Heated towel rail running cost and installation
A typical 100 W heated towel rail uses 2.4 kWh if left on for 24 hours, which costs about 72 cents a day at 30 cents per kWh. On a 4-hour timer it costs about 12 cents a day, or around $3.60 a month.
| Product | Lower | Typical | Upper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heated towel rail | $220 | $330 | $400 |
Ranges are the 10th percentile, median and 90th percentile of listed prices at a Melbourne bathroom retailer, checked on 28 October 2026. Lower and upper exclude the cheapest and dearest 10% of listings. Ask us for our price on any item.
| Rail | On 24 h | On 4 h |
|---|---|---|
| 30 W single bar | $0.22 / day | $0.04 / day |
| 75 W 6-bar ladder | $0.54 / day | $0.09 / day |
| 100 W 8-bar ladder | $0.72 / day | $0.12 / day |
Calculated at 30 cents per kWh. Check your own electricity rate.
Timers
Ask your electrician to fit a timer switch. Running the rail for a few hours in the morning and evening dries towels and keeps the cost low.
Installation and safety
Hard-wired rails must be installed by a licensed electrician under the Australian wiring rules, AS/NZS 3000, which limit what can be fitted close to a bath or shower. Mount the rail outside the shower and away from where the bath splashes, and check its IP rating suits the spot: IPX4 means it resists splashing water. Put the switch or timer where you can reach it with dry hands.
Plan the position before the walls are tiled, because the cable has to come out of the wall behind the rail.