The ultimate in Loft Living luxury heating

The Manhattan radiator was designed with tall,elegant apartment living in mind.  It's not always feasible to have a "wet" central heating system where you want  a radiator.  But rather than allowing the room to be too cool for comfort, there is a solution in the form of a designer radiator that can run on electricity.

The Manhattan Fifth Avenue is a sturdy construction with a high potential for heat output.  Made to take 2 Electric Heating Elements, the Five Tube, highly polished chrome design is made to fit in elegantly in any lounge, dining room or hall.

This radiator is offered with options for Thermostatic Elements, which allow you to set the maximum temperature of the radiator, making it safe to use with small children around.  There are also options to install electrical timers, so you can pre-programme your radiator to be warm by the time you get hom at the end of a long day at work.

This radiator really is more than a heating device - it's a piece of modern sculpture, which we think you'll love.

The Manhattan Fifth Avenue Electric Radiator.

Chrome Towel Radiators - The Latest Arrival from MaxtherM

Chrome towel radiators give your bathroom a modern but stylish look, and our latest arrivals are the MaxtherM chrome towel radiators.


These combine excellent value for money with solid reliability and are made to exacting specifications. We're offering free valves and shipping with each chrome towel radiator bought; in short, MaxtherM are THE towel radiators you'll want for your bathroom.

Suitable for home central heating systems running on both gas and oil, the MaxtherM range of chrome towel radiators is ideal for installation in your kitchen, cloakroom, family bathroom or en-suite bathroom and comes in both flat and curved models.

A flat chrome towel radiator is the perfect option for fitting into tight spaces and behind doors, while a curved one gives you greater choice about the number and size of towels you can hang at any the same time.

There's nothing quite like getting out of the bath/shower and being able to wrap yourself up in a lovely warm, fluffy towel, so we really recommend you add an electric heating element to your chrome towel radiator to make it dual fuel and allow you to use it when central heating is off i.e. in the middle of summer.

MaxtherM chrome towel radiators are in stock right now, so order today and start enjoying the benefits they can bring to your bathroom.

Really funny article about weird radiators

Trade Plumbing's main blog (which has now moved onto the main Trade Plumbing website!) has just put up a really interesting article on funky designer radiators. Take a peek at the art heating radiator article here.

Can you put a switch in a bathroom for your electric radiator?

A question that is asked a fair amount is 'Can you put a switch in the bathroom?'. By switch, what is meant is one that is like the one turning on and off your other lights (ie not a pull cord).

The quick and simple answer is no.

There are different zones in your house, these go from 0 to 2 and other areas as displayed below.



Zones explained

Zone 0 - IP68 submersible to 9 metres
Where items are able to withstand submission of 9 metres into water

Zone 1 - IP65 jetproof
Where items can withstand water being jetted towards them

Zone 2 - IP44 splashproof
Where items can withstand small splashes

Other areas
Areas where splashes of water will NOT occur


IP Rating explained:

First Digit: The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g. electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.

Level 0 - No protection against contact and ingress of objects

Level 1 - Effective against any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part

Level 2 - Effective against fingers or similar sized objects

Level 3 - Effective against tools and thick wires etc.

Level 4 - Effective against most wires and screws etc.

Level 5 - Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact

Level 6 - No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact

Second Digit: Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water

Level 0 - Not protected

Level 1 - Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect

Level 2 - Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees from its normal position

Level 3 - Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60 degrees from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.

Level 4 - Water splashing against the enclosure in any direction shall have no harmful effect.

Level 5 - Water projected by a nozzle (water jet) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.

Level 6 - Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.

Level 7 - Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1m of submersion).

Level 8 - The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer.
NOTE: Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that produces no harmful effects.

An IP rating of 68 is the most protected against water and ingress of solid foreign objects.

How does Dual Fuel differ from Electric Only?

There is a lot of confusion between how an electric only towel rail is different from a dual fuel towel rail.

To put it very simply, a dual fuel towel rail can be plumbed into the central heating system while also having the capability of running on an electric heating element, whereas an electric only towel rail is only capable of running from an electric heating element.

The most common situation for a dual fuel towel rail is where a home-owner wants the towel rail to heat towels when the central heating is on in the winter, but also have the capability of warming towel rails in the summer, using the element.

