A network of low profile fully armored heating cables placed in mortar just below your flooring providing a warm floor and added comfort to the room above.
Warming Systems has products designed for either 120V or 240V applications. The system is designed to supply approximately 12 watts per square foot
1/8"
Warming Systems floor warming systems are designed for marble, concrete, ceramic, tile, laminate, engineered wood, carpet, pavers, or slate floor types.
Yes. We recommend using some type of insualtion to avoid heat loss through the concrete. We sell a synthetic cork underlayment called Cerazorb that does this https://www.warmingsystems.com/cerazorb-thermal-break-underlayment-2-x-4/.
It usually takes approximately 1 hour to warm the floor, depending on floor types, distance from floor surface, and the insulating properties of the floor below.
There are many variables that can affect the floor temperature, but generally the floor will warm to about 90°F.
Besides the difference in voltage, the amps are different as well. The amps on a 240V system are half the amps of a 120V system. For example a 50 sq. ft. 120V system is 5.0 amps. The 50 sq. ft. 240V system is 2.5 amps. The total watts on a 120V or 240V system are the same (12 watts/ sq. ft.). On the 50 sq. ft. system regardles of the voltage, total watts are 600.
The 240V system will not heat up faster than the 120V system and there are no energy savings besides the fact that there are less amps on the 240V system. Both systems are 12 watts/sq. ft. and you pay per watt on your electric bill.
Warming Systems products are designed for easy installation by the average do-it-yourselfer, making sure all local electrical building codes are followed.
You will need to accurately measure the area of the floor you intend to warm in square feet. Do not include areas under objects such as toilets, vanities, or other inaccessible areas or permanent objects. Measurements should be as accurate as possible. For more information see Tips for Choosing the Right Size Product. If you still need help, email an accurately measured floorplan to design@warmingsystems.com.
Yes by measuring the ohm resistance between the black and white cold lead wires. The ohm reading is different for each size system. The ohm resistance range can be found on the white label on the silver cold lead of the system. Do not energize the cables prior to installation.
The reading on the sensor wire is 8,000 to 12,000 ohms NOT 8-12 ohms. Don't let your fingers interfere with the reading. Hook the sensor wire up to the thermostat, if you get a temperature reading it's OK.
No. The length of the heating element can not be adjusted.
Yes, the shielded cold lead can be cut to a desired length.
Yes.
No. The heating elements must not touch, cross, or overlap itself at any point. This will void the warranty and require replacement.
The heating element should keep a minimum distance of 2" apart at all times.
The heat radiates no more than 2" in either direction of the cable.
Use a polymer modified cement based mortar.
You can purchase a repair kit to fix it.
We recommend installing the heating system on concrete or concrete backer board, but the system can be installed on a plywood subfloor. Regardless of the subfloor, the heating system must be completely embedded in a polymer modified cement based mortar.
We recommend installing 2" from the wall since the heat radiates no more that 2" in either direction from the cable.
Yes. You can do this one of three ways.
1. Use a GFCI protected circuit breaker
2. Have the system tapped off the protected side of a GFCI outlet
3. Use a thermostat with the GFCI built into it.
The OJ Electronics thermostats and aube by Honeywell model TH115-AF-GA thermostat are GFCI protected. The aube by Honeywell thermostats TH115-AF-120S and TH115-AF-240S are not GFCI protected. If you use these thermostats you need to have a GFCI protected circuit breaker.
Related links:What is a good self-introduction example?Can I Put a Comforter on Top of an Electric Blanket?
Multiple mats/cables can be connected in Parallel at the thermostat. Mats/cables are not connected together on the floor. The systems must be the same voltage. Please see following question.
You can put up to 150 sq. ft. of a 120V system on one 120V thermostat and up to 300 sq. ft. of a 240V system on one 240V thermostat. Anything over these sizes requires additional thermostats or a power module.
4" square electrical box with a single gang mud ring that's located within reach of the 10' cold lead.
Keep heating wires about 6" to 8" away from the wax seal on toilet. If the wax gets hot, it could melt.
This means that the end of the heating wire does not need to be run back to the thermostat. This process makes the installation easier, and the average home owner can install the product themselves.
The cold lead that connects to the thermostat is 10 ft. long.
The thermostat floor sensor is 10 ft. long.
No, but you can install our heating systems under laminate or engineered wood floors.
Warming Systems offers a 25 Year Warranty on its heating mats and cables. Thermostats have a 1-year warranty through Warming Systems and an additional 2-year warranty with the thermostat manufacturer.
No. The electric floor warming systems manufactured by Warming Systems Inc. are designed for interior floor applications, supplying 12 watts/square foot. They cannot be used for exterior snow melt or ceiling heating applications.
Electric floor warming systems are very cost effective to operate. An average bathroom uses about the same amount of energy as two 100-watt light bulbs. Used in conjunction with a programmable floor-sensing thermostat will make the system even more efficient.
Orders being delivered within the U.S. are shipped via UPS or USPS. Orders delivered to Canada are shipped via USPS (United States Postal Service).
