Replacing a radiator with a towel dryer: the guide

© istock

Why replace your radiator with a heated towel rail?

If you have had a radiator in your bathroom for several years, it may be that your heating system shows signs of fatigue or that you are tired of constantly heating this room which is only used occasionally and of drying yourself in sometimes damp towels. It is then time to replace it and install a heated towel rail instead which, in the bathroom, has several advantages over the radiator:

  • As we said, the bathroom is a little used room that has no no need to be heated like other rooms of your accommodation. But at the time of your toilet, it is preferable that it is at a pleasant temperature. Unlike a radiator, a towel warmer offers this heating flexibility thanks to its system which allows boost the heat on the moments of use. This will allow you to save money.
  • Even set to a relatively low temperature, the towel warmer diffuses a soft and constant heat which allows the towels to dry and thus avoids problems of humidity and mold in the bathroom.
  • Its compact design is optimized for the bathroom with minimal bulk and in the shape of a ladder to hang your towels on. You will thus benefit from hot towels as soon as necessary.

The necessary equipment

That’s it, you’re convinced and you’ve decided to replace your radiator with a heated towel rail! If you are a handyman, you can install it yourself. Here are the materials you will need:

  • 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.

To drill your walls without risk, it is recommended to use a material detector. This way, you do not risk touching a pipe or an electrical cable.

Installing your towel rail

Once the necessary equipment has been gathered, you can proceed with the installation of your towel rail. First of all, it is necessary to read the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as the instructions for your device, because there are different models and not all are installed in exactly the same way.

Start by removing the old radiator

The first thing to do is to remove your old radiator.

  • If it is a radiator connected to central heating, it will first be necessary to turn off the boiler, then turn off the water valves. Then bleed your radiator and empty it. To do this, simply open the drain valve by placing a container under it or loosen the nut of the adjustment tee. Once your radiator is empty, you can dismantle it.
  • If it is a electric heatersimply turn off the power supply from the main panel, then disconnect the electrical connection wires and unhook the heater from the wall.

Install the wall brackets

Once the old radiator has been removed, you can begin installing your towel rail. The first step is to install the fasteners that will hold the device to the wall.

  1. First, you must locate the location you want for your towel dryer. For better heat distribution, it is best to install it at least 20 cm from the ground and 15 cm from a wall corner.
  2. Proceed to marking of the location of the upper and lower fixings. Check the level with a spirit level.
  3. You can then drill the wall and install dowels adapted to your type of wall (placo, bricks, etc.). Make sure the fasteners hold tight.
  4. Finally, position the mounting brackets.

Put the towel rail in place

Once the wall fixings are installed, you can set up your new towel rail.

  1. start with remove caps that are on your towel rail.
  2. With a wrench, screw the drain plug and the simple plug that is located at the top of the device.
  3. At the bottom of the device, you can install the thermostat body and the adjustment tee.
  4. Position the mounting brackets and start screwing on the device.
  5. Finally, place your heated towel rail on the wall brackets.

Connect your towel rail

Now is the time to proceed with the connecting your device. This must be carried out according to the rules of the art.

  • The hose length may need to be adjusted depending on where you are going to install the unit.
  • Attach the thermostat body to the flow tube and the tee to the return tube. Beforehand, it may be necessary to screw a suitable fitting onto the towel rail. To connect the return pipe, it will be necessary to unscrew the free nut of a bicone coupling. Slide it around the pipe. It must be followed by the olive. Then screw the assembly onto the fitting of the adjustment tee and tighten the free nut. Connect the horizontal tube, as well as the vertical tube. For the starting tube, you must screw the thermostat body to a bicone fitting. Then install it on the towel rail and finally connect it.
  • Also connect to the electrical network.
Install Towel Dryer
© istock

Fill the towel rail

Now is the time to fill your new towel rail.

  1. Once the thermostatic head is in place, you must unscrew the adjustment tee cap. It must be open as much as possible. Then put the cap back in place.
  2. Make sure the drain valve at the top of the device is closed.
  3. You can now open the fill valve of your boiler to raise the pressure to 2 bars. Once the pressure is reached, close it.
  4. You can then open the purge valve to evacuate the air that is in the network. Then close it.
  5. Repeat the 2 operations until water comes out of the trap. This means that your device is full.
  6. Proceed to the opening of heads and return tees of the towel rail to allow the water to circulate in the circuit.
  7. You can open the boiler flow and return valves, then turn it back on. Check that the pressure reaches 1.5 bar. There you go, your towel dryer is functional!

For an electric towel rail, it is enough to restore the current to simply turn it on.


source site