Just like any other electrical equipment, using your heating element also requires your attention. First and most important issue is to get it installed by a qualified and competent installer. No offence to anyone but not all qualified are competent and not all competent are qualified! So, a little homework to find the right person to the job is very important.
Few weeks ago we have covered the correct way of using a dual fuel towel radiator. Now let’s look at the consequences of not following the correct procedure described in our previous article. Following “ifs” will give you an idea and help you understand those important steps.
- If you do not isolate the radiator, heated water will escape to other parts of the central heating system through valves and pipes.
- If you do not loosen either the bleed or return valve, radiator will build pressure and in some cases this may lead to a leak, which may even result in a welded joint on the radiator to burst.
- If the radiator is not isolated, the poor element will end up trying very hard to heat the whole central heating system and eventually fail fairly quickly.
And here are a few tips on dual fuel use:
- Never use a thermostatic valve (TRV) on dual fuel heated towel rails. Unlike standard valves, TRV’s have either liquid, gas or wax filled sensors. It is those sensors that control the water flow. With a standard valve, you can get a complete seal once it is completely shut. However you may not get a complete seal with TRV’s hence the heated water inside the radiator may escape.
- Always use an electric element with same or similar wattage as per your towel radiator.
- It is recommended to use a standard, non-thermostatic electric elements or thermostatic heating elements which are based on “water temperature” only.
- Never use a thermostatic heating element based on “ambiance temperature” (room temperature). As the element should be used in summer months only, your room temperature will likely be over 20 Celsius degree. Hence a room temperature controlled thermostatic element may never come on to heat the water inside the radiator.
