Seamless Collaboration: How Electricians and Flooring Pros Collaborate on Floor Heating Projects

Get started on today's presentation. My name is Lynn, and I am a customer service representative here at WarmlyYours. I am joined by one of our amazing technical experts, Scott. Hi, everybody! Thank you so much for being here. We're going to have a really great time discussing how to set up a seamless collaboration between electricians and flooring contractors. If you've done any work on a home, you know that working with contractors can be a little frustrating. Today, we will go through the steps that each contractor needs to follow to ensure a flawless installation.

If you have any questions, feel free to put them in the chat. If we don't see them right away, we'll definitely address them by the end of the presentation. We will focus on the collaborative process, specifically how electricians and flooring contractors need to work together to install a WarmlyYours system. We will cover some of the tools we offer that can make installation easier, discuss preparation for installation, and go over the actual installation of the floor heating system to ensure it is fully set up.

The electrician is the first role we will discuss. Scott, I know you personally work with and talk to many electricians. Can you explain what they typically want to start with?

Yes, the first thing they want is the electrical plan that comes with our SmartPlan. The SmartPlan outlines how to lay out the product for the installer. This document provides the electrician with essential information, such as the amp draw of the system, the number of circuit breakers needed, the type of control chosen, and the ground fault protection required. Surprisingly, many electricians assume that floor heating systems operate at 240 volts. However, this is not the case for most installations. Typically, we design systems to operate at 120 volts unless the area exceeds 220 or 240 square feet, which is when 240 volts becomes necessary. This design helps conserve space in the breaker box, allowing the electrician to use only one space for a 120-volt system.

It is crucial to get this information into the hands of the electrician as soon as possible. This way, they will know what kind of breaker to purchase and be prepared when they arrive on-site. The installation plan also indicates where we assume the thermostat will be located, which is important for the electrician to know as they need to run power to that specific spot. If the thermostat is placed in one location while the electrician runs power to another, it can lead to complications. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that both the thermostat and power source align correctly.

Additionally, the electrician must ensure that the system is installed according to local codes. Some local codes require conduit in the walls for high-voltage wiring, while others do not. This information is critical for the electrician to share with the flooring installer to ensure that power is correctly routed, the right amount of power is supplied, and the installation adheres to the plan. This collaboration between trades is vital for a successful installation.

Looking at the electrical plan in more depth, you can see that it provides the electrician with a wealth of important information. For homeowners, I often recommend handing this sheet to the electrician if they have any questions. Typically, nine times out of ten, it will address their concerns. The plan includes details such as wattage, voltage, and the necessary breaker size to operate the system, along with other valuable information.

The notes on the plan specify that all power leads must go to the thermostat. It is also essential to test the product with a digital ohmmeter. The plan indicates what size box the thermostat should be installed in and how high it should be placed, which must comply with local codes. Furthermore, it outlines whether conduit is required for the power lines and sensor wire. All of this information is critical for the service panel and system electrical consumption. Therefore, it is imperative to provide this sheet to the electrician before they begin their work.

In addition to the electrical plan, we have created a pro electrician checklist, which is another useful resource for electricians to ensure they feel confident during the installation. Scott, can you walk us through what this checklist includes?

Certainly! The checklist simply outlines what the electrician will need. They will require the electrical plan, a control, and a sensor for installation. We have started including a sensor with every electrical roll, and there is also one in the thermostat box. If you have multiple rolls or cables installed in the floor, the thermostat will allow you to connect up to three sensors. However, only one sensor should be wired to the thermostat; the others should be capped off as spares.

The electrician will also need a digital multimeter for testing to ensure the product is functioning correctly. A megohm meter is optional for electric floor heating installations but is required for snow melting jobs. They may also need a single gang box, conduit if required, and a junction box when dealing with two or more heaters. This setup can simplify the process of connecting all leads to the thermostat.

