Wall-mounted and other radiators, convectors for the bathroom

I’ll immediately answer the question: is it possible to install a heating radiator instead of a heated towel rail? The answer here is clear - yes, it is possible. Such a replacement is quite affordable and depends only on the wishes of the owner. In this situation, I consider another question more logical: “Why and how is this done?” You will get answers to this in this article.

Source art-liga.rf

Heating appliances in the bathroom

The heated towel rail performs the function of heating the bathroom.

There is no doubt that a battery is needed in the bathroom, but why is it there? We are talking about an ordinary radiator that is in every room. In the bathroom, the heated towel rail is mainly used as a heating device. This is, in fact, a water heating register, whose main function is heating. This means that he is also a kind of battery.

The bathroom is small, so a towel is usually enough. In large bathrooms, the power of a heated towel rail will not be enough; in this case, it is necessary to install a battery in the bathroom. Suitable for this:

• Steel batteries;
• aluminum radiators;
• bimetallic radiators.

The latter are the most practical and reliable. But it also happens that you inherited a cast-iron radiator in the bathroom along with the apartment. Previously, they weren’t particularly worried about making it beautiful. The main thing is quality and durability, so we installed ordinary cast iron radiators in three sections in the bathroom. Usually they are replaced with either a water heated towel rail or a combined unit (battery + heated towel rail). Here you need to look at the heat loss of the room.

How to cover the radiator in the bathroom?

Not everyone may like the appearance of the device or its protruding parts. In this case, you should use one of three methods of “masking”:

1. Plasterboard box - assembled from metal profiles and moisture-resistant gypsum board sheets. It is recommended to make holes in the upper plane or install a decorative grille for better heat transfer.

1. Plastic or metal panels are the simplest and relatively inexpensive way to “camouflage”. Consider the unsatisfactory level of fire resistance of plastic.
2. Blinds - this method will help preserve the usable area of ​​the bathroom and at the same time provide access to communications at any time.

In addition to the above methods, there is another one, but it is very expensive and labor-intensive. This is the arrangement of radiator sections in the wall. Here it is worth taking into account the possibility of such an operation within the framework of an apartment layout and the impossibility of subsequent maintenance of components and connections.

Do you need a heating radiator for your bathroom?

It would seem that the question is rhetorical, of course, necessary. Nowadays, when every second citizen has a higher education, there is no need to explain that the bathroom is classified as a room with a high level of humidity. Therefore, you need a heating device that can not only function flawlessly in such conditions, but is also capable of creating comfortable conditions in the bathroom.

We will still remind you of the tasks that a heating radiator in a bathroom successfully copes with:

• Heating the room.
• Speeding up the drying process.
• Preventing mold and mildew.
• Comfortable microclimate when carrying out hygiene procedures in the cold season.

In standard bathrooms, in addition to a heated towel rail, three or four additional sections of heating radiators are usually installed. This applies to almost the entire territory of Russia, except, of course, the southern regions, where winters are quite mild.

If the bathroom is insulated and equipped with a heated floor system, then installing a radiator in the bathroom may not be necessary. In the case of low floor heating power or its complete absence, it makes sense to install not only radiators, but also a heated towel rail. The latter is usually connected to hot water pipes (if there is one), or another option is an electric “towel”. In general, there are a lot of modifications, the decision is yours, and we will consider the question of the need for heating closed.

What kind of pipes will we connect?

If for a private house, where the coolant temperature rarely exceeds 70-80℃, the use of polypropylene pipes is still acceptable, then in apartments not everything is so simple. In most cases, SNiP prohibits the use of not only polypropylene products, but also metal-plastic and cross-linked polyethylene in central heating systems. In emergency situations, the temperature of the network water can reach 120℃; a polypropylene pipe in such conditions will last for a couple of hours.

Even during normal operation, the temperature of the coolant in the central heating lines can be increased to 105℃ for a short time. The same propylene, when operated above 70℃, begins to rapidly lose its properties. We can talk about this topic for a long time, so based on the experience of using various pipes in apartment buildings, let’s summarize the results:

• In houses where there are no individual heating points, pipes made of steel, copper or stainless steel must be used to install heating radiators.
• In high-rise buildings with their own low-temperature heating system, it is possible to use any type of pipeline - polypropylene, metal-plastic, steel, copper and cross-linked polyethylene.

Important! Be that as it may, in central heating conditions, where safety requirements are high, you need to use pipes from trusted manufacturers with a long operating history. Beware of new product models that do not yet have a baggage of positive reviews.

