A prerequisite for the convenience of using the bathroom is a microclimate with a comfortable temperature. The creation of such conditions is impossible without a dry heat source, which is traditionally used as classic heating batteries.
The main types of bathroom heating appliances
The bathroom belongs to rooms with a high level of humidity, therefore, the wall-mounted battery in the bathroom is selected in order to obtain the necessary air dryness and a suitable temperature. It is important to familiarize yourself in detail with the existing types of heating devices. Bathroom batteries are available in the following versions:
- cast iron;
- steel;
- aluminum;
- bimetallic.
Massive cast-iron batteries do not look very comfortable in a small room, creating an impression of discomfort. But they are distinguished by increased heat transfer, as well as long service life and relatively low cost. The best option for a bathroom is cast iron radiators with a powder coating. The latter contains fragments of polymers and ceramics, which make it possible to obtain a durable protective layer of an attractive appearance.
Steel heaters are not very suitable for the bathroom due to the possibility of corrosion on unprotected work surfaces. In conditions of high humidity in the affected areas, foci of rust are formed, over time, thinning the walls of the radiators. This often leads to the formation of a leak, the likelihood of which increases at high pressures in the heating system.
An aluminum radiator in the bathroom is almost an ideal option for organizing its heating. These products are lightweight, reliable and small in size. Aluminum radiators and drying units are robust enough to withstand the water hammer that often occurs in any heating system. Their only drawback is that when docked with pipes made of foreign metal, aluminum corrodes and collapses over time.
Bimetallic water radiators for the bathroom, made on the basis of two metals - steel and aluminum - are devoid of all of the above disadvantages. The base or frame of the radiator is made of the first material, and the outer frame (shirt) is made of the second.
Due to the combination of two metals, the service life of bimetallic products increases to almost 20 years. Features of their design make it possible to partially neutralize the shortcomings of Russian heating systems.
Types of wall equipment and their design
Wall-mounted heating radiators, used in conjunction with underfloor heating, are common in bathrooms. In this combination, they are more effective and allow you to maintain the desired level of humidity and dry the laundry. Various design options help to significantly expand the functionality of heating devices. The most familiar to most users is a battery made in the form of a heated towel rail. Devices of this class fit perfectly into the design of a room with a warm floor and allow you to dry various household items.
There are three types of heated towel rails:
- water;
- electrical;
- combined.
Water heated towel rails are reminiscent of the previously common coil-type batteries installed in bathrooms back in Soviet times. Unlike the outdated designs for drying small items, modern types of heating radiators look more stylish and attractive. They represent an elegant chrome-plated construction that can be connected to hot water supply or to heating. The coil of a modern device is made of stainless steel, which guarantees its safety in damp and humid climates. Often, heated towel rails made of more expensive materials - copper or brass - are connected to centralized heating systems.
Electric models
In the absence of water heating and a hot water supply system in an apartment or a private house, an electric heated towel rail is installed in the bathroom. For its normal operation, it is enough to connect such a battery to an alternating current network with an effective voltage of 220 volts. In this case, a heating element is mounted in the tube of the serpentine device, which heats the water flowing through it.
The power consumption for such a device is not too high. It is comparable to that of a medium-power incandescent light bulb. When placing it, it is important to fulfill the following requirements of electrical standards (PUE):
- The radiator in this version is installed on the wall no closer than 0.6 meters from the bathtub, sink, bidet or toilet bowl.
- On the supply line of the heated towel rail, it is mandatory to install an RCD protective device for a leakage current of not more than 30 milliamperes.
- The mains plug of the device and the power socket must be equipped with an earthing terminal and have a degree of protection not lower than IP55.
Attention is also paid to the design of installation products, the design of which should not violate the interior of the bathroom.
Combined option
The peculiarity of the combined structures is the admissibility of their simultaneous connection to the power grid and water supply. In winter they are powered by a hot water source, and in summer they are plugged into a power outlet. The advantage of these devices is manifested in the ability to economically operate sources of thermal energy.
When choosing a suitable model of a combined heated towel rail, the main attention is paid to its following characteristics:
- the power of the built-in heating element, which should not be less than 1 kW;
- the preferred material from which the device is made is stainless steel, resistant to corrosion and moisture;
- conformity of the seats to the dimensions of the fittings of the water supply pipes.
The shape, dimensions and design of the combined product must be taken into account.
Recommendations for connecting a wall-mounted battery in the bathroom
The procedure for connecting a heated towel rail depends on its type. The water radiator is connected via a bypass, the presence of which makes it possible to organize a bypass loop when the heating system is turned off. In addition, in this case, attention is drawn to the following points:
- It is recommended to install ball valves to shut off the dryer during the heat supply shutdown. They are easy to maintain, hold the pressure well and have a long response life.
- To connect the dryer and radiator, not squeegees are used, but special type nuts - American.
If these conditions are met, it will take very little time to install the water wall battery.
Electric heater
Electric dryers with a capacity of 1000 watts can be connected to any outlet, regardless of the presence of grounding and wiring cross-section. For more powerful heaters, you will need to install special sockets that meet the following requirements:
- There must be a separate terminal connected to the ground loop by means of a special copper bus.
- The bathroom outlet must have a sealed cover to protect the interior from splashing water and moisture.
- The wire is selected taking into account the power consumption (its cross section is determined according to the correspondence tables).
In the power line of the dryers in the bathroom, a protection device must be installed, which is triggered by current leaks (RCD).
Equipment selection rules
When choosing heating radiators, preference is given to devices capable of heating the room and drying clothes. At the same time, it is desirable that they fit well into the interior of the bathroom. According to the design features and the shape of the pipe bend, standard products are divided into two types, one of which resembles the letter "P", and the other - "M". The choice of this or that option depends on the preferences of the user.
Industry produces more modern designs that are distinguished by the originality of their forms. Such heaters are made in the form of a zigzag or resemble a stair run in shape.
It is recommended to purchase a device in which the number of drying places corresponds to the number of users living in the house.
There are samples of drying units with extended functionality - they contain convenient shelves for toiletries in the kit.
