In urban high-rise buildings, the problem of a cold floor is not so obvious, while the owners of a cottage may be faced with the fact that the floors thoroughly freeze through in winter. In this case, neither slippers nor carpets help anymore. How to return the house to its former comfort and warmth? It would seem that the problem has an obvious solution: you need to equip a warm floor.

It is necessary to choose for this purpose electrical equipment that does not need time-consuming connection to the water supply system. But the purchase of a heating device is often delayed only because of the apparent complexity of its installation. We will try to delve into the details of this process and make sure that non-professionals can install an electric underfloor heating with their own hands.

The warm floor, which we have to mount, can be compared with a multilayer cake. It includes a screening film located at the bottom. Next comes the heating element, which distributes the heat. The last is the top layer - this is the cladding.

To prevent overheating and burnout of the floor, it includes temperature sensors, the task of which is to monitor the performance of the floor heating elements.

Structurally, a warm floor on electricity is really multi-layered. Each of the layers performs its function, and the heating element creates what everything was started for - heat

An important structural part of the heating device is the thermostat. It will have to be positioned so that it is easily accessible, and the floor heating circuit can be easily connected to it.

A power cable is connected to the thermostat so that this device distributes energy. It fully controls the heating device, adjusting both its power and the duration of the heating period.

Types and features of underfloor heating

The shielding layer is typically up to 5 millimeters thick. It consists of a foamed polymer deposited on the surface of the foil. Such a thin screen can be replaced by a 2-3 cm thick polystyrene layer, which is covered with the same foil. The cladding is made up of any material that is chosen as the cladding. It can be, for example, tile, linoleum or laminate.

However, neither the screen nor the cladding is a determining factor for classifying the type of construction of this heating device. The heating element itself is much more important.

The screen with foil does not allow heat to spread deep into the ceiling, it is the lining that should be heated, then the floor will be truly functional

He can be:

• cable;
• panel;
• film.

Let's take a closer look at each type.

Cable version of the heater

Cable cores are a combination of two types of conductors: power cores, through which electricity is supplied, and a heating cable. The connection of conductors is carried out using special couplings.

Heating cables are of 2 types:

• self-regulating;
• resistive.

In self-regulating cables, both wires included in their composition are conductors of electricity. Between the wires is a polymer matrix, which they heat up when heated. As a result, electricity is converted into heat. There is a heating of the concrete screed located on top of the heating element, and then the cladding. Self-regulating cable elements are enclosed in a reliable insulating sheath.

There is no polymer element in resistive cables. Current conductors themselves generate heat.

Structurally, these cables can be divided into:

• single-core;
• two-core.

As part of a single-core cable, there is a single conductor, which heats up, giving off heat to the floor. In the two-core version, there is a second conductor, which itself does not heat up, but conducts current. In this case, the current in the conductors flows in different directions. This makes it possible to extinguish emerging electromagnetic fields, which increases the safety of operation of such a design.

Resistive cables are well insulated and wrapped in a metal sheath that must be connected to ground. During the installation process, it is necessary to calculate in advance the need for a two-core cable, because it cannot be cut.

Despite the similarity of cable and panel floors, they differ significantly in the complexity of installation. The basis of the structure in the panel version is initially mounted, in the cable version it has to be done manually

The cable heating system is the most difficult to install. There will be a careful laying of the cable with a certain step, and pouring a concrete screed. The presence of a thick layer of screed, about five centimeters, reduces the height of the room, which is especially undesirable for city apartments in high-rise buildings.

Under furniture and plumbing, the cable system is not placed. But in cases of complex perimeters of the premises, there is no alternative to it.

Panel version of the device

The basis of the panel version of the heater is the same cable. It's just that it is pre-distributed and fixed on the base, which is the mesh - the reinforcing frame.

This version of the device will cost more to buy, but it will be more economical if you take into account the ease of installation: you just need to unfold and fix the mats. When buying a panel device, the laying area and power value are known in advance.

It is panel floors that are most often used if ceramic tiles are used as cladding. Neat and flat panels are easy to hide in adhesive composition for tiles

The panels are not too thick, so they are ideal for installation under the tiles. In this case, even a screed is not needed, an adhesive solution is enough to fix the tile. For other coatings, the need for a screed remains, but its thickness will not exceed 3 cm. Panels cannot be laid under furniture and plumbing.

Film (infrared) design

A film or infrared heater has a fundamentally different design. It consists of a number of plates that are applied to a polymer base. The plate is closed on conductive tires, through which electricity flows. At the same time, the plates convert this energy into electromagnetic waves having a frequency of the infrared spectrum. This is thermal radiation.