Requirements for bathroom heaters

To ensure that the bathroom always has a comfortable temperature, it is necessary to select equipment that meets certain comfort requirements:

1. Each heater must be adapted to operate in wet conditions. This suggests that it is necessary to choose a device that is protected from splashes. It is also necessary to ensure that the heater is covered with an anti-corrosion layer, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid the appearance of rust, which will spoil the appearance of the equipment, and over time, completely render it inoperable.
2. Equipment located in the bathroom should take up little space, since usually this room is not the largest in size in the house. Each area in the bathroom has a specific purpose, and it will be extremely inconvenient to purchase a large heating device that fills the entire space.
3. The equipment must have the necessary power to heat a particular room.
4. The power of the device must be safe for rooms and people who will often be in the bathroom. This is especially true for children
5. A heater located in a bathroom should look aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. It is advisable to select equipment that ideally matches the style of the already created interior, so that the overall background of the room does not deteriorate. In most cases, people buy devices in white or blue.

The bathroom heater must be adapted to work in humid conditions

Types of heating devices for the bathroom, their capabilities

There are many types of heaters for the toilet and bathroom:

• water heating radiator;
• electric convector;
• infrared heater;
• heat fan;
• panel heater;
• oil radiator.

The choice of heater model depends on the size of the bathroom and technical capabilities

Heating batteries

Coils and wall radiators for heating
This includes both heated towel rails and conventional heating radiators, which are found in kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms. There are many options to choose from:

1. A water-based heated towel rail is a good solution for small forms. But using it to heat a large-format bathroom will be quite difficult;
2. Electric heated towel rail - convenient, beautiful, expensive. Such a device requires large financial costs or can be combined with other types of heating: a water coil, a radiator, or a “warm floor” system. True, it all depends on the area of ​​the room;
3. Aluminum radiators are lightweight structures that provide greater heat transfer. When connecting the battery to a hot water riser, be sure to weld the gas outlet pipes: aluminum releases a certain amount of gas when in contact with boiling water.

Advice! The battery joints must be soldered! This is the only way to ensure tightness when pressure increases in the pipes and resist corrosion. In addition, soldering looks more aesthetically pleasing than any other type of connection.

1. The cast iron battery is a budget option. Resistance to damage, durability and long service life are clear advantages of the radiator. But low heat transfer and heavy weight are not always good for the bathroom.
2. A steel battery is a fairly practical heating element. High heat transfer, ease of installation, increased thermal inertia - all these are the advantages of this radiator. Some problems can only be caused by the sensitivity of the metal to draining water.
3. Bimetallic structures are expensive, but very practical bathroom heating. This is the best option that combines all the pros and has no cons.

Advice! When choosing a chrome-plated steel version of the battery, remember that such a heater has a reduced heat transfer (by almost 35%), so it is better to select a radiator of greater power and size. And the chrome surface does not tolerate water vapor from household chemicals well (stains remain).

Heating materials

We will not start a debate here about the effectiveness of this or that radiator material, or provide formulas and calculations of heat capacity and heat transfer. This topic requires a separate article, and if you describe the calculation and production of heating batteries with your own hands, then several.

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In the end, in the end, it is not the material that is put into the heating system, but a specific product with well-known characteristics. Parameters of almost any model can be found in manufacturers’ catalogs and tables.

Nevertheless, let’s get acquainted with the main types of heating devices:

• Cast iron - it is believed that such batteries are durable and have good heat dissipation. But, if you look at it, having the largest dimensions among all heating devices, they provide the least heat transfer. For vintage lovers, this is just the thing.
• Steel ones are not a very good choice of heating device for the bathroom. A humid environment causes pockets of corrosion on the body of the sections; over time, these areas can leak. Based on their design, housings are divided into panel and tubular.
• Aluminum - have a good design and low weight. According to many experts, such batteries are an ideal choice for a bathroom in a house with individual heating. Owners of apartments with a centralized heating system should pay attention to reinforced models that can withstand significant water hammer and the influence of low-quality coolant.
• Bimetallic - structurally, the devices consist of a steel frame with an aluminum casing. They are assembled taking into account the characteristics of central heating networks. Average service life is 20-25 years. It happens that bimetallic radiators do not heat well due to installation errors, but this can be easily fixed.
• Copper ones have not yet been widely used in our country due to special installation and operating conditions. The cost of such devices is quite high, although they have plenty of advantages. There are also some restrictions, for example, manufacturers do not recommend installing copper batteries in networks that contain high amounts of chlorine salts.

When choosing heating devices for the bathroom, consider not only the characteristics, but also the design in order to fit them as harmoniously into the overall interior as possible. In general, judging by the manufacturers' data, the heat transfer of batteries made of any materials except cast iron is almost the same, the difference is literally within 5%.

