Help Center
General Towel Warmer Questions
One of the best collections for certain wet areas is the Amba Jeeves collection which has a wet-rated kit that you can purchase. Please make sure that you make sure that it's compliant to local building codes.
Amba Jeeves Wet Rated KitThe Sterlingham towel warmer collection is also 100% waterproof.
They both have pros and cons to them. The liquid filled units with heating elements take longer to heat up, but if the heating element dies after the warranty, they can be easily replaced. The units with wire cables heat up very quickly regardless of the size of the unit (about 15min), but if something happens and it dies outside of the warranty, these cannot be replaced. You would need to replace the entire towel warmer.
Towel warmers that are liquid filled:
Amba Jeeves & Traditional
Artos (Except Artos Triondo)
Runtal (All models)
Myson (All models with the exception of the Gem Collection) Tuzio
Towel warmers can be installed on almost any type of surface without any issues. The towel warmer is there to dry the towel out, but it will also help dry out the air in the bathroom to help reduce humidity and thus moisture/mold/mildew.
More than 50% of towel warmers are installed onto drywall surfaces, as that is the most common wall surface used in the states. It could also be installed onto tile without problems, as well as bead board.
The most efficient way to place a towel over a towel warmer is very simple. Our advice is to fold your towel in half lengthwise, and then fold it in halfway. If you are using a larger towel, you might consider repeating this step again. By following this method, you have created at least four layers of towel lying on either side of the heated bar. The layers there are, the larger numbers of insulating layers which help the towel absorb and keep the heat in. Also, the more layers, the more weight will be resting on the bars thus creating more contact surface area. Our suggestion is to have the towel cover at least three to four horizontal bars. You can also fold the towels on its length; place them on the heated towel bar, then covering it with a large, unfolded towel or bathrobe.
Definitions:
Freestanding: Towel warmers that are moveable and are not stationed to the wall.
Hardwired: Wired directly into your electric. Most mounted towel warmers will either be hydronic or hardwired.
Hydronic: Heated by circulating warm water.
Mounted: A towel warmer that is permanently mounted to a wall.
Plug in: Plugs directly into a outlet. All Freestanding towel warmers will be plugged in.
Towel warmers/rails can be used in other places other than the bathroom. Some models act as space heaters as well. They are also used in mudrooms, saunas, spas, kitchens, or in any room that may need additional heat.
An Electrical towel warmer derives it heat from either being plugged in or hardwired. Electrical towel warmers are much simpler to install than a hydronic towel warmer. The advantage of a hardwired towel warmer is the wires are hidden. Neither do you have to worry about installing near a outlet. An electric towel warmer will utilize about the same amount of energy as one or two lightbulbs, depending on the model. If you purchase a plug in towel warmer in a matter of moments you can be enjoying the luxury of a towel warmer.
An Hydronic towel warmer uses hot water or steam to heat the towel rails. Hydronic uses the same principles as a radiator.
We only carry hardwired or plug in towel warmers. If you need a hydronic model, please email us at customerservice@onlytowelwarmers.com
A towel warmer or as our neighbors across the pond call it, a heated towel rail, drying rail, or heated towel rack is most often found in a bathroom but can also be used in the mudroom or laundry room. Like a towel rack, it is a place where towels are hung to dry. But the big advantage is a towel warmer is it uses electricity (electric) or water (hydronic) to warm the towels. What was once considered a luxury only for the wealthy, now can be enjoyed by most. Stepping out of a shower and into a warm towel is considered by most to bring a delightful gratification.
A towel warmer, can also be used to dry delicates instead of using a dryer; as well as, wet shoes by hanging them on a robe hook. They can also help keep bathrooms cozy, dry, mold, mildew and humidity free.
It can also be used to dry a used towel thus reducing laundry load and water consumption. Not only is this a benefit to you but it also a benefit to our environment.
The wiring of the Amba Jeeves collection and Tuzio towel warmers can be converted to the left hand side. Once you place an Amba Jeeves or Tuzio Towel Warmer in your cart, it will allow you to select left hand wiring.
Our primary focus is electric towel warmers.
If you are looking for a hydronic towel warmer, please contact us at customerservice@onlytowelwarmers.com and we will be happy to assist you.
There should not be any issue with a towel warmer being controlled by a home automation system.
If the towel warmer has a on/off switch, you will need to keep it in the on position. When the home automation system turns it on it will start heating up.
There are many variables (insulation, does the room have windows, does it have a outside wall). that will determine how effective a towel warmer will be at heating a room. Runtal is known for it's ability to help heat a room. Amba also has several models (Quadro, Sirio, Antus, Vega) that can act as a space heater as well.
