Simplified version of our 2015 CEU Presentation on Heated Towel Racks / Towel Warmers

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Towel Warmers:
Versatility in Design and Function
Amba Products
790 Pickens Industrial Drive
Marietta, GA 30062
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2. Towel Warmers: Versatility in Design and Function
Amba Products
790 Pickens Industrial Drive
Marietta, GA 30062
Provides an overview of towel warmers and includes discussions on: the functions,
benefits, and applications of towel warmers; centrally heated, electric, and hydronic
heating systems; materials and finishes; installation and care; and, design and
accessory options.
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The American Institute of Architects · Course No. AEC651 · This program qualifies for 1.0 LU/HSW Hour.
AEC Daily Corporation is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s)
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AIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not
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or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services
will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
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Description:

3. Learning Objectives
• Functions, benefits, and applications of towel
warmers/heated towel racks
• Centrally heated, electric, and hydronic heating
systems
• Materials and finishes
• Installation and care
• Design and accessory options

4. Heated Towel RackDesigns

5. DESIGN OPTIONS
VARIETY OF OPTIONS:
Size
Number of Bars
Bar Spacing
Finishes
Electric / Hydronic
Wall Distance / Adjustability

6. Classic Design
Straight or curved bars
Bar spacing accommodates
both small and large towels
Liquid or cable heating system

7. EDWARDIANDESIGN
Rounded bars with finials at
each corner
Crafted brass finials and pipes
Suitable for draping large
towels and bathrobes

8. ROTATING ARM DESIGN
Swivel hinge rotates 180 degrees
Each arm moves independently
Simple to install
Energy efficient
No-liquid system
Saves Space

9. SPACE HEATER / WARMER:
Narrow BarDesign
Dual-purpose radiator functions as towel warmer and
space heater
Supports additional towel bars or robe hooks
Suitable for drying large towels and bathrobes
Silent and energy efficient—heats quickly and evenly
Flexible design allows for unit to be installed vertically,
horizontally, or upside down
No-liquid system

10. SPACE HEATER / WARMER:
Broad Bar DesignDual-purpose radiator functions as towel warmer and space heater
Broad and flat panels warm towels quickly and evenly
Suitable for drying large towels and bathrobes
Flexible design allows for unit to be installed vertically,
horizontally or upside down
No-liquid system

11. SPACE HEATER / WARMER:
Long BarDesign
Dual-purpose radiator functions as towel warmer and space heater
Long bars provide space for large, thick towels
Suitable for drying large towels and bathrobes
Flexible design allows for unit to be installed vertically, horizontally
or upside down
No-liquid system

12. SPACE HEATER / WARMER:
FLATPANEL Design
Dual-purpose heating unit functions as a towel warmer
and/or space heater
Silent and energy efficient—heats quickly and evenly
Innovative, discreet design complements a variety of
contemporary bathroom styles
Large, flat heating surface area—suitable for drying
large, thick towels
No-liquid system

13. CUSTOMDESIGNS

14. CUSTOMDESIGNS

15. CUSTOMDESIGNS

16. FUNCTIONS, BENEFITS, and APPLICATIONS

17. HISTORY OFTHE TOWEL WARMER
• The Radiator Invented around
1855 in St Petersburg, Russia
• Radiator forms part of central
heating systems using boiled
water flowing through pipes
• Clothing was placed on these
radiators to dry them
• Can also be referred to as:
• Heated Towel Rail
• Heated Towel Bar
• Heated Towel Rack
• Drying Rack (common in Britain)

18. Purpose ofa Heated towel rack
• Keeps towels or bathrobes warm
• Dry towels after showering or leaving the
pool / beach / spa
• Reduces laundry loads and water
consumption by keeping towels warm
and dry
• Prevents the growth of mold/mildew by
eliminating moisture
• Cost-effective way to upgrade bathroom
with functionality and aesthetic appeal.
• Great way to add value to new or
remodeled bathrooms

