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Environ™ Flex Rolls Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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No. Never cut the heating cable. The floor heating cable is designed with a very specific resistance in order to consistently maintain heating at a specific wattage per square foot. Trimming the heating cable lowers the resistance of the cable causing the system to overheat.  WarmlyYours recommends obtaining a complimentary SmartPlan™ Floor Heating Installation Plan to assure a good installation.

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Environ Flex Rolls can be cut (the body of the roll can be cut but never cut the heating wire) and turned at 90° or 180° to cover the total area intended to be heated. Make sure that Environ Flex Rolls are installed with the correct orientation (wire side down) and ensure that the side marked “THIS SIDE UP” is facing upwards.

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While WarmlyYours electric radiant floor heating systems are typically installed by your floor covering contractor, a licensed electrician is recommended for the final thermostat hook-up. With every quote, we provide an Installation Plan layout, together with an electrical plan that has all the info required for the electrician.

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Our electric radiant floor heating systems have withstood rigorous safety testing and earned the UL listing. They produce much less EMF than common household appliances like your TV or vacuum cleaner. The EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) tests all electrical devices and publishes the data. Many common household appliances are tested at a distance of 6 inches. The test results indicate that on average, the EMF emitted for the following appliances, measured in Milligauss (mG) units, is:

Vacuum Cleaner: 300 mG

Microwave: 200 mG

Portable Heater: 100 mG

Dishwasher: 20 mG

Washing Machine: 20 mG

WarmlyYours TempZone™ (Twin): 1.8 mG

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The floor heating systems are offered in both 120 volt and 240 volt for the North American market. A 208 volt breaker panel can also accommodate our 240 volt floor heating system. It is important to note that the energy consumption will be the same: a 240 volt system will not cost more to operate than a 120 volt system. You are billed in kilowatts, and the 120 volt and 240 volt systems use the same amount of kilowatts. WarmlyYours often specifies a 120 volt system in smaller projects while a 240 volt system is typically recommended for larger projects (120 square feet of electric floor heating coverage or more). The benefit of switching to a 240 volt system is the reduction in amperage. Our programmable thermostat can control a radiant floor system up to 15 amps. The 120 volt system will reach 15 amps at 120 square feet of electric floor heating coverage. However, the 240 volt system will reach 15 amps at 240 square feet of electric floor heating coverage, allowing a much larger system to be connected to the thermostat. For installations over 240 square feet, a relay contactor or power modules are needed.

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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.

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Yes. Unlike the heating cable for electric floor heating, the cold lead wires can be trimmed.

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To prevent any melting, ensure that the heating wire is at least 4” from the toilet wax ring.

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Electric radiant floor heating should not be installed under permanent fixtures that may trap heat. However, if the vanity or cabinets are "floating" or are on legs, then a floor heating system may be installed under it.

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Please keep in mind that you must check your electric floor heating system with a digital ohmmeter in conjunction with a Circuit Check™. Take an initial reading as soon as you take the product out of the box to verify that it is within -5% / +10% of the values stated on the product’s label. This will give you a basis of comparison for future readings. Take a second reading once you have positioned the system to match your custom installation plan. It is also advisable to take an additional reading in the middle of the tile installation, just to make sure that the Circuit Check™ is doing its job. Then, take a final reading when you are finished with the floor installation and are ready to hook up the thermostat.

The Circuit Check™ is a tool developed by WarmlyYours to give you peace of mind and ensure trouble-free installations. Simply hook up the cold leads to the tool while you position the system to match your custom installation plan.

The Circuit Check™ will continuously monitor the continuity of the circuit during the installation of your system and during the installation of your flooring. The Circuit Check™ beeps immediately when a short in the system is detected, alerting you to a potentially damaged cable in the area you are working, before you lay the tile over the electric floor heating system.
 The WarmlyYours technical support team is available 24/7 to provide assistance if the alarm sounds, or if you would have any questions during your installation.

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When installing electric floor heating over a concrete slab, an insulating underlayment like ThermalSheet is highly recommended to ensure efficient operation, faster heating times and warmer floor temperatures.

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Yes, but any furniture that may trap heat, such as pieces with an enclosed bottom, should be avoided. Furniture on legs with a clearance of at least 3" is permissible.

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Electric-resistance heating cables and systems have no polarity. This includes all current WarmlyYours heating elements.