The film or infrared floor is sold as a roll. To distribute it over the surface of the room that needs to be heated, you just need to cut off the necessary pieces from the roll and cover the floor with them.

This heater is a thin, approximately 0.5 mm, roll having a certain width. A strip of the required length is simply cut off from it, which is placed under the cladding. At the same time, the height of the room practically does not change. In addition, the operation of such a floor is a significant energy savings.

The installation of this heater is very simple: a strip of the required length is laid on the base and covered with a cladding. When installing such an electric underfloor heating, the arrangement of furniture does not matter.

Making preliminary calculations

Before buying a cable, you need to determine the power of the heating system per 1m2.

• bedroom - 100-150 W / m2;
• kitchen, hallway, corridor -150 W/m2;
• bathroom, toilet -180 W/ m2;
• loggia or balcony - 200 W / m2.

The calculation of the cable power is based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises, minus the one that is occupied by furniture that is constantly on it (bed, sofa, cabinets, refrigerator, bath, shower, etc.). It must be remembered that the electrical wiring in a residential area is designed for 2-4 kW. It is recommended to make a separate wiring line for the warm floor.

Before buying a cable, you need to do some preliminary calculations. When the cable is attached to the base, the pitch between its turns and the area are predetermined

If the remaining bedroom area is 5.5 m2, then, taking into account the need for 100 W / m2, the cable power should be 100x5.5 \u003d 550 W. So we need a 24m cable with a power of 550 watts. The cable laying step is calculated as the heating area x100 / cable length, that is, for our example 5.5x100 / 24 \u003d 23 cm.

Step-by-step process of installing a cable floor

The installation process itself is conditionally divided into several stages:

• preparation of the base of the floor;
• drawing up a plan for a heated room;
• installation of the heating circuit;
• connection point installation;
• pouring concrete screed.

We will try to give as complete a description of each stage as possible.

Stage #1 - Preparing the base of the floor

The old flooring must be removed by releasing the floor slab. Cracks over 1 mm must be expanded with a perforator to 1.5 cm. Remove the loose concrete surface. Moisten the cleaned floor with water. Concrete all holes, chips and cracks.

Of course, the preparation of floors is not the most pleasant work, but it must be done carefully: the surface must be perfectly flat

Check the levelness of the surface, level it if necessary. Saturate the dried screed with a waterproofing compound. After a couple of hours, you can continue to work.

Step #2 - Heated Room Plan

Before further work, it is necessary to draw up a detailed plan of the heated room, containing the layout of the heating cable, thermostat, coupling, temperature sensor.

Drawing up such a plan is an obligatory part of the work. Be sure to include all dimensions on it. When you have to repair floors, you will see the value of this document

The plan is necessary not only to simplify the work, but also to help out if it becomes necessary to find a breakdown in a site hidden from view.

Stage # 3 - We mount the heating circuit

In the floor and on the wall, we cut channels for the power cable, the cable from the temperature sensor, the cold connecting outlet. In the place where the temperature sensor will be located, you need to punch a place for laying it inside in the corrugated pipe. Then you need to remove all debris and vacuum the floor. A shielding layer can be laid on the surface.

This is where the positive qualities of the cable can appear. If the room has intricate contours, and even pieces of furniture under which the cable cannot be laid, then the panels here are more difficult to lay than the cable

We fix the mounting tape on the floor with self-tapping screws. We lay the heating cable with a snake over the entire intended area. It must be attached to the mounting tape every 3 cm. The cable must not cross or touch adjacent turns. The distance from the nearest wall to the elements must be at least 5 cm, and from other heating devices - 10 cm.

Cable resistance should not deviate from the value indicated on the coupling by more than 5-10%. We place a sealed corrugated pipe with a temperature sensor in the place allotted for it.

Stage #4 - Mounting the connection point

We install a thermostat, connect a temperature sensor to it. The thermostat, provided for changing the operating mode of the underfloor heating, should be located on the wall no closer than 30 cm from the floor level, in a place convenient for the owner.

The sensor itself should be located in the thickness of the floor, about 50-70 cm from the wall where the thermostat is attached. If there are several sensors, then their locations must be determined by the manufacturer.

The thermostat controls the operation of the electric underfloor heating, a power source, the heating elements themselves and a temperature sensor are connected to it

The cables from the electric underfloor heating, the temperature sensor in the corrugated pipe and the mains must be connected to the thermostat. The inclusion of the floor heating mode is indicated on the thermostat panel by an indicator.

