TempZone™ Flex Rolls Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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The floor heating systems are offered in both 120 volt and 240 volt for the North American market. A 208 volt breaker panel can also accommodate our 240 volt floor heating system. It is important to note that the energy consumption will be the same: a 240 volt system will not cost more to operate than a 120 volt system. You are billed in kilowatts, and the 120 volt and 240 volt systems use the same amount of kilowatts. WarmlyYours often specifies a 120 volt system in smaller projects while a 240 volt system is typically recommended for larger projects (120 square feet of electric floor heating coverage or more). The benefit of switching to a 240 volt system is the reduction in amperage. Our programmable thermostat can control a radiant floor system up to 15 amps. The 120 volt system will reach 15 amps at 120 square feet of electric floor heating coverage. However, the 240 volt system will reach 15 amps at 240 square feet of electric floor heating coverage, allowing a much larger system to be connected to the thermostat. For installations over 240 square feet, a relay contactor or power modules are needed.
Since most Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) manufacturers set a maximum temperature for radiant floor heating, the system should have little to no effect on the rubber/cork backing.
Pre-attached backing can act as an insulating layer though, meaning it can prevent the radiant heating from efficiently directing heat up through the floor. Please check with the manufacturer for the r-value of the product. Look for an assembled plank with an r-value of less than 1. The lower the r-value, the better!
This is stated in the Installation Manual of the LVT product when purchased. On average, this maximum temperature will fall between 80°F and 83°F. This number can then be used to program the thermostat during setup to set the floor's maximum temperature.
For best results, we recommend a 1”- 1.5” maximum distance between the heating cable and the top of the floor. Nailed down hardwood will require sleepers to run the cable safely between board nails. Be sure to use 3/8" to 3/4" of self-leveling cement to embed the heating element.
If the flooring manufacturer has a warranty for electric floor heating, it should not be adversely affected by shrinkage, expansion, or warping. Again, it will depend on the brand and construction of the product. Some manufacturers may place limitations on the maximum floor heating temperature. To minimize expansion and contraction, some Luxury Vinyl Tile companies require heating the flooring to a continuous heating level with "setback" temperatures (lower temperature settings during the day and overnight) kept to a minimum.
While radiant heating can affect the expansion and contraction of the floor, the most overlooked and important factor is the relative humidity in the space, so a humidifier or dehumidifier may be needed.
Yes, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is typically installed over the embedded heating element using self-leveling cement (SLC). Many people choose to use SLC when installing tile over floor heating.
We do not suggest using thinset to encase the heating wires with LVT, as it is very difficult to get thinset completely flat.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), and Solid Core all fall into the category of "vinyl flooring." These vinyl flooring types can be rated for floor heating, but the application will completely depend on the manufacturer's guidelines.
Please look in the installation manual and warranty documents of the LVT, WPC, and Solid Core flooring product that you are interested in to see if and what types of heating are allowed.
As for a list of manufacturers of LVT, WPC, and Solid Core products providing a warranty for their products with radiant heat -- many do provide a warranty for their products when properly installed with floor heating. The list of these is ever-changing, so please be sure to check with the flooring manufacturer for current recommendations.
We suggest removing SPC or WPC flooring before installing the floor heating system over it if possible. If that is not practical, use an underlayment designed specifically for covering these types of floors. Radiant heating can be used with many types of these floors, but check with the flooring manufacturer to confirm that it can be paired with these types of systems.
There are heating systems designed for floating floors, such as our Environ system. However, the flooring must be rigid enough so it does not mold itself to the heating cables over time.
Check the flooring manufacturer's floor heating recommendations. In most cases, the heating system will need to be embedded beneath the flooring. Check for all "flatness" requirements for the flooring you choose. The flattest floors utilize self-leveling cement when installed correctly.
We recommend verifying 3 things with the manufacturer of the flooring product to be heated;
1.) Is the flooring product compatible with electric floor heating?
