Opinions on Bathroom Heating

yeoman1
yeoman1 Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited February 2018 in Parts & Accessories #1

I have just phoned a local dealer to enquire about fitting a heated towel rail, he stated that they are not allowed to fit electric ones and that the Truma hot air ones are next to useless making the bathroom cold, because the warm air is diverted from the normal outlet. Is this correct? or does he not want the work.

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2018 #2

    I could understand the reluctance if you had a wetroom perhaps but I suspect that he does not want the job

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #3

    I think it will depend what sort of bathroom you have in your caravan/motorhome. If it is a combined wet room, ie toilet and shower combined I would agree with the dealer. On the other hand if you have a separate shower and you want to fit the electric heater in the toilet part I can't see a particular problem. However it has to be installed so that any switch is located outside the bathroom.

    Having said that we have Truma blown air heating in our motorhome and we often find the bathroom very warm but then the actual heater is under the bed alongside the bathroom so shortest distance of travel.

    David

  • yeoman1
    yeoman1 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited February 2018 #4

    We have a separate shower and the rear bathroom is the full width of the caravan.

     

  • KenofKent
    KenofKent Forum Participant Posts: 209
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    edited February 2018 #5

    Practical Caravan magazine had a DIY article on how to, a few years back. Have a look at their back issues on line or contact them. I fitted one to a previous Challenger rear shower room without problems. Make sure you get one powerful enough, not just a towel warmer!

    Ken

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2018 #6

    We have a small 500w oil filled  freestanding heater in our bathroom plugged into a nearby socket outside the bathroom

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited February 2018 #7

    I have fitted the larger of the two electric towel rails and connected outside the bathroom under a bed. Works well as a source of heat, but doubt it would be sufficient this weather. Ideal to dry towels and take the edge off in spring and autumn.

    We also use a heater like JVB suggests with a thermostat for colder nights just to take the edge off in the main area of the van. The van fire is much to close to bedding for me to trust it overnight.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2018 #8

    I could do the same in my layout although not needed with present heating system

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666
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    edited February 2018 #9

    I have fitted dry electric towel rails to my last three caravans. The power comes from outside the bathroom; the cable goes through the wall to a junction box under the bed. The towels get dry very quickly and the bathroom is warm even when the Alde heating is not on.

    If you Google this topic there are many threads on this and other forum on this subject.

    There are towel rails to fit most spaces. Try here for a start

    https://www.inspiredheating.co.uk/acatalog/DRY-ELECTRIC-TOWEL-RAILS.html

     

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #10

    I bought an electric towel rail but haven't fitted it but I've read of many others who've done fitted them.   It certainly makes a difference to the temperature in the bathroom if we decide not to put the heating on.

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
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    edited February 2018 #11

    I fitted a wall-mounted 0.5kw electric heater, by tucking the supply cable through the same outlet (in the floor of the under basin cupboard) as other cables/pipes, along the underside of the van, and up to the socket under the cooker (where I recall the fridge was plugged in). Simply used an adaptor, with a switched plug fitted on the heater cable, so could control outside of bathroom.

    worked well. We left it on all night in cooler weather, an it was very effective.

    did this in 2 vans, with no mishaps.