Among modern heating systems, one of the main places is occupied by water or electric heated floors under tiles. Which one is better to choose is not an idle question. Comfort in the home and energy savings depend on this. Water heating is prohibited in multi-storey buildings. Therefore, heating a house with heated floors is done mainly using electricity. Heating is controlled using a thermostat installed on the wall.
The advantage of this method is uniform heating of the room. At the same time, reducing the average temperature in the room by 2-3ºС will not cause discomfort. Energy savings here will be 10-15%. Especially required is a warm floor under the tiles or cold ones for the feet.
Types of heaters
Heat is created by the following heating elements embedded in the floor:
- cables;
- mats;
- infrared film.
The modern market offers various options. All that remains is to choose an electric heated floor under the tiles. Which is better? Let's try to figure it out.
Cables
Cables are resistive and self-regulating. All of them are mounted in a cement-sand screed with reinforcement, which takes up 3-5 cm of additional room height. In addition, tiles are laid on top, taking up to 2 cm more.
Resistive cable
When electric underfloor heating is installed, the prices are lowest for resistive heating cables, which can be single- or double-core.
When electric current passes through it, heat is generated. The cable has constant power. It can be laid arbitrarily in rooms with complex floor shapes.
Self-regulating cable
This type of cable differs in its operating principle. It consists of two conductors arranged in parallel. A semiconductor polymer is placed between them. Current passes through it in the transverse direction. In different areas, the heat dissipation in the cable may be different, depending on the room temperature. Therefore, there will be no overheating in certain places if there is furniture or household appliances there. It is important that too much load does not damage the cable.
Mats
Which one to install is up to the homeowner, but ultra-thin cable glued to the mesh is the best option.
They are manufactured in the form of rolls of different widths, the mats are easily connected to each other using terminals. The assembly is reliable if the joints are additionally sealed with tape or coated with a special sealant. The connections to the cable that goes to the thermostat protrude a little, but they can be sealed into recesses in the floor or wall. The high strength and durability of the cable insulation does not require installation in a sand-cement screed. The mats can be placed in a layer of tile adhesive without waterproofing. The thickness of the warm floor will be insignificant.
Film infrared floor
The heater consists of flat carbon conductors laminated into a roll of special electrical film. This option was originally intended for installation under floor coverings without screed or glue. Not everyone can withstand interaction with the alkaline environment of building solutions. It can be used under tiles, but additional waterproofing made of polyethylene is required.
Selecting heater power
When you plan to make an electric heated floor under tiles, which one is best in terms of power depends on the type of room.
Determination of usable area
Heating is not possible under bulky furniture and household appliances due to overload and disruption of normal air circulation. It should be taken into account that it is advisable to heat at least 70% of the floor of the room when electric heating serves as the main source of heat. Moreover, its specific power should be 110-220 W/m2. If the usable area is smaller, you will have to abandon the electric floor or change the layout of the room. For a kitchen or living room, the power approaches the lower limit, and in the bathroom, on the loggia or in the premises of the first floor it is required more. The optimal option is to operate the heating system at 70-75%.
How to calculate a heating element when purchasing
Before making a heated floor at home, you need to correctly calculate the power, which depends on the type and area of the room. The figure below shows through a thermographic device with heating of different power (surface temperature 15-25ºС).
The room requires a specific power of 100-160 W/m2. For an auxiliary heat source it can be selected to a minimum.
For a room of 20 m2, the usable area will be 20 · 70 / 100% = 14 m2.
Then the required power will be W= 100 · 14 = 1.4 kW.
When the source is the main one, you need to take the maximum: W = 160 · 14 = 2.24 kW.
The cost of a resistive cable is not very high, and it makes sense to take it as the main source of heating, which does not have to be used 100%.
If the cable power is 20 W/m, then the main source needs a length
L = 2.24 1000 / 20 = 112 m.