19. FUNCTIONS AND BENEFITS
• Some models function as space heaters
• Most can heat in as little as 15 minutes
• Many sizes and styles for any needs or applications
• Installs easily—wired the same as a light or wall sconce
• Units can be UL or ETL approved for safety in Canada
and the USA, and CSA approved
• Units can be controlled by a switch, or 24hr/7day
programmable timer
• Digital heat controller comes standard with many towel
warmers/heated towel racks
• Units consume minimal power—as little as one to
several light bulbs
• Electric or hydronic versions are available
• Units can be custom designed

20. Multiple applications
• mudrooms
• saunas
• spas
• kitchens
• basements
• garages
• workshops
• boats
Best suited for indoor applications
but are not limited to bathrooms:
Can act as the sole source of heat
in a room:
• Finished basement where dropping the ceiling to
add central heating/air is not possible
• Can offer a form a mold prevention for interior
rooms with little ventilation

21. Multiple APPLICATIONS
Mud Rooms Spas Spas

22. Multipleapplications
(OUTDOOR)
• The majority of towel warmers/heated
towel racks are installed indoors away
from exposure to outdoor elements.
• If a unit is properly installed in a covered
location, it could be protected and not
face any problems, but there is always a
risk that substantial amount of water gets
behind the faceplate and into the
electrical wiring, it can cause a unit to fail
• It is recommended to use outdoor
weather-proof wire connectors and seal
the faceplate with silicone and/or the use
of a single-gang box gasket
Always consult with the manufacturer, as the use of a towel warmer
outside might void the warranty and raise potential safety issues.

23. Choosinga manufacturer
• Customers are looking for high-quality products at an affordable
rate
• Consider materials and finishes used to gauge
longevity/durability of the product
• General safety and efficiency concerns:
• How safe are the units?
• How Energy efficient?
• How quickly do they heat up?
• What area will they heat?
• Does the unit meet current
safety standards?
• Source a manufacturer that offers a wide range of design options including styles,
sizes, and finishes. Some manufacturers even offer the option of custom designs
• Source a manufacturer with a documented history of customer satisfaction and
exceptional service
• Ensure complete unit is certified by a recognized testing authority

24. METHODS OFHEATING UNIT

25. CENTRALLYHEATEDUNITS / DUAL FUEL UNITS
• Can be incorporated directly into a
central heating system.
• Dual fuel has an additional electric
heating element is also inserted into
the towel warmer.
Central heating system can be used
while it is in general use typically in
the winter, and then in the summer the
electrical system can be used for
improved efficiency
Centrally Heated
Dual Fuel

26. Electric Units
• Heated by an electrical system
inside the bars
• Can be installed anywhere with
an electric source
• Simpler to install
• Plugged in or Hardwired
• Hardwired units have the
advantage of concealing wiring
Plug-in
Hardwired

27. HYDRONIC UNITS
• Utilizes a closed loop forced-hot-water
heating system
• Works with a central heating system
• Heat is generated from water circulating
throughout the towel warmers
• Can be connected to a hot water heater
(open system)
• Can be installed anywhere with an electric
source
• More efficient than electric systems but
can easily be much more costly
• Needs a bleeding valve to release
captured air

28. Heating Time
• The time it takes for a unit to reach desired temperature
depends on the internal heating system
• New ‘thick wire cable’ systems take only 10–20 minutes to
heat up regardless of the size of the units
• Units filled with glycol-water mixtures can take anywhere
from 15 minutes to 1 hour to heat up depending on their size
• Other external factors that influence the heating time:
• Temperature/Size of the room
• Install location relative to vents
• Insulation of nearby windows/doors

29. Controlling the Temperature
• Level of control depends on unit
and type of heating system is uses.
• Glycol-water mixture units typically
do not operate on interval timers
due to not having sufficient heat-up
time
• Liquid units do often have
controllers
• Thick-wire cable units heat quickly
and often use digital heat
controllers which allow heat
regulation with different settings
Digital heat controller

