Electrical Elements & Thermostats
A standard central heating towel rail only produces heat when the boiler is running — which means no warm towels in summer. An electrical element solves this completely. Fitted inside the towel rail body, an electrical element connects to the mains and allows the rail to be heated independently of the central heating system whenever you need it. Pair it with a thermostat for automatic temperature control and you have a fully flexible, energy-efficient towel rail that works twelve months a year. Browse our range of electrical elements and thermostats below.
How a Towel Rail Electrical Element Works
A towel rail electrical element is a sealed heating rod that is inserted into one of the blank end caps of a central heating towel rail, connecting to the mains electricity supply via a standard plug or hardwired connection. When the central heating is off, the element heats the fluid inside the rail directly — warming the rails and drying towels without needing the boiler to be running. When the central heating comes on, the rail heats via both systems for maximum output. This dual fuel functionality is one of the most popular bathroom heating upgrades in UK homes.
Choosing the Right Wattage Element
Electrical elements for towel rails are available in different wattage outputs — typically ranging from 60W through to 300W and above. The right wattage depends on the size of the towel rail and the heat output needed. A larger or taller towel rail requires a higher wattage element to heat the fluid throughout the full length of the rail effectively. Always check the manufacturer’s recommended element wattage for your specific towel rail model before ordering — fitting an underpowered element will result in the top rails remaining cold.
Thermostats for Electric Towel Rails
A thermostat controls the temperature of an electrically heated towel rail — switching the element on and off automatically to maintain a set temperature and prevent the rail from overheating. Manual plug-in thermostats are the simplest option, allowing you to set a temperature and timer. More sophisticated thermostats allow programming of different temperatures at different times of day — reducing energy consumption by only heating the rail when it is actually needed. Browse our thermostat range above and choose the right level of control for your bathroom heating setup.