Ask Us Anything - Radiant Heating Revealed

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the WarmlyYours webinar. Today is about "Ask Us Anything: Radiant Heating Revealed." I'm your host, Julia, the owner at WarmlyYours and Chief Bottle Washer. Beside me is Scott, our assistant bottle washer, who is also in charge of everything technical. We have our expert here to take all of your questions, and I will chime in as well. Today is all about you. We received some questions in advance, so we will start with those. However, as we progress, we encourage you to engage and ask your own questions using the Q&A box on the left side of your screen.

A lot of people register for our webinars and request recordings later, which is great because it allows us to provide the answers they are specifically looking for. For every seminar moving forward, we encourage you to send in your questions in advance, and we will ensure they all get answered. Interestingly enough, many of the questions we received centered around three major themes that are fairly technical. I know it can be daunting to start with the hardcore stuff, but today we will discuss how to size your circuit, determine how many watts a floor heating project will require, and talk about watt density, as there are different densities you can use based on your application. Lastly, we will address the million-dollar question regarding operating costs.

The number one question we get is, "How big of a space can I actually heat?" This largely depends on the thermostat, which controls your floor heating. The thermostat can switch 15 amps, so it's essential to keep that in mind. A common misconception is that 240-volt electricity is more efficient than 120 volts. This is not true; there are very few applications where 240 volts is more efficient, and it has nothing to do with floor heating. Our goal is to provide the right amount of heat in your space using the correct voltage and thermostat. If you plan to heat a large area, it's more economical to keep it on one control, which is why 240 volts is advantageous, as it allows you to double the coverage compared to 120 volts.

The control is what limits how much floor heating you can get on one thermostat, which is capped at 15 amps. Additionally, we offer power modules that can power an extra 15 amps for each one, allowing you to daisy chain them together. Regardless of the size of your project, it's crucial to keep that 15-amp limit in mind. From there, we can explore different products that offer varying watt densities. Our main product, the TempZone Cut and Turn Easy or Flex Rolls, operates at 15 watts per square foot. To calculate how much power you will need, simply multiply the area you want to heat by 15 watts per square foot. For instance, if you have 10 square feet, you will need 150 watts. This straightforward formula—watts per square foot multiplied by the square footage—will guide you in determining your power requirements.

Once you have that figured out, you can consider which voltage is better for your situation. For small rooms, a 120-volt system is sufficient and uses one slot in the breaker box, while a 240-volt system uses two slots. If you're concerned about available slots in your breaker box, it's wise to opt for 120 volts to keep your setup efficient. For example, if you have a bathroom that measures 120 square feet, using 15 watts per square foot would total 1800 watts, which is right at the 15-amp limit. If you reduce the watt density to 10 watts per square foot for the same area, you would still arrive at 1800 watts. This flexibility allows you to adjust watt density to stay within one control, ultimately saving you money.

We have a vast product line, including TempZone Flex Rolls at 15 watts per square foot and cable products that can accommodate different watt densities. If you need flexibility in watt density, the cable product is the way to go, as it can handle 10 watts, 8 watts, or whatever density you require. In contrast, the TempZone roll is fixed at 15 watts per square foot, which works well for smaller areas but becomes less efficient for larger spaces.

Another common question we receive is about the operating costs of these systems. The cost to run your floor heating system varies by location, but the national average is around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. For example, if you have an 800-watt system, you would divide by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts, resulting in 0.8 kilowatts. Multiplying that by the average rate of 12 cents gives you approximately 9 to 10 cents per hour to operate the system, which is quite economical. This allows you to assess whether your floor heating will be a sole source of heat or simply a comfort feature to keep your feet warm, especially in colder months.

To help with these calculations, we created an online tool where you can input your operating costs and project details. This tool allows you to estimate the operating costs for floor heating or snow melting systems based on your zip code or specific electricity rates.

Regarding thermostats, a common question is whether the system is always on when set to a specific temperature, like 80 degrees. The answer is no; the system operates until it reaches the desired temperature and then idles at about 60% of its capacity. It does not adjust voltage; rather, it regulates the time it stays on or off to maintain the temperature. This duty cycle means the system is not running at full capacity all the time, making it more energy-efficient.

We often discuss energy efficiency, and it's essential to note that radiant heating is an energy-efficient option, especially compared to traditional heating methods. Many people are concerned about the cost of electric floor heating, but because it doesn't run continuously at full power, it can be a cost-effective solution. Unlike a furnace, which you might turn off when not using a room, radiant heating can maintain comfort without wasting energy.

We received questions about how to size a circuit adequately. It's crucial to ensure that your thermostat is rated for 15 amps and to consider how much coverage you want in the room. Remember, you don't heat every square inch of a room; typically, you only heat about 80% of the area since you won't heat under permanent fixtures like toilets or over air vents.

Another question we received was about energy efficiency in slab heating. We offer an indoor slab heating product designed for new constructions or additions. When pouring a new slab, it's essential to isolate the slab from the heating element to enhance efficiency. Our Cerazorb product is recommended to insulate the heating wire from the slab, allowing the floor to heat up faster and more effectively.

For those who already have flooring installed and want to add radiant heating, we recommend radiant panels. These panels can be installed beneath existing floors, allowing heat to travel up through the flooring. It's important to assess the availability of joist bays when considering this option, as not all spaces may be suitable for installation.

We also received questions about our LED mirror line, specifically regarding fog-free features. Currently, our mirrors do not have this capability, but we are working on upgrades that will include fog-free functionality. We plan to add defoggers to the back of the mirrors, ensuring they remain clear even in steamy environments. Additionally, we will offer custom sizes and dimmable options for our LED mirrors to meet customer preferences.

When it comes to troubleshooting, we emphasize the importance of proactive measures to avoid issues such as nuisance GFI trips caused by hair dryers or exhaust fans. We recommend placing the floor heating system on a dedicated circuit to minimize interference from other appliances. If troubleshooting is necessary, we advise using a digital ohm meter to test the system and identify any potential issues.

In the event of a system failure, we encourage customers to reach out to our tech support team for assistance. Our team can guide you through troubleshooting steps, often using tools like FaceTime to see the situation in real-time. Most issues can be resolved without replacing the entire floor, as we can locate and repair specific problem areas.

Lastly, we want to highlight the importance of using proper tools and techniques for repairs. If a wire is cut or damaged, our troubleshooting kit can help identify the issue and allow for targeted repairs without needing to replace the entire system. We also recommend consulting our tech team for guidance on repairs to ensure they are done correctly and safely.

Thank you for your questions and participation today. We hope this webinar has provided valuable insights into radiant heating and how to effectively use our products. If you have any further inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.