The Fundamentals of Electric Floor Heating

And welcome to our webinar today, which focuses on the fundamentals of electric floor heating. I'm your host, Julia Billen, owner here at WarmlyYours, and joining me is my lovely sidekick, Scott Scottter. Scott has been with us for over a decade, making him an expert in radiant heating. He leads our tech support team, taking calls and addressing issues that arise in the field, which allows us to learn and share valuable insights with you today. We encourage you to ask questions throughout the session, as we have received many in advance that we will address.

Most people are familiar with traditional heating methods like fireplaces and HVAC systems, which rely on forced air. This method involves heating air and pushing it into rooms, but it often leads to cold spots, especially in areas like basements where heating vents are located high above the floor. As a result, the air may feel warm at head height while your feet remain cold. In contrast, radiant heating systems provide warmth from the floor up, creating a more comfortable environment by evenly distributing heat throughout the space. This is particularly beneficial for households with children, as it allows them to play comfortably on warm floors.

Radiant heating technology operates on the principle of energy transfer, where heat is not just blown into a room but radiated through waves of energy that warm objects in the space. When the sun shines, it emits various wavelengths, including visible light and radiant heat, which warms you directly. Unlike hot air, which primarily heats the air around you, radiant heat penetrates objects, providing a more efficient and comfortable heating experience. This allows you to keep your thermostat lower while still enjoying warmth in the areas you occupy, making it ideal for spaces that are only used occasionally, such as guest rooms or basements.

When considering radiant heating for your home, it's essential to determine whether you want it as a comfort heat source or as your primary heating system. Many homeowners already have HVAC systems in place and look to radiant heating as a supplemental source of comfort. For instance, people often desire warm floors in bathrooms after stepping out of the shower. If you're planning a remodel or new construction, you may consider radiant heating as your sole source of heat, which requires a more technical approach to ensure adequate BTU output for the space.

To effectively design a radiant heating system, we need to assess the room's dimensions, insulation values, and any potential heat loss factors. Our online calculator can assist you in determining the necessary wattage and BTUs required for your specific space. It's crucial to gather accurate information about your walls, ceilings, and windows to ensure that the system can provide sufficient heating throughout the year. If the calculated BTUs fall short of your needs, we can discuss additional heating options to ensure your comfort.

Now, let's delve into the various electric floor heating products available. On the left, we have slab heating cables, which are ideal for new constructions where a concrete slab is being poured. These cables can be spaced according to your heating needs, allowing for flexibility in installation. If you're working with an existing slab, we have other options, such as the Environn product, which can be installed under various flooring types, including carpet and luxury vinyl tile. This product comes in both rolls and mats, allowing for quick and efficient installation.

The TempZone product, also shown here, features cables mounted on mesh for even heat distribution. This product is suitable for wet locations, making it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. The versatility of our products means you can warm virtually any flooring type, enhancing comfort in your home. Additionally, we can link multiple mats to the same thermostat, providing flexibility in heating larger areas.

As we explore the installation methods, it's important to note that there are two primary approaches: embedding the heating elements in self-leveling compounds or using floating installations. For embedded systems, we recommend a minimum thickness of 3/8 inch of self-leveling material to ensure optimal heat distribution. This method creates a flat, warm subfloor that can accommodate various flooring types.

For floating installations, such as under laminate or engineered hardwood, it's crucial to ensure that the flooring has a low R-value to allow heat to transfer effectively. If you're considering cork flooring, be mindful of its insulating properties, as higher R-values can hinder energy efficiency. Our team is here to help you navigate these choices and ensure that your radiant heating system meets your specific needs.

In conclusion, we hope this overview has provided valuable insights into electric floor heating and its benefits. Our team is dedicated to assisting you with your projects, from design to installation. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your participation today and look forward to seeing you at our next webinar, where we will discuss heated driveways and snow melting products. Thank you for joining us, and stay warm!