Step #5 - Pour the concrete screed

In the process of pouring a concrete screed, you need to make sure that there are no voids, no bubbles form. The heating cable must be completely covered with mortar. After filling is completed, you need to measure the resistance in the system again.

The concrete screed must be fully cured. According to technology, 30 days are allotted for this. Only after that it will be possible to mount the floor covering.

We offer you a video on the topic of cable floor installation.

The nuances of installing a panel floor

The general principles of installing a panel floor (cable mats) differ slightly from the process just discussed. Prepared mats with a cable already attached to them are thinner, easier to install. They can be attached to the base using double-sided tape, and connected to each other with mounting tape.

You can see the process in detail in the video:

Infrared floor heating device

Since the infrared (film) heater is placed directly under the concrete pavement without the stage of concrete pouring, we will dwell on some of the nuances of its installation in more detail. The film can only be laid on a perfectly flat surface, therefore, a screed must be applied to the floor slab using a self-leveling compound.

Penofol creates a good shielding layer. On it, strips of film can be laid end-to-end, gluing them to the base with double-sided tape, and between themselves with mounting tape.

Even in this diagram you can see how neat and elegant the installation of the infrared floor looks, which is otherwise called film

Before laying, the heating element roll must be cut into measuring strips, the length of which is the distance from the wall with the thermostat to the opposite wall. The strips are laid parallel to each other. There should be a distance of 10 cm from the wall to the nearest strip, and 5-10 cm from the walls to the end of the strip.

Between themselves, the strips should be with a gap of 1 cm. This gap is also necessary when laying the cable for the temperature sensor, which is placed under the film.

The process of connecting a warm floor to a thermostat is shown in detail in the video that we
and invite you to take a look.

If it is planned to lay a laminate on a warm floor, it is better to protect the heating elements with a layer polyethylene film. If linoleum is used, the waterproofing can be omitted.

Underfloor heating is used almost everywhere today. Most often it is equipped in bathrooms and children's rooms, on balconies. Quite popular is a warm floor based on an electric cable or infrared film. Installation of electric underfloor heating can be done independently. However, this must be done correctly. Otherwise, the system will not be effective.

Types of systems and recommendations for choosing floor coverings

There are such types of systems:

A short video will tell you about the choice of electric underfloor heating systems:

What is needed for installation?

In order to lay a warm floor based on an electric cable, mat or infrared film, you must carefully prepare for work. To begin with, you should choose the right components of the system. For example, you need to pay attention to the type of cable. It can be self-regulating or resistive. Both of these types are successfully used in the installation of heating systems. But the second option should have good contact with the screed, and you can not put furniture on it. As for the self-regulating cable, its only drawback is the high cost.

The thermostat is an important element of the economical and reliable operation of a warm floor

Another important element of the system is. This is a special device with which the system maintains a predetermined temperature. To choose it correctly, you need to consider the following parameters:

• Product type. The thermostat can be mechanical or electronic. Newer models are equipped with an LCD screen. It is best to use a device with the ability to program.
• Installation features.
• Additional functions. Some models have built-in air temperature sensors, self-diagnosis function.
• Power limit.
• Manufacturer and cost of the device. Naturally, on the market you can buy products from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Preference should be given only to popular brands with a good reputation. The cost of the product ranges from 50-200 dollars.

Features of cable floor installation

Cable floor installation

Installation of an electric underfloor heating, which is based on a conventional cable, provides for the following work technology:

1. Determination of the cable laying plan. In order to install the system correctly, you need a diagram. You need to draw it, taking into account the location of the heating elements and the design features of the room.
2. Determination of the place of fastening of the thermostat. At this stage, it is necessary to knock out a hole in the wall and punch a channel for the wire. The thermostat can be installed in a special plastic box. Please note that it should be at a height of 0.5–1 m.
3. Installation of plastic tubes for the power wires of the heating element and temperature sensor.
4. Surface preparation. It must be flat and clean. In addition, additional installation of a damper tape around the perimeter of the room is welcome. It is advisable to spread a heat insulator equipped with a reflective layer on the base. The maximum thickness of thermal insulation is 2 cm.
5. Mounting tape fixing. This is where the cable will be attached to. Please note that you need to mount it strictly according to the previously drawn scheme. At the same time, do not forget that it is most convenient to fix the cable in the form of a snake. The step of fastening the tape is 50 cm.
6. Cable installation. Before that, the power wires are pulled to the thermostat. Parts of the cable must not cross each other.
7. Screed filling. It is made up of sand and cement. The thickness of the screed ranges from 3 to 5 cm.
8. Cable connection. This should be done after the concrete has hardened. At this stage, the system is connected to power. It is possible to carry out a trial run of a warm floor. This action must also be done before pouring.