With cast iron equipment, things look different. If we bring the depth of a section of a bimetallic or aluminum radiator (80-100 mm) to the depth of a cast iron one (140 mm), then the heat transfer of the latter will be ⅓ lower.

From all of the above, the conclusion suggests itself: the material does not have a significant effect on the thermal efficiency of the device, with the exception of cast iron. Therefore, when buying a heat exchanger, it is better to look at its cost, dimensions, and quality. And finally, don’t lose sight of its appearance, so that you don’t have to worry about how to cover the radiator in your bathroom.

Infrared heaters: efficient heat

The difference between an infrared device and others is that it is mounted on the ceiling, but it warms not the air, but the floor and walls of the room. The product consists of a quartz emitter - a special plate that emits heat, heating up to 260 degrees. Such a heater takes up practically no space; when heated to a certain limit, it turns off on its own.

When choosing an infrared panel heater, you need to make sure that the model is designed for rooms with high humidity

The most interesting feature of the device is that the direction of the rays can be easily adjusted, heating the desired place, which is especially convenient in spacious rooms and allows you to use electricity economically. A high level of humidity is not harmful to the product, and the high cost will be compensated by the benefits received from use.

Electric convector

In this heater, as in many others, the heating element is made of a powder composition with a thin heating filament made of nichrome. The housing is made of silumin, the design itself is modular (allows you to change the power level and dimensions of the device), wall-mounted.

Operating principle of a convector heater

The temperature is controlled using a thermostat, the internal heating level is 350 degrees, the housing is 55. The product is highly electrically safe and is suitable for heating wet rooms.

Wall-mounted models of electric convectors are designed for the bathroom

A variety of similar heaters are also produced that operate without infrared radiation - completely silent, outwardly resembling a fragment of horizontal blinds.

Fan heater

A simple and convenient bathroom fan heater, extremely affordable, quickly warms small spaces. The power of the device is 2000-2500 W, the dimensions are minimal, the shape is different. The design consists of a fan in a plastic casing with a spiral heating up to 800 degrees. Heat is distributed throughout the room by a fan, quickly warming up the room.

Fan heaters are available in various capacities and sizes, including built-in models.

Fan heaters for any bathroom area are very compact, light in weight, and easy to install on the floor, wall, furniture surfaces and window sills. The main advantages are light weight and size, beautiful appearance, ease of operation. Disadvantages - the operation process is noisy; if it is poorly maintained (if a lot of dust has accumulated on the device), it has an unpleasant odor.

Oil radiator

Models of oil radiators for the bathroom
A simple, familiar and ordinary heater that is found in almost every home. You can create heating in the bathroom using a radiator if you choose the right power. The design has the following advantages:

• Safety - even if a newspaper falls on the radiator, nothing bad will happen; the absence of open heating elements allows such missteps;
• Mobility - the light weight and shape of the device are good when you need to move the radiator to another room or remove it altogether;
• Does not burn oxygen - this is a very important fact, especially for small bathrooms.

Important! Many radiators are equipped with temperature controllers, programmable timers and LCD indicators. All these additions are necessary if you want to set the program and keep your bathroom warm without unnecessary hassle for a long time.

Liquid heated towel rails

Since any bathroom needs a heated towel rail, it is necessary to choose this item wisely. The traditional type of liquid heated towel rail is a curved pipe that connects to the home's water system. Thus, you can get a heating device that not only warms up damp things, but also maintains the optimal temperature in the room.

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The heat transfer from the dryer is not too great, and therefore the design does not include radiating surfaces or ribs that form upward heat flows.

A heated towel rail is an ordinary curved pipe, the diameter of which is comparable to that of a water pipe. The device can also be a ladder consisting of a certain number of elements. Hot water will flow inside the pipe, with the help of which a towel or things can be dried in a fairly short time, while creating a comfortable temperature inside the bathroom.

Liquid heated towel rails for heating the bathroom

From this we can conclude that the equipment is very useful in winter, but it is worth noting that when cold water flows through the pipes, the heated towel rail becomes useless - no heat will be received. You also need to know that such devices often become corroded. The fact is that tap water contains oxygen, and because of it, this process accelerates. When the hot water supply is turned off, the cold pipe will become covered with condensation, which can soon cause corrosion build-up.

Cable heated towel rails

A cable heated towel rail is equipment with a built-in cable, which resembles the one found in a heated floor system. But unlike the “floor”, electricity consumption is noticeably lower.

