Hot water, electric or dual fuel towel radiator: how does each work?
In short
- A hot water towel radiator is connected to the central heating: it only heats when the boiler or heat pump is running. In our range, from €56.64 to €266.64 incl. VAT.
- An electric towel radiator runs on 230 V and heats all year round, whether the central heating is on or off. With us, from €123.42 (60 W rod model) to €359.94 incl. VAT (1,750 W with fan heater).
- A dual fuel towel radiator is a hot water model fitted with an electric heating element. According to Stelrad, the element may only be used on a radiator connected to a central heating system, with the flow valve closed and the return side open.
A towel radiator can be powered in three ways: by hot water from the central heating, by electricity, or by both. The choice decides when it heats, how it is installed and what it costs. This guide explains how each version works, what a dual fuel setup needs, and compares the real prices of the towel radiators in our range.
Last updated: October 2026. Prices recorded in the shop on 06/10/2026, VAT included.
How does a hot water towel radiator work?
Like a regular radiator: water heated by the boiler or heat pump flows through its tubes and warms them. It is connected to the central heating pipes, with a flow valve and a return valve, often thermostatic. Our guide to the thermostatic radiator valve explains how to choose and set one.
The direct consequence: it only heats when the central heating is on. In summer, or with the heating off, towels only dry in the room air.
Its output also depends on the water temperature. According to Versa Group's declaration of performance (EN 442), our 1200 x 500 mm left-connection Belrad model gives only 53% of its rated output when the gap between water and room drops from 50 °C to 30 °C, a common setting with a heat pump.
How does an electric towel radiator work?
With a built-in heating element on the mains. It heats as soon as it is switched on, in any season, independently of the central heating. No pipes needed, but a power supply in the bathroom, whose position is for your electrician to decide.
Models with a thermostat can be programmed. The manual supplied with our left-connection electric models provides a comfort mode adjustable from 7 to 30 °C (19 °C by default), an eco mode (15 °C by default), a frost protection mode at 7 °C and day-by-day programming.
Some models are filled with a fluid heated by the element. The “Doris Digital Mixte” manual supplied with our digital models states that their surface only reaches its optimum temperature after at least 15 minutes.
What is a dual fuel towel radiator?
A hot water towel radiator with an added electric heating element. In winter it runs on the central heating. Outside the heating season, the element takes over to dry towels without switching the boiler back on.
Watch the wording: some manufacturers also call a fully electric model with a fan heater “mixte”. That is the case of the “Doris Digital Mixte” manual, which states 750 W of heating plus 1,000 W of fan heater, matching the 1,750 W of our digital model with fan heater. That model is not connected to the central heating.
What do you need for a dual fuel towel radiator?
Three parts, according to Stelrad's technical documentation for its bathroom radiators:
- A hot water towel radiator with a free connection for the element. The technical drawing of our 1200 x 500 mm left-connection Belrad model shows four G1/2 (1/2 inch) connections.
- A compatible heating element: Stelrad specifies class I or class II elements, IP54, with an on/off switch and a 1/2 inch connection, to be used in a vertical position only.
- A T-piece, to fit the element on the flow or the return side.
Heating elements are not sold in the online shop: compatibility depends on the towel radiator model. Have it checked by your installer or ask for advice in store.
Element or radiator: which output counts?
In electric mode, the element sets the heat produced. A 300 W element delivers 300 W at most, even if the towel radiator is rated higher on the central heating.
Stelrad offers 300, 600 and 900 W elements and states, size by size, which output is recommended, allowed or forbidden: the 900 W is only listed for the largest models. Always follow the manufacturer's table.
Two usage rules, again according to Stelrad: the element may only be used on a towel radiator installed in a central heating system, and while it runs, the flow valve is closed and the return side stays open. Consumption is simple arithmetic: a 300 W element switched on for two hours uses 0.6 kWh.
Hot water, electric or dual fuel: side by side
| Hot water | Electric | Dual fuel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | Central heating | 230 V mains | Central heating + element |
| Heats | When the heating runs | All year, on demand | All year |
| Installation | Connection to pipes | Power supply | Both + T-piece |
| Price incl. VAT in our range | €56.64 to €266.64 | €123.42 to €359.94 | Hot water model + element |
For the same left-connection Belrad model, the electric version costs about €116 to €128 more than the hot water version:
| Model (H x W) | Hot water version | Electric version | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 x 500 mm, white | €160.17 | €276.73 | +€116.56 |
| 1600 x 500 mm, white | €198.59 | €322.11 | +€123.52 |
| 1600 x 500 mm, black | €210.58 | €338.33 | +€127.75 |
Which one to choose?
- The central heating already runs to the bathroom: a hot water model is the cheapest, from €56.64.
- No pipes nearby, or you want dry towels in summer: an electric model, such as the 750 W digital model at €257.67 or the 1,000 W digital model at €300.78.
- You have central heating and want back-up heat outside the season: a hot water model converted to dual fuel, checked by your installer.
Frequently asked questions about hot water, electric and dual fuel towel radiators
Does a hot water towel radiator heat in summer?
No, unless the central heating stays on. It only receives hot water when the boiler or heat pump heats the circuit. To dry towels in summer, you need an electric or dual fuel model.
Can a heating element be added to any towel radiator?
No. You need a hot water model with a free, compatible connection and an element the manufacturer specifies for that size. Stelrad, for example, states for each size which output is recommended, allowed or forbidden.
Do you need to turn off the central heating to use the element?
According to Stelrad, the towel radiator's flow valve is closed while the element runs, and the return side must stay open. The rest of the central heating is not affected.
What is the difference between dual fuel and electric with a fan heater?
Strictly speaking, dual fuel combines hot water and an element. Some manufacturers also call an electric model with a fan heater “mixte”, as in the “Doris Digital Mixte” manual (750 W + 1,000 W fan heater). That model is not connected to the central heating.
How much does an electric towel radiator cost?
In our range, from €123.42 for a 60 W rod model to €359.94 for the 1,750 W digital model with fan heater, incl. VAT.
See hot water and electric towel radiators
Size, colour and price are on every product page: see hot water towel radiators or see electric towel radiators. Collection is at our shop in Schaerbeek.
Sources: Bati-Mat Shop range (prices incl. VAT recorded on 06/10/2026) · Stelrad, technical documentation “STR-TD-NL”, p. 144 “Verwarmingselement badkamerradiatoren” (heating elements for bathroom radiators) · Versa Group, declaration of performance BR2501.1 under EN 442-1:2014 · “Doris Digital Mixte” manual and thermostat manual attached to our product pages.