How to Find and Install the Perfect Towel Warmer

Hello out there and thank you for joining us. My name is Carrie Lynn. I'm a national accounts manager here at WarmlyYours, and I'm joined by my superstar colleague Scott from our tech support team. Say hello, Scott. Hello, everybody. Today, we're going to be talking about finding and installing the perfect towel warmer. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask at the bottom of the screen or in the sidebar chat. Even in our Facebook Live, you can chat with us there. So, without further ado, let's jump right in.

Starting with our outline, we'll be discussing our towel warmers, including our newest features and additions, the dual connect models. We'll also go over the details about the installation of our towel warmers. It's definitely helpful that we have Scott here from the tech support team to help us cover everything in detail. Speaking of details, our towel warmers are electric and can be easily installed as hardwired or plug-in units. They are designed to provide heat for warming towels using radiant heating. Personally, I've had numerous customers ask how they can use their towel warmers and whether they can generate enough heat to warm towels or rooms. Can you talk a bit about expectations here, Scott?

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we were going to discuss expectations in a little bit. However, I’d be glad to elaborate. One thing many people don't understand is that there are different types of electric towel warmers. Some are filled with fluid and have an electric heater screwed into them, while our product features a dry heating wire inside. The difference is significant; our heating wire runs throughout the towel warmer, heating each rung and the sides, while fluid-filled units take longer to heat up due to the convection current. Those units are not hydronic, which are popular in Europe and operate like a radiator connected to a hot water supply. In contrast, our electric towel warmers heat up quickly because they use a wire instead of heating fluid. When purchasing a towel warmer, it's essential to determine whether it has a heating element that heats liquid or if it is a unit filled with electric heating wire. This distinction can help clarify what to look for when buying a towel warmer.

Thank you, Scott, for those great points. Over the years, I've found that the primary applications for towel warmers are indeed in bathrooms. It makes sense since that's where bath towels are typically stored. However, towel warmers can also enhance the spa experience in your home. Not only do we offer WarmlyYours floor heating to take the chill off your floors, but you can also add a touch of coziness to your towels. This combination brings a luxurious, spa-like feel right into your home. Towel warmers can be controlled with a timer, allowing you to pre-program your unit to turn on and off at your convenience.

Before we delve deeper into the technical aspects, I'd like to address a common question from customers regarding the placement of towel warmers in bathroom designs. Many wonder whether they can place the towel warmer inside a large or open walk-in shower or next to the tub. Scott, could you take a moment to explain the recommended placement for towel warmers in bathrooms?

Certainly! It's crucial to understand that electric towel warmers, whether they are wired units like ours or those with heating elements that heat water, are not permitted in shower enclosures or tub areas. Even if the towel warmer is positioned 25 feet away from the showerhead, it is still considered in the shower zone. You definitely don't want to be standing in water while touching an electrified unit. Some people may have seen towel warmers in showers, but those are usually hot water units connected to a water heater, not electric ones. So, to clarify, electric units should not be installed in tub enclosures or shower areas.

Thank you, Scott, for clarifying that important point. Now, let's move on to our popular models, which have been upgraded to include the new dual connection option. Could you explain what that means and what customers can expect when they open the box with these new models?

These new models will come with a plug and a line cord attached, allowing you to use them as either hardwired units or plug-in units. They are 120-volt units and are not available in 240 volts. This flexibility means that if you want to place the towel warmer on a wall with a plug below it, you can simply plug it in for convenience. You can also control the towel warmer using a Wi-Fi switch or a timer that plugs into the wall. If you don't have a plug handy, you can have an electrician cut off the plug and line cord to the desired length, allowing for a clean installation without visible electrical connections.

It's important to work with a licensed electrician for hardwired installations. While plug-in units can be easily attached to a wall outlet, hardwired units require an electrician to pull electrical wire from the breaker panel or switch. The power must come from a GFCI-protected breaker, which will then supply power to the timer or directly to the towel warmer. We don't expect DIYers to handle their own electrical wiring, as that should be done by a qualified professional.

I saw a comment from Patrick earlier regarding the dual connection, and he noted that it was a brilliant idea. Our product team indeed strives for innovation, and it's great to see that recognized. Additionally, the new models come with built-in overheat protection, known as TempSmart. Scott, could you explain how this feature works and why it's beneficial?

The TempSmart technology utilizes a mechanism that has been used in electrical motors for years. It features two pieces of metal that touch each other inside a small switch. When the temperature exceeds a certain threshold, the metal pulls apart, opening the circuit and stopping the heating. Once the temperature drops back down, the metal reconnects, allowing the product to heat up again. This feature activates whenever the temperature exceeds 176 degrees, providing an added layer of safety.

