Can I install a towel warmer in my bathroom — does it need its own circuit?

Yes, you can absolutely install a towel warmer in your GTA bathroom, and whether it needs a dedicated circuit depends on the type — plug-in electric models do not require a dedicated circuit, while hardwired models may or may not, depending on wattage and your existing circuit capacity. Towel warmers have become a popular bathroom upgrade across Toronto and the GTA, adding everyday luxury and helping towels dry faster in the humid bathroom environment — which also reduces musty odours and mould growth on damp towels.

There are two main types of electric towel warmers (we will focus on electric since hydronic towel warmers tied to your home's heating system are a much larger project). Plug-in towel warmers come with a standard electrical cord and plug directly into an existing GFCI-protected bathroom outlet. Hardwired towel warmers connect directly to the electrical system inside the wall, with no visible cord or plug.

Plug-In Towel Warmers

This is the simplest option and the one most GTA homeowners choose for a retrofit installation (adding a towel warmer to an existing bathroom without doing a full renovation). A plug-in towel warmer draws 60–150 watts — roughly the same as a single incandescent light bulb. It plugs into any existing GFCI-protected bathroom outlet and does not require a dedicated circuit, an electrician, or a permit. You can install it yourself by mounting the wall brackets (usually 4 screws into wall studs or drywall anchors) and plugging it in.

The trade-off is aesthetics — there is a visible power cord running from the towel warmer down to the outlet. In a well-planned installation, the outlet is positioned directly below the towel warmer so the cord runs straight down along the wall and is partially hidden by hanging towels. Expect to pay $150–$500 for a quality plug-in towel warmer depending on size, finish (brushed nickel, polished chrome, and matte black are the most popular finishes in GTA bathrooms), and number of bars.

Hardwired Towel Warmers

For a cleaner look with no visible cord, a hardwired towel warmer connects directly to the electrical system behind the wall. The electrical connection is hidden inside the wall, and the unit is controlled by a wall switch (often a timer switch that lets you set the warmer to run for 1–4 hours and then shut off automatically). This approach requires a licensed electrician, an electrical permit, and an ESA inspection in Ontario.

Whether a hardwired towel warmer needs its own dedicated circuit depends on its wattage and the existing circuit load. A standard hardwired towel warmer draws 60–150 watts — a very modest load. If your bathroom circuit has adequate capacity (which it usually does, since LED lighting and modern exhaust fans draw very little power), the towel warmer can share the existing circuit. However, if your bathroom already has a heated floor, a fan-heater combo, a bidet seat, and multiple other electrical loads, your electrician may recommend a dedicated circuit to avoid overloading. Larger towel warmers (freestanding radiator-style units with many bars) can draw 300–800 watts and will likely require a dedicated circuit.

Installation cost for a hardwired towel warmer runs $200–$500 for the electrical work, on top of the cost of the unit itself. If a new circuit is needed, add $300–$600 for running the circuit from the panel.

Practical Considerations

Placement matters — mount the towel warmer on a wall that is easily accessible from the shower or tub so you can grab a warm towel immediately after bathing. The ideal mounting height places the lowest bar at approximately 24 inches from the floor and the top bar at approximately 48–60 inches. Keep the unit at least 24 inches from the shower or tub edge to comply with electrical safety clearance requirements.

A timer switch is highly recommended for hardwired installations — towel warmers do not need to run 24/7. Running the warmer for 1–2 hours before your morning shower warms the towels sufficiently and keeps operating costs minimal. At 100 watts running 2 hours per day, the annual electricity cost is approximately $5–$8 at Ontario hydro rates — genuinely negligible.