In the UK we are becoming increasingly conscious of the rising cost of energy and the impact that heating our homes has on the environment. Electric heating offers an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to heating our homes than traditional gas central heating and it’s one of the factors that is helping the popularity of electric to continue to grow.
As you can imagine, the more popular electric heating has become, the more questions we get asked. So, we thought it would be a good idea to give you our answers to the ten most common electric underfloor heating questions we have been asked in the last 12 months.
If you have a question that hasn’t been covered in this blog, please either drop it in the comments below or contact one of the ThermoSphere team and we’ll have it answered in a jiffy!
1. What are the running costs of electric underfloor heating?
This is, and for the foreseeable future will be, the elephant in the room.
There is no denying it, the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) of gas (15p) is cheaper than electricity (52p). This does not take into consideration any regional variance of tariffs or the Energy Price Guarantee.
So, if your electric underfloor heating system is, as an example (and for easier maths), 200W per square metre, it will cost you 52p for every 5 metres of floor when you have the system on.
However, you’ll find that electric underfloor heating is only on for between 2-4 hours per day and more commonly found in bathrooms of averaging 2.5m2 in size. According to Which? ‘based on manufacturers and Beama estimates, we estimate that running underfloor heating for four hours a day in a 2.5m2 bathroom would incur monthly electricity costs of around £4-6’.
Running cost will also be heavily influenced by other factors which include:
- Insulation
- Floor build-up
- How it’s controlled
- Energy tariffs
2. Can electric underfloor heating be used as our main source of heat?
In a nutshell, yes it can!
What do we mean by ‘main source of heat’? This is also known as ‘primary heat source’ and is a heating system used for most of the heating demand of your home.
If you are considering using electric underfloor heating as a primary heat source, we would recommend getting a heat loss calculation for your property. This will let you know the heating output of the system required to effectively heat the space.
Electric underfloor heating uses a large amount of current and therefore we would advise consulting your local electrician to check that the total load of the system does not exceed the total load of your electrical circuit.
3. Is electric underfloor heating energy efficient?
Electric underfloor heating is 100% efficient at point of use.
What does this mean?
Every joule of energy you pay for is used at the exact point where the heat it is needed. Electric underfloor heating also operates at a much lower temperatures compared to traditional central heating because it effectively turns a large surface area (the floor) into one big radiator. This results is a system that uses between 15% – 40% less energy than a traditional radiator.
Another big plus for the efficiency conscious and environmentally aware homeowner is electric heating produces much less carbon emissions compared with gas alternatives. However, it’s important to note that to make an electric heating system totally emission-free, the electricity used to power it must be 100% from renewable sources such as wind or solar.
4. What type of electric underfloor heating system should I choose?
When deciding on what electric underfloor heating system to install, it will depend on what floor finish you plan to lay over it, the type of application such as a wet room and how well insulated the room is.
We’ll run through the floor finishes and guide you through what system is best. However, our team are on hand to help you select the right one. Simply give them a call to discuss your project.
Tile or stone floor finishes
If your plan is to choose tile or stone for your floor finish, we would recommend a heating and decoupling system (ThermoSphere Membrane) or a pre-spaced mesh mat system (ThermoSphere Mesh).
A heating and decupling system is a more recent innovation compared to a pre-spaced mesh mat system. The decoupling membrane is designed to prevent cracking, lifting and delamination of tiled floors. It acts like a decoupling layer which allows the tiled surface to move independently from the substrate. This type of system is also more commonly found in wet rooms because of its waterproofing properties.
Another benefit of this type of system is that they allow for different heating outputs by changing the spacing of the heating cable. For example, using wider spacing means that you can create a lower heat output which is ideal for well-insulated rooms.
The pre-spaced mesh mat system has a heating cable already attached to a mesh mat at regular intervals. You’ll find that there are a variety of outputs available. The higher the wattage, the faster the heat-up time. For example, 200W/m2 is perfect for high demand rooms like conservatories. 150W/m2 is a great primary heat source for well insulated rooms and 100W/m2 is usually for floor warming only.
For a more in-depth guide on electric underfloor heating for tile and stone floor finishes, read ‘The best electric underfloor heating for tile and stone floors’.
Wood, Carpet or Vinyl floors
If you plan to have a floating floor finish such as wood, carpet or vinyl then a foil electric underfloor heating system is the perfect fit. They usually have a specific output such as 140W/m2 (ThermoSphere Foil) which is designed to not overheat soft floor finishes and can be installed without adhesives.
These systems provide great thermal conductivity and fast heat up times because the heating cable is wrapped by two layers of foil which is an ideal thermal conductor.
If you plan to lay carpet, read ‘Can you use electric underfloor heating under carpet?’ which has some top tips you need to consider before installing electric underfloor heating. Plus we have the popular ‘What’s the best underfloor heating for living rooms and lounges?’ blog which also covers vinyl and wood floor finishes.