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When WarmlyYours electric floor heating systems are being installed on a concrete slab, we strongly recommend adding a layer of insulation over the slab prior to installing the system. While our electric floor heating provides up to 25% more heating power per square foot than many of our competitors, the slab will always act as a "heat sink." Some of the heat that would otherwise be transferred to the flooring surface will remain in the slab, causing the floor’s surface temperature to be considerably lower. This is true with any electric radiant floor heating system.

When installed on top of a concrete slab without insulation, it is generally accepted that electric floor heating will take the chill away from the floor and provide a small amount of warmth. Adding insulation on top of the slab and beneath any electric radiant floor heating system will allow a greater percentage of the heat generated to transfer to the flooring surface. This results in greater efficiency and therefore faster warm up times, higher expected surface temperatures and lower energy usage. The floor will have the capacity to warm to a comfortable temperature, and in some cases can be employed as the primary heat source for that room.

The recommended types of insulation are natural cork, insulated tile backer boards and insulated underlayment, such as ThermalSheet™ synthetic cork.

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The perfect room or floor temperature is always going to be a personal preference. However, we do see that our customers will usually set their floor temperature to somewhere in the 80°F to 84°F range.

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Yes. While there are some floor heating systems that can be installed beneath floor joists, most electric radiant floor heating systems will need to be installed beneath the floor itself. This is why the best time to install electric floor heating is during a remodel or as a part of a new construction, when a floor is being installed anyways. 

If you’re interested in alternative radiant heating methods, check out our Infrared Heating Panels, which are wall-mounted and use infrared technology to provide supplemental heating. 

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The breaker and wire sizes are selected based on the total amperage of the WarmlyYours heating system connected to a single thermostat. This information is on the WarmlyYours heating system's installation plan, electrical plan, or UL label. Based on guidelines from the National Electrical Code: loads up to 16 Amps may utilize 12 gauge wire with a 20-Amp breaker, and loads up to 12 Amps - 14 gauge wire with a 15-Amp breaker. Local code and/or other factors may change these guidelines.

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One thermostat can control multiple heating mats/cables as long as all the heating elements are using less than 15 amps:

TempZone™ will cover aprx. 120 sq. ft. for 120V systems and 240 sq. ft. for 240V systems on one thermostat.

Environ™ will cover aprx. 150 sq. ft. for 120V systems and 300 sq. ft. for 240V systems on one thermostat.

Slab Heat will cover aprx. 90 sq. ft. for 120V systems and 180 sq. ft. for 240V systems on one thermostat.

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An electric underfloor heating system doesn't need to be left on all the time. The system can be completely turned off or set back to a lower temperature when not in use. If you have a programmable floor heating thermostat, then the system can also be set to operate only during specific times.

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Make sure any cracks or raised edges are sanded down before installation. Seal and patch cracks where possible. If needed, pour a layer of self-leveling cement to make sure surface is level and flat. Then proceed with instructions to install desired floor heating system and flooring.


It is strongly recommended that an insulating underlayment be installed between the slab and heating element to prevent heat loss.

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For carpet applications, we require a minimum of 12" around the room's perimeter so that a carpet stretcher can be used without damaging the Environ roll or mat. With laminate floors, you can install it wall to wall. We do not recommend heating under heavy pieces of furniture (100lb/ft2) or box-bottom furniture. We recommend 2 inches of clearance underneath furniture placed over electric floor heating. Floor heating cannot be installed underneath permanent fixtures like cabinets, built-ins, etc.

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No. Never cut the heating mat. The floor heating mat is designed with a very specific resistance in order to consistently maintain heating at the chosen wattage per square foot. Trimming the heating cable in the mat would lower the resistance of the cable causing the system to overheat. Adding heating cable to the system would raise the resistance and the system would not heat properly.

If you think you have the wrong heating element, contact our 24/7 Technical Support Team by calling 1-800-875-5285. 

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Environ™ Floor Heating Systems are backed by WarmlyYours 5 and 10 year “No Nonsense™ Warranty* and WarmlyYours highly recognized lifetime 24/7 technical support. Due to the fact that we will also cover not only the cost of labor, but also the cost of the floor itself, our warranty is renowned for being an industry best. Our “No Nonsense™ Warranty” for Environ covers 5 years for under carpet applications and 10 years for under laminate or floating wood floors.

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The actual cost of operating your floor heating system will vary depending upon a number of factors including the cost of electricity in your area and the length of time you run your system. Try our Operating Cost Calculator for a quick estimate.

