How to Replace a Radiator with a Heated Towel Rail?

A heated towel rail can be installed in the bathroom to make it more comfortable. It will allow you to have hot towels accessible when you come out of the shower, in addition to gently warming the room. As a result, we recommend that you learn how to proceed with the installation of your heated towel rail.

Why Replace Your Radiator with a Heated Towel Rail?

If you’ve had a radiator in your bathroom for a while, your heating system may be showing signs of wear, or you may be bored of constantly heating a room that you only use infrequently and drying yourself in damp towels. It is therefore time to replace it with a heated towel rail, which has several advantages over the radiator in the bathroom:

As previously stated, the bathroom is a rarely used area that does not require heating like the other rooms in your home. Therefore, it is desirable that your toilet is at a comfortable temperature. Unlike a radiator, a towel dryer provides this heating versatility due to its mechanism that allows you to increase the heat as you use it. You will be able to save money as a result of this.

Even when set to a low temperature, the towel warmer emits a pleasant and consistent heat, allowing towels to dry and avoiding humidity and mold problems in the bathroom.

Its tiny design is suited for the bathroom, with a small footprint and in the shape of a ladder for hanging towels. As a result, you will benefit from hot towels as quickly as possible.

The Necessary Tools

That’s it, you’ve made your decision to replace your radiator with a heated towel rail! You can install it yourself if you are a handyman. The following materials will be required:

• A towel dryer
• A thermostat kit
• Copper tubing
• Bicone connectors
• A return tee
• Anti-noise collars
• Rosettes
• A purge key
• A pipe cutter
• An adjustable wrench
• A drill
• A hacksaw blade

It is recommended that you utilize a material detector to drill your walls without risk. In this manner, you avoid coming into contact with a pipe or an electrical cable.

Installing Your Towel Rail

After gathering all of the essential supplies, you can begin installing your towel rail. To begin, read the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the instructions for your device, as there are many models, and not all are installed in the same way.

Start by Removing The Old Radiator

The first step is to remove the old radiator.

If the radiator is connected to central heating, you must first switch off the boiler before turning off the water valves. Next, bleed and empty your radiator. Simply place a container under the drain valve or remove the nut on the adjustment tee to accomplish this. You can disassemble your radiator after it is empty.

If it’s an electric heater, simply unplug it from the main panel, then unplug the electrical connection wires and unplug the heater from the wall.

Install The Wall Fixings

After removing the old radiator, you may begin installing your towel rail. The first step is to attach the device to the wall with bolts.

• You must first decide where you want your towel rail to go. It is preferable to position it at least 20 cm from the ground and 15 cm from a wall corner for improved heat distribution.
• Mark the locations of the upper and lower fixings. With a spirit level, check the level.
• After that, drill the wall and install dowels appropriate for the type of wall (plasterboard, bricks, etc.). Check that the fasteners are securely fastened.
• Finally, put the mounting brackets in place.

Put The Towel Rail in Place

You can hang your new towel rail once the wall fixings are in place.

• Begin by removing the caps from your towel rail.
• Screw the bleed plug and the basic plug at the top of the device with an adjustable wrench.
• Install the thermostat body and the adjustment tee at the device’s bottom.
• Start screwing on the gadget after positioning the fixing lugs.
• Finally, mount your heated towel rail to the wall.

Connect Your Towel Rail

It’s time to connect your device. This must be done in accordance with the rules of the trade.

• Depending on where you intend to install the unit, the hose length may need to be modified.
• Connect the flow tube to the thermostat body and the return tube to the tee. It may be essential to screw a suitable fitting onto the towel rail first. It will be necessary to loosen the free nut of a bicone coupling in order to connect the return pipe. It should fit around the pipe. The olive must come after it. Next screw the assembly onto the adjustment tee fitting and tighten the free nut. Join both the horizontal and vertical tubes. The thermostat body must be screwed to a bicone fitting for the beginning tube. Install it on the towel rail, then connect it.
• Connect to the electrical network as well.

Fill The Towel Rail

It’s time to stock your new towel rail.

• After installing the thermostatic head, unscrew the adjustment tee cap. It must be as open as possible. After that, replace the cap.
• Check that the drain valve on the top of the unit is closed.
• You can now open your boiler’s filling valve to increase the pressure to 2 bars. Close it after the pressure is attained.
• The air in the network can then be evacuated by opening the purge valve. Then shut it.
• Continue the first two steps until no water escapes from the trap. This indicates that your device is completely full.
• To allow water to circulate through the circuit, open the towel dryer’s heads and return the tees.
• You can restart the boiler by opening the flow and return valves. Make sure the pressure exceeds 1.5 bar. There you have it, your towel dryer is now operational!

It is sufficient to simply turn on an electric towel rail after restoring the current.