It is crucial for the electrician to verify the ohm readings. Many people mistakenly assume that a 120-volt heating system is receiving 240 volts. If 240 volts are sent to a 120-volt system, the thermostat will not convert it; it will simply switch it on and off, leading to potential damage. Therefore, ensuring that the power sent to the thermostat is 120 volts is vital.

The electrician will also conduct tests to confirm that the electrical rough-ins are completed before proceeding. They will connect the floor sensor to the thermostat, record the ohm readings, and provide that information to the customer as part of the installation manual. It is essential to remember that if multiple sensors are used, only one should connect to the thermostat. Additionally, the sensor wire must never be placed in the same conduit as the non-heating lead, as this can lead to interference and potential code violations.

This checklist serves as a simple guide for electricians to ensure they have the necessary tools and follow the correct installation steps.

Now, let's discuss the electrical infrastructure setup. This involves roughing in the electric and bringing the cables to power. Can you explain what this picture illustrates?

The image shows the leads for the heating product. As we discussed earlier, if the thermostat is located in one area, the rolls or mats must start in that same area. You cannot begin installation on the opposite side of the room and then try to route the leads back to the thermostat.

In the picture, you can see one conduit coming down from the circuit breaker, with two conduits leading to the floor—one for the non-heating lead and one for the thermostat sensor. Local codes may vary; some may not require conduit for the sensor, while others, particularly in areas with strict electrical codes, may require it. It is the electrician's responsibility to ensure compliance with these codes.

We always advise installing according to local codes, as they take precedence over national codes. Therefore, providing the electrician with both the electrical plan and the SmartPlan is beneficial, as they can determine the correct placement of power sources based on the provided information.

The next step involves integrating the system with the thermostat or control. This requires wiring both the heating system and the sensor. Can you explain how this works with our Inspire thermostats?

The process is straightforward. The wires coming from the floor consist of three parts: a ground wire and two heating wire leads. On the back of the thermostat, there are four screws—two at the bottom for power input and two at the top for power output to the floor. It is important to note that the ground from the floor heating system should be connected to the ground from the circuit breaker, not to the thermostat itself.

When connecting the thermostat, the two wires at the bottom are for power input, while the two at the top are for power output. Many people often ask how to connect the ground from the floor heating system to the thermostat, but the correct procedure is to connect it to the ground from the circuit breaker.

The thermostat consists of two components: the base and the faceplate. These two parts are not sold separately, so they must be purchased together. The front of the base is where the connections for the sensor are made. It is crucial to test the sensor, which should read between 8,000 and 18,000 ohms with a digital ohmmeter. This testing process is essential for troubleshooting the floor sensor.

Finally, the electrician will conduct a final system test. It is important to test the system with an ohmmeter at every stage of the installation—before, during, and after—to ensure everything is functioning properly.

If you plan to do an installation, having a digital ohm meter is essential. These are available at any big box store for $20 or less. A good meter will allow you to select individual ranges of ohms, making it easier to test the floor heating product and the floor sensor. Self-ranging meters can be challenging to use, especially when testing different components, so it's best to have a meter that allows you to choose the appropriate range.

We also recommend providing the installation manual for our products, along with the thermostat installation and operating instructions, to both the homeowner and the electrician. This ensures that everyone involved has access to the necessary documentation for a smooth installation process.

The floor heating product will have labels indicating the voltage and expected ohm readings. When testing for ohms, you should not only check the number on the label but also test from red to ground and black to ground to ensure there are no shorts. The label may indicate 55 ohms across red and black, but it is essential to conduct multiple tests to confirm the integrity of the system.

Moving on to the flooring installer, who plays a crucial role on-site. One of the first tasks they typically perform is measuring the space, correct?

Absolutely. When the flooring installer receives the plan from us, it is essential to verify the dimensions. In new construction, dimensions can change, and if the installer does not measure accurately, they may find that the heating product does not fit as intended. For example, if a 50-inch tub is replaced with a 65-inch tub, it will take up more floor space, potentially leading to an insufficient amount of heating product for the area.

It is important to remember that electric floor heating should not be installed under permanent fixtures such as vanities or tubs, as this can trap heat and lead to overheating. The National Electrical Code prohibits placing heating elements under these fixtures, so it is crucial to adhere to these guidelines.