Special couplings are installed at the ends of the cable. Therefore, they are sold in fixed lengths. When purchasing, you can select a cable of the required power, close to the calculated one.
How to lay a heated floor
When laying an electric heated floor with your own hands, you should know that the bottom needs thermal insulation. It is not worth saving on it, since it is a reliable thermal protection for the house. In addition, all the heat generated by the heated floor will go up into the room.
The ceiling is cleared of debris, covered with waterproofing, and insulation is placed on it. A popular material is polypropylene with a layer of foil on top. A thin mounting mesh is placed on the insulation.
If the floor is loaded with heavy objects, it is advisable to use solid waterproof gypsum fiber or glass magnesite sheets as thermal insulation. They are attached to the base with dowels. To prevent contact of the metal cap with the heating elements, the locations for the screws should be carefully selected.
will be poured from above. To prevent it from pushing through the insulation, small cuts are made in it at intervals. Then the screed will be held on the ceiling, and not on the thermal insulation.
The cable laying pitch is calculated by the formula: h = S · 1000/L = 14 · 1000/112 = 125 mm.
The installation plan should first be depicted in a sketch indicating the installation location of the thermostat. Typically, floor heating is done in zones. The advantage of this method is that they can be connected separately.
The heated floor is laid under a concrete screed, the thickness of which is 3-6 cm. On top of it there can be any coating that does not have heat-insulating properties. The heated floor is placed so that furniture never stands on it. Otherwise, these areas will overheat. You should not lay rugs over the place where the temperature sensor is located, as this may disrupt the operation of the entire system.
Rearranging furniture and covering the self-regulating cable with rugs will not impair its performance. It is convenient to use in small heating areas. In stationary conditions, where the furniture is not rearranged, it is more economical to use a resistive cable, as it is cheaper.
The heated floor is fixed to the floor with mounting tape, which is secured every 30-50 cm using dowels.
Connecting a heated floor
Power supply for heated floors is carried out by a separate group using an RCD. If the house does not have grounding, it needs to be done. The cable braid must be grounded. Wires to the electrical network and to the heated floor are routed in the wall, where the grooves are made. They must accommodate a corrugated pipe.
The wires are inserted into the installation box and, together with the heated floor cable, are connected to the thermostat. The markings in it are as follows: L - phase, N - neutral wire, PE - ground. The thermostat control is done in each room separately. When installing heated floors in several rooms, it is advisable to use a multi-channel device. The heating can be turned off or kept at a minimum when the room is not in use. It is not recommended to install a thermostat in the bathroom and other rooms with high humidity.
Electric heated floors: prices and quality
The cheapest heated floors are made in China. Russian products have an average price level. There is a wide range of prices and quality among Korean models. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the product, which are set out not in advertising, but in the documentation.
The best electric heated floors are made by American, Norwegian and Danish manufacturers.
Floors from European manufacturers have the following prices (RUB/sq. m):
- cable - 800-1000;
- heating mat - 1500-2600;
- infrared film - 600-800.
When purchasing, you should evaluate the cost of the entire set.
Any electric heated floor can be made with your own hands without much difficulty if you carefully follow the installation and connection instructions.
Conclusion
Of all the known heating methods, the most convenient is an electric heated floor under tiles. Which one is better to choose? It all depends on the desires and capabilities of the homeowner. The high thermal conductivity of ceramics, ease of control, hidden placement, cost-effectiveness, the ability to install an electric heated floor with your own hands and other advantages of this heating method make it increasingly popular.
Choosing underfloor heating as a primary or secondary heating source has many benefits. It is not surprising that recently the number of people wishing to install a similar heating system in their apartment or private house has increased so much.
According to a recent survey, most buyers ask the same question: “Which underfloor heating is better, water or electric?”
To understand this, you need to consider the following points:
- What is the fundamental difference between heating systems?
- Which floors are cheaper?
- Which system is safer and more reliable?
What is the difference between water and electric heated floors?
