Why and How to Install Floor Heating Under Laminate

Hello and thank you for joining today's webinar, "Why and How to Install a WarmlyYours Environn Floor Heating System," hosted by WarmlyYours Radiant Heating. I'm your moderator, Scott Rosenbaum, and I will take the next 20 to 30 minutes to discuss the benefits of installing our Environn system and walk you through the installation process step by step. After that, we will open the floor to any questions you may have.

Before we dive into the presentation, I want to mention that if you have any questions, you can submit them at any time during the webinar by clicking on the Questions and Answers button located in the top left corner of your screen. I will address these questions at the end of the session. If you would like to view our previously recorded webinars, you can visit the "More" section of our website, click on "Videos," and then select "Webinars" to access all of our past webinars on demand. Additionally, if you register for any of our webinars, whether you attend live or not, you will receive an automated follow-up email with a link to the recorded session. This allows you to watch our webinars at your convenience and share them with your team.

Now, let's take a look at some benefits of our Environn floor heating system. It is energy efficient, easy to install, and comes with a no-nonsense warranty of five years for under carpet installations in the U.S. and ten years for laminate or floating wood floors worldwide. The Environn system is suitable for installation under carpet (in the U.S. only), floating wood, and laminate floors. EZ Mats and Flex Rolls feature a single cold lead, eliminating the need to run two wires back to the thermostat control. The product is available in both 120 and 240 volts and is CUL/US listed to meet Canadian and U.S. standards.

When comparing the Environn Flex Rolls and EZ Mats, it's important to note their differences. The Flex Rolls, as shown in the installation plan, cover a similar area as the EZ Mats but require more cuts and turns, providing slightly more coverage. Both products have the same dimensions and deliver 12 watts per square foot. The Flex Rolls are designed for cut and turn installations, while the EZ Mats are like large blankets that you simply lay out over the floor. In terms of costs, they are very similar, with the Flex Rolls offering 84% coverage compared to the 75% coverage of the EZ Mats. The Flex Rolls consume slightly more watts than the EZ Mats, resulting in minimal differences in operating costs per day.

Installing the Environn system is straightforward and requires minimal tools, most of which you likely already have at home. Essential items include an OMS-tested WarmlyYours Environn heating system, a control unit (with or without a sensor), a digital ohm meter, and a circuit check tool, which is sold separately. You can obtain a customized installation SmartPlan at no charge. Depending on local code requirements, you may also need electric conduit, which is available in our installation kits, along with adhesive tape and scissors for working with the Flex Rolls. When using the EZ Mats, scissors are not necessary.

The next step is to ensure you have the appropriate underlayment beneath the product. It is crucial not to place a wood floor directly on top of the Environn system without proper padding. One side of the underlayment must be padded, which should face down toward the subfloor. You will lay the padding down first, followed by the Environn product, and then the flooring on top of that. If you are installing over concrete, keep in mind that the cold leads, which carry electricity to the product from the thermostat, do not heat up. These cold leads can be less than a quarter of an inch thick, so unless you want to trench into the concrete, you will need a quarter-inch underlayment to accommodate the cables running back to the wall.

The third step involves making cuts and turns, which applies only to the Flex Rolls. The EZ Mats are installed as a large blanket without the need for cutting. For the Flex Rolls, you will cut the fiber-reinforced foil roll with scissors to create panels as indicated in the installation plan. Position these panels around fixtures, making cuts and turns to fit the system design layout. When working with Flex Rolls, ensure that one side remains facing up; look for the "this side up" sticker attached to the beginning of the roll. Always use the custom floor plans provided and never cut the warming cable—only the foil is permissible to cut.

Once you have the system installed, you will need to cut away the underlayment beneath the power cord and any corners as necessary. This step is important for accommodating the splice where the non-heating lead transitions into the heating wires inside the mat. The splice may create some bulk that you will need to plan for. After positioning the wires, secure them with tape to keep everything organized. You can then lay your flooring directly on the mats or rolls, allowing the system to settle into place under the weight of the flooring. While installing, you may want to use tape to hold the mats in position.

Next, you will need to connect the system to a licensed electrician who will hook it up according to your local electrical codes. The thermostat should be installed in a 4x4 wall box with a single gang mud ring. Regarding controls, we offer the SmartStat on the left, the EZ Stat in the middle, and the Master Thermostat on the right, which includes power modules. The SmartStat and EZ Stat can handle up to 15 amps each. For systems requiring more than 15 amps, you will need to use a second thermostat or a Master Thermostat with multiple power modules. Each power module allows for an additional 15 amps of coverage, and you can connect up to ten power modules to one Master Thermostat, all backed by a three-year warranty.

Let's now take a look at our installation video, as visuals can often convey information more effectively than words. In this video, we will discuss how to install our Environn Flex Rolls over a concrete floor and under laminate, highlighting the best practices for doing so. As we examine the roll, take note of the cold lead, which must be routed back to the wall and up to the thermostat. You will also see a yellow sticker indicating the voltage; it is crucial to ensure that you do not mix 120-volt rolls with 240-volt rolls. The entire installation must be completed using the same voltage.

As we proceed, we have placed cork down on our cement slab. The cork serves two purposes: it acts as an insulator, preventing heat from dissipating into the slab and directing it upward through the flooring, allowing you to feel more warmth. Additionally, it provides a pathway for routing the cold lead cables from the end of the mat back to the wall. It is important to remember that this installation is a floating one; the laminate will float over the top of the cork, and both the Environn Flex Rolls and the cork will not be fastened down.

