Floor Heating FAQs and Install Tips.

Hello and welcome to today's webinar, "Floor Heating FAQ and Installation Tips." I'm your host, Scott from WarmlyYours, and I'd like to thank you for watching today. If you have a question at any point during this webinar, you can submit it to us using the Q&A function located on the left-hand side of your screen. We'll try to answer all questions by the end of the webinar.

Now, let's take an inventory of some of the parts that make up your floor heating system. The first component is the heating cable or heating roll, which is cable on a spool. On these items, there is a cold lead, which is the black cable with a couple of stickers on it. There is also a factory joint, which is where the non-heating wire transitions to the heating wire, and an end cap at the very end of the roll, where the twin wire is connected and spliced together. The sensor is located in the thermostat box, and you can see it here. Additionally, there is a circuit check, which is an item used to hook up to the product during installation to warn you of any hazards encountered. If you cut or damage the wire, this device will alert you.

Furthermore, there is a SmartPlan, which is a sheet of paper that outlines how the product should be installed. Remember that in this control, there is a thermostat sensor located at the bottom of the box, so ensure you retrieve both items when you receive the product.

Let's take a closer look at the heating cable. As mentioned, the heating cable either comes in a spool or is already attached to a mat that can be rolled out and cut as needed. It is crucial to remember that you should never cut the heating wire; doing so is against the National Electric Code and can cause significant issues. You cannot shorten or cut the electric heating cable, and you should never wire multiple rolls together.

If you examine the drawing here, you can see where the cold lead is and how it connects. Each product has a cold lead attached, which runs from the heating product over the floor and up the wall to the thermostat. If you have two rolls or two cables, each cold lead must go to the thermostat; they do not connect to each other. During installation, ensure that the wire is mostly under the mesh and facing the floor. This is what we mean when we say to install the TempZone wire side down where possible.

Additionally, you will notice a label on the cold lead and on the product itself indicating the voltage. For example, if the cold lead is yellow and black, it signifies 120 volts. Conversely, if it were a 240-volt system, it would be red and black. It is essential to ensure that the power sent to the thermostat matches the power required by the heating product. You cannot send 240 volts from the breaker box to a thermostat expecting it to heat a 120-volt roll.

When installing the roll, the cable should be on one side of the mesh, which is typically green, while the cable itself is blue. We want the cable to face downward as much as possible. While some designs may have the blue wire on top, this should only occur in small portions. It is vital to ensure that your thermostat receives the correct voltage—either 120 volts or 240 volts—matching the heating mat or cable.

Another important consideration is to keep the wires at least three to four inches away from the wax ring under your toilet to avoid melting it. When covering the mat with a scratch coat, use the flat side of the trowel rather than the comb edge, as the latter can be sharp and may cut into your cable during installation.

Testing the product is crucial, and you should do this three times throughout the process. When you first receive the product, test it directly out of the box, not during installation. This ensures that you identify any potential damage that may have occurred before reaching your location.

We have received a few questions during the registration process that I will address throughout the presentation. One question is whether the flooring is suitable for remodeling jobs or if it can only be used in new construction. The answer is that it can be used for both. In new construction, you can plan for it, while in a remodel, you only need to get an electric line to the floor you want to heat and proceed with the installation.

Another question pertains to using a Perdural membrane as a subfloor over OSB without using cement board. The answer is yes, this is possible. Additionally, we can create customizable mats if you provide us with a drawing of your specific space, allowing us to accommodate odd areas with diagonals or unique configurations.

Regarding the cold lead, which is the large black cable attached to the mat or cable spool, it can be shortened as needed. However, you must adhere to the National Electric Code and local codes regarding how much cable should remain exposed for making connections. This requirement can vary, so ensure you comply with local regulations.

If you have both a spool of cable and a mat in the same installation, remember that each cold lead must return to the thermostat independently; they do not wire together. The factory joint and end cap must be embedded in thinset or self-leveling compound, as both items generate heat and should not be left exposed.

Do not forget to install the floor sensor, which is crucial for the system's operation. There are different brands of floor sensors; our older version has a gray cap, while the new one features a black cap. The sensor must be installed between two heating wires and tested before covering it with thinset.

The circuit check is another essential component, guiding you through the installation by monitoring the circuit. It alerts you if the wire is damaged, cut, or shorted. Remember that the circuit check is not a troubleshooting tool; it simply indicates if there is an issue during installation.

Next, let's discuss the SmartPlan, which is vital for ensuring a successful installation. The SmartPlan may require design approval or permits from your local building authority, so verify these requirements before beginning any work. If a plan is necessary, local authorities will likely require an installation plan, which should include details such as the watts of the product, amps, and energy costs.

As a trades professional, you can use the SmartPlan to discuss the layout with your customer, ensuring that the heating coverage meets their needs. It is essential to verify that the dimensions of the room match those shown on the plan before installation. Changes in the dimensions of the room can lead to complications, such as having too much electric floor heating for the available space.

A practical step is to dry fit the layout of the entire mat after confirming the dimensions are correct. This process allows you to ensure a proper fit before adhering any sections with thinset or glue. It is crucial to account for fixtures and air vents in your layout, as heating over a floor vent is not advisable.

Leave a copy of the SmartPlan for other contractors on-site, such as plumbers and carpenters, to inform them of the wires located beneath the floor. This precaution is particularly important when dealing with installations involving clawfoot tubs or door stops, as these can inadvertently damage the heating cables.

Regarding the installation setbacks, you should maintain an eight-inch distance from the edge of any outlet or lighting boxes and a two-inch distance from lights, vents, and other openings in the floor. There is no maximum area for installation; however, a single control can handle approximately 15 amps of electrical floor heating, which translates to about 120 square feet on a 120-volt circuit or 220-230 square feet on a 240-volt circuit.

If you have larger areas, multiple controls can be linked together to heat larger spaces. Ensure that you have power available at the thermostat location and remember to install the sensor, testing it with your digital ohmmeter.

To calculate the amp draw of your floor, refer to the plan and the labels on the roll and cold lead, which indicate the amp draw. Alternatively, you can calculate it by multiplying 15 watts per square foot by the number of square feet being heated, then dividing by the voltage (120 or 240).

If you have any questions during installation, please call us. Our support team is available 24/7 for troubleshooting. The contact number is 1-800-875-5285.

The two most common issues during installation are cutting the mat or cable short to fit the space and forgetting to install the sensor. Always remember these two points to minimize installation problems.

In terms of equipment, you will need scissors for cutting. A clamp amp meter is essential for installers, allowing you to check the amps running through the wire. Ensure you choose a digital display meter that can measure ohms and voltage.

Testing the product is necessary to determine if there is any damage to the heating cable upon receipt. Test it before installation and again after making cuts and turns to ensure the ohms match the labels. After tiling, test it once more to confirm that the numbers remain consistent.

We have videos available on our website that demonstrate how to perform these tests.

To improve efficiency and heating performance, consider using a thermal break when installing over concrete. This barrier prevents heat from being pulled down into the concrete, allowing it to rise instead. We recommend products like Cerazorb or cork for this purpose.

If you have concerns about increased electric bills, it may be due to improper installation or a lack of a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you to set heating schedules, reducing energy consumption when the space is unoccupied.

If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to us via email or our website. We appreciate your feedback and encourage you to complete the survey following this webinar for a coupon code for your next WarmlyYours purchase.

For the month of March, we are offering free shipping on all orders. Don't forget to register for our next webinar on snow melting installation, scheduled for Thursday, April 13th, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

Thank you for joining us today. We hope you found this information valuable for your future installations. Following these tips should help ensure years of trouble-free service. We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing you next month.