When determining which is better, water or electric heated floors, you should take into account the specific features that distinguish each type of heating system.- Heating cable and mats– heating of the room using electric heating systems is carried out using a wire having conductive cores with high resistance. Laying is carried out in a layer of tile adhesive or screed.
- Film floors emit infrared rays– heating is carried out through the action of infrared rays directly on objects standing on top of the floor.
- Water floors – hot water or special liquids are used as a coolant. The pipeline is laid in the floor screed. As a result, heat is evenly distributed throughout the room, and there are no unheated cold zones.
The main difference between water and electric heated floors is the coolant used. The remaining characteristics and parameters are related to the heating characteristics.
What is more profitable, electric or water heated floor?
When choosing which underfloor heating is better, water or electric, you should take into account the cost of heating systems, as well as the costs associated with operation.- Cost – heating cable is more expensive. During installation, it is necessary to install a temperature sensor and regulator. A complete set of electric underfloor heating costs approximately 2 times more.
Installation of a water heating system requires the purchase of a plastic pipe and special mats for installation. If you plan to use the heating system as an additional heating source, you will need to additionally install a mixing unit. - Cost of operation– if you compare heated floors according to this criterion, the advantage of a water heating heating system becomes obvious. The cost of heating the coolant is significantly lower, especially if it is used for heating.
- Repair cost– a comparison of electric and water heated floors, especially taking into account consumer reviews, shows that repair work related to cable damage is cheaper.
You should also consider the consequences associated with a water pipe leak. If a leak occurs in an apartment in a multi-story building, the neighbors living below will have to be compensated for the repairs. - Cost of paperwork– in order to calculate the economic efficiency of underfloor heating, it is necessary to take into account how much it will cost to obtain permission to operate a heating system. Electric floor heating does not require additional paperwork.
To connect a water circuit, you will need to fill out a large number of papers, pay a state fee, etc. As a result, the cost of water floors (including paperwork) will be approximately equal to the price of a heating cable or mats.
What is more economical, electric or water heated floor? It all depends on where the heating system is planned to be installed. If in your own home, then installing a water circuit is more profitable. For an apartment, taking into account paperwork and installation of a thermostat, it is better to use a heating cable or mats.
The installation of the thermostat significantly affects the operation algorithm of the electric floor. A programmable control unit helps reduce energy consumption by up to 80%. As a result, making cable heating more profitable.
Which is safer, electric or water floor?
The undeniable advantage of a water heated floor over an electric one is its absolute safety. Although modern cable and film heating systems have a high degree of protection, there is still a possibility of electric shock during operation.The advantage of a water floor in comparison with an electric one is that you can install a heating system in any room, regardless of its characteristics. And to heat rooms with high humidity using a heating cable, it is necessary to use a special wire with a high degree of protection, which affects its cost.
Which is more reliable, water heated floors or electric ones?
There are certain advantages and disadvantages for each type of underfloor heating.- Electrical cable– quality products from some domestic and European manufacturers have a lifetime warranty. Even a relatively inexpensive wire will work for 20 years without problems. Most often, the temperature sensor or power regulator fails.
- Water circuit - the pipe itself has a long service life, but the fittings fail within 10-15 years. The comparative characteristics of water and electric floors in this case are not in favor of the former. Even professional installation teams cannot always accurately determine the location of the leak, so repairs may require dismantling the screed.
Which heated floors to choose, water or electric?
In many ways, the decision on the advisability of operating a particular heating system depends on the type of building being heated.But when choosing, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
- Power comparison– water floors can easily heat the floor surface to a temperature of 50°C. Cable ones most often operate in the operating range from 15 to 30°C.
- Costs for heating the coolant– the power consumption of water and electric heated floors is different. Thus, cable heating requires approximately 180-200 W of energy per m², while the surface heats up to only 30°C. The heat transfer and efficiency of the water circuit are much higher.
