Main characteristics of warm electric floors: thickness, dimensions, energy consumption

Warm electric floors are becoming more and more common among homeowners looking for a cost-effective and cozy heating option. Electric underfloor heating, in contrast to conventional heating systems, offers consistent warmth, removing cold spots and fostering a comfortable environment in any space. This kind of heating is particularly alluring in the winter because it provides an opulent and economical substitute for traditional radiators.

It’s important to comprehend the primary features of warm electric floors before installing them. These include the energy consumption and the size and thickness of the heating mats or cables. The effectiveness of the system, the installation requirements, and its overall performance are all heavily influenced by each of these variables.

Both the floor height and the installation procedure may be impacted by the thickness of the electric floor heating system. Thinner systems are generally easier to install beneath current flooring without requiring major adjustments. Conversely, dimensions pertain to the size of the heating mats or cables, which must be arranged in accordance with the room’s layout to guarantee uniform heat distribution.

Energy use is yet another important factor to take into account. It affects the heating system’s environmental impact as well as operating costs. Knowing how much energy the system consumes will enable you to calculate operating costs and make well-informed choices regarding your heating requirements. You can select the ideal electric floor heating system that best suits your house and way of life by weighing these important factors.

What does the concept include?

A warm floor’s performance qualities combine to form its characteristics. This covers its measurements, energy usage, and fire safety. They might vary depending on the model.

The features of the heated floor determine which room it can be installed in. For instance, certain flooring types cannot be used with powerful TP.

Warm electric floors provide a comfortable and effective heating option; however, choosing wisely requires an awareness of their primary features. The thickness and dimensions of these floors vary, allowing them to be customized to fit a variety of spaces and installation requirements. Energy use is important since it affects both operating expenses and the environment. Homeowners can choose the best electric floor system that strikes a balance between performance, efficiency, and ease of installation by considering these factors.

Technical properties

There is no design complexity that sets apart heated floors. An insulating material and a heating cable make up the primary models. The latter stands out due to its ability to withstand high temperatures. At an average operating temperature of 25–30 °C, it can tolerate heating above 100 °C. That is, there is very little chance of fire from such a design.

Three primary categories of electric heated flooring exist:

1. Cable. This is a design made of medium-thickness cable. E can be installed in any type of room. The cable is laid manually. It is laid on a prepared screed or on an adhesive base.
2. Mats. These are the same cable electric floors. The only difference is that they are supplied in mats. This simplifies their transportation and installation. The only thing is that mats need to be selected by the size of the room. Their cutting is a complex and long process.
3. Infrared (IR). The heating of the premises here is carried out by infrared radiation. However, its degree is so low that even pets (not counting rodents) do not feel the impact.

These models perform very similarly when it comes to their performance characteristics. The only notable difference is in price.

Thickness

An electric heated floor’s (ETF) model determines how thick it is. Cables are the thickest. Their maximum diameter is between 9 and 10 mm. This needs to be considered when calculating, i.e., an extra layer of material is needed to close such a structure.

The mats have a thickness of 5-8 mm. 3-5 mm is the IR ETP.

"Dry" floors are those heated by infrared radiation. They come in the shape of a movie. However, installing it on a screed or glue is not required. This makes the installation process easier to handle, even for those with little training.

Possible sizes

For any of the models, there are no strict regulations regarding the sizes of warm floors. Their lone restriction is that there must be a minimum of 50 mm and a maximum of 120 mm gap between the cable bodies.

Manufacturers capitalize on this by offering ETPs in a range of sizes for sale. However, it is advised to precisely measure the space where the structure will be installed before heading to the store.

The truth is that heating components cannot be cut, particularly infrared. In the best case scenario, this will shorten their service life; in the worst case, it could start a fire in the room. As a result, the warm floor is chosen carefully taking into account the dimensions of the room in which it will be placed.

With infrared models, there are unique cutting lines on mats. They are employed to cut the structure’s sheets apart. However, this has no effect on the material’s operational properties.

Min and max temperature

It’s important to heat the space from the warm floor while also taking precautions to avoid starting a fire. As a result, the operating temperature range for all three models is between 20 and 30 o C.

With this kind of heating, the floor covering material cannot catch fire even if it has a low fire resistance rating. The Smart Home system can be linked to certain ETP models. In this scenario, the room’s heating level will be remotely adjustable by a person.