Additionally, the heating wire must remain at least four inches away from the wax ring of a toilet to prevent any issues after installation.

When installing over a concrete subfloor, we recommend using an insulating underlayment. However, if the subfloor is wood, this may not be necessary. Each situation is unique, and proper preparation of the subfloor is essential to ensure efficient heating and safe installation of the flooring.

For example, a bathroom on the second floor above a kitchen will start with a warmer floor than one located on a concrete slab in a colder climate. If electric heating cable is placed directly on a concrete slab, it will pull heat downward, leading to longer heating times. We often advise customers in warmer climates to consider using ThermalSheet to insulate the heating wire from the slab.

The SmartPlan is what you would provide to a flooring installer. This plan outlines every step of the installation, including where to start and end the mats. It also shows various ways the cables can be cut and turned.

Scott, can you explain what the pop-out drawings on the SmartPlan represent?

Certainly! The "T" in the circle at the bottom of the drawing indicates the location of the thermostat. It is crucial to know where this is to start the installation correctly. The triangle on roll number one signifies the beginning of the mat. Although it is not directly next to the thermostat, the lead is long enough to reach it.

The plan also shows the sensor's placement, which must be routed through an open loop, avoiding contact with the heating wire. The dotted line indicates the sensor's path, ensuring it does not run over the wire, which could cause issues.

In the lower right corner of the plan, you will find information about the size of the roll and the operating costs, including the necessary breaker size and amperage. This information is vital for understanding the power consumption of the system.

When the flooring installer begins the installation, it is essential to test the system before covering it with Thinset. They should take everything out of the box, test the system, and utilize the circuit check to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

The circuit check is a valuable tool that connects to the mat or cable during installation. It helps identify any shorts or issues before the flooring is permanently installed.

The responsibilities of the flooring installer should be clearly defined to avoid confusion. It is important for the installer and electrician to communicate effectively to ensure that each contractor focuses on their specific tasks.

Regarding the warranty on our floor heating products, it is important to document the readings during installation. If the readings are good at the time of installation but later change due to other contractors working in the area, it can help identify the source of any issues.

Homeowners should inform other contractors about the presence of electric floor heating to prevent accidental damage during their work. It is essential to communicate the proper precautions to take when working near the heating system.

Lastly, the tools required for the flooring installation are common household items. The installer will need scissors, a staple gun, and possibly a glue gun. These tools are not specialized, and most can be borrowed from neighbors if necessary.

It is crucial to ensure that the heating rolls match the plan and that all necessary components, such as thermostat sensors, are on hand. If you are unsure about sizing or amperage, you can send us the dimensions of your room, and we will provide a layout plan at no charge.

In summary, the installation process does not require extensive specialized tools, but it is essential to have the right equipment and documentation to ensure a successful installation.

Now, let's address any questions that may have come in. I see we have one from Carol H, who is interested in using electric floor heating under cork flooring.

Cork flooring can be a bit tricky. Historically, we used cork as an insulator over concrete slabs before we developed ThermalSheet, which has a higher R-value. You cannot use cork with self-leveling as an underlayment. The key rule is that any flooring installed over electric floor heating should have an R-value of one or less. If the cork flooring meets this requirement, it can be used with electric floor heat.

Thank you for that clarification. If any other questions arise, please feel free to ask. We will be hosting our next webinar on Thursday, October 10th, at 1 o'clock central time, focusing on smart flooring choices for energy-efficient radiant heating.

We also offer additional training through live streams on Zoom at 4 o'clock on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, hosted by either me or Scott. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have during those sessions.

Lastly, we are offering a 25% promotion on some of our towel warmers, so be sure to check out the website for details. After this presentation, we will send out an email requesting feedback on today's webinar. We appreciate your comments and suggestions, especially regarding topics for future webinars.

Thank you all for joining us today. My name is Lynn from WarmlyYours, and I am here with the talented Scott. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you next time!