Product Selection & Sizing: The Key to Radiant Floor Heating Success

Awesome. Well, thank you, everybody, for joining us. My name is Lynn, and I am one of our sales reps here at WarmlyYours. Today, I am joined by the wonderful Scott, one of our tech team members. Hello, everybody. Thank you so much for being here. Today, we're going to be discussing product selection and sizing, a question we receive frequently. People often express concern about ensuring they choose the correct product and size. We will go over strategies to help you select the right system for your needs. This session will last about an hour.

We will begin by discussing our planning steps and the foundation of radiant heating. It's essential to understand what to look for and identify key zones that you want to heat. Next, we’ll cover product information, including our various floor heating options, cost analysis, and the operating economics of the systems themselves. We will also share real-world applications, showcasing projects where our products have been used, including their layouts and other relevant details. Additionally, we will discuss temperature limitations and more. At the end of the session, we will open the floor to questions. We have received some in advance, but if you have questions during the webinar, feel free to type them in, and we will address them during the Q&A session.

One of the first types of coverage that most people consider when planning for floor heating is full room coverage. This option is ideal for priority spaces—areas where you spend a lot of time, where you are often on your feet, or spaces that tend to be especially chilly. Full room coverage offers maximum comfort, providing consistent warmth throughout the entire area, whether it’s a bathroom, kitchen, or living room. However, there are specific areas where you should avoid placing heating elements.

Scott, could you explain those areas and why they should be avoided? Yes, under permanent fixtures is one of the main areas to avoid. Heating under permanent fixtures is against the National Electric Code because it traps heat, which is not advisable. This includes built-in cabinetry; you do not want to place heating under cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom. However, in a bathroom, for instance, you can heat the toe kick of a vanity but should not heat under the boxed-in frame. It’s important to stay clear of heating under refrigerators and dishwashers as well, as these appliances generate heat while running, and there’s no foot traffic in those areas.

Another option for heating is spot heating, which is beneficial if you're working with a tighter budget or looking to save power while still achieving comfortable, warm floors in specific areas. This approach is particularly effective in bathrooms, in front of toilets, sinks, and vanities. It’s also common in kitchens, especially in areas where you stand frequently, such as in front of the sink. Scott, can you share some best practices for calculating where to place spot heating?

You want to focus on the areas where you stand most. However, if you have multiple spots in a bathroom, it’s not advisable to install several individual spot heating mats, as this would require multiple connections at the back of the thermostat. If you have more than one or two spots to heat, it’s better to heat the entire room to avoid complications with connections. For instance, you should place heating in front of the sink and the vanity, ensuring you don’t get too close to the wax ring of the toilet to avoid melting it.

When considering spot heating, remember that if you only heat specific areas, stepping off those warm spots will result in cold tile. Many people mistakenly believe that placing a strip of heating down the middle of a room will warm the entire space, but heat only travels about an inch and a half from the edge of the wire.

Looking at our product options, our most popular product is the TempZone mat systems, which include TempZone flex rolls and TempZone easy mats. These products are similar but used differently. Both feature the same cable and concept, with fiberglass that can be unrolled and cut to fit the space as needed. TempZone flex rolls are designed for larger areas, making them ideal for full room heating or multiple areas, as they provide extensive coverage without requiring numerous connections to the thermostat. In contrast, TempZone EZ-Mats are better suited for spot heating, allowing for easy installation in one or two areas of a room.

It’s crucial to understand the implications of choosing the right product. I recently spoke with a customer who purchased seven EZ-Mats for their bathroom, only to realize they needed to connect each mat individually, leading to complications and the need for junction boxes. Both systems operate at about 15 watts per square foot and have the same thickness and warranty, but the choice depends on the space you are heating.

Our newest product, the TempZone Ruler Cable, is available exclusively to our professional customers. This product is designed to simplify installation, providing clear indicators of where you are along the cable. With a 300-foot cable, you can easily track your progress and ensure you’re using the correct amount. We also provide backup sensors with all our products, ensuring you have a second sensor alongside the one in the thermostat box.

The TempZone Ruler Cable allows for different spacing options—three, four, or five inches. Keep in mind that the further apart the cables are, the fewer watts per square foot you will have, resulting in less heat. For colder areas, such as three-season rooms, closer spacing is advisable to achieve higher BTUs. Conversely, for warmer spaces, such as a second-floor bathroom, five-inch spacing may suffice.