2.) What is the maximum temperature the flooring product can withstand?
3.) What is the temperature set back recommendation of the flooring product?
While WarmlyYours electric radiant floor heating systems are typically installed by your floor covering contractor, a licensed electrician is recommended for the final thermostat hook-up. With every quote, we provide an Installation Plan layout, together with an electrical plan that has all the info required for the electrician.
Our electric radiant floor heating systems have withstood rigorous safety testing and earned the UL listing. They produce much less EMF than common household appliances like your TV or vacuum cleaner. The EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) tests all electrical devices and publishes the data. Many common household appliances are tested at a distance of 6 inches. The test results indicate that on average, the EMF emitted for the following appliances, measured in Milligauss (mG) units, is:
Vacuum Cleaner: 300 mG
Microwave: 200 mG
Portable Heater: 100 mG
Dishwasher: 20 mG
Washing Machine: 20 mG
WarmlyYours TempZone™ (Twin): 1.8 mG
WarmlyYours’ TempZone™ product is most commonly installed under tile, stone, and marble flooring, but can also be installed under many other popular floor covering options such as hardwood, vinyl and linoleum. We also have our Environ system, which is an electric floor heating product as well and is specially designed for installation under carpet (in the U.S. only), laminate and floating wood. WarmlyYours can accommodate any flooring type with either of the electric radiant floor heating products that we offer. If your flooring type isn't listed here, just give us a call at (800) 875-5285 and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Supplemental heat can be addressed by changing the spacing on cable installs. Floor location in the house is very important when considering adding supplemental heating to a floor. For example: If heating a second story floor, over a heated space, cable at 4" spacing can be used. The same type of heating over an unheated space would probably be done with TempZone Flex Rolls or TempZone Cable at 3" spacing. All heating is considered supplemental unless a heat loss calculation is done.
The breaker and wire sizes are selected based on the total amperage of the WarmlyYours heating system connected to a single thermostat. This information is on the WarmlyYours heating system's installation plan, electrical plan, or UL label. Based on guidelines from the National Electrical Code: loads up to 16 Amps may utilize 12 gauge wire with a 20-Amp breaker, and loads up to 12 Amps - 14 gauge wire with a 15-Amp breaker. Local code and/or other factors may change these guidelines.
Always check with the flooring manufacturer to see what they will cover when it comes to floor heating. In most cases there will be a floor temperature limit - this can be programmed into a programmable or smart thermostat. Check for installation instructions and requirements before adding floor heating.
Yes. The WarmlyYours TempZone™ floor heating system has withstood rigorous safety testing by the Underwriter's Laboratory and has received UL listing for the U.S. as well cUL certification for Canada. WarmlyYours offers thermostats that carry the CSA Mark and the UL listing, which certifies that the product has been tested under extreme conditions and meets applicable standards for safety and/or performance in the U.S. and Canada. All WarmlyYours thermostats contain a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) which provides fail-safe protection against an electrical shock.
Waterproofing for the room is in the layer above the floor heating system. The layers for waterproofing this type of floor are:
- subfloor
- thinset
- uncoupling membrane
- tempzone heating cable
- waterproofing tape for seams and corners
- thinset or self leveling cement
- tile floor
No. Never cut the heating cable. The floor heating cable is designed with a very specific resistance in order to consistently maintain heating at the chosen wattage per square foot. Trimming the heating cable would lower the resistance of the cable causing the system to overheat. Adding heating cable to the system would raise the resistance and the system would not heat properly.
Bathrooms designed with shower and floor heating will include only one thermostat by default. But it is possible to design with a thermostat for each zone if desired. Installing a separate thermostat for the shower area can help reduce cost and energy usage. This also allows you to heat the bathroom floor alone for everyday use and only heat the shower area when needed.
Make sure any cracks or raised edges are sanded down before installation. Seal and patch cracks where possible. If needed, pour a layer of self-leveling cement to make sure surface is level and flat. Then proceed with instructions to install desired floor heating system and flooring.
