This project was a major upgrade for a family in Lake Zurich, IL, who wanted to add a layer of luxury and comfort to their home. Their challenge was how to install a radiant heating system under their new hardwood floors without damaging them. WarmlyYours solved this with their TempZone Cable system, a perfect fit for a family room with nailed hardwood floors. The new system provides a silent, energy-efficient heat source that adds significant value and comfort to their home.
Project Details
- Location: Lake Zurich, IL
- Heated Space Type: Family Room with Nailed Hardwood Floors.
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Sleepers Spaced : 8"O.C(on center). sleepers spacing may change as per customer request.
- Sleepers direction: Always run in Parallel to cable layout.
- Square Footage: 295 sq. ft.
- Watts: 3,567 W
- Volts: 240 V
- Amps: 15 A
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Operating Cost Per Hour: $0.46 per hour
- Per Day: $3.68 (based on 8 hours of use)
- Per Month: $110.40 (based on 8 hours of use per day)
- Products Used: WarmlyYours TempZone Cable, SmartStat Programmable Thermostat
The Story / Project Information
The homeowner wanted to transform their family room into a cozy retreat, but they were concerned about the cold feel of hardwood floors. The challenge was to find a heating solution that could be safely installed with nailed hardwood floors. The WarmlyYours TempZone Cable system was chosen for its flexibility and ability to be installed in the sleeper spacing between the wooden beams, ensuring a safe and effective installation. This process required careful planning to route the cable correctly, but the outcome was a perfectly heated floor. This electric radiant floor heating system provides a consistent and even warmth, eliminating cold spots and making the room comfortable and inviting year-round.
Cost Highlight
This 295 sq. ft. radiant floor heating system costs just about $0.46 per hour, which translates to only $3.68 per day (assuming 8 hours of use) and less than $111 per month. This is a small price to pay for the continuous comfort, improved energy efficiency, and added value this system brings to the home.
Featured Products Section
TempZone Cable The TempZone Cable is an easy-to-install, flexible radiant heating cable that can be laid out in a variety of patterns to fit any room shape. It’s perfect for heating a wide range of floor types, including nailed hardwood floors, as seen in this project. The cable is very thin, adding no significant height to the floor.
SmartStat Programmable Thermostat The SmartStat Programmable Thermostat provides precise control over your electric radiant floor heating system. Its intuitive design allows you to program heating schedules to match your lifestyle, ensuring your floors are always warm when you want them to be and helping you save energy by not heating the floor when it's not in use.
Circuit Check A small but critical tool, the circuit check is used by the installer to continuously monitor the heating cables for any damage during the installation process. This provides a live alert if the cable is accidentally nicked, preventing a costly re-do and ensuring the system's integrity before it is covered by the flooring.
Electrical Rough-in Kit This kit is an essential part of the installation process, ensuring the system is wired safely and in compliance with local electrical codes. The kit includes a single-gang box and conduits to protect the wiring for the thermostat and the heating element's cold lead. This ensures a clean, professional, and secure electrical connection.
FAQ Section
How much does it cost to run heated floors in a family room? The cost to run heated floors depends on the system's size, local electricity rates, and how often you use it. For this 295 sq. ft. family room, the cost is around $0.46 per hour. This is a very efficient way to heat the space since it provides warmth directly to the floor and the occupants, reducing overall energy waste.
Can radiant heating replace the main heating system in this space? In many cases, electric radiant floor heating can serve as the primary heat source for a well-insulated room. For a space like this family room, a TempZone system provides ample warmth to keep the room comfortable. However, for a whole-house solution, it is often used as a supplementary heat source to enhance comfort in specific areas.
What type of flooring works best with this system? Radiant floor heating systems work best with materials that conduct and hold heat well, like tile, stone, and concrete. However, with proper installation and planning, systems like the TempZone Thin Cable can be used successfully with engineered wood, laminate, and as shown here, even nailed hardwood floors.
Is electric radiant floor heating energy efficient? Yes, electric radiant heating is highly energy efficient. It heats objects and people directly rather than warming the air, reducing energy loss. A programmable thermostat ensures the system only runs when needed, preventing energy waste and lowering utility bills.
