Bathroom towel radiator – components
Bathroom towel radiator – components
A bathroom towel radiator comes with a mounting kit or wall brackets; however, the electric heating element, valves and fittings are never included. The diagram shows all the components you add to it. Click a number to open the matching product.
A number in the diagram takes you to the matching item in the list below.
Step 1: towel radiator and connection
Step 2: electric heating and fill
Step 3: temperature control
Step 4: pipework and connections
Connecting a bathroom towel radiator
A towel radiator in the bathroom has two jobs – it heats the room and dries towels. In the dual-fuel version with an electric heating element, it also heats outside the heating season, when the boiler is switched off. The set is intended for heating engineers and installation companies who need to choose the right valve, lockshield and, where required, electric element for the towel radiator, so that the bathroom works safely all year round.
Installation procedure
- Use the towel radiator's technical data sheet to determine the position and centre distance of the connections, and bring the pipes out of the wall or floor accordingly.
- Hang the towel radiator on its brackets so that both the valves at the bottom and the air vent at the top remain accessible.
- Fit a thermostatic valve on the flow – a three-axis valve in the left-hand or right-hand version, depending on the side of the flow, or an angled valve if the pipe direction allows it.
- Fit a lockshield valve on the return.
- For dual-fuel operation, screw a tee into the bottom connection. The electric element is fitted in the straight run, and the side branch is connected to the valve or lockshield. The electric element always goes in the bottom connection.
- Close any unused openings with a blanking plug, and fit an air vent at the top if one is not supplied with the towel radiator.
- Connect the pipe with a eurocone compression fitting that matches the type of pipe.
- The electric element is connected by a qualified electrician, taking into account the bathroom zones, the IP rating of the device and protection by a residual current device.
- Fill and bleed the towel radiator, carry out a pressure test and fit the head.
Choosing the right parts
- A three-axis valve allows connection from the wall or the floor while the head stays in a horizontal position. Choose the left-hand or right-hand version according to the side of the towel radiator on which the flow is located.
- The electric element should match the size of the towel radiator in output. Towel radiator manufacturers often state the recommended element output – an element that is too powerful overheats the radiator, and one that is too weak will not heat it through. An element with a thermostat maintains the set temperature by itself.
- The tee must match both the towel radiator connection and the element thread in size. Check that the full length of the element fits into the towel radiator.
- Head. The bathroom is heated to a higher temperature than other rooms. A programmable head allows, for example, more intensive heating in the morning and evening.
- The pipe for connecting the towel radiator is usually 16 × 2 mm for typical outputs; however, the overall design of the pipework is decisive.
Most common installation mistakes
- An electric element fitted at the top, or switched on in a towel radiator that is not completely filled with water.
- Both valves closed during electric heating in summer – the expanding water has nowhere to go and the pressure in the radiator rises. Leave at least one valve open, usually the lockshield on the return.
- A three-axis valve in the wrong version for the given side.
- A missing or inaccessible air vent – the upper part of the towel radiator stays cold.
- An electrical connection without the IP rating and protection suitable for a bathroom.
Commissioning and maintenance
Before switching on the element for the first time, make sure that the towel radiator is completely filled and bled. Check the joints for leaks at operating temperature and set the valve presetting. When switching to the summer electric mode, close the valve on the flow and leave the lockshield on the return open. Once a season, bleed the towel radiator and check the condition of the element's supply cable.
Frequently asked questions
Can the electric element also heat during the heating season?
Yes. An element with a thermostat switches itself off when hot water is coming from the boiler and only switches on when the temperature in the towel radiator falls below the set value, for example at night when the heating is turned down.
What is the difference between a three-axis valve and an angled valve?
A three-axis valve can be connected from several directions, and you can always turn the head horizontally. An angled valve is simpler, but it only suits one specific direction of the incoming pipe.
Why is the towel radiator cold at the top?
Most often there is air in it. Bleed it through the top vent. If the problem persists, check the flow and the valve presetting.
Does a towel radiator need a thermostatic head?
We recommend one. It keeps a stable temperature in the bathroom, prevents overheating and, in the programmable version, adapts heating to the daily routine.
What to order for the towel radiator
Choose the towel radiator in the Towel radiators category; for dual-fuel operation, add the Tee, 1/2" F x 1/2" F x 1/2" M and the GT600 electric heating element with thermostat - White, and for the return the Lockshield valve - angled, EK x 1/2". Registered partners can see wholesale prices after logging in. We dispatch goods from our warehouse in Žilina and ship them throughout the EU.