How much energy does it consume?

The energy consumption of electric heated floors across various models is relatively similar. Such a system uses 150 W per hour on average for every square meter of construction. One "piece" of heated flooring in the standard version covers an area of 3 m 2 and requires 450 W/h of power.

The majority of ETPs do, however, have thermostats. These are specialized gadgets that shut down the system when the ambient temperature reaches predetermined levels. The moment it begins to descend, the ETP turns back on. You can save up to 30% on electricity because of this.

That is to say, a three-meter "piece" will likely use roughly 2.2 kW per day. This volume, in the opinion of many, is too high. However, in contrast, all of this is known. An incandescent light bulb, for instance, uses roughly 60 W per hour.

At least six of them, each operating for five to seven hours a day, are installed in a modern person’s apartment. They "eat" 1.8 kW daily in total. As a result, a heated floor uses the same amount of energy over a 24-hour period as 7-8 light bulbs.

A refrigerator requires 2 kW of power per day on average. 4.5 kW for an electric stove.

That is to say, despite what many people believe, electric heated floors are not as "gluttonous" as they are.

The 3 m 2 ETP has a resistance of roughly 105 Ohm. A standard 220 V power supply is needed for the system. The general power grid can be linked to the system.

Resistance to various impacts

Systems with cables are thought to be the most impact-resistant. They can even tolerate high humidity levels for a while if the insulating layer’s integrity is intact. But we shouldn’t tolerate this.

It is very difficult to damage the cable. This makes it possible to install it on different kinds of screeds. The same holds true for mats.

Things get trickier with infrared floors. Radiation-emitting elements are easily broken if handled roughly. As a result, great care should be taken when installing these floors.

Such floors can become inoperable due to an electromagnetic failure or a significant rise in humidity. As a result, it is not advised to use them in rooms with a lot of installed electronics. They are capable of hurting one another.

Presence of radiation

Anyone who has taken a physics course in school is aware that any material that an electric current flows through will release some sort of radiation. However, if it’s electromagnetic in cables and mats, then it’s infrared in infrared.

Warm floors are made with the intention of having as little radiation impact as possible on people and the environment. IR models, for instance, emit 500 times less energy than is required to endanger human health.

Fire safety

Prior to release, every model is put through extensive testing to ensure it is fire resistant. There are fire service representatives there. Most warm floor systems’ structural components can endure exposure to temperatures as high as 100 o C without experiencing any degradation in functionality.

Nevertheless, they hardly ever operate above 30 o C. As a result, every warm floor model has three fire resistance reserves. They pose very little risk of starting a fire.

More on radiation in the video:

Why it is important to know the indicators?

For those who intend to install them themselves, it is especially crucial to understand the features of the ETP. Every design is made to work in a certain set of circumstances. When selecting a warm floor, chasing a low price is not only foolish, but risky as well. Installing IR models, for instance, on a wet screed is not advised. One possible outcome is a short circuit.

If an individual entrusts installation work to outside parties, being aware of the design features can shield him from deception. A few dishonest employees purposefully inflate the cost of the materials in the estimate. However, after reviewing the ETP’s parameters, one will understand that cable models aren’t able to be sold for the same amount as infrared models.

Making educated decisions requires an understanding of the primary features of warm electric floors, including thickness, dimensions, and energy consumption. These elements have a direct impact on the heating system’s overall performance, installation procedure, and efficiency.

Measurements and thickness are crucial to make sure it fits your current floor plan. Accurate measurement guarantees a smooth integration with the design of your home and helps prevent any installation problems.

Another important consideration is energy consumption. Understanding the power needs enables you to efficiently control your electricity expenses while keeping your house at a comfortable temperature. This aids in striking the ideal balance between energy economy and comfort.

You can choose the best electric floor heating system for your needs by taking into account these essential features. Making well-informed decisions promotes better outcomes and long-term satisfaction for both new construction and renovation projects.

Video on the topic

What affects the electricity consumption of a warm floor?

NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT THIS! TERRIBLE MINUSES of a warm floor! / How to save on heating?

Electric warm floors as a home heating system. Electricity consumption. Build and Live.

Electricity consumption of an infrared warm floor.

How much does a warm floor consume. Electricity consumption of underfloor heating. Caleo

Underfloor heating Heating mat or cable