1. What is a Dual Fuel Heated Towel Rail?

Dual fuel heated towel rails give you the choice of two different energy sources on one rail, electric or central heating. This is chosen by you, dependant on whether you want the whole central heating system running (typically in the winter), or whether you just want to have the heated towel rail alone running, when you would use the electric option (typically in the summer). You'll need both central heating pipes running into the rail and an element connected to a fused spur. Dual fuel is a great benefit in the summertime and is economically a good option and becoming ever more popular.

2. What Do I Need To Purchase for a Dual Fuel Heated Towel Rail?

You'll need to select your rail from our "Central Heating" category (not an "Electric Towel Rail" as you need it to be un-filled). You'll then need to purchase one of our "Dual Fuel Packs" which contain all the component parts you'll need to connect the rail as dual fuel. We offer over 25 different packs in total (with different wattage elements and valve types). You'll easily know which packs are compitable with your chosen rail, as they be linked from the (Central Heating) towel rail product page at the bottom right hand side under "Accessories Suitable For This Product". Note: If you don't see any packs listed on a particular product page, this will mean that rail is not suitable for using as electric (and you will also notice it will say "rail not available in electric" under the main product images). You will see the three different Dual Fuel Packages on offer as shown in these set-up images below:

3. What Function Does Each Component Part Perform?

1. T-Piece:  This is essentially the key component of the setup, as the T-Piece is what allows you to connect both the valve (for the central heating) and the element (for the electrical supply) to the same valve entry point (tapping) on the heated towel rail. On all of our Dual Fuel Packs we have included 2x T-Pieces, as this will help give you a symetrical look, as otherwise one side of the rail will look in balanced with the other.

2. Valves: Required to control the flow of water from your central heating system. You have the choice of one of the following three valve types across the three packs:

• Thermostatic (Angled) Valves: (also known as TRVs) allow you to control the temperature of the dual fuel towel rail when used with the central heating system and are made up of a larger valve and a smaller lockshield. Note: Our packs offer Thermostatic valves with the variable heat element only, for complete temperature control. 
• Sphere (Angled) Valves: These are simple control flow valves, of a sphere design.
• Flat Front Valves: These are arguably the best valves for dual fuel as they offer the neatest overall finish.

3. Element: Required to heat the solution when used as electric. You have the choice of the following two types of element across the three packs:

• Single Heat Element: This will heat up to an internal temperature of 65°C (when your dual fuel heated towel rail is in electric mode), and then maintain this temperature. The element has an internal thermostat which measures the temperature of the solution inside the heated towel rail (not inside the room). Once 65°C is reached the element will reduce the electrical current taken so that 65°C is maintained without using unnecessary power. The single heat option model is controlled by the on/off button on the fused spur switch.
• Variable Heat Element: This will heat up to your desired temperature. There are five settings starting at 20°C and increasing to 70°C in increments of 10°C. The element features a thermostat on its probe which reads the internal temperature of the rail. Temp is selected, using + and - buttons on the unit, then the LED indicators for each temp setting will flash and then glow constant to denote that temperature is achieved. 

4. Blank Plug: This is required as we supply 2x T-Pieces, as this blank plug blocks up the opening on the T-Piece which isn't occupied by the element.

4. How do I Install The Dual Fuel Towel Rail?

Our Dual Fuel pack is supplied with comprehensive fitting instructions, which contain in depth instructions and images so both your installer can follow to ensure your set-up ends up looking just like our photos (as we have seen some very odd looking installations over the years!). You will potentially need both a plumber and an electrician to install dual fuel (or a tradesman who can do both). 

Note: We do not provide these double sided instrutions here on the website, as you are paying for this extra service as part of your pack.

5. How do I select which heat source is being used?

Note: As detailed in our fitting instructions (supplied with the pack) the lockshield (or valve) on the "Return" (water outward) side of the rail, needs to remain locked in the open position.

Central Heating Option: Turn only the "Flow" valve (water inward) to fully the open position (fully anti clockwise) to allow the water from the central heating system to flow into the heated towel rail and switch on the central heating system. Note: Ensure the heating element is switched off at the fused spur (and not just on the unit itself if you have a variable heat element, as otherwise the lights on the element will flash, as the themorstat detects the temperature from the central heating and will flash a false fault warning).

Electric Option: Turn only the "Flow" valve to the fully closed position (fully clockwise - tip to remember: clockwise to close "clo to clo"). Now switch your heating element on. The solution in the heated towel rail is now locked off on one side, creating a semi closed system, so the element can warm the heated towel rail alone and there's room for the heated solution to expand out through the opposite side. Note: If you close both valves, too much pressure could build up inside the rail and it could blow.

6. What wattage of element should I buy for my size of Towel Rail?

1. If you are purchasing a Geyser heated towel rail for dual fuel, you don't even need to think about this question.. as once you have chosen your "Central Heating" rail, the appropiate dual fuel packs containing the correct wattage element suitable for that size rail, will be displayed along with bottom right hand side under "Accessories Suitable For This Product". Note: You may notice that some products show packs with different wattages listed (ie two at 200 and one at 300), this is because we have varying ranges of single heat and variable heat elements, hence we match the closest power required to efficiently heat the rail in question.

2. If you are planning to convert your own towel rail to dual fuel, we have provided (below) a list of all the different wattage elements we sell and the corresponding sizes of towel rails those elements are suitable for. Note: this is based on the height dimensions of portrait orientation rails, so it the rail you are buying is wider than it is tall, use the width measurement of your rail for the figures below:

Single Heat Elements (all wattages available in chrome & only 150,400,900 in white)

150 watts:   0mm high   >   700mm high

200 watts:  700mm high   >   900mm hgh

400 watts: 900mm high   >   1200mm high

600 watts: 1200mm high  >   1500mm high

900 watts:  1500mm high   >   1800mm high

Variable Heat Elements (all wattages available in chrome & matt grey)

300 watts: 0mm high  >   900mm high

600 watts: 900mm high   >   1500mm high

1000 watts:  1500mm high   >   1800mm high

Click Here to go to the Accessories page with the elements listed on it. 

TROUBLESHOOTING: The Variable Heat Element on My Dual Fuel Towel Rail is Flashing when used with the Central Heating?

To prevent this from happening you need to switch off the element at the fused spur to completely cut the power supply to it (not just switched off on the unit itself). To Explain Why: The variable heat element normally heats up to a maximum of 70 degrees, but the temperature of the water coming through the rail from the central heating system will be higher, therefore, the element is switching itself on and flashing a warning to tell you that it is registering temperatures over its own limit. This is nothing to worry about. To stop the flashing, simply switch the element off at the fused spur when the dual fuel rail is used with the central heating option.