I have gathered all the necessary materials for our installation. I also recommend using a circuit check during the cut and turn process, as it will alert you if you accidentally damage the wire. It is also helpful to mark the locations of the cold lead on the cork to facilitate trenching out the cork before placing the product back down. When installing the cork, lay it in a brick pattern to avoid aligning two pieces together directly.

Before installing the product, it is essential to test it with a digital ohmmeter. Set the meter to the 200 range and perform the first test between the two core wires—yellow and black for a 120-volt system. Ensure that the reading matches the value indicated on the tag. Next, check for shorts by testing from black to ground and yellow to ground; both should show no readings, confirming that the mat is in good condition. After completing the cuts and turns, repeat the tests, and do so again after installing the flooring. Remember to use the circuit check during the cutting and laying processes.

Now, we are ready for a test fit. The installation plan provided with the product will indicate the length of each run and when to make cuts. The wire is spaced every two inches on the mat, guiding you on where to make your first, second, and subsequent cuts. If you want the product to turn left, you must cut the mat accordingly—never cut the wire itself. Mark the starting location of the mat and where the cold lead exits the mat, then trench out the cork to accommodate the cable.

As we examine the underside of the mat, remember that this side must always face downward. The cable should exit the mat at a designated location, allowing for a 180-degree turn back toward the wall. When laying out the mats, ensure that the loops from adjacent mats are offset to prevent the wires from touching each other. Once you have marked the locations of the mats, you can proceed to cut the cork accordingly.

After making the necessary cuts, ensure that the cold lead fits snugly in the trench. Use tape to secure the cold lead in place, ensuring it remains flat and does not create any unevenness in the flooring. Since this is a floating floor, you can use tape to hold the edges in place while laying the flooring on top, but there is no need to glue the mats or the flooring down.

Next, we need to route the leads back to the thermostat. For a single mat installation, this is straightforward; simply run a piece of conduit down the wall from the thermostat and route the cable through a hole in the plate. If you have multiple mats, consider installing a junction box at ground level to consolidate the cold leads before running a single wire up to the thermostat.

Now, let's focus on the thermostat sensor installation. Set the digital ohm meter to the 20K range to test the sensor without touching the wires with your hands. The reading should fall between 8,000 and 18,000 ohms. It is crucial to place the thermostat sensor about six inches into an open looped area of the mat, avoiding contact with any heating wires. The sensor should be placed in a small divot in the cork to prevent it from resting directly on the concrete slab, which could cause the system to remain on constantly.

After ensuring the sensor is correctly positioned, clean the area to avoid any pinch points that might damage the wire. Tape the sensor in place within the divot, ensuring it does not contact any wires nearby. Mark the location of the wire to trench a small groove back to the wall. It is essential to keep the sensor wire separate from the high voltage wire to prevent interference with thermostat readings.

Once the flooring is ready for installation, I have already begun the process. If you would like to see how to wire the thermostat, we have that information available in a separate video. For further details on laying out the product, please visit WarmlyYours.com or call us at 800-875-2855.

Thank you for your attention during this informative installation video. We enjoyed putting it together and hope you found it helpful. If you have any questions or would like more information about our products, please feel free to contact your account manager. If you are unsure who your account manager is, you can easily find out by checking your online account or by contacting us at 800-875-5285. We are always available to assist you, 24/7.

Now, if you have any questions, please feel free to click on the question and answer section on your screen. We will be glad to address any inquiries.

We have a question from Debbie regarding the underlayment for tile applications. Debbie, the product you are asking about, Durock, is typically used for under engineered wood, floating wood, laminates, and carpeting in the U.S. This question pertains more to the TempZone product, for which we have installation videos available on our website. Durock can indeed be used under the TempZone product, which is designed for tile and stone.

Another question comes from Mark, who asks why we trench the thermostat wire after it leaves the mat but not underneath it. While it is possible to trench under the mat, it is generally avoided to prevent heat from escaping down into the slab. This is why we trench after the wire exits the mat.

Lucy asks about the warranty differences between products. The 25-year warranty applies to products encased in thin set under hard floors, which are less prone to wear. The Environn product has a five-year warranty under carpet in the U.S. and a ten-year warranty under laminate due to the increased wear it experiences.

Thank you all for participating. We have a few more general questions to address. One common inquiry is whether this product can be installed inside closets. According to the National Electric Code, floor heating is not permitted in closets, although local codes may differ. Always consult your local code for guidance.

Many people enjoy using this product with laminate flooring but may purchase laminate with pre-attached foam backing. While this is convenient, foam acts as an insulator, which is not ideal for use with the Environn system.

Regarding the underlayment, one question was why a quarter-inch underlayment is necessary over concrete. Using a quarter-inch underlayment is beneficial for both wood and concrete surfaces. It simplifies the installation process by allowing for easy trenching without the need for chiseling into concrete or routing wood. The underlayment also prevents heat from dissipating into the slab.

Thank you for your time and attention. We appreciate your participation and look forward to connecting with you soon. If you have any further questions, please reach out to us at 800-875-5285 or at info@warmlyyours.com. We are here to assist you in any way we can. Until then, stay warm and be radiant.