Which floor heating is better, using a pipeline or a cable? When choosing, the decisive factors are the possibility of carrying out major work (filling screed, dismantling old flooring, etc.), the possibility of using gas or as a heating source of coolant, the need to obtain permits and the service life of the system. A qualified specialist can also provide assistance in selecting a heating system.
Modern space heating systems using underfloor heating are becoming increasingly popular in post-Soviet countries. Until recently, this innovative heating system was widely used in Europe, but has now become available in our country.
How to choose a heated floor? Now on sale you can find high-quality heated floors from Russian manufacturers at affordable prices, who regularly improve their designs to please customers.
Which heated floor to choose - water or electric!
Warm floors vary depending on the heating system used. Today, two types of floors are produced and installed - water and electric.
However, they differ from other heating systems in one common feature - the presence of a low-temperature heater. It allows you to evenly distribute heat over the entire surface of the coating, warming it up to 30 degrees Celsius.
This home heating system is a multi-layer assembly (prefabricated) structure. A concrete base is poured into the first layer, then waterproofing and thermal insulation are laid. A cement or concrete screed is installed on top of the thermal insulation layer, which includes heating elements.
The heating means can be an electric cable, which converts current into heat, or copper water pipes through which water circulates.
It is important to note that installing water-based underfloor heating will require complex installation work, the cost of which is quite high. However, the advantage of such a system is its low energy consumption during operation. Therefore, for a country house where the heating area is large, water floors will be the most beneficial.
But do not forget that maintaining such a system is quite an expensive undertaking. Because if there is a leak, it is difficult to detect quickly.
Which heated floor is better
When asked which heated floor is better, undoubtedly, greater preference is given to heating systems with electric cables, which have already proven themselves to be practical and safe heating systems for modern homes around the world.
They are convenient and easy to install. Installing electric floors is much cheaper. They can be laid in any part of the house and under any floor covering (tile, wood, laminate, linoleum).
Thanks to economical energy consumption, heated floors with cables are attracting more and more buyers. With this type of heating, the entire space is heated evenly and continuously.
Since the heated air flow spreads from bottom to top and covers the entire room, regardless of the location of the furniture. As you know, when heating using a conventional radiator or convector, hot air does not enter closed areas.
In addition, heated floors provide a feeling of constant warmth and comfort, even when the room temperature drops. There will never be drafts or air vortices with dust microparticles in the room.
First of all, this is due to the fact that heated floors have a low operating temperature. While the surface of the radiator battery heats up to 70 degrees Celsius.
Temperature and air sensors allow you to maintain the required comfortable temperature in the room at different heights. At head level, the temperature is kept in the range of 18-24 degrees Celsius, at floor level – from 24 to 27. This smart organization of heating with vertical heat distribution also reduces electricity consumption.
The use of heated floors for heating is justified not only economically, but also aesthetically. Since standard and familiar wall heaters (radiator batteries) take up a lot of space and often simply spoil the appearance of the interior.
It should also be noted that an electrically heated floor operates in 2 modes: comfortable floor and full heating. At the same time, it is possible to organize heating not the entire surface, but only the necessary part of it. The standard power consumption of a heated floor per 1m2 is 90-150W. But it depends on various factors, so it is almost impossible to calculate the optimal power for a room.
Now, having a general understanding of the radiator heating field, it becomes obvious that in modern life such a heating system is simply a necessary element of home improvement.
With proper use, it will serve its owner for many years, creating a cozy, comfortable atmosphere in the house. It is worth remembering that when choosing home heating, you need to take care not only of warmth, but also of the health of your loved ones.
Floor heating systems are used as a leading or additional heating method; from curiosities, they have turned into proven and reliable options, which are increasingly chosen by owners of city apartments. Before installing electric heated floors, you need to find out how to choose the best option from the store consultants or by reading reviews on the forums.
Basically, heated floors come in two varieties - water and electric. It is difficult to unambiguously answer the question: water or electric underfloor heating - which is better, since each of the systems has advantages and disadvantages.
