Radiant Floor Heating Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Showing 10 of 20 questions
WarmlyYours’ TempZone™ product is most commonly installed under tile, stone, and marble flooring, but can also be installed under many other popular floor covering options such as hardwood, vinyl and linoleum. We also have our Environ system, which is an electric floor heating product as well and is specially designed for installation under carpet (in the U.S. only), laminate and floating wood. WarmlyYours can accommodate any flooring type with either of the electric radiant floor heating products that we offer. If your flooring type isn't listed here, just give us a call at (800) 875-5285 and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Cork flooring can be used with floor heating if the r-value is under 1. You will need to find the r-value of the flooring you choose and let your account manager know during the design stage. Cork flooring should have a low r-value to minimize trapped heat.
Yes, radiant floor heating can be a primary heat source if its heat output exceeds the room's heat loss. For best results, we recommend using a 15-watt system, covering at least 80% of the floor, and ensuring the space is well-insulated. Use our Heat Loss Calculator to verify your specific needs.
Yes, radiant floor heating is an excellent primary heat source for tiny houses in mild to moderate climates. Because tiny houses have small footprints, the 15-watt output of TempZone™ can easily maintain comfort while saving valuable wall space. Ensure the structure is well-insulated and use our Heat Loss Calculator to confirm.
Yes, you can install multiple sensors while installing the floor heating system. Only one of these sensors should be connected to the floor heating thermostat. Any secondary sensors can be run through conduit up to the thermostat area to be connected in the future should anything happen to the original sensor. The sensor is low voltage and may not need conduit. If conduit is required, it will need to be separate from the return power leads.
Yes, we strongly recommend installing insulation like ThermalSheet™ over concrete slabs. Concrete acts as a "heat sink," absorbing warmth that should go to your floor. Insulation directs the heat upward, significantly improving efficiency, reducing warm-up times, and allowing the system to function effectively as a primary heat source.
Underlayment is recommended for floating floors (laminate, LVP, wood) and installations over cold subfloors like concrete. It provides thermal insulation to prevent heat loss and improves system efficiency. For tile and stone, the system is typically embedded in thinset, so a separate underlayment is often unnecessary.
A Warmly Yours indoor floor heating system should not be installed with a GFCI breaker because GFCI protection is built into the thermostat and power module. And while it's not always required, we strongly recommend a dedicated circuit for each thermostat and power module to limit the occurrence of ground fault nuisance tripping caused by multiple GFCI devices on a circuit. The amperage of a breaker would depend on the amp draw of the heating system. For example, a TempZone Flex Roll (which provides approximately 15 watts of energy output per square foot) that is providing 15 square feet of heating coverage will draw only 225 watts ( 1.9 Amps), so a 15 Amp circuit would suffice. Always size breakers according to your local Electrical Code requirements.
WarmlyYours TempZone™ Flex Rolls and Easy Mats deliver 15 watts per square foot, the maximum allowed by the National Electrical Code. This provides 25% more heating power than the 12-watt industry standard. TempZone™ Cable can be spaced to deliver between 8 and 15 watts per square foot depending on your needs.
Yes, electric radiant floor heating is ideal for basements because it warms the cold concrete slab and provides consistent heat from the ground up. In well-insulated finished basements, it can serve as the primary heat source, turning a typically chilly space into a comfortable, year-round living area.
Radiant floor heating can heat a sunroom if the space has high-quality insulation and double-pane glass. Since sunrooms have high heat loss, a 15-watt system is essential. In extremely cold climates or poorly insulated sunrooms, it is best used as a supplemental source to keep the floor comfortable.
Yes, radiant heating is highly efficient in cold weather. Unlike forced-air systems that lose heat through ductwork and rising air, radiant heat warms objects directly via far-infrared energy. This method is up to 45% more energy-efficient, providing consistent comfort while significantly lowering monthly heating costs in frigid environments.
The best home features for cold climates include a simple gable roof to shed snow, covered entrances for protection, airtight triple-pane windows to prevent heat loss, and radiant heating systems. These features work together to maintain interior warmth, reduce energy bills by up to 25%, and ensure structural safety during harsh winters.
Most systems provide only 12 watts per square foot, which often lacks the power for primary heating in cold climates. WarmlyYours TempZone™ delivers 15 watts—a 25% increase. This higher output allows the system to overcome heat loss more effectively, providing reliable primary warmth even when outdoor temperatures drop.