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The ground wire in the floor mat must be connected directly to the ground wire of the supply or to the house ground wire.

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Check the flooring r-value before installing. As long as the flooring product has an r-value of 1 or less, it should work well with electric floor heating. Underlayment must be placed on the subfloor and be placed under the heating layer. For ease of installation, we strongly recommend the underlayment be at least 1/4" thick, and the heating element should be placed between the underlayment and the flooring. Do not place any underlayment between the element and the flooring.

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Multiple Environ™ products may be connected in parallel directly to a thermostat or through the junction box. Please ensure the total amperage of all connected mats doesn’t exceed the thermostat’s maximum load.

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Installing Environ™ under wood laminate flooring requires a suitable underlayment beneath the heating elements. Never install Environ™ between two hard surfaces. Underlayments that are less than 2mm in thickness and that are not Robinson-rated are not acceptable. Underlayment is necessary to prevent Environ™ Flex Rolls from damage due to the weight of the floor, furniture, and people. Unavoidable wooden floor movements will not harm Environ™.

Installing Environ™ under carpeting(USA only) requires a suitable cushion/pad beneath the heating elements. Never install Environ™ between two hard surfaces. Carpet padding must have a density of at least 6 pounds per cubic foot, the higher the R-Value the better. 1/2“ Prime Urethane (R-2.15) and 1/2“ Bonded Urethane(R-2.1) are good choices. Adhere to Restrictions on Furniture Placement outlined on page 12 of Environ Install manual when installing under carpeting.

Environ™ must not be installed in direct contact with concrete, it is mandatory when installing over concrete to use a 1/4“ (6mm) Robinson-rated underlayment.

Certain underlayments, such as 1/4” (6mm) thick cork, or 6mm ThermalSheet are recommended for Environ™. It is also acceptable to place a vapor barrier, such as a plastic sheet, beneath the underlayment. Underlayment paper is not an acceptable underlayment choice.

Always check with the manufacturer of the flooring, carpeting, and underlayment for limitations and compatibility with electric radiant heating. Adhere to national and local code regarding electric radiant heating systems.

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The roll and mat is 1/16" thick, and the cord is 1/4" in diameter.

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The height difference and sound is purely dependent on the choice of carpet and padding. Different carpets and carpet pads have different qualities and will be a determining part of height and sound.

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Any type of underlayment/padding may be used as long as it has a density of 6-8 pounds per cubic foot. Certain underlayment, such as ¼” (6mm) thick cork, or 6mm ThermalSheet are recommended for Environ™ Flex Rolls. It is also acceptable to place a vapor barrier, such as a plastic sheet, under the underlayment. Underlayment papers are not compatible with Environ™ Flex Rolls. Underlayment is necessary to prevent Environ™ Flex Rolls from damage from the weight of the floor, furniture, and people. Unavoidable wooden floor movements will not harm Environ™ Flex Rolls. Wooden floors expand and contract with temperature and moisture change. The wooden floor “moves” on top of Environ™ Flex Rolls. This movement will not damage Environ™ Flex Rolls when the installation is done correctly and the underside of the final floor covering is installed evenly. Some underlayment materials also have a noise reducing and insulating effect. When installing over concrete, a ¼” underlayment is mandatory. Any underlayment available in ¼” size is acceptable in most cases. ThermalSheet, cork, or ¼” to 3/8” of expanded polystyrene (EPS) with a density of 2 pounds per cubic foot or more, are recommended for installation under Environ™ Flex Rolls. When installing over a concrete slab, choose the underlayment with the highest R-Value.

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Most laminate flooring manufactured today are made of wood flour and resin composites. However, there are still some manufacturers making laminates primarily of real wood. This is important because a primarily wood laminate can be floated over the Environ™ floor heating product. Otherwise, if it is not made primarily of wood, the flooring will require the TempZone™ floor heating product embedded in thin-set or self-leveling cement.

Check the laminate manufacturer’s material composition, the specific product warranty for radiant or electric heat exclusions, and the installation documentation for compatibility. A clue that it’s not a wood laminate is if 1/2” separation is required between the heaters and the laminate.

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No, as long as a licensed electrician properly installs it. We suggest setting your nSpiration Series thermostat control at a maximum of 85°F when the system is installed under laminate flooring. See your laminate manufacturer for their requirements regarding their product when used with electric radiant heat.