It is strongly recommended that an insulating underlayment be installed between the slab and heating element to prevent heat loss.
TempZone™ is an electric floor heating system that operates like an electric blanket for your floors. TempZone™ is covered in thin-set or Self-Leveling Underlayment, and is installed over the top of your subfloor and beneath your flooring. The system provides a warm, even temperature across your floor, generating floor-to-ceiling radiant warmth to transform these naturally cold surfaces into warm floors. Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms or any room in your home where you would enjoy radiant warmth and comfort, the TempZone™ floor heating system is easy to install, operate and maintain.
The most important factor for the wood floor chosen is structural stability.
According to the USDA Forest Service, this list shows most dimensionally stable to least:
- Mesquite
- Australian Cypress
- Teak
- Santos Mahogany
- American Cherry
- South Yellow Pine
- Douglas Fir
- American Walnut
- Brazilian Cherry
- Hard Maple
- Red Oak
- True Hickory
- American Beech
Engineered is the most structurally stable compared to natural hardwood, so it will work the best with floor heating.
If you do want to go with Hardwood, quartersawn or riftsawn narrow planks are the most structurally stable and would work best for this application.
Overall the most important factor for the room is relative humidity. Keeping a consistent humidity and temperature in the home will help wood floors last for many years to come.
The TempZone™ Flex Rolls, Easy Mats and Shower Mats are designed to deliver 15 watts per square foot (maximum allowed by the National Electrical Code), with the heating element positioned 3” apart on a serpentine loop attached to a fiber mesh. The TempZone™ Cable yields between 8-12 watts per square foot, variable, based on the cable spacing. TempZone™ Custom Mats are made to order, so the spacing of the heating element throughout the mat varies according to each specific design. The TempZone™ Custom Mats can yield from 12 to 15 watts per square foot.
The TempZone™ twin conductor cable present in our TempZone™ products is comprised of a double-insulated, coaxial heating cable. The total thickness of the system can be between ⅛” and 5/32” thick and will not noticeably affect the height of your installed flooring.
An electric underfloor heating system doesn't need to be left on all the time. The system can be completely turned off or set back to a lower temperature when not in use. If you have a programmable floor heating thermostat, then the system can also be set to operate only during specific times.
We usually recommend that you have an individual thermostat for each room. However, if it's an open floor plan and your local electrical code allows you to have one controller for the whole area, then it's definitely possible to have it all controlled from one thermostat.
Yes, you can add radiant heating to an existing slab using "over-the-slab" systems like TempZone™ Flex Rolls or Easy Mats. These low-profile electric systems are installed on top of the existing concrete using thinset or self-leveling underlayment, allowing you to add warmth without tearing out the original floor.
Reflective insulation is not effective with conductive heating, which is how embedded floor heating and snow-melting systems transfer heat. To be effective, the reflective insulation surface needs to face an air space (air gap), which allows the reflected heat to be redirected.
An effective solution considers the insulating material's R-Value. This is the rating of a material's insulating properties. The "R" stands for "resistance" and refers to the material's resistance to heat flow, or temperature conduction.
Yes, we offer several options to help make your floor heating system water resistant or waterproof. Our TempZone product line is designed for wet areas - making it completely safe for rooms that will have water on the floor at times or may experience leaks or flooding. We also offer waterproofing bands for our TempZone Cable + Prodeso Uncoupling Membrane system. Allowing you to waterproof all seams and the perimeters of the wall - guaranteeing that your floor heating system stays safe and prevents water from leaking to areas below.
Yes, many homeowners successfully install bathroom floor heating systems themselves. WarmlyYours provides detailed installation manuals, 24/7 technical support, and custom installation plans to guide you through the process. However, a licensed electrician is required to perform the final electrical connections and thermostat wiring to ensure safety and warranty compliance.
