Choosing a heating element for a heated towel rail

There is an electric heated towel rail in almost every apartment today. This handy device not only serves as a clothes dryer, but is also used to heat the bathroom. A wide range of heated towel rails is represented by a large number of different models. They differ in shape and heating device. The advantage of an electric heated towel rail over a water heater is that it does not depend on hot water supply.

Tubular electric heater (TEN) is a device inside a heated towel rail, which serves as a heat carrier heater and operates from a power source. The overall performance of the heated towel rail depends on the quality of the heating element. In the event of a malfunction, you should replace the heating element yourself or contact a specialist.

Many are lost in a large selection of heaters models for heated towel rails. Yes, there are quite a few of them, and they differ in design features:

• with thermostat;

• equipped with a timer;

• with and without display;

• depending on the type of control - mechanical, electronic, remote;

• open or hidden connection;

• with the ability to set the operating mode (programming).

And also electric heaters differ in power level. It can vary from 120 to 1200 watts.

Depending on the design, heating elements can be installed both on the right side and on the left, so they can be both right and left.

In addition, electric heaters are divided into dry and wet.

1. Dry. They do not have contact with the coolant, due to which there is no likelihood of scale and the possibility of an accident in the event of a breakdown of the heating element. Such models are quite rare, and their price is an order of magnitude higher than their wet counterparts.

2. Wet. Devices that are installed directly into the coolant. Due to constant contact with it, scale appears on the heating element over time. And if an electric heater breaks down, using a heated towel rail can be hazardous to human health. However, such products are less expensive than dry ones.

Which heating element is better to choose depends on the type of coolant.

In the domestic market, very often you come across low-quality heating elements. They are distinguished by their attractively low cost, which is the main criterion for choosing incompetent buyers.

To choose a high-quality heating element for an electric heated towel rail, you need to know a few important nuances.

1. Most of the Russian-made heating elements are of low quality, so you should be extremely careful when choosing a domestic product. It is better to choose a device from trusted foreign brands, such as Terma.

2. The power of the heating element must correspond to the area of ​​the bathroom and the power of the heated towel rail itself. For example, for a heated towel rail with a power of 300 to 600 W, it is recommended to buy an electric heater with a power of 300-400 W.

3. The more powerful the heating element, the faster the heated towel rail heats up.However, you should not buy an electric heater that is too powerful, as due to frequent switching on / off it will quickly become unusable.

4. Choose models with a built-in electronic electricity consumption sensor, thanks to which the device will work perfectly even with a small consumption of electricity.

5. The heating element must have a good protective coating.

6. Any model of an electric heater provides for a thermostat that maintains the maximum temperature (most often it is 60 degrees). However, if there is a financial opportunity, choose products with a thermostat that allows you to set the optimal heating temperature for a heated towel rail depending on the season.

7. The presence of a timer in the heating element allows you to program the device for a certain time, after which it will turn off. Newer models are equipped with software control, with which you can set a specific schedule for the operation of the heating device. This will help you save a significant amount on electricity bills.

It is quite possible to install a new or repaired heating element in a heated towel rail yourself. However, if you still have doubts about your competence in this matter, it is better to seek help from a specialist. If you decide to do it yourself, the main thing is to adhere to basic safety rules.

You cannot turn on the heated towel rail until the heating element is completely immersed in the coolant (water).

Here is the procedure for installing the heating element in the radiator.

1. Shut off the water supply.

2. Drain all the water through a special device located at the bottom of the heated towel rail.

3. In order to put the heating element in the heating equipment, you will need a wrench. Use a gasket to keep the connection tight.

4. In combined models of heated towel rails, when the system is filled with water, the Mayevsky tap opens to release air, and the tap, which turns off the water. The moment when water begins to flow from the Mayevsky tap means that there is no air in the system, and it is completely filled with water. Then the water tap closes.

5. In stand-alone models, the coolant is poured into a special compartment from above. At this moment, Mayevsky's tap should also be open. The coolant is poured at an angle.

6. The heating medium in the heated towel rail should be 90%, while it heats up to 60 degrees. If the system is overcrowded, some of the water should be drained.

7. The electric heater works at full capacity, after which it turns off automatically. At the time of heating the coolant, excess water can still come out of the Mayevsky tap, since water tends to expand when heated.

8. Only after that Mayevsky's tap is closed, although it may not be shut off at all.

If the electric heater in the heated towel rail stops working, you should take it in for repair, or think about buying a new one.

If you want to replace the heating element yourself, you need to follow the instructions described in the paragraph above. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to leave it to a professional.

In any case, you should buy a new heating element. It is very important to choose an electric heater that matches your heated towel rail model. Start from the power of the radiator, in accordance with which the power of the heating element is selected. You can find all the necessary information in the documents for the heated towel rail. If suddenly you have already managed to throw them away or simply did not find them, take the broken heating element and pick up a similar one.

When replacing a heating element, make sure you have all the necessary tools. Using what is at hand can damage the heating equipment.