The best bathroom radiator: What to look for when buying?

In this article, we'll help you understand what to look for when choosing a bathroom radiator so that it meets all your expectations – from heating performance, through the material it's made of, to aesthetics and additional features. Take advantage of Excellent's extensive range of bathroom radiators, which combine modern design with the highest quality craftsmanship to create the bathroom that's perfect for you.

📌 Table of contents:

• 1. What to look for when choosing a radiator?
• 2. Types of bathroom radiators
• 3. How to choose the right radiator power?
• 4. Extra features worth having in a bathroom radiator
• 5. Tips for installing a bathroom radiator
• 6. Choosing and buying a radiator

📝 Summary:

• Countertop washbasins are a modern solution that gives the bathroom a light, elegant feel.
• They allow for greater design freedom and comfortable everyday use.
• They go well with different countertops, faucets and interior styles.
• Choosing the right countertop height and fittings is essential.

What to look for when choosing a radiator?

A bathroom radiator plays a dual role – on the one hand, it needs to heat the room effectively, and on the other, it becomes an integral decorative element of the interior. Excellent's range includes models that combine both these functions, offering a variety of solutions tailored to different needs. When choosing a radiator, it's worth paying attention to its power, the type of power supply and its design, so that it matches the style of your bathroom perfectly.

The decision to buy a radiator should be well thought out and take several key factors into account. Do we care about the room heating up quickly? Or do we prefer models that, besides their heating function, can also be used to dry towels? It's also worth remembering that modern radiators offer additional features such as thermostats or the ability to programme the temperature, which further boosts comfort of use.

Types of bathroom radiators

Choosing the right bathroom radiator is a key decision that will affect the thermal comfort and aesthetics of the interior. Excellent's range includes three main types of radiators: dual-fuel, electric, and bath radiators. Each has its own unique advantages worth considering when making a purchase.

1. Dual-fuel radiators

Dual-fuel radiators are versatile solutions, combining the benefits of a central heating system with the flexibility of an electric radiator. They work in the traditional water-based mode, but can also be powered electrically, allowing them to be used regardless of the heating season.

Advantages of dual-fuel radiators:

• Versatility: These radiators can work both in the central heating system and independently thanks to a built-in electric heating element. It's an ideal solution for anyone who wants a warm bathroom even outside the heating season.

• Energy savings: Thanks to the ability to choose the operating mode, you can adapt the heating method to your current needs, which helps save energy.

• Functionality: Dual-fuel radiators often have towel-drying functions and modern control systems, such as timers or thermostats.

2. Electric radiators

Electric radiators are the ideal solution for bathrooms that are not connected to a central heating system or that need an additional heat source. They can be used as either the main or an additional source of heating.

Advantages of electric radiators:

• Easy installation: Electric radiators are simple to install and don't require connection to a central heating system, which makes them an ideal choice for a bathroom refurbishment or as an additional heat source.

• Energy efficiency: Modern electric radiators use technologies that allow the room to heat up quickly while still saving energy.

• Independence: Electric radiators can operate independently of other heating systems, allowing you to warm up the bathroom even outside the heating season.

3. Bath radiators

Bath radiators are solutions dedicated to people who value bathing in a warm environment. They are specially designed to maintain the right temperature around the bathtub, increasing overall bathroom comfort.

Advantages of bath radiators:

• Local heating: Bath radiators are ideal for warming the space around the bathtub, which is especially important in larger bathrooms or bathing lounges.

• Aesthetics: These radiators often have an elegant, modern design that fits perfectly into luxurious bathroom arrangements.

• Extra features: Many bath radiator models offer features such as towel drying or precise temperature control, increasing their functionality.

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How to choose the right radiator power?

Choosing the right radiator power for the bathroom is essential to ensure optimal heating of the room. The radiator's power should be matched to the size of the bathroom, its insulation and the desired level of thermal comfort. An incorrectly chosen radiator can lead to inadequate heating or excessive energy consumption.

Rules for choosing radiator power

To choose the right radiator power, several basic factors should be taken into account:

Bathroom floor area: This is the main parameter determining heating demand. As a rule of thumb, each 1 m² of bathroom floor area requires between 100 and 130 W of heating power, depending on the room's height and level of insulation.

Examples of radiator power selection:

• For a 4 m² bathroom:

• Assumed radiator power: 400-600 W

• For a 6 m² bathroom:

• Assumed radiator power: 600-900 W

• For a 10 m² bathroom:

• Assumed radiator power: 1000-1500 W

It's worth remembering that these are general guidelines, and the exact heating requirement may vary depending on other factors, such as insulation or the number and size of windows.

Bathroom height: The room height is typically assumed to be around 2.5-2.7 m. If the bathroom is higher, it may be necessary to increase the radiator's power.

Type of radiator: Different types of radiators can have different performance levels. For example, electric radiators may heat up faster, which can be beneficial in small bathrooms, while dual-fuel radiators may require a different power calculation.

The importance of insulation

A well-insulated bathroom will require less radiator power to reach and maintain a comfortable temperature. Wall and floor insulation, along with airtight windows, significantly reduce heat loss, allowing you to choose a lower-power radiator.

Poor insulation: For a bathroom with insufficient insulation, it's worth considering a higher-power radiator to compensate for heat loss. This may mean adding 10-20% to the standard power calculation.

Good insulation: For a well-insulated bathroom, a smaller radiator can be used, allowing for energy savings and lower running costs.

Additional factors affecting power selection

• Number and size of windows: Windows can be a major source of heat loss, so it's worth taking their number and size into account when calculating the required radiator power.

• Type of heating: If the radiator is the only heat source in the bathroom, its power needs to be correspondingly higher. Where there are additional heat sources, such as underfloor heating, a lower-power radiator can be used.

