Electric underfloor heating and snow melting systems

Installation of electric underfloor heating: the main stages

The quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the floor heating system is largely determined by its installation. The right choice of equipment and its capacity, preparatory work and configuration of the system as a whole play an important role. You will learn what steps the process consists of and what you need to pay special attention to.

Installation of electric underfloor heating

The heat-insulated floor which installation we describe, is capable to serve long years and does not demand any works on care. If the system is installed strictly according to the set standards, it works uninterruptedly and does not cause danger at intensive operation. Electric heating technology does not require constant monitoring and control, this is the responsibility of the thermostat.

This instruction for the installation of electric floors is a list of the main stages of work and recommendations for their implementation. To ensure that the system is installed perfectly, we recommend that you consult a specialist. When working with different types of components, it is important to take into account their features and subtleties in operation, and this requires an understanding of their specifics.

Installation of infrared underfloor heating

When infrared underfloor heating is chosen for a house or apartment, installation and preparatory work takes a minimum amount of time. First, the IR film does not require a screed and this greatly simplifies the process. However, a flat surface is required for laying a heated floor. Secondly, installation of such system is possible even under a carpet and linoleum.

At the stage of preparation of IR underfloor heating for installation, it is important to approach the planning of the room responsibly. Infrared films are laid outdoors, it is important to avoid placing them under furniture and appliances. The fact is that without sufficient air circulation, overheating and breakage are possible in local areas of the infrared film system.

The first stage is preliminary work

In general, everything is the same as with other underfloor heating systems. You need to carefully calculate the power and choose consumables, make a detailed layout and then mount the system itself.

When you plan to install an electric underfloor heating, make sure you choose a quality insulation. It is useful in order to prevent heat loss through enclosing structures. The type and amount of material to provide thermal insulation depends on the location of the rooms in the house.

As for all types of underfloor heating, installation technology provides the usual materials for insulation:

• Polyfoam (expanded polystyrene);
• Extruded expanded polystyrene;
• Special foam polyethylene backing.

The first two options are most often used when installing a heated floor is planned over a cold basement or on the ground. On top of a layer of material (from 50 to 100 mm) put a reflective layer of aluminum foil. In cases where the installation of infrared underfloor heating takes place over a warm room, a foil substrate made of foamed polyethylene is perfect.

After that, you can start marking the location of the IR film. The process is required to avoid overheating of the system under massive furniture and appliances, as well as to obtain data for calculations of the amount of film.

The second stage – installation work

For a film heat-insulated floor installation begins with preparation of a surface and its clearing of possible garbage. This is followed by the laying of material to provide thermal insulation, laying the temperature sensor cable and power supply for the entire system. The final stages are direct installation of IR underfloor heating and installation on the surface of the decorative coating.

When laying a heated floor, it is very important to follow safety precautions and rules for working with electrical appliances.

Laying underfloor heating cable

The heating cable can be laid with or without thermal insulation. Heating cables of various types can be mounted on mounting and metal mesh. Remember that cables must not be cut or shortened, or subjected to any kind of deformation (stretching and crumpling). It is also strictly forbidden to operate all types of cables without grounding.

Stacking plan

• Make a mark for cable laying in a heated area;
• Clean the floor surface from dirt that can damage the cable;
• Deploy the cable according to the laying step on a flat surface;
• Prepare a hole in the wall to install the thermostat;
• The temperature sensor must be located between two parallel strands of the heating cable itself.

Remember that the floor screed must provide good thermal conductivity, so it is important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of the mixture. Ideally, it is better to use special mixtures marked “for underfloor heating”.

When it comes to installing underfloor heating under linoleum, laminate, tile or carpet, the heating cable should be covered with a layer of mixture from 2 to 5 cm. Remember, that starting the system is possible only after complete curing of the mixture. The timing of curing the screed is easiest to determine according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the mixture itself.

Heating mat installation

Underfloor heating, namely heating mats – is the most comfortable option for home, apartment or office. If you are looking for a way to install underfloor heating, mats may be the best solution. They are located much closer to the floor surface and therefore provide much faster heating, the cable on the grid of mats is already properly laid with the necessary step.

Sequence of works

First of all it is necessary to define borders of the area of ​​a heating zone. Then it is necessary to subtract the area of ​​stationary furniture and appliances from the common space, as well as to provide distances from walls and massive objects of 5-10 cm.

After determining the layout, you need to decide on the appropriate thermostat for your system. For small areas, a standard electromechanical device is suitable, and for large rooms it is better to use a programmable device with “smart mode”.

It is best to install the thermostat closer to the light switch so that you do not have to change and rebuild your own habits. If the room has high humidity, it is better to take this device outside.

After that the temperature sensor is connected, separate places in a wall and a floor for devices are prepared. A corrugated pipe must be installed for the floor temperature sensor, the end of which must be muffled with insulating tape. When the surface and auxiliary devices are prepared, it is possible to carry out laying of heating mats directly.

Installation: underfloor heating

Most often laying tiles on the heated floor is carried out in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and balconies. Marking for the floor is largely determined by the type of masonry. The most common options for laying tiles: straight and diagonal. You can choose the method based only on the configuration of the room and personal preferences for interior design.

