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Question #1: How do electric floor-warming/radiant heating systems work?
Answer: These electric floor-warming systems are buried directly below the flooring surface and are then connected electrically to a GFCI protected power source. 110 Volt lines are most commonly used, but 220 Volt lines can be utilized for some larger applications.

Question #2: What makes radiant heat more effective than other conventional heating systems?
Answer: Conventional forced air heating systems require more heat in order to warm the zones close to the floor because most of the hot air is naturally concentrated at the ceiling level. The radiant heat produced by WarmTouch resistance wiring is especially effective because it creates a radiator effect in the floor. The radiant heat provides a more comfortable environment by:

Heating from the floor level up

Radiating heat to objects and people in the room

Keeping the air clean and free of pollutants

Not drying the air

Question #3: Can ELECTRIC Radiant Heating Systems be used as the only heat source in a room?
Answer: Electric Radiant Heat is most commonly used as a SUPPLEMENTAL heat source. Electric Radiant Heat is not intended to act as the sole heating source in many applications, but rather to provide a warm walking surface and a more comfortable environment. However, under CERTAIN CONDITIONS, it is possible to use Electric Radiant Heat as a sole heating source.

Question #4: Is Electric Floor-warming safe?
Answer: All Radiant floor-warming mats are manufactured to International Standards including UL and CSA. They are produced to the highest standards of quality at our factory, which is ISO 9002 certified. In addition, the Electromagnetic Field (EMF) is zero or below the established IRPA limits in some systems.

The heating cables are sheathed (or ground protected) and MUST BE CONNECTED to a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) to protect against fire hazards, electric shock, etc. In addition, it is strongly recommended that ALL Radiant Floor-Warming Systems be connected through a DEDICATED CIRCUIT.

All electrical connections for the Radiant Floor-Warming System and controls should be made by a qualified electrician in accordance with the Radiant Installation Manual, the National Electrical Codes, and the Local Electrical Codes. The Ohm Readings should also be recorded for each heating element at each stage of the installation process. This will help assure that the installation of the element has been completed correctly and that it can be operated in a safe manner.

Question #5: Does the sub floor need to be prepared in any special way?
Answer: The sub floor should be prepared as for any conventional tile installation in accordance with all applicable standards. It should be clean of all debris and sharp edges/objects that might damage the element. Loose boards should be repaired and all gaps should be filled to assure that the mat would be installed over a smooth and even surface.

Question #6: In what types of areas can Radiant Floor Warming Systems be placed? Are there any limitations?
Answer: Radiant floor warming systems can placed in any type of room in which supplemental heat or floor warming is needed. It can be used over plywood subfloors, concrete backer boards/cement boards, and concrete slabs. However, applications in which the floor is insulated will work more effectively and efficiently.

(Example): A mat placed over a concrete backer board and a plywood sub floor will warm more quickly and may reach slightly higher temperatures than a mat that is placed over a concrete slab. Concrete is a good conductor of heat (just like the tile above); therefore, the heat will transfer in both directions at the same time, increasing the amount of heat loss (into the slab) and extending the warm-up time of the floor covering. However, placing insulation over the slab, below the heating element, will increase the floor-warming efficiency.

Question #7: Can a Floor-Warming System ever become too hot?
Answer: Radiant Electric Floor warming systems are made with a resistance wiring that is manufactured to produce a fixed number of Watts per square foot. Therefore, as long as the installation has been completed as instructed, the system could run consistently at full power without over-heating. IMPORTANT! The Floor-Warming System should only be installed in OPEN areas. It should never be placed under items that will be fixed to or sit flush with the floor surface. The heat MUST BE ALLOWED TO DISSIPATE INTO THE AIR. SECTIONS IN WHICH HEAT IS TRAPPED MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY HOT.

Question #8: How do I figure out what areas to heat?
Answer: The heat produced by the Resistance Wiring must be placed in OPEN areas where the heat will be allowed to dissipate into the air. It is extremely important not to trap the heat (as discussed in the answer to Question #7).

Most installations require that 85-90% of the actual open floor space be covered in order to heat all of the walkways and key areas in the room. Small margins of unheated space are usually left along the walls. Therefore, it is usually most accurate to calculate the Total Open Floor Space and then multiply that number by .90. This will be an approximation of the total number of square feet that will be covered by Radiant Floor Warming.

Question #9 : Do the mats come in standard size or are they custom made for each job?
Answer : All Radiant heating mats come in a variety of standard sizes. There are 2 widths available: 1 foot wide and 1' 6" wide . One foot wide mat lengths range from as small as 6 feet to as long as 50 feet. The 1'6" wide mat lengths range from 25 feet to 50 feet. Most mat lengths increase by increments of 5 feet. However, there are a few sizes in between that we offer to better cover unusually shaped/sized areas. There are also a few fixed size mats that are especially useful for spot heating.

Question #10: Do I just place an order over the phone with my distributor for the material to cover 85-90% of the open floor space?
Answer: It is highly recommended that an installation layout be provided through your distributor/dealer PRIOR to placing an order. This process will determine the optimal element layout/coverage as well as the size(s) needed. You may email or fax a rough layout of the room(s) or area(s) to be covered with dimensions clearly marked on your diagram. Fax diagram to: 877-FLR-DRAW (357-3729) or email your diagram/dimensions to support@radiantfloorwarming.com

Question #11: What electrical setup does a typical installation of require?
Answer: installations that require less than 100 square feet of coverage will require the following:
a dedicated 20 Amp circuit; a GFCI Breaker; 1,2, or 3 junction boxes (This will depend on the heating system and the number of controls being installed to regulate it. Each control unit will require one junction box. (Size may vary) Multiple mat installations will require additional junction boxes near floor level as well).

Radiant installations that require more than 100 sq.ft. of coverage and that exceed a total of 16 amps will require the following: a Dedicated Circuit (to accommodate the Total Load); a GFCI Breaker; Contactor OR Multiple Controls (Multiple Controls installations will require the room to be split into more than one zone.) Number of junction boxes will vary. (This will depend on the heating system and the number of controls being installed to regulate it. Each control unit will require one junction box. (Size may vary.) Multiple mat installations will require an additional junction box near floor level as well.)