Choosing the right radiator power is key to ensuring thermal comfort in the bathroom. Using proper calculations and taking insulation and the room's specific conditions into account will help you choose the best solution. In Excellent's range you'll find radiators of various power ratings that can be matched to the specific needs of your bathroom, ensuring optimal thermal conditions all year round.

Extra features worth having in a bathroom radiator

Choosing a bathroom radiator isn't just a matter of power and material. Modern radiators offer many additional features and aesthetic solutions that can significantly boost comfort of use and add character to the interior. Two key aspects worth paying attention to are the ability to control the temperature, and aesthetics and the availability of different colours and styles.

Temperature control

The ability to control the temperature is one of the most important features a modern bathroom radiator should offer. It gives the user full control over the heat level, allowing the temperature to be adapted to individual needs and the conditions in the room. Temperature control is especially important in bathrooms, where thermal comfort is crucial, particularly after a bath or shower.

In Excellent's range, radiators such as Horos and Meteor can be fitted with electric heating elements, which allow precise temperature control. These models often have built-in thermostats or are compatible with external controllers, making it easy to set the desired temperature and programme the heating time. This lets the user optimise energy consumption, translating into lower electricity bills.

Aesthetics and colours

Bathroom radiators can become a key decorative element of the interior, which is why it's so important that they're available in different colours and styles. Contemporary interior design trends increasingly treat radiators as an integral part of the arrangement, not just a functional fixture. On the Excellent website you'll find radiators available in a wide colour range, from classic white, through modern shades of black and grey, to more unique tones such as cappuccino. For example, the Horos and Meteor models are available in soft white, soft black and metallic grey versions, allowing you to match the radiator perfectly to your bathroom's style, whether you prefer a minimalist, modern or classic look​.

These radiators also come in a variety of shapes and finishes. This means they can become the centrepiece of the arrangement or a subtle, elegant addition that blends harmoniously with the rest of the interior. A great example is the Meteor radiator with its elegant, curved profiles, which combines functionality with attractive design, giving the bathroom a modern character. Modern bathroom radiators available from Excellent offer not only thermal efficiency but also numerous additional features and a wide range of aesthetic solutions. The ability to control the temperature, together with the variety of colours and styles, means these radiators can become not only a functional but also a decorative element of your bathroom.

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Tips for installing a bathroom radiator

Correct installation of a bathroom radiator is essential to ensure effective room heating and its long service life. It's worth paying attention to a few aspects that will help with the optimal positioning of the radiator and its maintenance.

Radiator location

Choosing the right place to install a radiator in the bathroom has a direct impact on its heating efficiency. Below are a few key tips:

Best location – exterior wall: Radiators are most often installed on an exterior wall, ideally under a window, if there is one. This positioning allows heat to be distributed evenly around the room, preventing cold zones from forming. Additionally, installing it under a window minimises heat loss that could otherwise result from cold air flow.

Distance from the floor: The radiator should be mounted at a height of 10 to 15 cm above the floor. This allows air to flow freely, increasing heating efficiency. This positioning also makes it easier to clean the space underneath the radiator.

Avoiding blocking the radiator: It's important that the radiator isn't blocked by furniture or other bathroom fixtures, as this could restrict heat circulation and reduce its efficiency. For ladder-style radiators, which are often used to dry towels, make sure they aren't overloaded.

Proximity to a water source: In the bathroom, the radiator is often installed near a water source such as a bathtub or shower enclosure. This allows for quick, comfortable heating of the space, but it's important to maintain a safe distance to avoid direct contact with water, which could lead to corrosion.

Radiator maintenance

Regular radiator maintenance is essential for its longevity and effective operation. Below are a few practical maintenance tips:

Bleeding the radiator: Regularly bleeding the radiator is a basic maintenance task, especially for dual-fuel radiators. Air trapped inside the radiator can significantly reduce its heating performance. The bleeding process is simple and can be done yourself using a special bleed key.

Cleaning the radiator: Radiators, especially ladder-style ones, can collect dust and dirt, which can negatively affect both their efficiency and appearance. It's recommended to clean the radiator regularly with a soft cloth and mild detergents. Avoid harsh cleaning agents that could damage the radiator's surface.

Checking connections: Regularly checking the plumbing and electrical connections (for dual-fuel radiators) allows early detection of any leaks or other issues that could lead to a breakdown. If you notice any leaks, take corrective action immediately.

Checking the coating condition: For steel radiators, it's worth regularly checking the condition of the anti-corrosion coating. Any damage to the coating should be repaired immediately to prevent corrosion.

Correct radiator installation and regular maintenance are key to ensuring its efficiency and longevity. Taking care of the radiator's proper location in the bathroom and carrying out basic maintenance regularly will help you make the most of its heating and aesthetic potential. This way, the radiator will not only serve its function but will also remain a long-lasting decorative feature of your bathroom.

Choosing and buying a radiator

Choosing the right bathroom radiator is a key decision that affects both thermal comfort and the aesthetics of the interior. When buying a radiator, it's worth paying attention to a few important aspects:

• Type of radiator: In Excellent's range you'll find a variety of dual-fuel and electric radiators, as well as special bath models, to meet different users' needs.

• Power selection: Correctly calculating the radiator's power based on the size of the bathroom and its level of insulation is key to ensuring proper thermal comfort.

• Extra features and design: Modern radiators offer temperature control and are available in different colours and styles, allowing for a harmonious match with the bathroom's decor.

• Practical installation tips: Correct radiator placement and regular maintenance are essential to ensure its longevity and effective operation.

Excellent's range includes models such as Horos, Meteor, Meteor Side, Brego, and Conti, which combine functionality, modern design and a range of colours. With these products, your bathroom will become not only warm but also beautifully finished.

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