The tile is laid and leveled on top of the adhesive mortar, checking for slopes using a construction level. The use of dense insulation at the initial stage of installation helps to ensure a smooth surface. In general installation of a heat-insulated floor under a tile does not demand the special approach. If desired, upon completion of the work, the tile can even be varnished.

Installation: underfloor heating

It is not difficult to install a heated floor under the laminate, because the material is known for its excellent performance properties and provides a very pleasant decorative design. Infrared films that provide rapid heating are most often used for this type of flooring.

It is important to remember that laying laminate on a warm floor requires a prepared flat surface. The need for thermal insulation is determined by what type of underfloor heating was chosen for installation and the specifics of the rooms. When planning work, it is important to consult a specialist.

Installation: film underfloor heating under linoleum

The power of infrared films is selected depending on the area and features of the room, as well as the type of heating (main or auxiliary). As we mentioned above, the layout of the room is based on furniture and other massive objects in its area.

A clean base is prepared, on which the reflective substrate is placed. The joints between its strips are sealed with aluminum tape, and the floor is laid directly on the mounting tape.

The next step is to connect the heating elements of the thermal film and install the thermostat. The system is tested, polyethylene film and plywood are placed on the heating elements. Decorative coating is already laid on the finished plywood coating.

Underfloor heating: power calculation

To correctly select the appropriate floor heating according to the technical parameters, the power calculation can be performed according to the table below. You just need to multiply the area of ​​the planned heating by a factor that represents the electricity consumption of watts / m². It is very important when making calculations, take into account the type of room in the table.

You can also get a calculation for a warm electric floor by sending us an individual request. The company’s specialist will perform it taking into account all the details and based on the specifics of your premises.

Underfloor heating: installation cost

The price of installation of an electric heat-insulated floor is rather loyal and for service it is better to address at once to the expert who will help and with a choice of the manufacturer of a heat-insulated floor. This will save you from the mistakes of beginners in the choice of insulation and intermediate materials, miscalculations of technical characteristics, gross errors in the installation process. In addition, this approach will save you a lot of personal time.

For underfloor heating, the cost of installation depends on the volume and complexity of work, which in turn is determined by the type of system required and its specifics. You can contact our company for a detailed consultation and personal calculation of the price for the installation of underfloor heating. Our specialists will be happy to answer your questions.

Interested in the price of an electric heating system and the cost of all turnkey work? Our company is ready to offer a profitable solution!

Buy a snow melting system at the best price. Delivery. Assembling. Warranty

How many inconveniences and problems snow sometimes brings us! Icicles, snowdrifts on the roof and stairs – all this not only creates discomfort, but also threatens human safety and health. That is why many homes install effective snow melting and anti-icing systems.

Thanks to this system and high-quality ice regulators, the fall of ice blocks is becoming a problem yesterday. You will no longer have to worry about how to prevent the destruction of the facade or clear the roof of snow.

Anti-icing works due to the heating cable, distribution system and automatic control system. The cable must have high strength and power, as well as be resistant to sudden changes in temperature. In turn, anti-icing protects the roof from ice growth and ensures reliable operation of the water supply system.

Snow melting systems also work with automatic control, and special thermostats record the situation with snow. If necessary, turn off independently. Snow melting and its system qualitatively clean external surfaces from snow mass, in particular roads, bridges, sidewalks, roofs of houses, garages, etc. The system is also characterized by an affordable design and its simple installation, making snow melting systems possible anywhere, even at an ATM.

Let’s consider heating of a roof, drains, ends, pipes. It has many different nuances, which, if ignored, will lead to inefficient system, and you will spend money in vain.

“Warm” roof is an insufficiently insulated roof, where heat leakage through its construction creates a positive temperature on the roof surface under a layer of snow. Continuous formation of water from melting snow leads to freezing of gutters and icicles. be installed at the rate of 50-60 watts per meter of gutter or vertical gutter, and it is recommended to heat the edge of the roof.

“Cold roof” is a roof with good insulation. Very often in late winter on such roofs there is a problem of icing. Solar heat melts the snow on the roof, while gutters and downspouts can be in the shade. Thawed water from the roof freezes in gutters and forms icicles. On “cold roofs” the installed power can be reduced to 30-40 W / m of a gutter or a vertical drain.

We will also consider the option of heating a flat roof.

The cable must be installed in all external gutters. In the pipes, which are located inside the building, it is enough to heat the upper 3-4 m and about 1 sq.m. around the gutter. In the presence of overflow from different levels of a roof the place of overflow and possible ways of passage of thawed water to the nearest water intake is heated.

You can of course clean the roof of the house from ice, but agree it is not safe, especially if the height is more than 10m, as for you and for roofing materials. Tracks are easier, you remove snow, and icing is more difficult., On icy surfaces it is easy to fall, get injured. Scraping ice from the roof can affect the material, damage, scratch, break or leak. So it is better to use anti-icing and snow melting systems, because they do not remove ice, but prevent it at all!