Floor Heating

Radiant Floor Heating:

"Different is not complicated. You can’t allow yourself to be afraid of it. There’s nothing scary about radiant heating. Get over the old and jump into the new."

In this article, Floor Heating-A Step by Step Guide, we will show you the steps to installing an electric radiant heating system. We're here to Help You with Radiant Heat! If you're a do-it-your selfer looking for help installing a radiant heating system you've found the right website. If you've received shockingly high quotes for radiant heat professionals and are still recovering....relief is right here.

This article was written and designed to help the average home owner realize how affordable and how easy a radiant heating system is to install. I have seen many homeowners install or oversee the installation of their own systems, not because they were the do-it-yourself type, but because they saw this as the only way they could afford a quality radiant heating system. There is a very large gap between the theoretical information furnished by the manufacturers of heating equipment and the information needed by the person actually installing the system. Many tradesmen do not have the experience required to design, install and troubleshoot radiant heating systems. Plus the fact that many people are promoting their products with little regards to the truth. Most plumbers have plumbed hundreds of homes but few have installed successful radiant heating systems. They have served several years apprenticeship for plumbing but are relying on the tubing manufacturer or wholesaler to give them information for installing radiant. This article simply promotes radiant floor heat, and is designed to help the plumber who may be unfamilar with radiant heating systems and the home-owner.

The steps are fairly simple and can be done by the home owner.

Installing ELECTRIC Radiant Heat:

Electric radiant heating systems are ultra-thin and designed to be conveniently installed by the DIY homeowner or floor covering professional.
No special tools or prior installation experience is required. All you need is a radiant roll and a simple thermostat control.

Step 1 - Materials and Tools Assemble for a fault free installation: Layout the electric roll on the floor, according to the customized installation plan provided by the manufacturer.
* Floor warming roll(s) of mesh backed cable * Thermostat with sensor * Digital Ohm meter * Circuit Check * Scissors * Staple gun, hot glue gun or dry wall tape.

Step 2 - Cuts and Turns

Cut the fiberglass mesh roll with scissors to create "panels". Position the panels around fixtures using cuts and turns to accommodate the system design lay out. NEVER cut the warming cable; cut the mesh only.

Step 3 - Floor Heating System Installation: Apply a layer of thinset cement over the electric roll.
Staple or glue the panels to the sub floor, install the floor sensor and apply a 1/8" layer of thinset or self leveling cement over top of the mesh.

Step 4 - Flooring Installation: Lay down your new floor (ceramic tile, carpet, vinyl, laminate, etc)
For a one step process, install the floor covering directly over the cement embedded system using an additional layer of thinset cement. Alternatively, allow the first layer to cure before installing the tile with a second layer of thinset for a two step process.

Step 5 - Electrical Hook: Up Connect the heating roll to your regular electric circuit.

The system can then be wired to the home electrical system and the thermostat installed in a standard 4"x 4" wall box by a licensed, certified electrician.

Installing Hydronic Radiant Heat:

The heating element in a hydronic system is closed-loop tubing made of flexible tubing that circulates hot water. The water is warmed to temperatures of 140° to 180° F to provide sufficient heat for floor warming. Hydronic radiant floor heating systems can be designed and installed for both new homes and existing ones being refurbished. However there are some important issues that home owners should address when installing a hydronic floor heating system in an existing house.

It’s very important that you and or your installer, check, verify,and make certain that your building can support the additional weight of the tubing, concrete and cement. Next, installers should ensure that the underside of the sub floor is accessible to allow for installation or maintenance at a later date.

Before the installation begins it’s strongly suggested that a qualified floor specialist make a room by room estimate on the heating load needed for the house. From this estimate designers will be able to figure out the most efficient and effective way of laying the tubing. It’s also beneficial for the homeowner to get a copy of the finished design in case they need to locate the tubing at a later date.

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