The cable version has a more original design than other types of bathroom heaters. This type of equipment is cheap because there is no need for increased tightness compared to the liquid model.

The cable type is also very easy to place at the workplace, since there is no need to connect heating elements to it, which are usually located at the bottom of the case. This suggests that the equipment is located in both a diagonal and vertical plane. The heated towel rail heats up very quickly, but at the same time it cools down quickly after switching off - this is a minus.

Warm floor - thoroughly and for a long time

For those who do not like half measures, there is another option for heating the bathroom - heated floors. It is advisable to ensure that the heated floors in the bathroom work autonomously and are not dependent on neighboring rooms, since the bathroom needs year-round heating, while in other rooms it is needed only in the cold season.

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Classification of heated towel rails

Dryers are divided into different groups according to type, size, installation method and material.

By type of coolant connection

The type of connection also determines three types of heated towel rails, and the type of connection plays one of the key roles when choosing a specific model.

• Water heated towel rail. Connects to the hot heating system. Heating occurs during the passage of a heated working environment. It is important to choose a model made of material that is resistant to aggressive water. During operation, there may be a risk of destruction of the structure of the internal walls, so the level of rigidity is an important factor when choosing . Made from stainless steel with a chrome finish , this is an excellent option that will last for many years.
• Electric heated towel rail. Does not depend on central heating . Requires an outlet at the installation site. Allows you to use yourself when necessary. There is a function for self-regulation of temperature data. Characterized by increased energy consumption.
• Combined heated towel rail. The most practical scheme for installation at home. You choose the connection type that is convenient for you. Alternating the heating method is optimal in different seasons of the year. So, you save money on utility bills. The cost of this modification is an order of magnitude more expensive than the above analogues.

Divided by size format

This variety is more of a design definition than an actual characteristic; it all depends, trivially, on the ratio of height and width.

• Horizontal heated towel rail. Combines the features of a dryer and radiator for heating. Installed as a window sill option. Will fit into any design. Does not take up a large area during installation.
• Vertical heated towel rail. It takes up an order of magnitude more space to be placed on the wall. Provides a large usable drying area. Available in exclusive shapes that will make your home decor stand out.

Type

There are 3 types:

1. Mermen. Powered by hot water. The advantages include durability, strength, no additional maintenance costs, and low cost. There are no maintenance requirements; replacement is required primarily not due to breakdown, but for aesthetic reasons. The disadvantage is the dependence on hot water supply or heating (to which the dryer is connected). Some devices only work in winter, when the apartment is heated. Others become cold when there is no movement of hot water through the pipes.
2. Electric ones are connected to the network for continuous operation. Their disadvantage is expensive maintenance. They are easier to install than water ones, because you don’t need to drill the walls, connect to the water supply, or use additional fittings.
3. Combined ones combine the characteristics of both types. These heated towel rails are connected to both a hot water source and an electrical outlet. The ability to change modes allows you to always maintain a comfortable room temperature.

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By material

Dryers are made from different materials:

1. Stainless steel will withstand high pressure. The walls of the pipe must be at least 3 mm thick.
2. Steel is a cheap material. Dryers made from it are no longer sold, but most old houses have them installed.
3. Copper is resistant to corrosion and conducts heat well. Such a product will not be heavy and looks good in appearance. Check that the pipe is galvanized on the inside for greater protection against water. The disadvantage of this option is the expensive price.
4. Brass has the same “advantages” as copper. Products made from it are cheaper. The "disadvantage" is fragility. You should only buy dryers with chrome-plated inner walls.

Other non-ferrous metals and alloys (for example bronze) can also be used. Such products are rarely used due to their high cost.

Non-ferrous metals are often used to create designer dryers of non-standard shapes and colors.

Choosing a water heated towel rail

Choosing the right heated towel rail is a whole science, and especially a water one. The most important thing here is the shape, size and even the location of the bends, and there are also technical characteristics that also need to be taken into account.

Modern heated towel rail

Specifications

The operating pressure in the DHW system should be in the range from 0.3 atm to 6 atm. The pressure in the centralized heating system greatly depends on the area, but is rarely higher than 10–12 atm (in high-rise buildings). Select water dryers according to these parameters.

Before choosing a heated towel rail, pay attention to such an indicator as the maximum temperature. For hot water supply, this figure is rarely higher than 60 °C; for heating, few people give 80 °C. From this point of view, all stainless steel dryers are suitable, they have a maximum temperature of about 105–110 °C. Nevertheless, emergency situations occur when water is supplied heated to a hundred degrees or even higher, so this reserve will not hurt.