Water heated floor
Water heating, consisting of a circuit of pipes in the floor screed, is connected to the heating. It is considered a fairly effective and inexpensive way to heat a room. However, it requires labor-intensive work, debugging, the purchase of expensive equipment, and permission from management companies. Therefore, when choosing water or electric heated floors, many people prefer electric systems. They are easier to install and less prone to breakdowns.
Electric heated floor
Among electrical systems you can choose heating cable, mats, film. The price per m2 of heated electric floor, electricity and installation costs will depend on the choice. Having considered the basic principles of operation and recommendations of manufacturers, you can settle on the optimal system.
Heating cable
Convenient and easy to install and operate floor heating method. A heating cable is similar in appearance to an electric one, but the essence of its work is to convert electricity into heat. Cables can be single- or double-core, which affects the way they are connected. When considering the prices of warm electric floors, you need to take into account the installation costs - they install the cable in a screed over 2cm thick.
This type of heating cannot be combined with linoleum, parquet, or carpet, but such warm electric floors under tiles or porcelain stoneware are perfect. It is possible to save on electricity due to the fact that heat is retained in a thick screed, which means you can maintain the desired temperature level from time to time, rather than keeping the system constantly on.
Heating mats
The mats come in convection and infrared mats. Rolled convection mats are a type of heating cable, which is described above. As for infrared mats, the working element in them are rods arranged in parallel. The ends of the rods are connected to the electrical wiring. If one of the rods fails, the warm electric floor will not heat only in this area, and the rest of the system will continue to operate. Infrared mats can be installed regardless of the location of furniture in the interior, unlike other systems.
Film floor
When choosing which electric heated floor is better, you should pay attention to the infrared film, the thickness of which is 0.5 mm. The peculiarity of the system is that it must be protected from moisture, so “wet” laying of the coating on top is excluded. This type of warm electric floor under linoleum, parquet and laminate is most often chosen. Heating is carried out only when turned on, the rest of the time the room is cooled. This and other systems are equipped with thermostats and sensors to maintain optimal temperature.
When the question arises of how to choose warm electric floors, the cost should also take into account the costs of additional devices, installation, and flooring.
Which gender to choose
Before choosing warm electric floors for laminate or other covering, you need to read reviews and recommendations from professionals. For example, a film is chosen for linoleum, since a thick cable will deform the surface. The next point is the power of the heater. The price of 1 m2 of warm electric floor and the cost of electricity during operation will depend on this. It is important to indicate in what role it will play - if in the form of the main source of heat, then you need to buy a warm electric floor that is powerful enough.
Next, add up the cost of the thermostat and the price per square meter for a warm electric floor. Cheaper thermostats are represented by mechanical models that are not very functional. It is better to choose a thermostat or programmer. The latest device is the most modern, allowing you to set the necessary system operating parameters, reducing energy consumption. You can program the operation of the heated floor for a day or each day of the week separately, as is more convenient.
Features of laying heated floors
Most often, electric heated floors are installed under tiles in the bathroom, kitchen, and balcony. Often a warm electric floor is installed in a bathhouse. There are several installation options, each different in its own way.
The first option is installation in a screed, on top of which a floor covering is provided. This method is chosen for cable heating, laying waterproofing and insulation under it so that the heat does not escape.
The second option is installation on top of the screed, with porcelain tiles laid on top. Suitable for apartments on the second floor and above. It is important that the tile itself and the adhesive are protected from heating elements.
The third option is laying under the coating. It is used only for heating film, on top of which there will be linoleum or laminate. Foamed polyethylene and foil are laid on the existing screed, and waterproofing is used if necessary.
Regardless of which warm electric floor to choose, in each case, before starting work, a diagram is drawn up and the location of the heating elements is distributed.
In addition, areas where heating is not required are identified, in particular, where there are radiators, etc. After drawing up the diagram, the amount of materials is calculated, the price per meter of warm electric floors and the equipment that will be needed to control the system are taken into account. It is better to trust installation to specialists.