30. Energy Consumptionand use
• Once units reach top
temperature they remain there
• Designed to be left on
continuously
• Timers or digital heat
controllers allow better control
of energy consumption
• Energy consumption typically
is equivalent to a few
lightbulbs.
Heated Towel Rack with
programmable timer

31. BTU - British thermal units
• Measurement of heat
and other forms of
energy
• Used to calculate the
heat needed to warm
a room of a specific
size
External Factors that
influence BTU
• Room Dimensions including window area
• Type of Room: Kitchen/bedroom etc
• Type of Windows: Wood/plastic, double glazed etc
• What is below room: heated floor, wood/concrete etc
• Type of outside wall: brick cavity, wood frame etc
1 BTU is equal to the amount of
heat needed to raise temperature of
one pound of water by one degree
Fahrenheit (or 251.997 calories)

32. Safety Measures

33. Energy Consumptionand use
• Many Glycol-water mixture units
have a built-in thermostat and
internal thermal cut-out
• Once unit reaches ideal
temperature it cycles itself
allowing it to be left on
continuously
• If a unit overheats, safety cut-out
switch will shut the unit down
• Switches are ideal for when not in
use for extended periods such as
vacations

34. Sample installationinstructions
ALL INSTALLATIONS SHOULD BE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATIONAL
AND LOCAL ELECTRICAL CODES.
• Heated towel rack should be installed by a
certified electrician.
• To ensure the heated towel rail is mounted
securely, fasteners should be secured in
studs, or alternatively, in structural members
that are placed behind the rails.
• The units should be installed by a certified
electrician according to the local electrical
code.
• Most wiring in bathrooms today is already
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
equipped, which is an inexpensive electrical
device that prevents the risk of electrocution.

35. EXAMPLEOF INSTALLATION WARNINGS
• Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully to ensure
unit is properly attached to the wall.
• It is essential that the unit is mounted in accordance with local and
national electrical codes.
• Unit is intended for indoor use only.
• Do not place units inside a shower, sauna, steam room, or wherever the
unit would be directly exposed to running water.
• Do not place the unit where, if the mounting hardware were to loosen, it
could potentially fall into water (e.g., a bathtub, whirlpool, etc.)
• The unit must be installed in an upright position with the wire cover
tube/junction box positioned at the bottom.
• Liquid-filled units must be installed in an upright position with the wire
cover tube/ junction box positioned at the bottom.

36. Sample installation cautions
• Ensure that unit is securely fixed to
the wall
• Unit is designed for drying towels.
• Under no circumstances should
anybody climb on or hang on unit.
• The fasteners provided with the
installation kit are for convenience
only and are not suitable for all
installation conditions
• Ultimate responsibility of the
installer to ensure proper mounting
hardware is employed in attaching
the unit to the wall
• Surface of unit is hot when on

37. Sample careand instructions
• Towels which contain soap or detergent, or fabric softener
residue may appear to have scorch marks; however, this is
simply discoloration of the residue in the towels themselves. The
unit does not reach a temperature sufficient to scorch towels.
• Some heated towel rails are constructed from 304 stainless
steel. They are extremely durable. To maintain their appearance,
follow these simple care instructions:
• For routine cleaning, simply switch off the unit, allow to cool to room temperature,
wipe with a damp cloth and buff with a soft, dry cloth.
• Light scratches and blemishes may be removed by polishing the unit. Unit
should be switched off and allowed to cool before polishing with a commercially
available metal polish.
• Under no circumstances should abrasive cleaners be used to
clean the unit.

38. Towel Placement
It is recommended that towels
be folded lengthwise before
draping over units
Hanging towels with multiple
folded layers improves
insulation, helping the towel
absorb and retain heat.
The greater the surface area
of the towel touching the bars
the better— this decreases
time needed to dry a towel

39. Mounting Options
• Hydronic units need to be wall or floor
mounted and connected to existing hot
water systems or plumbing
• Wall mounted heated towel racks can be
hydronic or electric, hardwired or plug-in
• Wall surface variations will affect placement
• It is important to verify mounting options
with the manufacturer
• Some units can be mounted in different
directions (upside down or sideways) and
will still operate
• Position of electrical wiring may be an
option at the time of ordering — check with
manufacturer to see if this is standard or
custom