Any floor finish
You’ll find that In-screed electric underfloor heating systems are more readily used in new build or extension projects because the heating cable can easily be installed in the screed layer in the building phase and can be used with any floor finish. This type of system is ideal for rooms that are in almost constant use as they have longer heat up and cool down times.
The heating output per m2 can be adjusted by varying the cable spacing and if you plan to use it as a primary heat source, we recommend using it off peak to ensure greater energy efficiency.
In-screed electric heating systems will take longer to install compared with electric underfloor heating mats.
5. Why do I need insulation board?
Often the first thing to be removed from an electric underfloor heating quote is insulation board which often leads to unhappy homeowners asking the question ‘why is my underfloor heating taking so long to heat the room?’. Without insulation board, your living space will take longer to reach your desired temperature and that means it will cost you more money to run and you’ll be wasting unnecessary energy.
By including insulation board, you will reduce heat being lost downwards through the subfloor Instead, most of the heat will be heating the floor above and improve the efficiency of your electric underfloor heating system by up to 50%!
Additional benefits include:
- Adds strength to the floor build-up
- Helps to reduce impact sound
- Very lightweight so it won’t overload your floor design
Still not convinced? Read our guide to insulation board.
6. What’s the best thermostat to control it?
There are so many different types of thermostats to choose from and it boils down to what type suits your lifestyle more than others. From a manual thermostat where you simply turn a dial to adjust the temperature to changing the temperature using your voice with a smart thermostat.
Manual thermostat: Ideal if you want something simple
If technology isn’t your thing and you only want to control the heating in a room infrequently, then the Manual thermostat is for you. Just remember that it isn’t Lot 20 compliant.
Programmable thermostat: The most common type of thermostat
If you are eager to reduce your energy consumption, and make a positive dent to your heating bills, then the Programmable thermostat fits perfectly. It’s EcoDesign Lot 20 compliant so it is jam packed full of energy saving features that you will enjoy.
Smart thermostat: Perfect for controlling your heating from your phone
Do you love your gadgets and gizmos? Are you already embracing smart home technology in your home? If so, a smart thermostat such as our SmartHome is your go to thermostat. It will monitor your energy consumption via the App and you’ll have complete peace of mind knowing you can control your heating via your smart phone and voice.
Smart thermostats have the most potential of any thermostat to help you to reduce your running cost of your electric underfloor heating system.
Dual Control: Conveniently control two heating appliances with one thermostat
If you want to easily control the heating in your bathroom and surround yourself with a luxury spa feeling, then the Dual Control thermostat has everything you need to control your electric underfloor heating and towel rail in one.
Nest or Hive thermostats
These thermostats are not suited to controlling electric underfloor heating.
You can find out why and more detail about choosing the right thermostat for you in the blog ‘What is the best thermostat to use for underfloor heating?’
7. Can anyone install electric underfloor heating?
Any ThermoSphere electric underfloor heating system is easy to install and any competent person or skilled DIYer can do it. However, the final connection of the system to the mains supply must be completed by a Part P registered electrician. This is to ensure safety and compliance.
8. Where’s the best place to buy it?
You can buy electric underfloor heating directly online or in the majority of electrical wholesalers, merchants, bathroom shops and tile shops.
You can buy any ThermoSphere electric heating products from a wide network of resellers throughout the UK, and you can find your local ThermoSphere reseller using this handy search tool.
We just don’t sell direct. Sorry. But if you want to know the reason, we wrote a blog on it called ‘Where can I buy ThermoSphere electric heating? Can I buy from you?’.
9. What type of warranty does electric underfloor heating have?
Warranties on electric underfloor heating systems vary depending on what brand you decide to run with. When comparing warranties, we recommend checking the small print where possible.
If you feel that a ThermoSphere electric underfloor system is right for you, then you’ll be pleased to know that they all come with a comprehensive lifetime warranty. Unlike others, the warranty stays with the property and not the person. So, if you move, the electric underfloor heating system will be covered for your buyer too! To take advantage of the lifetime warranty, you must register your ThermoSphere electric underfloor heating installation.
You’ll be hard pushed to find a thermostat that comes with the same lifetime warranty as the underfloor heating system. On average, they come with a 3-year warranty and some brands give you the option to extend the warranty for your peace of mind.
10. Can electric underfloor heating be repaired?
Yes! Electric underfloor heating systems can be repaired.
When it comes to a damaged heating cable, it can be easily located and repaired by an electric underfloor heating repair specialist such as UFH Services Ltd. They can locate the damaged area using a thermal camera, lift the floor covering and repair the cable.
The cost of an electric underfloor heating repair depends on a few things. The cost ranges from between £300 to £500 depending on where you are in the UK, the type of repair needed, and the time taken to do it. This price does not usually include the cost of the replacement tile or floor finish.
If the fault is found to be a manufacturing fault, then you should be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. But, as always, check the details of the warranty and don’t forget to register your system!
For further detail on repairing electric underfloor heating, read our dedicated blog.
Questions?
As mentioned at the start of this blog, if you have a question that hasn’t been covered, please either drop it in the comments below or contact one of the ThermoSphere team and we’ll answer it.