Advantages of heated floors
Warm floors are valued for their ability to create the most comfortable indoor microclimate. Heat rises from bottom to top, and the air gradually cools. The temperature near the floor will be about 25 degrees, at the height of a person’s head – about 18. Moreover, there are no drafts at all with such heating.
Another advantage is the ability to zone heating, for example, in the area of children's games or family recreation areas. Where there is no particular need for heating, even at the design stage the arrangement of heating elements is “thinned out”, rationally using electricity for its intended purpose.
The next advantage that distinguishes an electric heated floor from a water one is that there is no need to coordinate its installation with management organizations. You also won’t have to buy additional equipment, make massive screeds and subsequent repairs to the room. Therefore, when calculating how much a warm electric floor under tiles costs, we can say that the price is much lower than for a water floor.
An important advantage compared to water floors is high safety. Options with burst pipes and flooding of neighbors below are excluded. Installing an electric floor takes less time and costs less. Yes, for those who decide to buy an electric heated floor, the price of its operation will be higher than when connecting water heating, but this is the price for increased comfort and safety.
Electric floor heating is easy to control, adjustment accuracy is possible up to 1 degree. It is possible to connect it to the “smart home” system or program it for economical electricity consumption, taking into account low nightly electricity tariffs. Therefore, the issue of the high cost of operating such floors remains in doubt. More precisely, it has been tested - with proper calculation of the system, installation and adjustment, and the presence of thermal insulation in the apartment, energy bills do not go beyond reasonable limits.
What to buy for heated floors?
When planning to buy a heated floor, you immediately need to provide for the choice of control and monitoring devices (temperature regulator, temperature sensors). These devices can be included with mesh mats and cable systems, but can also be sold separately. Be sure to check how long the cable from the thermostat to the temperature sensor is. It is better to have a spare length; it is easier to cut off the excess, but extending pieces of cable is risky.
The thermostat is chosen depending on the budget. Simple models only allow you to adjust the temperature. More complex and expensive - they measure the temperature near the floor and in the room, allow you to adjust modes, program settings, and can be controlled remotely. Manufacturers provide recommendations on the choice of thermostat power, which must be taken into account when purchasing.
You definitely need to take care of safety. You need a separate 220V line from the meter, and not from the home outlet. The cable cross-section should be from 1.5 mm² for a standard system or 2.5 mm² for powerful systems. A circuit breaker is installed in the electrical panel; it is better to add an RCD to it.
Considering the listed advantages and disadvantages of different types of heated floors, you can choose the one that is most suitable for your tasks and finances. It is better to get advice from specialists who will install heating equipment.
Electric heated floors are popular due to their ease of installation and durability. It also does not require any additional communications other than electricity, so it is successfully used in private construction. Making an electric heated floor is not difficult; its installation does not require special knowledge and takes little time. Let's look at the main steps and important nuances that you need to know when installing a heated floor.
Electric heated floors are successfully used in absolutely any type of premises. These can be apartment or private houses, garages, bathhouses or loggias. It is only important to correctly select the power of the system and ensure sufficient thermal insulation. This method can be used as the only source of heating the room. But energy costs can add up significantly.
Types of electric heated floors (ETF)
All options for organizing such systems are divided into three groups.
- ETP based on heating wire. The entire system consists of a thermostat, a temperature sensor and a long double-insulated wire that produces heating. This is the cheapest, but also the most labor-intensive option. The wire must be laid out on the base floor and secured in a special mounting tape. It is important to maintain the same distance between the turns of the wire and to avoid kinks and overlaps of the wire.
- ETP based on heating mats. This option is more convenient to install, since the wire is factory laid in special reinforcing mats and rigidly fixed to them. You don't need to worry about laying out the wire, just lay out the mats of the required power on the base and connect them. This saves significant time and reduces the risk of error.
