Answer:
Radiant Floors is a specialist in underfloor heating with its roots in electrical heating going back many years.
Radiant Floors offer a free design service and next day delivery carriage free.
Radiant Floors are experienced in the applications, construction, engineering and installation of electrical heating systems.
Radiant Floors are not newcomers to underfloor heating, and the advice and help you receive is responsible.
Radiant Floors are a division of Eltrace, with international approvals and a worldwide distribution network.
Answer:
Yes, they certainly can, but watch out for those older properties with little or no insulation. Each case is different and depends on the ‘u’ values, room size, air movement, volume and position of the room. If in doubt, Radiant Floors offer a free design service – please call our Free Help Line: 0800 211 8248
Generally, well insulated new properties present no problem, but you may still wish us to carry out a heat loss calculation.
Total heat (only source of heat) is only possible if the room heat loss can be replaced, and in rooms with limited floor area, such as a small bathroom, it may be physically impossible to install sufficient heat in the confined space.
Underfloor heating will warm and dry your bathroom floor, and dry floors are hygienic and safer.
The following system is probably the most widely used for sole source applications with a tiled floor and is extremely cost effective. On existing concrete floors in a well insulated building, assuming there is not an issue with floor levels, we recommend a 200 w/m² undertile heating mat system is installed on top of a 6mm layer of Blueboard. This is a low thermal mass system and operates on the principles of a direct acting heating design.
Alternatively, if you can arrange the laying of the floor at the same time as the heating system you could take advantage of a medium thermal mass system using a “cable in screed” design – see the “Cable in Screed” category. This is normally only possible on new build installations.
The medium thermal mass of the screed provides the ability to retain some of the heat energy over longer periods of time and contributes to energy efficiency.
Answer:
The RFSTAT-W16 digital programmable controller is a combined time-clock and thermostat.
A feature of the RFSTAT-W16 is the ability to set different temperatures at different times of the day, known as comfort levels. This means the controller can be set to suit the occupants of the property and temperatures adjusted to individual preferences. Each room / system should have its own controller to allow each room to have settings at different temperatures and time.
RFSTAT-W16 can be used to sense the floor temperature only, air temperature only, or it can be set to control both the floor and air temperature at the same time.
Further energy savings come from lower overall thermostat settings which homeowners choose naturally. When both air temperature and radiant transfer are compensated for, homeowners feel comfortable at room air temperatures that are lower.
The RFSTAT-W16 is rated at 16 amps. Radiant Floors advise you to observe this rating and recommend a maximum loading of 3,600 watts can be connected direct to each control. Check carefully when your heating system is being connected to an existing domestic ring main circuit via a fused switch spur and RCD. The reason for this advise – a domestic ring main circuit and fused switch spur is normally rated at 13amps in accordance with the regulations and we want you to avoid overloading the circuit.
Consult your electrician on this point if you are unsure.
A safe way to overcome any problems is to provide an independent circuit to feed your underfloor heating. All systems with a total loading of 3Kw or more must have an independent power feed supplied from the mains.
Again, consult your electrician.
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Always consider insulation – floor insulation will provide greater response to temperature change meaning faster heat up and lower running costs.
If the actual base floor (sub-floor) is not insulated or you are not sure, consider applying a 6mm thick layer of Blueboard before installing the heating. This may not always be possible due to floor height restrictions. However, a layer of insulation is a thermal barrier and improves the heating efficiency.
Insulated floors produce a real pay back on your running costs.
The closer the insulation layer to the underfloor heating the more effective it will be. Blueboard insulation panels are a good example of this, as they provide a thermal barrier, directing more than 95% of the heat upwards. This is particularly a benefit on concrete floors. Concrete floors without a thermal barrier will absorb around 30% of the heat energy downwards until stabilisation of the installed heat energy takes place. This is normally not a problem because as a minimum, most floors will have insulation below the top screed, but the time taken for the heating to stabilise will be longer than a floor with Blueboard insulation panels placed directly under the heating.
If you have floor height restrictions making it difficult to install Blueboard panels consider applying two coats of INSUL-PAINT prior to installing the underfloor heating. INSUL-PAINT has been specifically formulated for use with underfloor heating systems and incorporates 3M insulating technology.
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Most floor finishes can be used, providing the floor has been prepared correctly and the manufacturer of the floor finish confirms its suitability for underfloor heating.
When you are renovating a floor and the floor finish is wood, laminate or carpet it is essential to install the correct materials to achieve the best results. Installation instructions refer. If you need further advice please call our Free Help Line 0800 211 8248
The RFLAM foil heating mat system is ideal for laminate and engineered wood floors without the need for a screed.
