A heated towel rail, for too long considered a luxury, is now a multi-tasking essential for any bathroom and can be surprisingly kind to the renovating budget.

The obvious function of the heated towel rail is the provision of warm, fresh, fluffy towels but they also create a warm ambience in a winter bathroom and the cost-efficient heat they emit helps control condensation and hence reduce mildew and mould. A fourth factor is their ability to dry small items of clothing at no extra cost.

Omega Appliances has launched a comprehensive range of heated towel rails, in three styles, from a 50 watt S-shaped wall mounted model to a 65 watt freestanding style to 50, 70, 95 and 115 watt wall-mounted towel ladders.

All models are designed to be permanently connected so there are no visible coils or plugs to spoil the pristine look of the bathroom. The heated towel rails also feature dry elements so there is no risk of leaks. And each model has been selected for its low power consumption.

The range comprises an S-shaped three bar model available in chrome (50 watt) and white (65 watt) plus a four bar model in chrome (65 watt) and white (85 watt).

There are also two freestanding models in chrome (65 watt) and white (85 watt) that have four bars. All of these models are double insulated and feature clothes hooks for the convenient drying of small articles of clothing.

The ladder range comprises four models, all in stainless steel and all double insulated. The five bar model is 560mm high and has 50 watts of power, the seven bar model is 805mm high and 70 watts, the nine bar is 1040mm high and 95 watts while the mega 11 bar is 1280mm high and 115 watts. All are 620mm wide.

The complete range of Omega heated towel rails is available nationally from some department stores, specialist appliance retailers and electrical outlets.