- ETP based on infrared film. This option is fundamentally different from the previous two. Heating occurs due to infrared healing of the carbon material deposited on the film base. This option does not necessarily require the use of a cement screed; the finishing coating can be laid directly on top of the film. However, this is the least reliable and uneconomical option for ETP.
Comparative characteristics of cable and film heated floors
| Signs | Film heating | Cable heating |
|---|---|---|
| Utility room | No need | No need |
| Floor thickness with screed | 5-10 mm | 50-100 mm |
| Installation time | 1 day | 1 day |
| Ready for use | Straightaway | 28 days |
| Installation options | Floor, ceiling, walls, any surfaces | Floor. Installation on other surfaces is possible, but difficult |
| Reliability | If even a significant part of the system is damaged, undamaged segments continue to operate | If the cable is damaged in any way, it completely fails. |
| Repair costs | Minimum | Highs, 100% |
| Service | Not required | Not required |
| Freezing in winter | Absent | Absent |
| Health effects | Positive healing | Neutral subject to high-quality two-core cable |
| Heat distribution and impact on coatings | Uniform heating | Uneven temperature distribution, there are zones of increased temperature |
| Zoning | Possibility of organizing separate spot zones | |
| Expenses | Relatively low initially. Energy saving | Relatively low initial, operational - according to the meter |
Operating principle of ETP
In the case of heating wire and mats, the conductor is heated under the influence of the electric current flowing in it. The wire heats the screed, which in turn heats the finish coating. Heating occurs by convection.
In the case of using infrared film, heating occurs by thermal radiation of the carbon layer, which occurs under the influence of electric current. This radiation heats the finish coating and objects located close enough to the floor. They heat the air in the room by convection.
Temperature regulation is carried out using a temperature sensor and a thermostat through which the heated floor is connected.
How to choose the required power of a heated floor
Before calculating the power, you need to know whether the room will be heated only with the help of an EHP or whether it will complement the main heating system, creating additional comfort. Each ETP manufacturer indicates in the technical data sheet of its product what power must be selected in each case.
For most rooms, a value of 120-140 W/m2 is selected as a comfortable ETP based on a heating wire or heating mat. If the ETP is made on the basis of infrared film, then the comfortable value is 150 W/m2.
If the room will be heated only by ETP, then the value 160-180 W/m2 is selected for the heating wire or mat, and for infrared film the power should be 220 W/m2.
If you use a heating mat or infrared film, then the power per square meter is known in advance and you just need to choose the appropriate option. If a heating cable is used, the power will depend on the distance between its turns. You need to know in advance the area and shape of the heating surface, after which you will determine the required distance using the tables in the technical data sheet or instructions. Usually it is 10-30 cm depending on the power of the cable.
It is important to take into account the maximum possible load on the building's electrical network, and also to use switching equipment designed for the appropriate load current.
What consequences can result from errors during the installation of ETP?
A common mistake is laying ETP under massive furniture and household appliances. Insufficient cooling of the floor surface can cause the wire to overheat and fail.
Never turn on heating wires or mats until the screed is completely dry. Even short-term activation can damage the heater. Checking the integrity of the laid cable and correct connection is only possible by measuring the resistance. This does not apply to infrared film flooring; it can and should be connected to the network for testing.
Do not bend the wire, do not step on it, and avoid pulling on the wire. All this can lead to damage to the conductor or insulation and breakdown of the entire system. Also avoid damaging the heating film if you are installing an infrared ETP.
Do not forget to monitor the insulation resistance at all stages of work, especially before pouring the screed. The value should not differ from that declared by the manufacturer by more than 10%. If you see a large discrepancy in the values, stop work and locate the area of damaged insulation. If this rule is neglected, then after the screed has dried, a very unpleasant surprise may await you in the form of a non-working ETP.
Do not pour the temperature sensor directly into the screed. Place it in the corrugation, which will be filled with screed. Sensors often fail and if you pour it into the screed, replacing it will require considerable effort.
