Ask Us Anything - Why Your Floor Is the Boss

Hello and thank you for joining us for our live webinar, "Ask Us Anything, While Your Floor Is the Boss." I'm your host, Scott Rosenbaum, and today I'll be answering any questions you have about electric floor heating systems. As you've probably guessed from the title of this webinar, you'll be able to ask us about anything. However, we do have a general topic that will help guide us, focusing on the relationship between flooring types and floor heating systems. We aim to help you identify which floor heating system is best suited for your flooring.

If you'd like to submit a question at any time during this live webinar, please click on the Questions and Answers button located in the top left corner of your screen. We've received some questions during the registration process, and one from Angela asks, "How long does it take for a hardwood floor to warm up with an electric floor heating system?" The answer depends on several variables, including the thickness of your wood flooring product, the heating system you are using, and the ambient temperature inside your room. We also suggest keeping your wood floor at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer. If you provide us with more details, we can offer a more specific answer during the Q&A session.

As the manager of technical support for WarmlyYours, I often encounter questions from customers, and one common inquiry is, "How do I know what floor heating system is right for me?" If you're new to radiant heating, making this choice might seem overwhelming, but here's the good news: picking a floor heating system is simple. Your choice will be informed by the needs of your remodeling project. There are several factors your floor will indicate, such as the type of flooring you plan to install, the kind of room you want to heat—since bathrooms have different needs than kitchens—your heating expectations, and your budget in terms of time and money.

Your floor type will dictate the heating system you should use. For instance, if you're pouring a brand new concrete floor, you should opt for our slab heating system. If you're working with laminate, floating woods in the United States or Canada, or carpeting in the U.S. only, you should use our Environ system. For tile, stone, vinyl, or hardwood, the TempZone system is recommended. The TempZone is our most popular product line for good reason; it works with the flooring types that people most often want to heat. Last year, for example, 85% of the floors that WarmlyYours heated were tile, marble, or stone.

There are many different types of TempZone products, including flex rolls, easy mats, custom mats, cable, and shower mats. The TempZone flex roll features a heated cable secured in a serpentine pattern over green mesh, with the cable spaced three inches apart to provide even heat throughout the room. These rolls are ideal for full coverage spaces because they can be cut and turned to accommodate most room designs. As the name suggests, Flex Rolls allow for quick, easy, and flexible installation.

Next, let's discuss TempZone Easy Mats. If you want to heat specific areas, such as high-traffic pathways, TempZone Easy Mats are the best choice for spot heating. For example, placing an Easy Mat in front of your sink or shower can save you from a cold shock after a winter shower. The installation of a TempZone Easy Mat is straightforward, requiring no cutting or turning, as they come as one-piece rectangular mats available in various sizes to meet your needs. However, it's important to note that with any TempZone product, the heat only travels about one and a half inches laterally from the heating wire, meaning that placing an Easy Mat in any section of the room will only heat the area directly beneath it.

If your project has a unique layout, TempZone Custom Mats are designed for you. These mats are custom-made to fit your specific space and offer hassle-free installation, requiring no cutting or turning. While they do take more time to produce and are generally pricier, they are tailored to fit your particular area perfectly. On the other hand, the TempZone cable provides flexibility and freedom for those looking for full coverage. It is the most affordable option and the newest addition to our TempZone product line, requiring a moderate level of effort to install.

For those with subfloor issues, the TempZone cable with Perdural membrane allows for a quick one-day installation and can make your subfloor waterproof with the use of accessories. The channels in the membrane help maintain the spacing of your heating cable. Additionally, we offer shower mats designed specifically for use in your shower, ensuring a warm surface before you even turn on the water. Each shower floor mat features a wire-free drain for fast and easy installation, and we also have shower bench mats configured to fit the slim design of shower benches—because no one wants a cold shower bench.

In summary, we have discussed various TempZone systems, including custom mats, flex rolls, easy mats, cable within a membrane, and shower mats. Your floor will indicate the heating system it requires. However, it's essential to keep in mind that while TempZone Easy Mats are easy to install individually, installing multiple mats can become complex, as each one must be wired to the thermostat. For larger areas, we recommend using one of the other TempZone options, such as Custom Mats, Flex Rolls, or the cable within the Perdesso underlayment.

Before we continue, do we have any other questions? While you're considering one, I have a question from Michael regarding a commercial project where a 10,000-pound forklift needs to operate on the floor. He asked if it's necessary to protect a hydronic radiant heating system. First of all, we don't sell hydronic radiant heating systems; we focus on electrical cable. While there may be additional considerations for a hydronic system, an electric radiant heating system can handle the same load as long as your floor can support the weight and pressure.

Another question we received is about the usual cost to operate one of these systems. Since each project is unique, the best way to estimate costs is to use our energy use calculator available on our website. You might be surprised at how affordable it can be. Before using this tool, consider factors such as the cost of electricity in your area, the size of the area you want to heat, and how long you plan to run your system. The calculator will prompt you for the square footage, the cost per kilowatt-hour in your state, and the number of hours you anticipate keeping your warm floors on—most people choose eight hours.

Stephanie asked if the cable kit comes with a Perdesso mat. Currently, the kit does not include that unless specifically requested. If you're interested in ordering a kit with a Perdesso mat, please give us a call so we can assist you in including it. This information may have changed recently, so we will follow up with you via email to ensure you get what you need.

Now, we have another question from Mike, who has a client wanting to install a system under an outdoor carpet in a three-season room. He inquired about potential downfalls. It's crucial to ensure that the carpet has a low R-value; otherwise, heat may not effectively reach the floor or warm the occupants' feet. Many people do install heating in outdoor spaces, including three-season rooms, and we can provide guidance on how to do this effectively. For the best results, avoid using materials that trap heat. Checking the R-value of the carpet is essential.

As we wrap up, I invite you to join our next webinar, where we'll discuss how to love winter again with snow melting systems, which are currently 15% off for a limited time. You can visit our website to learn more about this upcoming event. Michael also asked about the insulation needed for efficiency. If you're heating over a concrete slab, it's important to isolate the heating wire from the slab. You can use either Cerazorb or Cork, both of which are about a quarter of an inch thick. By placing this insulation on the concrete slab before installing the heating wire, you can direct the heat upwards instead of allowing it to be absorbed by the slab.

Thank you for your questions and for participating in today's webinar. If you need more information about any of our products, please contact your account manager. If you're unsure who your account manager is, you can easily find out by checking your online account or contacting us at 800-875-5285. We're always available to assist you, whether you need on-site installation help or have other inquiries.

That's all for today. We appreciate your engagement and hope we were able to answer all your questions. If you still have inquiries, don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800-875-5285 or email us at info@warmlyyours.com. We're also available via live chat on our website. We look forward to seeing you at our next webinar. Until then, stay warm and be radiant!