Yes, electric radiant floor heating can maintain a cozy 70°F even when outside temperatures drop well below zero. By heating the objects and people in a room directly, a properly sized and insulated system provides reliable, consistent warmth that outperforms traditional forced-air systems during extreme Midwestern winters.
Yes, radiant floor heating can be a primary heat source if its heat output exceeds the room's heat loss. For best results, we recommend using a 15-watt system, covering at least 80% of the floor, and ensuring the space is well-insulated. Use our Heat Loss Calculator to verify your specific needs.
Yes, radiant floor heating is an excellent primary heat source for tiny houses in mild to moderate climates. Because tiny houses have small footprints, the 15-watt output of TempZone™ can easily maintain comfort while saving valuable wall space. Ensure the structure is well-insulated and use our Heat Loss Calculator to confirm.
Yes, bedroom floor heating can be a DIY project. Systems like TempZone Easy Mats or Environ Flex Rolls are designed for straightforward installation under various flooring types. While you can lay the heating elements and flooring yourself, you must hire a certified electrician to connect the system to power and install the thermostat.
Yes, you can put radiant floor heat under hardwood. Electric floor heating systems are designed to work safely and efficiently under both nailed hardwood floors and engineered wood. They provide consistent, comfortable warmth without damaging the wood, making radiant heat an excellent choice for your hardwood flooring.
Moisture control depends on the concrete slab, flooring, and heating assembly. Test the slab and follow the flooring, mortar, and heating manufacturers’ requirements for a compatible moisture-control system and its location. Do not place a loose sheet vapor barrier between layers that must bond to one another. Address water intrusion or hydrostatic-pressure problems before installing floor heating or finished flooring.
Yes, insulating underlayment is highly recommended when installing floor heating over concrete. It prevents the slab from acting as a "heat sink," which draws heat away from the floor. Using insulation like CeraZorb® ensures faster heat-up times and significantly improves the energy efficiency of your system.
Insulation is critical when installing floor heating over concrete. Without it, the slab absorbs much of the heat, leading to slow warm-up times and wasted energy. Products like CeraZorb® provide a thermal break that directs heat upward into the flooring, maximizing comfort and reducing operating costs.
Yes, we strongly recommend installing insulation like ThermalSheet™ over concrete slabs. Concrete acts as a "heat sink," absorbing warmth that should go to your floor. Insulation directs the heat upward, significantly improving efficiency, reducing warm-up times, and allowing the system to function effectively as a primary heat source.
No—electric floor heating systems like WarmlyYours TempZone are designed for DIY installation. The heating mat or cable is embedded in the thinset mortar layer during tile installation, which most experienced DIYers can complete without a professional. However, the electrical connection to the thermostat should be done by a licensed electrician in most jurisdictions.
Underlayment is recommended for floating floors (laminate, LVP, wood) and installations over cold subfloors like concrete. It provides thermal insulation to prevent heat loss and improves system efficiency. For tile and stone, the system is typically embedded in thinset, so a separate underlayment is often unnecessary.
To prepare a basement for radiant heating, ensure the concrete subfloor is level, clean, and free of debris. It is highly recommended to install a thermal break, like WarmlyYours CeraZorb, over the slab to prevent heat loss into the ground. Finally, verify that your electrical panel has sufficient capacity for the system's requirements.
Installation time depends on the room, subfloor preparation, heating layout, and tile assembly. TempZone mats or cable are installed in the approved mortar or underlayment below the tile, with the final electrical connection made by a qualified electrician. Do not energize the heating system until the mortar, underlayment, and grout have fully cured for the time specified by their manufacturers; a universal 24–48-hour waiting period is not appropriate.
