GK16-30090-0006 Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I install the towel warmer myself or do I need to hire someone to do it for me?

Each towel warmer comes with an instruction manual which fully explains how to install the device from start to finish. If you can hang a picture, you can probably install a heated towel rack. However, for hardwired models, you will need a licensed professional who is certified to do electrical wiring for the final hook-up. 

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Can the electric towel warmer be installed “upside down” to change the power access point?

Yes, most of our wall-mounted towel warmers have a fixed power location in the lower right corner.  All of our heated towel racks are electric "dry" (liquid/oil-free) units and most can be installed "upside down". Doing so will result in the power location relocating from the lower right corner to the upper left corner.

Please see the installation video here:  https://www.warmlyyours.com/en-US/video-media/towel-warmer-install

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How do I use the towel warmer after it is installed?

Our towel warmers are designed for everyday use and all of them include an integrated on/off switch. Please note that the Ibiza model includes additional built-in timer options for controlling the unit. WarmlyYours also offers a wide array of controls that can be used with your heated towel rack. Depending on the control you select, you can program the heated towel rack to your schedule or operate it remotely. Just bear in mind that the heated towel rack is designed to gradually warm towels over the course of a day and does work best when towels are left to hang for about 3 hours.

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How hot does the towel warmer actually get and is there any possibility of damage?

The heated towel rack will heat up to between 100 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It will not produce sufficient heat to injure you if you touch or brush up against it, though you should still exercise caution around the device. Please note that once a heated towel rail is warmed up, the surface temperature will remain constant and can't be adjusted incrementally. 

The heated towel racks have a built-in offset from the wall (the size of the offset will depend on which model you purchased); the offset provides sufficient clearance to prevent any damage to the wall. You should also maintain a distance of four inches between the towel warmer and surrounding fixtures.

Additionally, nearly all of our electric towel warmer models* come with built-in TempSmart™ overheat protection which will shut the unit down automatically if the unit's surface exceeds the safety limit of between 149°F (65°C) and 167°F (75°C).

*Excludes the Elements model.


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Does the towel warmer have an automatic shutoff function?

The heated towel rack is designed to stay on at a relatively constant temperature to keep your bathrobes and towels fresh, warm, and dry. However, should you need to turn the unit off for any reason, you can use the integrated on/off switch on the unit. If you’re using a control for your heated towel rack, you may need to shut off the unit there as well. 

Most of our electric towel warmer models* come with built-in TempSmart™ overheat protection which will shut the unit down automatically if the unit's surface exceeds the safety limit of between 149°F (65°C) and 167°F (75°C). 

*Excludes the Elements model. 

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How close can a WarmlyYours electric towel warmer be installed to a shower or tub? Can an electric towel warmer be mounted in a shower enclosure?

A WarmlyYours electric towel warmer can't be installed in a tub or shower enclosure. A WarmlyYours electric heated towel rack should be installed at least 24” away from a wet location like a shower, tub, etc. Always install a WarmlyYours electric towel warmer in compliance with all local building and electrical codes.

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Can you control a towel warmer remotely?

Yes, a hardwired heated towel rack can be paired with the Hardwired WiFi Switch, which can enable remote control of the unit. 

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How much does it cost to operate a towel warmer?

The cost to operate your model will depend on two different variables: 1.) the wattage of the model you’ve selected. 2.) the cost of electricity in your area. 

A quick way to figure out the hourly operating cost is to take the cost of electricity in your area (typically measured in cents per kilowatt hour) and multiple it by the wattage of your towel warmer divided by 1000. For example, the cost to operate an Infinity Towel Warmer (a 150-watt model) in Lake Zurich, IL (where electricity costs 10.44 cents per kilowatt hour) would be less than 2 cents an hour and the formula to figure that out would look like this: $0.1044 x (150/1000) = $0.0156 per hour. 

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How heavy/large are the towel warmers?

Weights vary based on design but typically range from 9 to 29 pounds. Even a larger towel warmer will not be a problem when attaching to the wall. As indicated in the instruction manual, you just need to make sure that at least two of the four brackets are attached to a stud.

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Can I use a light switch or a dimmer to control the towel heater?

Using a light switch to control the electric towel warmer is okay in most cases. However, you can't use a dimmer to control the unit. 

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Does a towel warmer need to be paired with a GFCI circuit or outlet?

Yes. WarmlyYours towel warmers are to be installed in accordance with the instructions in the manual and CEC, NEC, and local code guidelines relating to electrical fixtures in bathrooms. A towel warmer with a hardwired connection must be on a GFCI-protected circuit and be wired by a professional who is certified to do electrical wiring. Towel warmer models with plug-in connections should be used with a GFCI outlet. 

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Can a floor heating thermostat be used to control both a towel warmer and the floor heating element at the same time?

No, floor heating thermostats are not compatible with the towel warmers. We would also not recommend using both devices on the same control, as it does not take the same amount of time to reach the ideal temperature for each product, which could lead to one unit to overheat and the other to not function properly.

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How much weight can the towel warmer bars support?

Our towel warmers can hold up to two towels at once. 5lbs is the recommended total weight limit for our towel warmers.

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What size wires and breaker will I need for my electric towel warmer?

