When homeowner David decided to renovate his basement bathroom, he faced a significant challenge: the room had absolutely no heat source. Facing cold concrete and impending visits from grandparents used to the Florida heat, David needed a solution that was efficient and effective. By installing WarmlyYours radiant floor heating, he turned a chilly utility space into a warm, inviting sanctuary, proving that comfort doesn't require complex ductwork.
Project Details
- Location: New Jersey
- Room Type: Basement Bathroom
- Heated Area: 57 sq. ft.
- Flooring Surface: Tile / Stone over Concrete Slab
- System Voltage: 120V
- Total Wattage: 429 W
- Amperage: 3 A
- Estimated Operating Cost: ~$0.08 per hour (based on avg. NJ rates)
From Cold Concrete to "Floridian" Warmth
The Challenge: A Bathroom with No Heat Basements in New Jersey are notorious for being damp and cold, particularly in the winter. For David, a dedicated DIYer, the stakes were high. This bathroom was part of an efficiency apartment intended for his visiting parents. "This will be great when grandma and grandpa are staying... as their Floridian blood is thin and can’t handle the cold!" David explained. The room had zero existing ductwork or radiators, meaning the floor warming system had to do the heavy lifting.
The Solution: A DIY Approach to Comfort Having used WarmlyYours for three previous projects, David was confident in the product but faced a new learning curve: this was his first time doing the entire tile installation himself alongside his wife. He utilized TempZone™ Flex Rolls, which are ideal for providing consistent heat coverage in bathrooms.
During the install, David encountered a moment of confusion regarding the single-conductor wiring instructions. However, a quick call to technical support resolved the issue immediately. "I couldn't have been anymore satisfied with the tech support," David noted. "It was smooth sailing after that."
The Result: Radiant Comfort that Radiates Through You The installation was a complete success. David paired the heating element with CeraZorb® synthetic cork underlayment, a crucial step for basements to prevent the cold concrete slab from sucking the heat away from the tile.
The result is more than just a warm floor; it’s a change in how the room feels. As David puts it, "If the floor is a comfortable temperature, it radiates through you as a person... The room might not be very warm, but just having warm feet will give you a warm feeling."
Featured Products
To achieve this level of comfort on a concrete slab, specific components were required:
1. TempZone™ Flex Roll(120V) Ideally suited for tile, marble, and stone floors. The Cut-and-Turn design allows for easy layout adjustments, perfect for DIYers navigating bathroom fixtures.
2. nSpire Touch WiFi Thermostat Smart control from anywhere. David installed this to ensure he could adjust the temperature for his parents without disturbing them. "When my parents are staying... I can adjust it for them without having to leave my couch!"
3. CeraZorb® Concrete Insulation Essential for basements. This synthetic cork underlayment creates a thermal break between the cold concrete and the heating element, ensuring the heat goes up into the room, not down into the ground.