There are many BTU calculators that you can find online that will give you the suggested amount of BTU/Watts required to warm a room, but many of these assume that you are heating the room from 0 degrees. This is 99% of the time, not true. Although, it may be the main source of heat for the bathroom, it will still get some residual heat from the rest of the house, so you must determine how many degrees you want to heat the room.
1) Material it is crafted out of: Entry level towel warmers are normally crafted out of 201 stainless steel whereas more expensive towel warmers will be crafted out of 304 stainless steel. High end towel warmers are crafted out of Brass.
2) Where it is made at: Entry level towel warmers are normally made in China. More expensive towel warmers are normaly crafted in South Africa, Uk or Italy (Myson, Amba).
3) MAPP pricing: Most brands will not allow a retailer to sell it below a certain price as this helps protect the brand from eroding.
4) Method of crafting: If a towel warmer is custom made, it is being hand made specifically to meet the clients needs. Expensive towel warmer are normally hand crafted and not mass produced.
There is really no exact science to how far a towel warmer should be off the ground. Most of the decision will come down to how convenient is it to get the towels off of it and what is ascetically pleasing.
If it is a smaller towel warmer, some clients will make the on/off switch plate on the towel warmer to be even with the other switch plates in the bathroom. You can also use the same method as if you are hanging a picture, which is around 57" on center.
Not necessarily. When you drape the towel over the bars, the heat is trapped. If given enough time, it will provide you with a warm and toasty towel.
Runtal towel warmers comes with a standard manual controller: off/low/med/high/high for 3 hours. For the high option, you can manually select the position at high for 3 hours.
The other option is to install your towel warmer with a programmable timer:
The main difference is appearance. Also, some feel that it is easier to add and remove towels on the curved style towel warmer.
Please email us the model of the towel warmer that you own and we can provide you with pricing.
We have had customers that replace the heating element in their towel warmer. We cannot advise you on how complicated it is because each towel warmer is different.
Install a Mr. Steam heating element
There are so many variables that come into play. First of all, the specific unit that is being used will have a big effect, the material & thickness of the towel has a big effect, the ambient temperature of the room and how wet the towel is.
But a broad guess without any specific would be between 30-75 minutes
Yes, please email the serial number or a picture of it. We will let you know if the model is still available.
customerservice@onlytowelwarmers.com
The video link below, will give you a general idea on how to replace a faulty switch on your towel warmer.
Replacing a switch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giIZr8wUVTg
The BTUs of a towel warmer, works the same way as the BTUs of a radiator or AC/Heat. A towel warmer that emits more BTUs will heat up up to a higher temperature than another unit.
Also, a towel warmer that emits more BTUs, will often have more bars/surface area, allowing it to emit more heat
You will want a towel warmer that is around 20" x 50".
If you are looking for a towel warmer that will hold 3 - 4 towels, the Amba Jeeves D Straight would be a great choice .
Amba Jeeves D StraightA towel warmer should not cause any type of damage to a vanity (of course it should not be touching). The unit doesn’t get hot enough to scorch.
An ideal temperature for a warmed towel is around 110F to 120F. This is slightly warmer than your skin temperature when you emerge from a shower. This ensures a comfortable transition from 100F (the water temperature which your skin equalizes with) to a 70F room whilst you are drying.
Please note, by design the towel will not feel hot to the touch (like it would directly from a dryer) especially when you are dressed and dry. The aim is to remain comfortable and relaxed. Whilst a hot towel is pleasant, it increases thermal shock when removed. A warm towel maintains your comfort.
If you google, "What is the best towel warmer," you will find a lot of misinformation written by people who are not familiar with towel warmers. You won't find a list of the top 5 towel warmers on our site. What you will find is that we are familiar with towel warmers and we want to help you choose the best towel warmer for your situation.
We feel that it's crucial to purchase a towel warmer that is made by an established brand, that has stood the test of time. There are a lot of towel warmer brands out there. Be aware, not all towel warmer brands are equal. It is easy to create a brand and import towel warmers from overseas from an unknown manufacturer that might not be certified. Because of this, we are cautious of the towel warmer brands that we offer. Each brand that we carry is vetted and has been around for years. Please contact us, and we will be happy to help you determine which towel warmer is perfect for your bathroom.
We only offer the following towel warmer brands (beside each brand is the year founded):
Amba - 2004
Artos - 2005
Kontour - 2004
Mr. Steam - 1917
Runtal - 1950's
Sterlingham - 1986
Tuzio - 2004
WarmlyYours
Wesaunard - 1993
Most towel warmers will get between 120 - 170 degrees, which is hot enough to warm a towel but might not see hot to the touch. One thing to consider is that Towel warmers are open-air warmers, which means that have to compete with the ambient air in the room.