WarmlyYours towel warmers are all 120VAC units. Towel warmers are available in wattages from 35 watts all the way up to 250 watts. A single towel warmer would typically range from 1-2 amps based on the model. Wire size and breaker size need to be selected based on the total amperage of the towel warmer(s). For towel warmers installed in bathrooms, a GFCI breaker is required.

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Can a towel warmer be left on all the time?

Yes, your unit is designed to be left on 24/7 if needed. However, for efficient operation, you may want to pair your heated towel rail with a compatible WarmlyYours control.

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Can a towel warmer warm up a bathroom?

Yes. A heated towel rack can be used as a supplementary heat source, but in most cases they don’t generate enough ambient heat in a room to be used as a primary heat source. 

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I already have a heated floor system; can a heated towel rail work in tandem with my floor heating system?

The towel warmer is designed as a stand alone product and will add some warmth to the room (particularly if it's a small bathroom). It is, however, the perfect compliment to your floor heating system as they will work together to transform your bathroom into a spa-like retreat.

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Will the moisture in my bathroom cause the towel warmer's finish to rust or create a short?

No. The heated towel rack is not only designed to keep your towels warm and dry but also to withstand the high moisture level in your bathroom. 

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Can I use a regular light switch to control a towel warmer?

Yes, regular (non-dimming) light switch can be used as an external switch to control a towel warmer in addition to a built-in switch on the towel warmer itself. A GFCI breaker powering the switch may be required by local Electrical Code.

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What does the towel warmer include when I receive the package and do I need additional equipment?

The package includes all the hardware that you will need to install the towel warmer. All you will need to provide are the actual tools necessary to install such as a drill and screw driver.

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What if the towel heater doesn't work when I receive it or it breaks sometime after installation?

Warranty lengths vary depending on the model of the towel warmer, please refer to the warranty card for more information. If the heated towel rack is defective or damaged and it was not a result of misuse or misapplication, WarmlyYours will replace the towel heater. The warranty registration card can be accessed from the individual towel warmer's Warranty Page and must be completed and submitted online to qualify for warranty coverage. These elements can be found in our Support Section for Towel Warmers.

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Will a towel warmer dry my towel in-between uses?

Yes, a modern towel warmer will function as a towel dryer. And not only will a heated towel rack dry your towel, but it will help to some degree to dry out the room to reduce humidity and mold.

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Heating product does not turn ON and Locator LED does not turn ON

  • Circuit breaker or fuse has tripped
  • Heating Circuit is open.
  • Load neutral connection is not wired.
  • Neutral (white wire) not wired to switch.
  • Verify 120V supplied to the switch.
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Can I leave my Towel Warmer on all day?

Yes. It's perfectly safe to leave your Towel Warmer on 24/7. However, WarmlyYours does offer a wide range of control options that can be paired with your Towel Warmer. 

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Intermittent Operation

  • Heating product has a bad connection.
  • Wires not secured firmly to leads of timer switch. 
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What kind of power does the electric towel warmer require and will I need a separate power source?

WarmlyYours electric towel warmers require no more power than is generated from your standard 120V wall outlet. For hardwired towel warmers, all the wiring is done through the wall. A separate power source is not required; power can be pulled from the nearest available source. For plug-in towel warmers, all that is required for electric hookup is that the unit is plugged into a properly grounded outlet located within 6 feet (1.8m) of the unit.

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What can I do if I order the heated towel rack and I don't like it once I receive it?

If you are unhappy with your electric towel warmer, please contact WarmlyYours Customer Service at (800) 875-5285 for assistance between the hours of 8:00am and 5:30pm CST, Monday through Friday. Please return your heated towel rack in the original packaging. Learn more about our Return Policy.

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Why would I want heated towel rails?

Heated towel rails (towel warmers) are good for many reasons. First, they provide comfort in the winter; who doesn’t love a nice warm towel? Secondly, they provide an excellent storage solution, as you can hang your towels from them like traditional towel racks (be mindful not to overload the unit with too many towels when it's on). And finally, they are a great sanitation solution, as they keep your towels from getting mildewy.

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Can I convert my plug-in Towel Warmer into a hardwired model?

For some models, this may be possible but we highly recommend that you call our 24/7 Technical Support Team at 800-875-5285 before beginning any modification to your Towel Warmer. 

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Can I install an electric towel warmer in my shower enclosure?

No, an electric towel warmer (or any type of electric drying rack) should never be installed in a shower enclosure, sauna, or steam room.

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How to manually turn on or off the programmable timer (GK16-30090-0002)?

Press the push pad to temporarily turn it on or off, or hold the pad down for several seconds to permanently turn it on or off.

Ensure the towel warmer built-in switch is in the ON position.

See the 'Timer Override' section of the Timer Switch Manual for further details.

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What finishes are available for Towel Warmers?

We currently offer a wide array of available finishes but these are limited by the model type (some models have a limited number of applicable finishes).

The Classic Collection, the towel warmers we sell directly from WarmlyYours, has models that have polished stainless steel, brushed stainless steel, polished chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze and gold.

For more information, contact a WarmlyYours Radiant Expert.  

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Will a towel warmer heat a bathroom?

Towel warmers can provide some supplemental heat to a well-insulated and relatively small bathroom. However, we do not recommend that they be used as a primary heat source for a bathroom. 

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