When installing an infrared ETP, do not forget to insulate the current-carrying parts at the places where the film is cut. Otherwise, the protective equipment will constantly detect the leakage current and turn off the power to your ETP.
Advantages and disadvantages of ETP
The advantages of ETP are:
- ease of installation of the structure. This is especially true for heating mats and infrared film. They simply need to be laid out on the base and connected according to the instructions; this does not require any special knowledge;
- high reliability and durability. Provided the insulation is intact, the heating wire or mats embedded in the screed have an almost unlimited service life;
- high autonomy. ETP does not require connecting the house to the water supply and even works from an electric generator. This allows it to be used in village houses and cottages.
The disadvantages of this heating method include:
- relatively high cost of heating a room. EHP consumes quite a lot of power, especially if it is the only heating method;
- Due to the relatively low temperature of the floor surface, the air in the room warms up rather slowly. This is relevant if the EHP is the only source of heat and does not operate constantly. For example, in a country house in winter;
- Since heating elements are prohibited from being placed under massive furniture, global rearrangement of the furniture will not be possible after the work is completed.
Step-by-step instructions for installing ETP
Preparing the base
ETP flooring must be laid on a clean, dry base. It is necessary to cut a groove in the wall for the temperature regulator and wires. Carefully sweep away any accumulated debris.
After this, you need to put a layer of thermal insulation on the base, for example, penofol or expanded polystyrene. If there is a heated room on the floor below, then it will be enough to lay a layer of penofol 5 mm thick. If there is an unheated room or ground under the heated floor, then it is necessary to use polystyrene foam with a thickness of 20 mm to 50 mm, depending on the severity of winters in your area. Thermal insulation is fixed using any adhesive material.
Laying heating elements
Before installation, mark the floor. It is important to highlight those areas that should not warm up. It is important to remember that a distance of 0.5 m must be maintained from walls and large furniture, and a distance of at least 0.3 m from heating appliances, stoves and fireplaces.
If you are installing a heated floor based on a heating wire, then first you need to install the mounting tape. It will fix the turns of the wire and prevent them from moving. Lay the tape over the thermal insulation and secure with dowels.
Attaching the mounting tape
Carefully unwind the heating wire and lay it on top of the thermal insulation and mounting tape, strictly observing the parallelism of the turns and the spaces between them. Secure each turn using fixing tendrils on the mounting tape. The turns of the wire should not overlap under any circumstances. After installation, measure the insulation resistance; it should not differ from the standard by more than 10%.
If you are using infrared film, carefully unwind it along the base, then connect the sheets of film together in parallel. Route the wires to the location where the thermostat is installed.
Installing a Temperature Sensor
If you are installing an ETP based on a heating wire or mat, then the temperature sensor should be located in a corrugated tube. Make a small depression in the thermal insulation layer and place a tube with a diameter of 20 mm in it. Plug one end of the tube tightly with insulation, and bring the other end above the floor level in the same place where the wires will come out.
Place the temperature sensor at the end of the tube and make sure it can be easily pulled back out. This is important for the possibility of replacing the sensor after the floor has been screeded.
If you are using an infrared ETP, you can check it by turning it on, the floor should be warm to the touch.
Filling a heated floor with screed
If you use an infrared ETP, then filling is not required, you can immediately begin installing the finishing coating.
If you use a heating wire or mat, then filling the screed is strictly necessary. It is necessary to fill the cement to a thickness of 30-50 mm. After the screed has hardened, you can begin installing the finishing coating, for example, tiles, laminate or linoleum. The first switching on of the heated floor can be carried out only after the screed has completely dried. Most manufacturers set a complete drying time of 28 days. This ensures that there are no voids around the wire, which will eventually cause the wire to burn out.
Video - Installation of heating mats
Video - Warm floor under tiles
Video - Installation of Electrolux heated floor, cable
Video - Installation of film heated floors