hydronic towel warmer is in the mid-price range.  It’s made by Mr. Steam; The H5420RB Wallmount Hydronic Towel Warmer – Oil Rubbed Bronze.  Mr. Steam has a very good reputation for making quality products.  This product is made from 100% brass and can also be wall mounted.  This can only be used with a hot water heating system, so be sure this works with your home system.  It can release 500 BTUs/HR which will keep your towels nice and warm!  This product measures at 28 inches high by 21 inches wide.  If you can support this product, it will look great and do the job!

The last option is one of the most high-edn hydronic towel warmers available anywhere.  This five star rated hydronic towel warmer is made by Cassandra.  The Cassandra hyrdonic towel warmer is made with a towering design that features flat cross rails for a beautiful contemporary design.  The tower has three different groups, so different towels can easily be placed in the different areas.  This can be purchased in several different designer finishes.  Their starting price is just under $2,000 with a white finish.  Chrome, Satin and Satin-Nickel range from $3,400-$3,600 and their gold and brass options are priced from $5,100-$5,700.  If you’re looking for high-end, this is one of the best hydronic towel warmers available and will look beautiful once installed!

There are many different hydronic towel warmers available, so always take your time to shop around.  Hopefully this guide has helped you understand how hydronic towel warmers work and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as much as I do once you’ve found what you’re looking for!

A bath towel rack can be found in many different styles.  They’re also made from many different materials, which can include chrome, iron, nickel, polished nickel, bronze and more.  These many different options are just a matter of preference, although some are obviously more expensive than others (like gold of course!).

I recently came across a chrome bath towel rack at Kohl’s.  I was shocked to see this bath towel rack was only $29.99 – not bad for a chrome rack!  This bath towel rack has several levels, which make it a great way to store and organize your bath towels.  It has one shelf and two bars, which allow storing extra towels on the top shelf.  It’s extremely contemporary with its chrome finish, so if you’re looking for a modern look and on a tight budget, this is a great option.  This bath towel rack is also durable and will last for many years.  It’s made with a strong metal that will last.  It’s also extremely simple to set up as it comes with all the hardware.

If you’re shopping for a high end bath towel rack, you can always count on Kohler for the best bathroom products.  Their Loure® Hotelier bath towel rack is listed at $296.00.  This bathroom towel rack is also finished and polished in Chrome.  This has a really chic look, also on the contemporary side.  If you already have Kohler products in your bathroom, this will coordinate very well with existing products.  For this bath towel rack, they’ve used premium metal construction in order to provide a reliable and durable product.  They also have a finish that will resist any corrosion and tarnishing, so this will certainly keep its fine look for a long time.  The installation is a simple process as it comes with tools and a drilling template.  It doesn’t get much better than this for storing towels!

Another option for a high end bath towel rack is Kohler’s Pinstripe® hotelier.  This bath towel rack provides more storage space than the previous option.  It’s also inspired by the 1930’s with an art deco sensibility and charming elegant feel.  It matches Kohler’s pinstripe faucet and the combination will create a customized feel with a traditional design.  This bath towel rack is more expensive and is priced at $618.00 and up.

As you can see, there’s clearly a wide range of options when shopping for a bath towel rack.  Every bathroom should have a bath towel rack as they provide extra room for your towels.  The question is, do you want a bath towel rack and a heated towel rack!?  Be sure to shop around as there are many options available.

Let’s discuss some of the practical purposes of a heated towel bar.  First of all, it’s always nice to have a warm and fresh towel when you hop out of the shower to dry off in.  The heated towel bar certainly does its job on those days!  A heated towel bar is meant to stay on 24 hours per day, since they’re extremely energy efficient.  At first I was skeptical about this, but they use less energy than a light bulb and they’re very safe too!  If this is a concern for you, make sure to find a heated towel bar with a timer and/or on-off switch.  Most of them will come with these options anyway.  Now the best part about leaving them on 24 hours per day is that they can also keep the bathroom warm.  They’re a good form of low impact heat.  Since many bathrooms are made with tile or cold surfaces, they tend to cool off on the quicker side.  The heated towel bar will help keep the bathroom warm and they’ll also help keep the humidity out of the air.

We’ve discussed a few things that a heated towel bar can do, however it doesn’t end there.  The next benefit is it’s capability to act as a dryer.  This will save you money, since you won’t have to run the dryer for a few pieces.  You can simply place the clothing or towels over the heated towel bar and this will save the process of on unnecessary laundering.  You can even place a heated towel bar in the kitchen for any wet dishtowels.  If you don’t want to dry certain fabrics, place a heated towel bar in the laundry room for another option.  These bars are usually only water-resistant, so be careful you don’t place sobbing wet items on them.  Oh by the way, one of the best options is placing your socks on there on a winter day.  Putting on a warm pair of socks before heading out into the cold is as good as it gets!

There are two different types of heated towel bars.  The more common option is the electric option over the hydronic systems.  The electric heated towel bar can simply be plugged in or hard-wired.  The bars are filled with oil inside so when you turn them on, the oil is slowly heated, which creates the warm metal rods.  The hydronic option is connected through your homes plumbing and use the hot water.  This will require more work to set-up and you’ll need a professional plumber to get it going.  The warm water heater will warm up the towel bar and they’re the most energy efficient option.  If you’re renting a home, you’re better off with the electric option since the hydronic system is permanently mounted.

There are many different styles and options when shopping for a heated towel bar.  Take advantage of the internet and be sure to shop around.  Once you find what you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy all the luxuries that come with it!

What are heated towel racks made of?

These heated racks are usually made from solid brass or steel.  There’s a wide variety of finishes though, which include chrome, polished brass, and nickel, gold and satin-nickel.  Depending on the material, the price will of course vary.

When looking at measurements of heated towel racks, do they include the mounting brackets?

Most of the time the brand will include the maximum dimensions of the heated towel racks.  However, this does vary by company so it’s best to double check.

Can heated towel racks be installed in a shower or above a tub?

Most heated towel racks are designed to be water-resistant.  That would make sense since wet towels are going to be placed on the heated towel rack.  However, keep in mind they’re not designed to be drenched in water.  If the heated towel rack is exposed to more than an occasional splash, then it should be moved some where else.  In order to maintain a safe set up, the heated towel racks should set up with a GFI protected circuit.  Most up to date bathrooms are already have GFI protection, but you should always confirm this.

Can heated towel racks overheat?  Do they have a cut off switch or thermostats?

Heated towel racks can stay warm for 24 hours per day and operate in a safe manner.  Even though they’re running 24 hours per day, the heated towel rack uses less electric than a light bulb.  Many heated towel racks can work on a timer though.

Should you turn the heated towel racks off when you’re not using them?

I do not suggest turning your heated towel rack off, unless you’re going away or if it’s in a bathroom that doesn’t get used often.  Since heated towel racks are so energy efficient, it’s best to keep them on all the time so you always have warm and fresh towels.

How do heated towel racks work?

There are two different types.  The simple option is the electric towel rack and then there’s the hydronic heated towel rack.  Electric towel racks operate similar to radiant floor heating, using similar elements to function.  Hydronic towel warmers are more expensive, but will use less electric.  They use your hot water or central heat to provide the heat, but must be installed by a plumber.

How much time is needed before a towel is dry?

This is a tough question to answer as it varies depending on the situation, how wet the towel is, what type of heated towel racks you have, how many towels are on the rack, etc.

Hopefully this frequently asked questions guide on heated towel racks has helped answer some of your questions.  Once you have it set up, you’ll love it!