RFLAM is the world leading system for heating under laminate and engineered woods.
Answer:
This is always a key question.
It depends on several factors, but when the insulating properties of the floor and building are in accordance with the latest building regulations, such as in new homes, apartments and some conservatories, running costs are usually very low and are a positive factor.
As a guide the average floor heating installation will cost about £4-£5 per square metre per year to run.
Insulating your floor properly is a good start to improve efficiency and keep running costs down, whether it is a new build or existing floor renovation.
How often you set the system to operate, at what temperature, and making the best use of thermal mass and retained heat are all key factors. Zoning the heat room by room, setting the programmable controller to operate when you want and at the temperature you want is in your control with a Radiant Floors heating system.
Increasing comfort and, at the same time, saving money on utility bills is a winning combination. Multiple zoning to allow unused rooms to be turned down, and the optimal use of thermal mass does reduce energy bills.
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Always use a flexible tile adhesive and grout. Several good adhesive products are available and your local builders merchant or tile supplier will be able to offer advice.
Polite Note: Not all adhesives are the same. Underfloor heating companies are not builders so our advice is to talk to the experts about your requirements and they will offer the best product for your particular needs.
If in any doubt, please contact us on Free Help Line: 0800 211 8248.
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All electrical connections must be carried out by a qualified electrician in accordance with the 17th Edition IEE regulations BS7671:2001.
Answer:
This depends on various factors, such as the insulating properties of the building and the type of system installed.
The depth of the floor screed will effect the heat up time, however once up to temperature a medium thermal mass system will retain the heat for longer.
The heat up time can be anything from 30 minutes for renovation in a low thermal mass where the heating is installed directly under the tiles, to 3 or more hours for a medium thermal mass application.
Heat up time should not be an issue – see “How much will it cost to run my underfloor heating system ?”
Answer:
Very safe !
The quality of your underfloor heating system is your insurance for many years of trouble free operation. Ask yourself why do so many people make reference to quality issues – because not all systems are the same !!
Our products will last, DURABILITY is what we offer. That is one reason why we can give you a Lifetime Guarantee.
All products are designed and tested in accordance with international standards, such as IEC and CENELEC standards, and meet the requirements of the European low voltage directive. Production has been approved in accordance with the quality standard ISO 9001 and the environmental policy standard ISO 14001.
Heating cables are 100% screened, waterproof and totally safe for installation in wet rooms and bathrooms.
Radiant Floors heating systems are approved by UL (Underwriters Laboratories - USA), SEMKO (Sweden) and FIMKO (Finland).
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No, your system requires no maintenance.
Also, Radiant Floors heating systems are 100% waterproof
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Radiant Floors supply systems to give you a comfortable warm floor surface. It is worth noting a floor surface at 27ºC is the optimum for comfort, and to achieve room warming by radiant heat.
Underfloor heating can be effectively mounted on any flat surface. The only requirement is the surface should be sufficiently large enough. The larger the surface, the lower the actual surface temperature required. A wall radiator may have a surface temperature of 65°C while a 27°C floor will do the same job.
Radiant energy will heat the surfaces of all objects which are in direct line of sight from the floor; that means all walls, ceilings, chairs, tables, or people which can be "seen" by the radiant energy. Air coming in contact with these surfaces will also heat up gently.
BSI have published guidelines on floor surface temperature for health and comfort reasons. The BSI Code of Practice CP:1018 – Electric Floor Warming Systems, specifies a maximum floor surface temperature of 27ºC.
Answer:
"Thermal Mass" refers to the ability of a material to retain heat. For instance, a heated stone will remain warm much longer than a block of wood. This is because the stone is denser thereby containing more mass.
The key to any radiant heating system is to provide an even surface temperature, so some mass is required to assist the distribution of heat across the floor.
Low thermal mass systems are used for renovation applications, and still operate on the principles of a direct acting heating design. Temperature regulation of the floor is achieved by thermostat cycling.
Radiant heating is the most efficient form of heating possible.
Answer:
Underfloor heating is provided in one of two ways: water pipes or electric elements. Electric systems have electricity as their sole utility, are quite simple in construction and generally have a lower 'up-front' cost. Water, on the other hand, can be heated by almost any utility be it natural gas, propane, oil, wood, solar, or electricity
Maintenance free - be prepared to spend no time or money to maintain your electrical underfloor heating system. Unlike water systems (hydronic), there are no pumps, solenoid valves, sophisticated controls, tubes, heat exchangers or boilers to monitor with electric underfloor heating. Nothing to leak, on furniture or antiques, lubricate, or worry about and no expensive technicians to hire.
Electric underfloor heating systems are maintenance free