Yes, we love working with interior designers, architects and general contractors! Please send an email to customer service@onlytowelwarmers.com and we will get back with you regarding trade discounts.
We can ship certain brands to Canada. Please contact us if there is a particular towel warmer that you would like to order.
Another option is to have your order shipped to a US address or to a forwarding company.
Listed below are two forwarding companies. We do not guarantee their services so you will want to do your own research.
Amba Towel Warmers
No, the digital heat controller is slightly bigger. It comes with the size electric box that it needs.
If you need to install an Amba towel warmer upside down, you will rotate the towel warmer with digital heat controller 180 degrees so it is upside down. You will then have to rotate just the digital heat controller on its own 180 again so that it is now reading the right way up.
You should not install the following Amba towel warmers upside down: Jeeves, Traditional or Swivel
Yes, the digital heat controller will remember the last setting it was set it, so when it is later turned on again, it will resume to the prior setting.
Yes, all the models in the Amba Jeeves collection have the same size bars.
When you place the Amba Jeeves in your shopping cart, a screen will popup that will allow you to order it with the wiring on the left hand side.
Several models in the Amba Jeeves collection is available in custom widths:
12" Width: Jeeves E, C, D
16" Width: Jeeves H, E, C, D, N
24" Width: Jeeves H, E, C, D, N
48" Width: Jeeves
Please contact us at customerservice@onlytowelwarmers.com for pricing.
It is antifreeze and it's 80/20 water/glycol.
The Amba Solo is made of 304 stainless steel so it is anti-rust/corrosive, so theoretically yes it will. However you would need to clean the unit every few weeks to remove any harmful residue or chemicals from the surface.
The only concern I would have is with the switch and cord. There could be a chance of water getting inside the unit where the switch is at the top of the unit or where the cord comes out of the unit. If it is protected enough so that a storm isn't going to pour down on it, you should be fine.
Artos Towel Warmers
The Artos Denby comes with the ability to be a plug in or hardwire. If you install it as a plug in, there will be extra parts that are used with the hardwired version.
All Artos Hardwired Towel warmers come with the plug on the end of them. The instructions state to remove (cut off the plug) when you are installing them as a hardwired unit.
Absolutely, they are designed to work this way. There is an internal thermostat so that it is not using electricity all the time.
An ideal temperature for a warmed towel is around 110F to 120F. This is slightly warmer than your skin temperature when you emerge from a shower. This ensures a comfortable transition from 100F (the water temperature which your skin equalizes with) to a 70F room whilst you are drying.
Please note, by design the towel will not feel hot to the touch (like it would directly from a dryer) especially when you are dressed and dry. The aim is to remain comfortable and relaxed. Whilst a hot towel is pleasant, it increases thermal shock when removed. A warm towel maintains your comfort.
After allowing the unit to heat for ½ hour or so you shouldn’t be able to grasp the upper bars for more than 2 or 3 seconds before having to let go.
All fluid filled towel warmers operate on a convection current. The heating element causes the fluid inside the towel warmer to circulate which means the top rails will be the hottest, and each rail below will be slightly cooler. The very bottom rail will not heat.
Yes, the vertical bars do heat up.
Kontour Towel Warmers
The surface temperature of our towel warmers are regulated between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius. While it will be hot to the touch, it is not hot enough to burn if accidentally touched. If you still have concerns, simply check the surface temperature to ensure if it falls within the range above.
On your main electrical panel, ensure the circuit breaker for the Controller circuit is ‘on’. On the Controller ensure the ON/OFF selector is at ON. If necessary, reset the Controller by inserting a paper clip onto the reset hole on the front of the Controller.
Our KONTOUR towel warmers become warm in five minutes and reach their highest temperature in 10 minutes.
There is an on / off button in the bottom right leg of the towel warmer. When you push this button, it illuminates to indicate the towel warmer is on. To turn it off, simply push it again (and the light goes out).
The cord on all electric plug-in towel warmers are 5’
Yes – all bars throughout the towel warmer heat up.
KONTOUR towel warmers meet the highest certifications and carry CSA approval.
KONTOUR towel warmers heat up to a temperature that is too hot to lay your hand on for a period of time, but not hot enough to burn when touched.