In the image shown, you can see the on/off power switch located on the lower right side of the towel warmer. It's worth noting that many customers are unaware of this switch, which lights up blue when activated. This is an important detail, as I've received calls from customers who thought their towel warmer wasn't working, only to realize they hadn't toggled the switch.

Currently, our website features the Infinity and Riviera models from our classic collection. The Infinity model, with its ten sleek bars, is a classic towel rack designed to accommodate large bath towels. It's made of stainless steel and boasts a beautiful brushed metal finish. The Riviera model, available in brushed or polished stainless steel finishes, has nine curved towel bars and is also designed for drying and warming large bath towels. Additionally, we have new models being added to the Dual Connect family, such as the Sierra model, which features an eight-bar design and a polished stainless finish.

Patrick had a great question about the number of towels that can be placed on a towel warmer. The general rule is to use no more than two towels at a time. It's best to hang them over the top rung to ensure they receive adequate heat. If towels are placed on the bottom rung, only a small section will warm up. Therefore, to maximize warmth, it's important to position towels correctly.

When it comes to towel warmer performance, if someone finds their towels aren't warming as expected, they should consider how much of the towel warmer is covered. The more of the towel warmer that is obscured, the warmer the towels will be, as this traps heat. Conversely, if towels are too warm, folding them over will expose more of the towel warmer, allowing for cooler towels. Additionally, the thickness of the towels can affect warmth; thicker towels will retain more heat, while thinner towels will not get as warm.

Thank you, Patrick, for your insightful questions. This discussion leads us to our next slide, where we highlight the variety of towel warmers available. Our offerings now include different sizes, finishes, and bar designs. Scott and I have been with WarmlyYours for many years, and I remember when we first showcased our towel warmers, which were limited in finishes. Now, we offer a wide array, including gold, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, polished stainless steel, and brushed stainless steel.

When you visit our website, you can easily filter choices by size, finish, and model type. Some models are available for direct purchase from us, while others are exclusive to outside retailers. Regardless of where you purchase, we provide 24/7 technical support for any questions regarding wiring or programming your towel warmer.

Now, let's discuss how to control a towel warmer. Scott, could you walk us through the various control options available?

Certainly! The controls for our towel warmers are quite user-friendly. It's important to note that these towel warmers operate at 120 volts, which is compatible with most timers found in big box stores. If you don't find a control that suits your needs, there are plenty of options available. We offer a hardwired Wi-Fi switch for hardwired installations, a programmable timer, and a four-setting countdown timer that allows you to set various durations.

Many customers ask how long they should keep their towel warmer on. Ideally, towels will reach their maximum temperature within 45 to 60 minutes. If you heat them for less than 45 minutes, they won't get as warm, and heating them for more than 60 minutes won't significantly increase their temperature. Therefore, if you have a consistent shower schedule, using a timer is a great option.

Now, let's move on to the installation process for our towel warmers. When you receive your unit, the first step is to take out the installation manual and ensure that all necessary parts are included. It's always a good idea to double-check everything before starting the installation.

Pre-assembling your towel warmer is crucial. By checking that all parts are present, you can avoid any delays during installation. If you find that something is missing, you can contact us for assistance. We can provide dimensions for screws so you can purchase them locally if needed, or we can send you the missing parts.

It's essential to wait until you have your towel warmer before making any measurements for installation. The dimensions we provide are nominal, and your specific unit may have slight variations. By assembling the towel warmer and using the box as a template, you can ensure accurate measurements and determine the best placement on your wall.

Once you've marked the desired location on the wall, you can proceed with the installation. If you're doing a hardwired installation, it's advisable to have someone assist you in holding the towel warmer while you make the electrical connections. Make sure your mounting brackets are level to avoid a crooked installation.

When preparing for electrical connections, consider where you want your towel warmer control to be located. The electrician will run power from the breaker to the switch and then to the towel warmer. You can choose to have the control next to the towel warmer or by the doorway, depending on your preference.

After making the electrical connections and securing the towel warmer to the wall, you can remove any plastic shipping caps that were included to protect the unit during transit. It's also a good idea to test the on/off switch and ensure everything is functioning correctly.

If you have any questions during the installation process, don't hesitate to reach out to our technical support team. We are available 24/7 to assist you.

As we wrap up, I want to thank everyone for joining us today. If you have any additional questions, feel free to submit them now. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you at our next webinar on July 8th, where we will discuss pairing radiant floor heating with laminates.

Thank you for your time, and as always, stay warm!