ᐅ Towel Radiators for Bathrooms – Electric or Connected to the Heating System?
Created on: 13 Oct 2012 08:39
C
ClaasCPunkt
Hello everyone,
I’m starting my forum membership with a quick question:
We are building a KfW70 house with underfloor heating. In the bathroom on the upper floor, which is about 13sqm (140 sq ft), we want to install an additional towel radiator to dry towels and to quickly warm the bathroom during transitional seasons. It would only be in use for a few minutes up to an hour per day, and only on cool days. We have been offered two options: an electric towel radiator and one heated by the hot water system. Which option is recommended in terms of cost and effectiveness?
My (non-expert) thoughts so far are: For the electric one, it would probably be a 600-watt device, which seems quite high in electricity consumption. The hot water option, on the other hand, is supplied at about 60-65°C (140-149°F), but it would draw from the 300-liter (79 gallon) storage tank used for showers and baths, so I’m concerned there might be shortages quickly in a three-person household. Or is that unrealistic?
I would be very grateful for any advice.
I’m starting my forum membership with a quick question:
We are building a KfW70 house with underfloor heating. In the bathroom on the upper floor, which is about 13sqm (140 sq ft), we want to install an additional towel radiator to dry towels and to quickly warm the bathroom during transitional seasons. It would only be in use for a few minutes up to an hour per day, and only on cool days. We have been offered two options: an electric towel radiator and one heated by the hot water system. Which option is recommended in terms of cost and effectiveness?
My (non-expert) thoughts so far are: For the electric one, it would probably be a 600-watt device, which seems quite high in electricity consumption. The hot water option, on the other hand, is supplied at about 60-65°C (140-149°F), but it would draw from the 300-liter (79 gallon) storage tank used for showers and baths, so I’m concerned there might be shortages quickly in a three-person household. Or is that unrealistic?
I would be very grateful for any advice.
C
ClaasCPunkt16 Oct 2012 10:23Thank you for the responses. It is now clear to us that we will choose an electric towel radiator. Since I have so far found the contractor who suggested the other option to be very competent, we will ask for further details again.
H
Häuslebauer4016 Oct 2012 22:01€uro schrieb:
True! Heating is heating, and hot water production is something entirely different!
Including the towel radiator in the heat load calculation is like planning underfloor heating for tiled floors, only to cover them later with a thick carpet that prevents heat emission. Heat pump systems especially "appreciate" such conditions!
Best regards.What else do you want to include in the heat load calculation besides a towel radiator in a bathroom with underfloor heating?
Or are all bathrooms supposed to be at least 20 m² (215 sq ft) so that the underfloor heating loops can provide the necessary room temperature?
Häuslebauer40 schrieb:
What else do you want to include in the calculation besides a towel radiator for a bathroom with underfloor heating? Or should all bathrooms generally be at least 20 sqm (215 sq ft) so that the underfloor heating loops are sufficient to reach the required room temperature? If the underfloor heating is not enough to cover the heating load of the room, I usually plan an additional radiator. Overall, this depends on the necessary chosen system flow temperature. In some cases, the bathroom with underfloor heating and/or radiator is heated to about 20–21°C (68–70°F), while short-term peak demand up to 24°C (75°F) is covered by infrared heaters. If a towel radiator is included in the calculation, it can only effectively contribute to the required heating load if its heat output is not obstructed by towels. Otherwise, the flow temperature or the mass flow may need to be increased, which is not ideal for maximum energy efficiency. This applies especially when using a heat pump as the heat source.
Best regards.
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