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We recommend our floating floor heating system for floating wood floors, such as laminate or bamboo. With an insulating layer between the subfloor and heating system, the heating cables will settle into the underlayment making for a flat surface for the floor covering.

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The Environ™ Flex Rolls and Easy Mats are designed to deliver 12 watts per square foot.

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Never cut, shorten or splice the heating cable itself; cutting it damages the system. Only the non-heating cold lead can be shortened, as your product’s manual allows. Order the size your SmartPlan™ specifies, because unused cable can’t be cut off.

Some mats let you cut the mesh, never the cable, to turn or reposition them: TempZone™ and Environ™ Flex Rolls and Slab Heat mats. TempZone™ Easy Mats and Custom Mats are made to size and must not be shortened or cut. TempZone™ Cable has no mesh: lay all of it at the spacing on your SmartPlan™.

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Many homeowners choose to lay the heating mats or cables themselves as a DIY project while they are putting down new flooring. However, we always recommend that a licensed electrician perform the final hookup to the thermostat and power source to ensure everything is up to code.

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No. Most vinyl flooring requires a solid flat surface to maintain its shape and many recommend that their flooring is kept at least ½“ away from the heating element. The best solution for vinyl floor covering is our TempZone™ floor heating cable or mats embedded in self leveling cement. Always check with the flooring product's manufacturer regarding limitations, warranties, and installation requirements.

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It depends on the floor. Tile and other bonded floors shouldn’t go over a loose plastic sheet: bond ThermalSheet to a cured, dry slab with modified thinset; a waterproof concrete sealer may be needed if slab moisture is above 10%. Under floating laminate or engineered wood, a plastic vapor barrier beneath the underlayment is fine. Fix any water seepage first.

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Yes. Without insulation, a concrete slab draws heat down from the floor heating, so the floor warms slowly and uses more energy. Over an existing slab, lay ThermalSheet, WarmlyYours’ insulating underlayment, under the heating system to send the heat up into the floor. ThermalSheet replaces CeraZorb, which is no longer sold.

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Yes, absolutely. A floor sensor is mandatory for all floor heating systems, especially under carpet.

What a Floor Sensor Does

  • Monitors actual floor temperature
  • Prevents overheating (keeps floor ≤ 85°F / 29°C)
  • Allows thermostat to regulate heating precisely
  • Protects both the heating system and your carpet

Why It's Critical for Carpet

Carpet can trap heat more than hard surfaces. A floor sensor ensures the system doesn't overheat, which could damage the carpet or the heating element. The thermostat uses the sensor to maintain safe, consistent temperatures.

How It Works

  1. Sensor detects floor temperature
  2. Thermostat receives signal
  3. System adjusts heating to maintain target temperature
  4. Heat never exceeds safe limits

Installation

The floor sensor is placed under the carpet (typically near the center of the heated area) before the carpet is installed. It's a small, flexible probe that connects to the thermostat.

WarmlyYours Advantage

Every WarmlyYours floor heating product includes a backup floor sensor. This redundancy ensures your system continues to operate safely even if the primary sensor fails. It's one of the ways WarmlyYours goes above and beyond industry standards.

Thermostat Selection

Choose a thermostat designed for floor heating with carpet. WarmlyYours offers several options that work with Environ™ Foil Mat and include built-in GFCI protection for safety.

Professional Installation

A licensed electrician should install the thermostat and connect the floor sensor. This ensures proper operation and compliance with Canadian electrical codes.

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It depends on your flooring type and heating system. For electric radiant floor heating, underlayment is often beneficial but not always required.When underlayment is recommended:

When underlayment is not needed:

  • Tile and stone installations: Heating cables/mats are embedded directly in thinset or self-leveling compound—no underlayment required.
  • Glue-down LVP over concrete: System can be installed in self-leveling compound without additional underlayment.

Important note: WarmlyYours currently offers ThermalSheet as our recommended underlayment solution. While CeraZorb and cork underlayment were previously available and may still be found in older installations, ThermalSheet is now our preferred product for optimal performance and compatibility.Our free SmartPlan service includes underlayment recommendations tailored to your specific flooring and subfloor. With over 600,000 custom floor plans created, we ensure you get the right system configuration.

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For under carpet installation, certain restrictions on furniture placement apply. Please refer to the installation guide for further details.