Deciding on the form

Water towel dryers come in different shapes. They can be divided into several groups:

• U or U shaped. The simplest in form and having the lowest cost. The disadvantages include their small “usable” area, as well as the not very large amount of heat that they can generate. You can't hang a lot of things on them. But such a towel dryer in the bathroom, with the correct size selection, can “stand” in the place of an old similar shape without modification.
• Snake, coil or M-shaped. A slightly more complex shape, more usable area and heat generated. They are also not very difficult to connect and have a low price. Snake dryer. Maybe not a masterpiece, but it lasts a long time

• Ladder. A heated towel rail consisting of a number of horizontal bars united at the edges by vertical collectors. The crossbars can be straight or in the form of a snake. Such a device usually has two connection methods - side and bottom. A more complex form requires a well-chosen scheme, otherwise it will not work. In addition, due to the high material consumption, the cost of such dryers is several times higher than coils.
• Non-standard complex shapes. There are unusual towel rails that look more like designer decorations than plumbing fixtures. Their prices are not low, and most of them are delivered “to order”. Problems often arise with their connection, so you need to choose the right circuit and consult a specialist.

Choosing a bathroom dryer according to its shape is both simple and difficult. You need to consider how and where you can install the design you like. At the same time, do not forget that you will have to connect it to a riser, which means pulling pipes along the walls to it. Moreover, most likely, the gasket will be hidden, that is, it will be hidden in the wall, which means that it will be necessary to ditch them or install a false wall.

Connection and installation features

An electric heated towel rail is connected to a regular socket, but since the installation location is a bathroom with high humidity, the voltage must be supplied through an RCD that breaks phase and zero; an automatic circuit breaker is also needed, perhaps one contact. The choice of their electrical parameters depends on what other devices will be connected to this line. It is not worth running a separate line to the heater due to its low power.

Thermostats have different shapes, but the functionality is usually the same

The heated towel rail can be installed anywhere. Usually the protection class allows it to be installed even above a bathtub (II), but this is hardly worth doing. It’s inconvenient, and things will get wet. It is usually best to install an electric dryer on any free wall. Often so that you can reach from the bathtub or shower stall. If the bathroom is combined, you will have to choose. You can also place it not far from the bidet or toilet with a hygienic shower. By the way, mounting brackets are usually included in the kit, so you don’t have to invent anything.

Principles for installing a heating radiator in a shower room with your own hands

So, let's proceed to the installation procedure of the heating device. Before that, of course, when choosing it, we took into account several important aspects:

• Desired room temperature.
• Coolant parameters in supply and return.
• Type of heating system - single-pipe or double-pipe.
• Method of battery installation (in a wall niche, behind the screen or open).

Preparatory stage

Having selected the pipes and heating device, you need to decide on the choice of tools and fittings. For example, if the batteries in the bathroom are connected using a polypropylene pipeline, then you should take care of the presence of mounting brackets, ball valves, a special soldering iron and scissors.

Often, to turn on the radiator, it is recommended to use a thermostatic valve with a thermal head for the supply, and a shut-off valve for the return. Such devices are available in both ½-inch and ¾-inch sizes, and come in straight or angled configurations.

The remaining points of the preparatory stage are simple and clear:

• Turn off the heating system. In a private house, this is easy to do, but in an apartment building, the decision to disconnect is made by the management company or the owner of communications.
• Dismantling the old device. This point applies to cases where a battery is installed instead of a heated towel rail or an old one is replaced with a new one. Here you may need a grinder or a gas wrench.
• Marking the wall and installing brackets for pipes and radiator. To ensure that the device and supply lines are ultimately exactly horizontal, a building level is used.

Installing a heating device in the shower room

The installed brackets need to be checked for strength; if everything is in order, the batteries can be hung and a pipeline can be connected to them. All that remains is to mount the shut-off valves and valves, monitoring the reliability of the threaded connections.

How to implement the connection?

The choice of connection type for a heating device depends on several factors, for example, on the method of laying pipes - hidden or external. Three switching methods are especially common:

• Diagonal is the most acceptable option for devices consisting of more than 12 sections. The method is very simple: the upper radiator pipe is connected to the supply line, and the lower one to the return line. This way the coolant is evenly distributed among the sections, which ensures optimal heat transfer.

• One-way side - a connection method in which both the supply and return are connected to one edge of the battery: the supply to the upper branch pipe, and the discharge to the lower. If you plan to install an assembly of up to 12 sections, then this option is best suited.
• Bottom - used most often when laying pipes hidden in the floor. Both directions are connected to the lower collectors of the heating sections. But there is one drawback: the upper part of the device warms up less than the lower part, which leads to heat loss of up to 15%.