The electric only towel rail would be used on the electric system all year round. Usually these are fitted because the home-owner does not have the capacity to fit the towel rail to the central heating system and fitting the element is more convenient.

Below is a diagram of how a dual fuel system would look and work:

In contrast, the electric only would look like the following:

Items you would need in order to make a dual fuel towel rail include the following:

- The towel rail

- An electric element

- A set of valves (as seen in picture above, most often angled valves are used)

- 2 x T-pieces

- One blanking plug

Items you would need to fit an electric only towel rail include the following:

-The towel rail (this would need to arrive filled with a water based chemical fluid)

- An electric element

You may also need (for both):

- Fused spur and back box

- Timer

Designer Electric Radiators

If you're going to install an electric radiator or electric towel rail in your home, you have probably considered ladder towel rails and some simple designer styles.

Have you considered installing an electric radiator as a work of art? The Aeon range of radiators and towel rails are designed to high standards and are usually made to order.

Take a quick look at these styles and choose the style that suits you.

Some questions and answers about Electric Radiators

Can you install an electric radiator in a bathroom?

Yes, you can fit an electric radiator in a bathroom. You will have to have the electric wire running through to a control box or switch OUTSIDE the bathroom, however.

Do electric towel rails connect to the mains?

Yes, electric towel rails do connect to the mains. They are connected by way of a fused spur and back box. You should arrange for a professional electrical installer to install your towel rail.

Do you need to put anything in water when connecting an element into a radiator?

Oil filled radiators are now a no-no. This is due to the effect on the environment when these radiators reach the end of their useful life. Now, when an element is installed in a bathroom radiator, we use a special mix of chemicals and water to create a fluid that conducts thermal energy and prevents build up of residue from the water. Each company has their own special mix (a bit like the colonel's blend of spices). Radiators and Towel Rails that run on electric that come from Trade Plumbing are pre-filled with the fluid and the radiator is sealed with end-caps to prevent leakage in transit.

How much electricity does an Electric Radiator use?

An electric radiator is installed with an electric element. The element itself is graded with the Watts it puts out. We have a range of electric elements available for our customers, ranging in output from 150 watts up to 600 watts. The elements that Trade Plumbing install are all IP64 rated, which means that there is total protection from dust getting into the item, along with being resitant to water spray from any direction.

When we ship an electric towel rail, we provide the appropriate sized element to fit the towel rail, to ensure that the rail doesn't overheat, but is sufficient to produce the heat output required to dry and warm your towels.

You can control the kiloWatt hours that you consume by the use of an electric towel rail digital in line timer that you can fit in line between the towel rail and the power source. This will

Click on the towel rail image above to read the instruction manual.

How to fit an electrical radiator element

Although this subject has been covered once already in this blog, I feel it would be beneficial to repeat the advice given:

• 
  Make sure that you have the right tools to hand, plenty of space and clean dry area for assembly
  
• Warning: Because of extra danger presented by the presence of water in a bathroom or kitchen the BS approved IE Spur outlet (and towel radiator) must be sited so that it is not possible to touch either when using the basin, shower or bath (refer to BS7671 Wiring Regulations 16th Edition).
• 
  The element must be fitted before mounting the towel radiator onto the wall.
• 
  Remove 1 transit plugs from the bottom of the towel radiator making sure the rail is upright and sturdy.
• 
  Insert the electric heating element (A) into the chosen side of the towel radiator and tighten it into place using a 22mm spanner.
• 
  Slide the cover over the element cable and push firmly to secure on bottom of the element.
• 
  Follow towel radiator fitting instructions for securing to wall.
• 
  Connect the element to the mains power using BS IE Spur socket. If in doubt contact a qualified electrician.
• 
  Switch on the socket to heat the towel radiator.
• When the operating temperature has been reached, purge excess air from the towel radiator using the air vent.
  
  
  

Traditional Designs with Modern Convenience

Need a radiator but don't have the central heating running to the place you want it? Not a problem. Trade Plumbing, along with the chaps at Cherished Radiators are pleased to present the Traditional Electric Towel Rail.

Hand-made in the UK, this radiator brings together a design style reminiscent of period properties with the convenience of electricity. You can fit this rail anywhere where you have electricity and it will give you a generous heat output of over 3000 BTUs.