As a guide your towel warmer will draw about the same power as the lights in the same room when switched on. KONTOUR Towel Warmers draw between 100W and 180W. To calculate this more accurately, complete the formula below:
Towel warmer wattage_____watts (eg: 100w)
Divide by 1000 to get kilowatts_____kilowatts (eg: 0.1)
Multiply by cost of electricity (per hr) in your area$_____/hour (based on $0.10/kwhr, this towel warmer will cost $0.01/hr to run – That’s about $1.85/month based on 6 heating hours/day)
Electricity costs vary from $0.07 to $0.15 by region. Check a recent bill from your power provider to complete this calculation
Mr Steam
Yes, though our focus is towel warmers, we can also help you with your steam shower needs. Whether you are looking for a steam package or a generator, we can help.
Please send an email to michael@onlytowelwarmers.com and we will be happy to assist you.Mr. Steam uses 50/50 Antifreeze to distrbute the heat inside their towel warmers.
Runtal Towel Warmers
Listed below are several Runtal towel warmers that produce around 3000 BTUs:
Yes, you can use the Honeywell Programmable timer. It must be compatible with 120v.
You would set the integrated control on the towel warmer at the desired setting. Once the EPC is programmed, the towel warmer would come on at the desired setting.
The Runtal white is a pretty true straight white. Similar to a Kohler White.
As of the fall 2016, Runtal has elected to discontinue the Omnipanel collection in the Hardwired version. They are still available as a hydronic.
In 2017, Runtal plans to release a collection that will be similar to the Omnipanel collection.
Yes, the side headers of the Runtal Neptune towel radiator heat also. Perhaps not as hot as the horizontal rails but they do heat yes.
Towel Warmer Drawers
Tuzio Towel Warmers
No, Tuzio Towel Warmers cannot be hung upside down as the element would then be at the top and only the top few bars would be warm. This is true with all liquid filled towel warmers.
Approximately three inches, although this may vary between models. A Tuzio towel warmer with a curved front will protrude further from the wall.
Although not imperative to the operation of the towel warmer itself, the controller will mean that your towel warmer is on when you need it every day.
TUZIO towel warmers meet the highest certifications and carry CSA approval.
All TUZIO Towel Warmers are 110V and draw between 1.4 and 4.1 amps. Your electrician should make a decision as to whether the towel warmer needs a dedicated GFCI electrical circuit based on electrical guidelines within your region.
All TUZIO Towel Warmers have an internal thermostat which regulates the towel warmer temperature at a consistent level. Your Tuzio towel warmer will not overheat.
TUZIO Towel Warmers use a fluid filled heating technology over against the standard dry-wire heating technology. This results in more heating capacity, durability and warranty and also means that if there should be any difficulties whatsoever with your TUZIO Towel Warmer, replacement heating parts can be installed at any time. Also, TUZIO towel warmer are manufactured from a heavier gauge metal resulting in a very robust towel warmer and bracket system.
TUZIO Towel Warmers will begin heating as soon as they are switched on and heat can be felt in 15 minutes. They will usually take between 30 – 60 minutes to reach maximum heat, depending on the air temperature within the room. There is no limit to how long a towel warmer can stay on, as they have a built-in thermostat.
As a guide your towel warmer will draw about the same power as the lights in the same room when switched on. TUZIO Towel Warmers draw between 150W and 450W. To calculate this more accurately, complete the formula below:
Towel warmer element size_____watts (eg: 150watts – this is the maximum draw, not continuous draw)
Multiply by 50% to get continuous draw_____watts (eg: 75watts – this is the continuous draw from a 150w heating element)
Divide by 100 to get kilowatts_____kilowatts (eg: 0.075)
Multiply by cost of electricity (per hr) in your area$_____/hour (based on $0.10/kwhr, this towel warmer will cost $0.0075/hr to run – That’s about $1.39/month based on 6 heating hours/day)
Electricity costs vary from $0.07 to $0.15 by region. Check a recent bill from your power provider to complete this calculation.
All TUZIO Towel Warmer brackets are extendable and adjustable by ¾”. These brackets can be adjusted by loosening the set screw found on the underside of the bracket.
Electric plug-in power cords are all 40 inches long and are white.
It is important that wall studs or blocking is fastened in the wall at all bracket locations due to the weight of these towel warmers.
There is no reason for a heating element within a Towel Warmer to fail, and we do not state a life expectancy for this part.
The BTU outputs are the same for the hydronic and electric because both models are fluid filled and heated to the same temperature. Therefore, the heat output is the same. The heat output is determined not from the wattage of the towel warmer, but from a heat output calculation test where the towel warmer is placed in a room of a certain temperature and the increase in room temperature is recorded whilst the towel warmer is on. The heating element in Tuzio electric towel warmers have an integrated thermostat and operate to keep the internal fluid at the desired temperature. Therefore, this is not a measure to determine the overall heat output from the towel warmer.
Yes, the vertical bars do heat up.
WarmlyYours
No they can not. These panels are made to be used in a dry area only.