How to properly install heating mats?

The technology of laying such a system provides for the following actions:

• Room preparation. Naturally, the surface of the base must be carefully leveled and vacuumed.
• Installing a thermostat. This process is carried out in the same way as in the previous case.

• Thermal mat flooring. In this case, a pre-prepared scheme is used. It should take into account that the mat should not be laid under furniture. It is best to lay it in the exact area of ​​the flooring that will be used for walking. In this case, heat insulating materials should not be used. The fact is that they can lead to overheating of the system. The cable floor on the base must first be spread, taking into account the step between the strips and the distance to the walls. Naturally, the parts of the mat should not touch or cross. Canvases are mounted with a "snake". To unfold the mat parts, they must be cut at the specified locations. Note that you only need to cut the mesh under the cable.

Technology of laying heating mats

• Mat fixation. To do this, roll the product back into a roll, remove the protective film from the adhesive tape and roll out the mesh according to the intended pattern. At the same time, do not forget that the floor must be cleaned of dust. Otherwise, the mat will not fix on the base as it should.
• Filling the product with a thin screed or tile adhesive.

Detailed installation video:

Before filling the system completely, you need to check its performance and, if necessary, troubleshoot.

How to install infrared floor?

The installation technology of this system is quite simple, so you can carry out all the work yourself. You just need to be very careful when connecting the film to the power supply. So, laying an electric floor heating of this type provides for the following sequence of actions:

As you can see, the technology for installing an electric heating system is not very complicated. The main thing is to connect everything correctly, observe the laying step, insulate the contacts and connect to the power supply. Leave your comments, additions and opinions!

Today we will talk about how to install an electric underfloor heating in a house.

Important features of the work

In one of the articles were discussed in the house, in particular, water and electricity.

Their advantages and disadvantages were also indicated, but it did not mention another advantage of electric underfloor heating over water - the ability to install them yourself.

To make water heated floors in the house you need a large amount preparatory work, also be able to correctly make the wiring and securely fix the pipes, connect them to the central heating, and then there will be a lot of finishing work.

Underfloor heating, in which the source of heat is electricity, is much easier to make, and there is much less preparatory work.

But since there are three types of electric underfloor heating - cable, thermomats and, then their installation differs from each other.

But in general, it is quite possible to lay each type of electric underfloor heating on your own.

Conditions for laying underfloor heating

Regardless of what type of electric floors was chosen, there are certain conditions that must be observed so that in the future such equipment at home will only please:

• The area covered by the heating system must be at least 70% of the floor area. In this case, her work will be effective;
• Before laying the system, you should immediately determine the location of the furniture and large household appliances, in order to exclude the possibility of damage to the wires of the system;
• Calculate the power of electricity that the system will consume and find out if the wiring at home can withstand such a load.

If these conditions are met, then you can proceed to the next stage of work.

First you need to decide which type of underfloor heating will be the most optimal.

So, cable underfloor heating has the most complex laying technology, requires careful preparatory work, an additional screed will definitely be required. But this type is the most economical in terms of energy consumption.

Thermomats are the easiest to install, the preparatory work for their installation is minimal, but they also consume the most energy.

The infrared type of warm floors has an average complexity in terms of preparatory work, their laying is not particularly difficult. Their electricity consumption is higher than cable, but less than thermomats.

Features of the calculation of the necessary materials

After choosing the type of underfloor heating, you should calculate the required materials.

For example, if a cable system is selected, you should decide on the total length of the cable to be laid.

To do this, several factors must be taken into account:

• The cable should not be located under the furniture, therefore, when determining the parameters of the room, the area allocated for it should not be taken into account;
• The cable should not come close to the walls. The minimum distance from the cable to the walls should be 5 cm;
• The most common laying method is the "snake". With this laying, the cable stretches across the entire width or length of the room, not reaching the wall, wrapped and laid to the opposite wall, where it wraps again. In this way, the entire floor area allocated for the system is covered. In this case, the distance between parallel parts of the cable must be at least 8 cm.

The calculation of the number of thermomats or infrared film is much simpler, for example, the thermomat section has a width of 50 cm, and the length can reach 30 m. Therefore, it will not be very difficult to calculate the amount of required materials.

