Put the Luxury in LVT with Floor Heating

All right, today we're here to discuss how to put the ECHO and the luxury in luxury vinyl tile with floor heating. It's not just about luxury; we're also focusing on comfort. My name is Julia Billen, and I'm the owner of WarmlyYours. This is my lovely sidekick, Scott, who is in charge of everything technical at WarmlyYours. If you follow our video series, you'll see him a lot. Today is all about you, our audience. We want you to ask your questions. We do ask for questions in advance, and I have another sidekick, Nia, off camera, who will be reading your questions as they come in. As we cover areas in the presentation that relate to your questions, we'll shout those out as well. So, feel free to shout away, folks.

Let's get started by discussing the project we're working on. We did a bedroom with luxury vinyl tile and radiant heating underneath. First, let’s address the question: why would you want to do this? This bedroom is on the second floor, and we wanted to add a little comfort to the floor to make it nice and cozy. We chose luxury vinyl tile (LVT) because it is a very popular choice right now. It's a cost-effective flooring type that gives you the look of more expensive products at a lower cost. Additionally, LVT is durable, scuff and stain resistant, and some options are completely water-resistant. It can last a very long time—20 to 25 years—making it a sustainable choice.

When using LVT, it’s important to note that it can telegraph the subfloor beneath it, so we install it differently than we would laminate flooring. Now, let’s move on to the products we’ll be using for this project. We wanted to show you two options for our radiant heating products: the cable product and the roll product. The TempZone is available in mats that you can roll out or on a spool that you can run back and forth manually. The mesh in the rolls is spaced three inches apart, which allows for easy installation. You simply roll out the mesh, and the cable is spaced perfectly. However, if you have odd-shaped areas or curves, the cable is more adjustable on-site, providing greater flexibility.

Both products will be covered with the same flooring, so we’ll see how they differ slightly in application. One advantage of the roll product is that the cable is pre-attached, allowing for consistent heat distribution. It's crucial to ensure that the wire is spaced properly; if there’s no wire under a spot, that area will be cold, and if the wires are too close together, that area could overheat. In this particular room, which is on the second floor above a heated space, we don’t need a high output. We can achieve a warm floor at a lower wattage, around 8 to 12 watts per square foot, instead of the typical 15 watts per square foot.

As we continue, let’s talk about the project specifics. We always like to start with a sketch of the project. You can hand-draw it or design it online using our tools at warmlyyours.com. The only thing missing from this particular drawing is the location of the thermostat. It’s essential to set up the heating system so that the non-heating leads can reach the thermostat. We also want to avoid heating under permanent fixtures, such as a bed with a built-in box bottom that has drawers, as this would trap heat.

In the U.S., we typically don’t heat under closets, but in Canada, it’s allowed. We also want to ensure there are no air vents in the floor, as they can affect heating efficiency. Accurate dimensions are crucial, so always check the information you send in. You don’t need to create a work of art; a simple drawing with dimensions will suffice. Our engineers will create the installation drawing for you, which is especially helpful for those who have never installed floor heating before.

Once you send in your sketch, we return it with an installation plan, which we call a SmartPlan. This plan outlines the layout of the roll product, showing a straightforward beginning and end, along with any necessary cuts. It’s important to ensure that you have power available where the thermostat is located and that the dimensions match the actual room dimensions.

In the SmartPlan, we don’t heat every square inch of the floor. Instead, we focus on areas where people will be walking, as the goal is to ensure that your feet always touch something warm when you’re in the room. This approach not only reduces upfront costs but also lowers operating costs since heating fewer square feet is less expensive.

Now, let’s look at an example of a SmartPlan for the TempZone roll product. The cable-only plan is more labor-intensive, as you have to string the cable across the floor. The plan indicates the distance from the wall to where the strips are placed, eliminating any guesswork. The red dot in the middle of the room indicates the halfway point of the cable, helping you ensure that the spacing is correct.

It’s also important to note the specifications of the cable, including the size and amp requirements, which you can hand over to your electrician. The plan will indicate where to start and end the cable, and it’s best to start close to where the control is located.

Now, let’s discuss the square footage and wattage requirements for the project. The entire space is 161 square feet, with 129 square feet heated at 15 watts per square foot, resulting in a total wattage of 1,935 watts. To convert this to BTUs, you can multiply the wattage by 3.41. This gives you an idea of how this system compares to portable area heaters. The system draws about 8 amps, which can be placed on a 15 amp non-GFI breaker, as the GFI function is built into the thermostat.

We often receive questions about the operating costs of the system. The average cost is about $0.10 per kilowatt hour, which translates to approximately $0.19 for the first hour and about a third of that for each additional hour. If you were to use a 120-volt circuit, it would require a different controller due to the higher amperage draw, but using a 240-volt circuit allows you to cover more space with the same amperage.

Now, let’s address a common question: can you utilize a combination of roll and cable within a room? The answer is yes, but you cannot attach one heating product to another. Each product must have its leads going back to the thermostat. You can certainly mix and match products based on the needs of your installation.

Moving on to the installation process, we start with the plywood subfloor, which must be clean and level. Any nails should be removed or pounded down, and the floor should be flat. If the floor is uneven, you may need to grind down high spots or use self-leveling cement to create a smooth surface.

Before installing the floor heating, we need to prime the subfloor because we will be embedding the heating in self-leveling cement. This method ensures a smooth, level surface for the luxury vinyl tile. Self-leveling is particularly useful in older homes where the floor may not be even.

The self-leveling cement encapsulates the heating wire, ensuring it is within an inch to an inch and a half of the top flooring surface. If the wire is too deep, it can lead to uneven heating. Our products are CSA approved, and the installation method is compliant with Canadian standards.

When using self-leveling cement, it’s essential to ensure that it is rated for wet locations, as our heating wire can be safely embedded in it. This method protects the heating element, allowing for easier future flooring changes without damaging the heating system.

If you’re considering LVT, check if the manufacturer allows for embedded heating. Some manufacturers may void warranties if the heating element comes into direct contact with the flooring, but many are beginning to recognize the benefits of embedded heating.

Once the subfloor is prepared and the heating system is in place, we can install the luxury vinyl tile. This flooring is easy to install on a flat surface, ensuring a beautiful finish.

Finally, we energize the floor heating by connecting it to the electrical system. While most of the installation can be done by anyone, it’s advisable to have a licensed electrician handle the wiring to ensure compliance with local codes.

We offer a variety of thermostats, including the nSpire Touch and the nTrust, which are compatible with all our products. These thermostats are designed to provide precise temperature control, ensuring that your flooring remains within the recommended temperature limits.

In conclusion, this project transformed a bedroom from carpet to a beautiful luxury vinyl floor with radiant heating. The costs for the TempZone roll product came in under $1,500, while the cable option was around $1,000, making both options affordable.

If you have any questions, we’re here to help. We host these webinars every month, and next month we’ll discuss how to repair in-floor heating systems. This is particularly relevant as the weather cools and people start using their heating systems.

Thank you for joining us today. If you have any feedback or topics you’d like us to cover, please reach out. Until next time, stay warm and be radiant!