Towel warmers are perhaps among the most convenient bathroom essentials in today’s modern world. Not only are they useful in drying up towels; you can also use them as rails to hang and dry other pieces of clothing.
Various towel warmers are out in the market today, and you can divide them into two major types: the electric towel warmers and the hydronic towel warmers. In selecting which is the best one for your home, you have to consider several pointers.
How it works
Finding the main difference between electric and hydronic towel warmers rests in knowing how they work. As the name implies, electric towel warmers use electricity to heat the rails where you will hang the towels. This type of towel warmer is divided into two sub-categories: the hardwired units and the plug-in models. Hardwired units are those that are directly integrated into the structure’s electrical system, whereas the plug-in units are those that you can easily plug in sockets.
On the other hand, hydronic towel warmers produce heat by allowing hot water to flow through the rails. The hot water is taken from the home’s internal hydronic heating system.
Installation process
Installation is also an important factor to consider when it comes purchasing towel warmers. Not only does it help you determine which model is more suitable for your home; it also lets you select one within your budget.
Hardwired electric towel warmers must be integrated into the electrical system of the house, so it may take some time and professional assistance. The plug-in electric towel warmers, on the other hand, similarly work like other household appliances, making them easily portable and the easiest to install.
In contrast to electric towel warmers, the hydronic type are harder to install. Since this type of towel warmers get their heat from the building’s hydronic heating system, these are usually installed as part of the original construction, or added into when the house is being remodeled.
Energy conservation
Generally, both the hardwired and plug-in electric towel warmers may consume as little energy as that of light bulbs, depending on their size and how often they are turned on. Additionally, newer models come with timers to help save up on the power usage just in case you forget to turn it off.
However, the real winner under this category are probably the hydronic towel warmers. Being incorporated into the hot water system of the building, they consume little to no additional power at all.
Conclusion
To summarize, selecting which type of towel warmer to invest your money on will all depend on which one fits your needs and budget. Electric models consume little energy and are easier to install while the hydronic ones, although harder to install, are more cost-effective in the long run. Additionally, hydronic models can also last longer than its electric counterpart.
Nonetheless, both models are convenient and are a worthy investment. After all, owning a towel warmer provides you with many other benefits than just drying towels. It also keeps the bathroom warm enough that taking a bath no longer seems unbearable during the chilly winter months.