40. Materials and finishes

41. STAINLESS STEEL
Most towel warmers/heated towel racks are fabricated
out of stainless steel and come in a variety of finishes.
Stainless steel is a low carbon steel; it is a group of iron-
based alloys that contain chromium at levels of 10.5% or
more by weight.
Different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel
are available to suit the environment the alloy will be
exposed to. It is typically used where the properties of
steel and resistance to corrosion are necessary

42. STAINLESS STEEL
BENEFITS
Corrosion
Resistance
Under normal
conditions, stainless is
unlikely to corrode, pit,
tarnish, or deteriorate
in any other way.
Fire and Heat
Resistance
High grades resist
scaling and retain
strength when
exposed to high
temperatures.
Hygiene
It is easy to clean and
sanitize, and therefore
suitable for applications
where hygiene is a
requirement, such as
hospitals and food
processing plants
Aesthetic
Appearance
Stainless steel has a
clean, bright, modern
appearance; it
complements, reflects,
and highlights
surrounding material
Strength-to-Weight
Advantage
Different stainless steels will
have different mechanical
properties. Some grades
allow reduced material
thickness over conventional
grades, therefore providing
cost savings
Ease of
Fabrication
Stainless steel is
produced in virtually all
standard metal forms
and sizes, plus many
special shapes.
Impact
Resistance
The 300 series provides
high toughness in both
very elevated
temperatures and those
well below freezing
Long-Term Value
Savings accrued from the
minimal cost of
maintaining stainless
make up any difference
in cost that may occur
between components
made of stainless and
other materials.
Life-Cycle
Stainless steel products
are 100% recyclable at
the end of their service
life.

43. COMMONMATERIALS & FINISHES
Materials for fabrication vary by manufacturer with the most common being
stainless steel 304, mild steel, carbon steel, brass, aluminum, and nickel.
Stainless Steel Brass
(Polished Nickel Finish)
Depending on the manufacturer, a wide range of
finish options are available:
• polished steel
• brushed steel
• oil rubbed bronze
• white
• polished nickel
• brushed nickel
• satin nickel
• chrome
• anthracite, etc.

44. COMMONFINISHES
Polished Steel. Brushed Steel.
White Oil-Rubbed
Bronze

45. ACCESSORIES

46. SWITCHES
Some units come equipped with a built-in on/off
push-button switch — others have a single-pole
pilot light rocker switch

47. TIMERS
24-hr/7-day programmable timers give the user the ability
to program the towel warmer/heated towel rack to turn itself
on/off at designated intervals.
These are available in both hardwired and plug-in versions
Please remember the exam password PROGRAM.
You will be required to enter it in order to proceed with the online examination.

48. DIGITAL HEAT CONTROLLER
Designed to allow users to have more control over
the temperature at which the unit runs, by giving
them several different heat settings to choose from.

49. BATHROBE HOOKS
Many manufacturers offer bathrobe hooks that can
be used with several of their towel warmer/heated
towel rack designs. These versatile hooks can also
be used to hang damp jackets or even shoes.

50. TOWEL BARS
Towel bar accessories mount just as a robe hook
does, creating an additional bar that towels can be
hung on. This accessory is for hanging purposes only;
it does not heat the towel.

51. SHELF BARS
Similar to the towel bar, a shelf bar attaches onto the unit like
a robe hook, and creates a small shelf that sits in front of the
unit, allowing you to store towels for use at a future time.
Although it does not directly heat the towels, it will benefit
from any heat the unit puts out.

52. SUMMARY

53. IN SUMMARY
• Economical and efficient decorative source of
heat
• Adds comfort to a room
• Keeps towels warm and dry
• Reduces laundry loads and water consumption
• Can help keep bathrooms mold and mildew free
• Can be used in a variety of different locations,
not just bathrooms
• Offered in a variety of designs, finishes, shapes,
and sizes
• Options for any budget
• Compliments unique style preferences