Remember that buying british is even more important in the economic climate, so do consider supporting our own trade and industry. Click here to take a look now.

How to save money on your electricity bills with Economy 7 Electric and your bathroom radiator

If your home is run on Economy 7 electric, this means that the electricity company provides you with a reduced-rate electricity supply during an agreed seven hour period. During this time, you need to make the most of this economy. This means that you should use your washing machine, dishwasher and other domestic appliances that run on electricity during this period.

The bathroom is already a damp place and damp can be a major health risk. If you don't have central heating, then this can be a real nuisance, as the moisture in the air doesn't have a chance to clear. Think about all the damp towels and bath mats hanging around. Not good!

If you install an electric towel rail (also called an electric bathroom radiator) and fit it with a digital timer, you can control when your radiator comes on. This means that you can dry your towels and warm the atmosphere of your bathroom on the cheap.


Even though you're looking to save money, you're not going to want to install something that looks bad, so this digital time control is chrome covered. It will then hardly stand out from the towel rail.


So, even though you will spend a bit of money on this timer, if you do the maths for your electric bill, you can heat your bathroom efficiently, dry your towels and prevent damp problems occurring.

Warm towels in winter and summer

When you step out of your bath or shower, you don't want to rub yourself down using a cold, damp towel. You want to wallow in the luxury of a fluffy warm towel. How to do this when you're setting your heating to run at the most efficient times? Simply flick the switch on your electric towel rail and give yourself a quick burst of heat in your bathroom.

Your new electric towel rail gives you that on-demand heat so that you can control when you want it to work.

All installations should be carried out by a suitably competent professional, such as a Corgi-Registered Plumber or qualified electrician. All you need to do is ask your plumber or electrician to install the element and connect it up to the mains.

Towel Rail Electric Elements

Tested and proved suitable for Bathroom electrical equipment IP54

As the price of electricity and gas increases, you may wish to look for ways to obtain the greatest efficiency out of your rail. There are other items you may like to consider:

Thermostatic Electric Heating Element

Once this rail reaches the temperature you set, it will stop drawing current, until your rail temperature returns to below the temperature set.

MEG Thermostatic Electric Heating Element

This is a digital version of the Thermostatic Element. Rather than an analogue dial, you will see a digital display of your set temperature.

Fused Spur & Back Box

This is one of the only approved electrical switches for bathrooms. It will allow you to control the electricity supply to your towel rail.

24 HR Analogue Timer in line

If you get up at the same time every day of the week, you can make sure your bathroom is warm and your towels dry before you step in the bath or shower.

7 Day Analogue Timer In line

If you get up at different times during the week, you can schedule your towel rail to come on at a time convenient to you.

Digital Timer in line

You can store up to seven days of settings in a digital format.

T-Piece

We use this equipment when you decide to fit an electric element in a centrally-heated towel rail. It allows you to still have a flow of water from your central heating system, but also makes room for an electric element. We recommend that you buy a second one for aesthetic purposes. It makes the rail look balanced.

You may think that the only deciding factors for the Curved and Flat rails is to do with personal taste, but it goes further than that. From experience, we have noted that the flat ones fit behind doors better, so if you’re pushed for wall space in your bathroom, this may be the best option. We have also found that the curved rails can fit more towels on them – ideal for a busy family bathroom.

Instructions for Electric Towel Rail Element installation.

Make sure that you have the right tools to hand, plenty of space and clean dry area for assembly

Warning: Because of extra danger presented by the presence of water in a bathroom or kitchen the BS approved IE Spur outlet (and towel radiator) must be sited so that it is not possible to touch either when using the basin, shower or bath (refer to BS7671 Wiring Regulations 16^th Edition).

The element must be fitted before mounting the towel radiator onto the wall

Remove 1 transit plugs from the bottom of the towel radiator making sure the rail is upright and sturdy.

Insert the electric heating element (A) into the chosen side of the towel radiator and tighten it into place using a 22mm spanner.

Slide the cover over the element cable and push firmly to secure on bottom of the element.

Follow towel radiator fitting instructions for securing to wall.

Connect the element to the mains power using BS IE Spur socket. If in doubt contact a qualified electrician.

Switch on the socket to heat the towel radiator. When the operating temperature has been reached, purge excess air from the towel radiator using the air vent.