There are two installation methods for the TempZone Cable. The first is using grip strips, which are complimentary with the cable purchase. These strips are custom-designed to hold the cable securely in place, allowing for flexibility in spacing. It’s essential to avoid using metal straps, as they can damage the wire. For waterproofing and anti-fracture needs, the Perdesso membrane is an excellent option, allowing for varying spacing to achieve desired heat levels.

Our Envirin Foil Mat System is another option, designed specifically for floating floors. It should not be embedded in any thin set or self-leveling cement. Instead, it is laid directly on the subfloor, with the flooring placed on top. This system works well with carpet, laminate, and engineered wood, but it’s important to note that it is not suitable for LVT due to its specific installation requirements.

As we delve into choosing the right system, we want to emphasize that we are the radiant heating experts. If you need assistance, we recommend reaching out to us. For large open areas with minimal obstructions, TempZone Flex Rolls are ideal. For smaller installations or spot heating, TempZone Easy Mats are perfect. The TempZone Cable System is great for custom-shaped areas, allowing for maximum flexibility in layout and spacing. Lastly, the Envirin Foil Mat System excels in floating floor applications, providing an ultra-thin profile without the need for mortar.

We also offer slab heating systems and shower mat systems, which are more specialized. Slab heating is excellent for large commercial areas or new home builds where concrete is the final flooring. If you plan to install tile over concrete, using TempZone is typically a better option. Shower mat systems come pre-cut with drain holes, making them easy to install and adding warmth to shower floors.

When selecting the right size for any of these products, remember that you cannot cut the heating wire. It’s crucial to order the correct size to avoid complications. We will discuss how to find the right size, emphasizing the importance of not purchasing too much and cutting it. Our goal is to simplify the process for you, helping you determine the appropriate product and size based on your specific needs.

If you’re a DIYer or a professional, the installation process will vary. For those new to the process, starting with the easiest room is advisable. Once you complete your first installation, you will gain valuable experience that will help you with future projects. Envirin is the easiest system to install, as it requires no mixing of thin set or self-leveling cement.

When working with more complex installations, like TempZone Flex Rolls or cable with grip strips, you may need to mix thin set or self-leveling materials. If you’re comfortable with these tasks, you can proceed confidently. The next step is selecting your floor heating thermostat, which should align with your daily usage plans.

The nTrust 2.0 is our newest non-programmable thermostat, ideal for those on a budget or looking for simplicity. It’s great for seasonal heating or floors that don’t handle temperature fluctuations well. The nSpire Touch is a programmable option, allowing for daily heating schedules and energy savings. Lastly, the nJoy Wi-Fi thermostat integrates with smart home systems like Alexa and Google Home, offering remote control via an app.

We will now review some project examples showcasing our products. Our first project is an owner suite bathroom remodel in Massachusetts, utilizing TempZone cable with Perdesso membrane. You can view the layout plan we provided to the customer and see the installation steps. The finished product is a beautiful floor that will be warm and inviting.

Next, we have a dining room project in Idaho Falls, which used TempZone Flex Rolls. This installation was straightforward, as the room had minimal obstructions. The layout plan indicates the use of power modules, as the thermostat can only handle 15 amps. If your project exceeds this limit, you will need a control and power module to manage the load effectively.

Another project involved a bedroom in Chicago, where Envirin mats were installed. This installation required careful cutting and turning of the mats to fit the room. The cold leads were strategically placed to connect to the thermostat, ensuring efficient operation.

As we wrap up, remember that accurate measurements are crucial for a successful installation. We provide complimentary layout plans based on the dimensions you provide. Ensure that you mark any obstacles or features that need to be avoided, as this will help us create the correct layout for your heating system.

Testing the system before installation is also essential. Use a digital ohm meter to check the readings before, during, and after installation. Document these readings in the installation manual for future reference.

When embedding the heating system, adhere it well to the slab floor and cover it with a layer of self-leveling material. This approach allows for flexibility in flooring choices later on.

We always recommend consulting with professionals for wiring and installation to ensure compliance with local building codes. Our team is here to assist you in creating a custom heating plan, whether through our instant quote builder, floor plan finder tool, or by submitting your floor plan directly to us.

Thank you for joining us today. We hope you found this information helpful and informative. If you have any questions or need assistance with your upcoming projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing you at our next webinar on transforming cold basements. Stay warm and be radiant!