Heated towel rails are designed to keep your bathroom comfortable and your towels dry. But if you want them to work independently from your central heating system, a heating element is what makes that possible.
In this guide, we’ll explain what towel rail heating elements are, how they work and what that means for your home.
What is a heating element?
A heating element is a small electric device installed inside a radiator or heated towel rail. Once fitted, it allows the radiator to produce heat using electricity rather than relying solely on your central heating system.
This setup is commonly used with dual fuel towel rails, where the radiator connects to both your central heating and an electric element. In winter, it runs as part of your heating system, and then in the warmer months, the electric element allows the towel rail to work independently.
That flexibility is what makes heating elements particularly useful in bathrooms.
Why use a towel rail heating element?
Bathrooms often need warmth even when the rest of the house doesn’t.
During spring or summer, turning on the central heating just to warm a single room rarely makes sense. A heating element allows you to heat your towel rail independently, giving you warm towels and a comfortable bathroom without heating the entire house.
In practical terms, this means:
- Warm towels whenever you need them
- A comfortable bathroom even when central heating is off
- More control over when and where heat is used
For many homes, it’s a simple way to make everyday routines more comfortable without running a full heating system.
Is electric heating more expensive than gas?
Electricity typically costs more per kWh than gas in the UK, but if you turn on your central heating just to warm a bathroom, you’ll usually heat several radiators across the house at the same time. An electric heating element allows you to warm a single towel rail instead.
In that situation, using electricity can actually be the more practical and efficient choice, especially for short periods of heating.
So it becomes less about the cost per unit and more about how much of your home you’re heating at once.
How do heating elements work?
Electric heating elements operate relatively simply. Once installed inside a radiator or towel rail, the element uses electricity from your mains supply to heat a metal component inside the unit. This heat then warms the liquid inside the radiator, allowing the entire rail to gradually heat up.
Most modern heating elements are easy to operate and may include features such as: on/off controls, adjustable temperature settings, smart controls, built-in timers and frost protection. These features allow you to control when and how your towel rail heats up.
Types of towel rail heating elements
There are two main types of heating element commonly used with heated towel rails.
Standard (single heat) elements
Standard elements heat the radiator to a fixed temperature, typically between 65°C and 80°C, and maintain that temperature while switched on. They are simple to use and often the most affordable option.
Thermostatic heating elements
Thermostatic elements allow you to select and maintain a specific temperature. Many models allow temperature adjustments between around 20°C and 80°C, giving you greater control over heat output. They’re particularly useful if you want more precise temperature management or improved energy efficiency.
Heating elements are a simple addition that can make a big difference to how your towel rail works. Like the best of both worlds? Discover our range of dual fuel towel rails.