The operating cost for electric floor heating is surprisingly low. On average, it costs about $0.05 to $0.10 per square foot per month to run a system for 8 hours a day. You can calculate your specific costs using our C$0.15/hr tool or by using the
Operating Cost Calculator for Floor Heating
Estimate your daily and monthly energy costs based on room size and local rates.Radiant floor heating costs vary by system type and project size. Electric floor heating mats or cables typically range from $5 to $12 per square foot. Total project costs also include a thermostat (starting around $100) and installation labor. For an accurate estimate tailored to your room, use our
Operating Cost Calculator for Floor Heating
Estimate your daily and monthly energy costs based on room size and local rates.Because radiant systems have a thermal lag, you should increase your thermostat set point 12-24 hours before an extreme cold snap arrives. This proactive adjustment, combined with ensuring your home is well-insulated, helps your system maintain a steady, comfortable temperature without struggling to catch up.
Yes, electric radiant floor heating is ideal for basements because it warms the cold concrete slab and provides consistent heat from the ground up. In well-insulated finished basements, it can serve as the primary heat source, turning a typically chilly space into a comfortable, year-round living area.
Radiant floor heating can heat a sunroom if the space has high-quality insulation and double-pane glass. Since sunrooms have high heat loss, a 15-watt system is essential. In extremely cold climates or poorly insulated sunrooms, it is best used as a supplemental source to keep the floor comfortable.
Radiant heating is often more efficient because it eliminates the "blast and fade" cycles and noisy ductwork of forced-air furnaces. By providing steady, low-level heat that doesn't escape to the ceiling, it creates a more consistent "barefoot sanctuary" while potentially reducing your overall energy consumption.
Yes, radiant heating is highly efficient in cold weather. Unlike forced-air systems that lose heat through ductwork and rising air, radiant heat warms objects directly via far-infrared energy. This method is up to 45% more energy-efficient, providing consistent comfort while significantly lowering monthly heating costs in frigid environments.
For the same wattage and operating time, 120V and 240V electric floor heating use the same amount of energy and produce the same heat. A 240V system draws less current for the same wattage, which can accommodate a larger heated area on a suitable circuit. Choose the heating product and control voltage to match the supply, and have an electrician verify circuit capacity, wiring, and applicable code.
An uncoupling membrane like Prodeso provides a flexible layer between your subfloor and tile, preventing cracks caused by natural floor movement. It also offers waterproofing and vapor management, making it ideal for bathrooms. Plus, the membrane’s studs make cable installation fast and consistent without the need for staples or glue.
For tile floors, electric radiant heating mats (like the WarmlyYours TempZone Floor Heating Mat) are the most popular choice because they embed directly in the thinset mortar layer without raising floor height significantly. For irregular room shapes, TempZone Flex Roll or TempZone Cable with Grip Strips offer more flexibility. All three systems work with ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile.
For maximum barefoot comfort, most systems are designed to reach a floor surface temperature of 80°F to 85°F. This "sweet spot" ensures your room stays warm through efficient radiation while keeping the floor perfectly comfortable to walk on, even during the coldest months of the year.
A heat loss calculation is essential to ensure your radiant system produces more BTUs than your room loses to the outside environment. This professional assessment guarantees your system has the necessary power to serve as your primary heat source, providing peace of mind during record-breaking cold.
Most systems provide only 12 watts per square foot, which often lacks the power for primary heating in cold climates. WarmlyYours TempZone™ delivers 15 watts—a 25% increase. This higher output allows the system to overcome heat loss more effectively, providing reliable primary warmth even when outdoor temperatures drop.
Bedroom floor heating is popular because it provides consistent, draft-free warmth that enhances comfort in a space where people often walk barefoot. It eliminates cold spots, operates silently, and is highly energy-efficient. Additionally, radiant heat doesn't circulate dust or allergens, contributing to a healthier sleeping environment compared to forced-air systems.
A floor sensor measures floor temperature so a compatible thermostat can regulate comfort and enforce the flooring manufacturer’s temperature limit. Some thermostats, including nTrust 2.0, offer a regulator mode without a sensor, but that mode does not measure floor temperature. Use sensor-based temperature control whenever required by the flooring or heating-system instructions.