Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional heated towel rails do not use much electricity. They function independently of the main heating system.  They can be wired to a timer to ensure they are only on when needed.  Hence, the electricity consumption is very reasonable and does not add a considerable amount to your existing electricity bill.

Having access to a toasty bathroom with warm fluffy towels all year round is a privilege everyone craves. Though a heated towel rail produces less heat than a radiator, it can be perfect for your bathroom if your calculations are correct. When chosen well, traditional heated towel rails are worth it.

A traditional towel rail produces less heat than a radiator. Hence, it takes less time to heat up than a radiator. They are designed to warm and dry towels, not heat a large bathroom.  If heating your bathroom to a larger extent is required, we would recommend choosing a towel rail with a column radiator insert.  Whether both the options are equally good, or one is better than the other will depend on your need, preference, and size of the bathroom.

A heated towel rail is often used for heating a bathroom, though it produces less heat than a radiator. If calculations are done right, and the purchase is made accordingly, a heated towel rail will be perfect for keeping a bathroom cosy and toasty.

This answer is entirely dependent on your requirement and taste. For example, a traditional towel rail will look better if your bathroom has a traditional setting. A modern heated towel rail will be more suitable if your bathroom has a modern setting.

In short, the colour, features, model, type and other details will help you select the heated towel rail that is best for your bathroom.

UK law requires that connection to the main electrical supply be carried out by a certified electrician

Yes, you can replace a normal radiator with a towel radiator or heated towel rail. It will keep your bathroom and towels toasty, warm and dry. The towel radiator without a column radiator insert will produce less heat than a radiator, so it is perfect for bathrooms on the smaller side.

Towel radiators manufactured these days are designed to be energy efficient due to the latest technology and the need for a greener world. Hence, at the highest temperature settings, they do not use much electricity, even when they remain on all the time. They are proving to be highly energy efficient.

The opinion identifying the best towel radiators varies from one person to another. Hence, a product which is best for you may not be as suitable for someone else. Therefore, instead of getting confused among different opinions, it will be wise to find and select the best one for you.

Your choice of towel radiator will depend on the size of your bathroom and budget. Smaller bathrooms will require a smaller towel radiator, and larger bathrooms will require larger ones.

Measuring the size of your bathroom and discussing it with our customer care will help you select the right size towel radiator.

Hydronic or wet (standard) heated towel rails are plumbed into your central heating system and work by being heated up as hot water is circulated through.  This is exactly how your standard central heating system works.

Electric towel rails are fitted with an electric element and filled with a water inhibiting fluid.  The element heats up the fluid, as the fluid is heated it moves upwards displacing colder fluid.  The process continues until there is an even distribution of heat throughout.

Dual fuel is where the towel warmer has been adapted for use on both the central heating system and the main electrical supply.  This conversion is done essentially by the insertion of an element into the towel rail.  This allows for the towel rail to be heated by electric in the warmer months without having the whole central heating system switched on.

Replacing a towel radiator is something that needs to be budgeted for.  Things to consider are, the cost of the new towel rail, removal of the old radiator, making good any wall or floor décor due to different pipe fittings, sizes etc.  Installation by an accredited plumber and/or electrician.

Our team can help you make an informed decision but ultimately the choice is yours.

Column radiators are one of the best and most energy-efficient modes of heating one’s home. Therefore, investing in one will be a wise decision. When you can remain toasty and cosy even in the middle of the winter, column radiators will prove to be worth the expense.

Column radiators are considered classic and traditional. However, they have evolved from their initial Victorian versions. Today, they are amongst the most preferred style of radiator available in the market. They can be powder coated to in various colours

We offer the best quality, Italian column radiators in the UK. All our products are carefully selected and manufactured from superior quality materials. You can select from our traditional, wall-mounted vertical, wall-mounted horizontal or customised selection of column radiators. Our products are made from high-quality steel, and we offer multiple finishes, colours and customisation options. Please have a discussion with our customer service department to find the best column radiator for you.

As the name suggests, 2 and 3 column radiators differ in the number of columns in the product. There are several other differences too. For example, a 3-column radiator has better heat output than a 2-column radiator. 3-column radiators will be heavier than 2-column radiators, so investing in some radiator feet may be a wise choice.  The functionality of both products won’t be much different, both types are constructed from superior quality materials.

Column radiators have a larger surface area than regular panel radiators and can give off more heat. Therefore, column radiators are perfect for larger and high-ceilinged spaces.

Column radiators come with larger surface areas, meaning they will take a little longer to warm up. But once it is properly hot, it will do a more efficient job of heating a space than any other radiator.

This depends where the connections are on the radiator, usually side or bottom entry, and where the pipes are coming from.  This is usually up through the flooring or out through the wall.

All the radiators available on www.maybrays.co.uk are side entry connections, below are examples to guide you in choosing the right valves.

Side entry radiators

For pipes coming up from the floor, you will need Angled Valves

For pipes coming out from the wall, you will need Angled Valves or Corner Valves

For pipes coming straight from the side, you will need Straight Valves

Manual valves are a popular type of radiator valve.  They can be turned “on and off” by turning the valve head to allow water to flow through it or turning it again to turn it off. Manual valves are easy to use and affordable, with many design, finish, and style choices available.

Thermostatic valves allow you to control the temperature in your room by turning the valve to a higher or lower temperature. Depending on whether the surrounding air temperature has reached the desired level, the valves will open and close internally, adjusting the amount of hot water they allow into the radiator. Thermostatic valves are a great way of controlling the temperature in individual rooms, you can turn down the temperature in the rooms you don’t use as often.  This uses less energy and may save money on your energy bills in the long term.

Locksheild valves maintain a balanced heating system and give you a means of draining the system.

Heating system balance – The lockshield valve controls the amount of water that is returned to the boiler and the amount of water that goes on to the next radiator.  When set correctly, your radiators and heating system are balanced, and water is distributed evenly between all the radiators in your home.

Heating system unbalance – An unbalanced system means that not enough water flows into ALL the radiators, leaving the ones furthest away from your boiler cold and the ones closest, hot.

Draining your heating system – Should you need to drain the water from your heating system, usually for maintenance or a repair.  One of your radiators will have a lockshield valve that looks slightly different from the rest. This lockshield valve will contain a drain-off, this is specifically designed to open allowing water to be completely drained from the system.