Heated towel rail in the bathroom can use several times more electricity than a fridge

An electric heated towel rail that runs all day or overnight in the bathroom can use three to four times more electricity than a refrigerator, according to a warning published by the website Centrum.cz. This means a household's power bill can rise by more than people usually expect.

When people think about high electricity bills, they typically blame the fridge, washing machine, tumble dryer or kettle. The consumption of a towel rail is often underestimated, even though the device not only dries towels but also helps keep the bathroom at a pleasant temperature. Problems arise when it is switched on and then forgotten, or never switched off at all.

How much electricity the device uses

The power of a typical electric towel rail ranges from 100 to 1,000 watts, depending on the model. Even a relatively low-power 100-watt unit can use a significant amount of energy if it runs continuously.

If such a unit ran at full power 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year, its annual consumption would reach 876 kilowatt-hours (kWh). A modern refrigerator, depending on the model, uses roughly 100–250 kWh per year.

These are theoretical calculations, however. Devices with a thermostat do not operate at full power all the time, so actual consumption is usually lower.

How to cut costs

There is no need to give up warm, dry towels. The simplest solution is to switch the towel rail on only when it is really needed. A timer or thermostat helps limit its running time automatically.

For example, a 100-watt unit running just two hours a day will use about 73 kWh a year, far less than if it ran non-stop. It is therefore worth checking the towel rail's settings, as even small changes in use can reduce both consumption and the electricity bill.