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One watt equals about 3.412 BTU per hour. TempZone™ Flex Rolls, Easy Mats and Shower Mats, and TempZone™ Cable at 3-inch spacing, deliver 15 watts per square foot: about 51 BTU per hour for every square foot of heated floor. Environ™ delivers 12 watts per square foot, about 41 BTU per hour. For any product, multiply the wattage on its label by 3.412.

Only heated floor counts, and heating can’t run under cabinets or fixtures: 100 square feet of 15-watt heating produces about 5,100 BTU per hour. Compare that with your room’s heat loss.

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Operating costs for electric floor heating depend on the heated area, system wattage, your local electricity rate, and how long the system runs: (area × watts per sq. ft. ÷ 1,000) × electricity rate × hours energized.

For example, heating a 35 sq. ft. bathroom with a 15-watt-per-square-foot system draws 525 watts (35 × 15 ÷ 1,000 = 0.525 kW). Running the system for 8 hours a day costs approximately $0.68/day ($20.49/month).

You can calculate specific operating costs for your project using our

Operating Cost Calculator for Floor Heating

Estimate your daily and monthly energy costs based on room size and local rates.
sq. ft.
¢/kWh
Estimated Cost
$0.04
per hour
$0.15
per day
$4.50
per month
Rae Radiant

"Most homeowners are surprised how affordable radiant floor heating is to operate—often just pennies a day for a bathroom. It's the kind of everyday luxury that pays for itself in comfort!"

— Rae Radiant
.

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Most Laminates with an attached cork, foam, or rubber backing are not good Environ™ heated flooring candidates. There are exceptions of course, check the manufacturer's warranty information and compatibility of the flooring product with electrically heated floors. If the laminate has a pre-attached pad, verify that the laminate has an R-Value of 1 or less.

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For the same wattage and operating time, 120V and 240V electric floor heating use the same amount of energy and produce the same heat. A 240V system draws less current for the same wattage, which can accommodate a larger heated area on a suitable circuit. Choose the heating product and control voltage to match the supply, and have an electrician verify circuit capacity, wiring, and applicable code.

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The amount of amperage draw depends upon how large the area is that you are heating. For coverage of areas less than 30 square feet, a 120V Environ system will draw less than 3 amps. If you have a larger area over 300 square feet of heated space, then you will need a larger breaker plus additional controls. No matter what the size of the area you choose to heat, we recommend a dedicated circuit for your electric radiant floor heating system.

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WarmlyYours floor heating systems are backed by our industry-leading warranties, among the longest in the radiant heating industry:

Product Warranties:

  • TempZone™ systems – 25-year product warranty on heating cables and mats
  • Environ™ systems – 25-year product warranty on heating cables and mats
  • Thermostats – 3-year manufacturer warranty on all models
  • Installation materials – Covered under respective product warranties

What's Covered:

  • Manufacturing defects in heating cables, mats, and components
  • Free replacement of defective products during warranty period
  • Technical support for troubleshooting and diagnostics
  • Installation guidance to prevent issues before they occur

Why Our Warranty Matters:

  • Proven reliability – Over 25 years of manufacturing experience
  • Rigorous testing – Every system tested before shipping
  • Quality materials – Premium components designed for decades of service
  • Installation support – 24/7 tech support during installation to prevent warranty issues
  • Peace of mind – Your investment is protected for decades

Warranty Registration:

Your SmartPlan™ includes warranty documentation and testing logs. We recommend:

  • Testing resistance before, during, and after installation
  • Documenting all resistance readings
  • Taking photos of your installation
  • Registering your system online after installation

Beyond the Warranty:

Even after your warranty period, our support team remains available to help with:

  • Troubleshooting and diagnostics
  • System expansions to additional rooms
  • Replacement thermostats and accessories
  • Technical guidance for any issues

Your SmartPlan™ ensures your system is properly designed and installed from day one, minimizing the chance of issues and maximizing the life of your investment.

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Installing floor heating under carpet involves placing Environ heating mats over a pad and then covering them with the carpet. The process typically includes:

  • Installing a specific radiant-compatible carpet pad.
  • Laying out the Environ mats according to your plan.
  • Securing the mats with tape.
  • Having a professional installer lay the carpet over the mats.
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A floor sensor measures floor temperature so a compatible thermostat can regulate comfort and enforce the flooring manufacturer’s temperature limit. Some thermostats, including nTrust 2.0, offer a regulator mode without a sensor, but that mode does not measure floor temperature. Use sensor-based temperature control whenever required by the flooring or heating-system instructions.

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