FAQ
Can the warm floor be installed without a thermostat?
Yes. The system can be turned on or off using a conventional single-key or automatic switch. It is only necessary to select the switch so that it fits in power to the contour of the warm floor. But in such a system, the cable will always warm up at full power, and you will turn it on and off yourself. That is, the flexibility and economy of such a system can be forgotten.
Is it possible to connect two heating mats in two neighboring rooms to one thermostat and one warm floor sensor?
If the total power of the two heating mats does not exceed the permissible power of the thermostat, then it is possible. But due to the fact that the warm floor sensor will be in one room, the temperature in both rooms will be regulated only according to the indicators of the room with the sensor. In such cases, we recommend combining rooms similar in microclimate. If the total power of the cables is greater, then the connection is executed through a contactor (magnetic starter).
What are the advantages of programmable thermostats?
Thermal regulators (thermostats) are designed to control thermal processes in various fields of activities. The main advantage of programmable thermostats is the ability to set the temperature for a long time (week). The system will automatically lower the temperature by 5°С at night or reduce it to a minimum in the daytime on weekdays, when the owners are at work, reaching the set temperature by their arrival. This can significantly reduce energy consumption.
How to lay thin heating mats – the net up or down?
It can be laid both with the net down and up. It is very convenient to lay out the heating mat like a carpet on the floor (net down). But, on the other hand, the mat can lie unevenly after being in a twisted state for a long time, and a flip can solve this problem.
Do I need to install an automatic switch (circuit breaker) for the floor heating circuit?
It is desirable, but not necessary. Not a single network is safe from inrush. By installing a circuit breaker, you protect your money invested in the purchase of the warm floor. It is also advisable to install an RCD (residual current device).
How safe is a warm floor? Is it permissible to install it in a damp room, for example, in a bathroom?
The warm floor is as dangerous as conventional wiring can be. Only unlike wiring, the heating cable has two layers of insulation and is laid in a thick layer of cement-sand screed, thereby completely eliminating the possibility of direct human contact with the heating cable. In regards to damp rooms, it can be said that with complete drying, the cement-sand screed is a strong monolithic environment. And to soak it, the water in the bathroom must be there for several weeks in a row. The only potentially dangerous factor may be electromagnetic radiation, but it is much smaller when compared with a TV or computer. In addition, it can be completely eliminated by using a double-wire cable within the system.
How soon after installation can I turn on the warm floor?
28-30 days after pouring the screed over the cable. This is the period of complete drying of an ordinary cement-sand screed. Turning on the system, even for a short period, before the screed dries, is unacceptable. It is also unacceptable to turn on the cable in a folded state (bay).
What is the minimum distance between the cable turns?
The minimum distance between the turns is 6 cm. The distance from the walls is 15 cm, the minimum is 10 cm. The minimum distance from heating pipes and heating devices is 20 cm. The bending radius of the cable must be at least 5-6 diameters of the heating cable.
Do I need to add a plasticizer to the screed when pouring a warm floor?
It is not necessary. The plasticizer is used in the installation of a water heated floor to give plastic properties to concrete. This is done so that the pipe does not break the screed due to thermal expansion. The thermal expansion of the cable is negligible and amounts to tenths of a micron, so it can be safely neglected.
What is the temperature of the heating cable/concrete screed/floor surface?
The heating wire under a layer of insulation heats up to 120℃. The surface of the cable is 70-80℃. The screed temperature – 50-60℃. The temperature of the floor surface in the comfortable mode is up to 25-30℃, with basic heating up to 40℃. It is hard to say exactly since the floor temperature will depend on many factors that are individual for each room.
I have a screed layer above the warm floor that is 10-15 cm thick. Is this probably bad?
Nothing wrong. The system will warm up such a layer of screed without any problems. Only the time of the first warm-up of the system will increase. It is also worth noting that in Europe they adhere to the technology of thick screeds (10-15 cm) and thick layers of a heat insulator (from 10 cm). Such a system heats up for a long time, but also cools for a long time, slowly transferring all the heat to the room. And this is fully justified since such systems are very economical. If the system has not yet been flooded with screed, to minimize the time of the first warm-up, you need to raise the corrugated pipe with a built-in sensor as close to the floor surface as possible.
How long will it take for me to feel the warm floor in my room?
It all depends on the thickness of the screed, the type of flooring and the type of the heating element. If this is a standard system (the screed thickness 3-5 cm, heat insulation layer 20 mm and power 150-180 W/m²), it will reach the specified operating level after 1.5-2.5 hours. If a mat is used, then after 40-60 minutes.
The warm floor is not warm at all / warm enough. What is the reason?
Several reasons are possible:
- A faulty floor temperature sensor. In this case, it is very easy to replace it yourself. It is worth noting that this is a relatively common cause of the malfunction and, as a rule, after replacing the sensor, the warm floor begins to warm again.
- Failure to comply with the technology of installing the warm floor or improper connection to a thermostat.
- A malfunction of the thermostat itself. In these cases, it is better to contact a service centre.
Does the warm floor dry the air?
The temperature of the warm floor in the vast majority of cases does not rise above 30°C, which minimizes air drying. To maintain a comfortable level of moisture in the room with the active use of the warm floor or other heating appliances, it is recommended to use an air humidifier.
What is the service life of the warm floor?
With proper installation and operation, the actual service life increases and becomes comparable with the service life of the room in which the system is installed. An estimated term – 50 years.