Luxury meets
everyday living with the introduction of the towel warmer.This bathroom
accessory is used to heat any fabric item to warm, plush, perfection. There are
two basic types of
towel warmers, electric and hydraulic. These devices are flexible,
energy efficient and add a luxurious flair to any home! Electric
towel warmers
come either hardwired to your home's electrical supply, or, as a plug in,
available for use at any outlet. It uses electrical power to heat any one of
three forms, wall mounted, floor mounted, or, freestanding.
They are energy efficient using only 100W,
similar to a lightbulb. Hedonic warmers use a system of hollow pipes filled
with either gel or water, which can be connected to your general home hot water
supply, or, to its own specific heating system. The gel or water becomes heated
and warms the outer coating producing heat which is then used to evenly dry
towels or garments.They are efficient energy wise as well, consuming up to 400
volts of energy and provide a continuous form of heat Installation wise, electric warmers are easier, notably
the plug in variety. However, a few limitations exist. Larger sizes require
discussion with home planning agencies and may also require a professional
electrician or plumber for installation, in coherence with building
regulations. Additionally, electric warmers cannot be placed within ten feet of
a bath tub, in a shower, in a sauna
or steam room, except for the
plug in variety. They have to be attached via sturdy wall studs and all wires
need to be covered with a waterproof coating, to prevent short circuiting. Hydronic warmers also require
professional installation, since they are connected to the home's heating
system, and this is recommended only at times of remodelling. Furthermore, this
addition to the home means that holes have to be drilled into walls, which may
be a nuisance when it comes to those who live in apartment buildings where
changes aren't permitted. The presence of towel warmers is not recommended in a
home with young children, or adults who suffer from nerve debilitating
conditions, for example, diabetes. These heaters can reach temperatures of up
to 55 degrees Celsius, leading to moderate burns if in contact with skin for
more than four seconds. These warmers also take approximately 30-45 minutes to
warm up and a further 1 hour to actually warm wet towels through. They do come
with on/off switches and timers but the general consensus by consumers is that
the product does take a long time to carry out its advertised function.
Furthermore, some warmers can damage fabric, and a few cases of overheating
have been recorded, despite the presence of regulatory thermostats, which can
lead to fires.
Lastly, these towel warmers are definitely a luxury
item and don't come cheap. They can range anywhere from 100 to 4000 dollars, a
steep price to pay for a warm towel. Despite the obvious advantages, the risks
of damage to surroundings and children, in addition to costs incurred in terms
of energy consumption and purchase price definitely cannot be ignored. The necessity of a towel warmer in the home
can be considered as food for thought.
0 comments:
Post a Comment