Looking to replace or upgrade your bathroom heating system like I did before the start of the winter? I recently started researching and realized that there are countless options available to choose from. Should you go for a sleek, modern design or a classic and timeless look? And most importantly how big it should be and what about the BTU rating? After spending hours browsing online, and consulting with a plumber friend, I finally narrowed down my choices.
In this guide, I’ll share the lessons I learned along the way including understanding the BTU requirements and choosing the right style and size.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Bathroom Heating Radiator
When buying a bathroom heating radiator you will need to consider the following factors.
Location.
Is it a simple radiator replacement or do you want to reconfigure the plumbing to get a new one fitting at your desired position? The cost of changing into an existing plumbing system is high so you better avoid it if short on budget. However, It is crucial to choose the right location for the optimum heating performance. If positioned centrally, it can allow for even heat distribution throughout the bathroom. Fitting the radiator near the wall or window reduces the heat loss making it easy to maintain the required temperature. A radiator positioned near showers and baths helps keep towels dry and reduce humidity. Make sure your radiator is not obstructed by the towels or furniture for better performance. Additionally, you should also take into consideration your aesthetic requirements when deciding about the bathroom radiators.
Bathroom Wall Types.
In case you are going to install a type of bathroom radiator that requires wall hanging then you should consider the wall type too. For the masonry or brick wall, you can hang any size and weight of the radiator. However, if it is a stud partition wall then you have some limitations for the size you can put on the wall.
Heating System
There are two types of home heating systems that work with radiators. The central heating system is where the boiler heats the water that flows through the plumbing. Another one is an electric system that does not use water with radiators controlled separately in each room. Your choice of bathroom radiator will most likely depend on the type of heating system you have installed in your home. However, you may want bathroom heating to have separate controls, so you don’t have to turn the home heating system on for just the bathroom. It is the most like the solution for a new bathroom or a cloakroom that will save you costs.
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
Choosing the correct BTU is a key consideration when buying a radiator for the bathroom. A radiator with too low BTU rating may not be enough to warm up the space. While the one with excessively high BTU can consume and waste too much energy. Therefore, it is essential to calculate the required BTU based on your room size. You can use online tools, the quality of insulation, and the presence of windows when heating up the space.
Types of Bathroom Radiators
Bathroom heating systems are differentiated from each other based on their source of power consumption. Some are connected directly to the central heating system of the house while others are powered by electricity.
Central Heated Radiators
These heated radiators are linked to the central heating system of the house and rely on that to function properly. As long as the heating system keeps working properly, the radiators work just as fine but if the central system shows a fault or stops working the bathroom heating will follow along. For instance, in summers if the main heating system is powered off, the bathroom heaters will also shut down, meaning no warm and cozy showers.
Electric Radiators
Just like a standard electric room heater, electric radiators are powered by electricity and are controlled using a switch or a dial. With electric radiators, you have the freedom of turning it on and off on demand not to mention there is no need to turn the heating system of the entire house each time. Considering their enhanced efficacy and convenient usage, they are comparatively expensive to other bathroom radiators.
Dual Fuel Radiators
As the name suggests, dual fuel bathroom radiators rely on both the central heating system as well as electricity. This hybrid model can warm your bathroom with central heating in winters as well as provide your warm and toasty towels in summer using only electricity when the central heating system is turned off. This limits the risk or disadvantage associated with either of the models.
A relatively common and pretty recent type of bathroom heating system is heated towel rail. But the question is, do towel radiators really heat the entire bathroom?
Are Bathroom Radiators Enough for Bathroom Heating?
Bathroom radiators often include heated towel rails, in addition to standard bathroom heaters. Nowadays, however, heated rails can effectively heat the entire bathroom, not just your towels, if placed strategically. In fact, many people are now choosing heated towel rails over basic radiators as their primary bathroom heating source. A larger-sized heated towel radiator might ensure adequate heating for your bathroom beside keeping the towels dry and warm. To ensure adequate heating, you might consider installing larger-sized towel rails.
Ending Thoughts
No doubt, a well-chosen radiator can significantly enhance your bathroom experience. Looking back, I am glad I invested in a new bathroom radiator. It’s made a world of difference in making my morning routine comfortable. I hope this guide has provided you with all the information you need to take the step to improve your bathroom comfort.