The infrared film has the same width, but its length cannot exceed 8 m.

You can use a formula.

Preparatory work

Before laying all three types of electric floors, preparatory work is carried out, and they are the same.

The first thing that is done is the location of the thermostat is chosen.

It can be placed on any of the walls. The only thing is that its location should have good access to control the system and be as close as possible to the electric meter.

After determining the location of the regulator with a puncher with a special nozzle, a seat is made in the wall.

You will also need to make strobes for laying the mounting ends of the system with which it will be connected to the regulator.

At the same time, it is better to lay these ends not in one strobe, but to do two of them at a short distance from each other.

One of the strobes will be used for laying the temperature sensor.

After these works, the floor surface is prepared, on which the system will be laid.

If there is a floor covering, then it is better to dismantle it, and put the system itself on the main floor screed.

In this case, the screed must be prepared. All surface irregularities must be removed.

Then the floor must be cleaned of debris and treated with a primer that provides better adhesion of the surface to other materials.

Here at this stage, the procedure for performing work differs depending on the type of underfloor heating chosen.

Laying cable underfloor heating

First, let's look at how the cable system is mounted, which, by the way, can also be used for in the house.

After surface treatment with a primer, preliminary marking is carried out, taking into account all the indents and distances between the cables and places where it will not be located.

It is also necessary to correctly determine the laying so that the mounting ends of the cable come out to the place where the regulator is installed.

Then, for better heat transfer, the entire surface of the floor is covered with a heat-insulating layer. In this case, it is important to choose the right thickness.

If another living heated room is located under the room, then a thermal layer 3-4 mm thick will suffice.

If the room is not heated from below, a thicker thermal insulation layer is needed.

After laying the thermal insulation layer, mounting aluminum cable tapes are fixed on its surface.

These tapes are installed on the surface with a distance of 1 meter between them. In this case, they must be located perpendicular to the main direction of the cable.

It is better to fasten the tapes with dowels.

Having finished with the installation of mounting tapes, proceed to laying the cable itself.

First of all, the mounting end of the cable is pulled to the location of the regulator and secured with mounting tape clamps.

After that, the rest of the cable is laid with fixing it on the tape and observing the distance between the cable segments, as well as the walls.

Then proceed to laying the temperature sensor.

To prevent possible damage, it is better to place it in a corrugated plastic tube, while closing it with a stopper from the position of the sensor.

The sensor, protected by corrugation, is laid on the floor, strictly in the center between two cable segments.

After that, the strobes made with the cables embedded in them are sealed with alabaster.

At this stage, you can conduct a trial run of the system.

By setting the minimum temperature on the thermostat, and then with its gradual increase, check the performance.

If everything is fine, you can proceed to the final work.

To protect the cable from possible damage, an additional cement-sand screed is applied to the surface of the main screed, with the system already laid.

But its thickness should not be large - 3-4 cm. Such a screed will completely cover the cable, protecting it from damage.

After that, a floor covering is applied to the dried screed.

Warm cable floor in section.

As they do in a wooden house.

Installation of thermomats

The system of warm floors, consisting of thermomats, is much easier to lay.

After the preparatory work, you can proceed directly to laying, since the thermal insulation layer is not used with this type of underfloor heating, thermomats are placed directly on the primed screed.

For ease of placement, the mesh on which the cable is fixed can be cut, the main thing is not to touch the cable itself.

This allows you to lay thermomats in the most convenient way.

Since the sensor placed in the corrugated tube will be thicker than the warm floor layer, then for its installation it will be necessary to make another strobe - in the floor.

The sensor should be placed at an equal distance between the cables of two adjacent segments.

This type of underfloor heating is great for tiled flooring. By gluing the tile with an adhesive to the floor, the thermomat is also fixed with this glue.

It turns out that the thermomat will be placed in the thickness of the adhesive, which will protect the cables from possible damage.

Ways to install a warm floor under a different coating.

Laying infrared film

Finally, consider how the infrared type of floor heating is installed.

The installation operation is not particularly difficult, but preparatory work must be done before installation.

It will be necessary to lay a thermal insulation layer on the floor surface. At the same time, the layers of thermal insulation are fixed with mounting tape between themselves.

If necessary, pieces are cut off, this should be done only in the places indicated on the film.

In this case, a distance of 4-5 cm should be observed between the two strips of the film.

Also, the film does not need to be laid in the furniture locations, it should not come close to the walls and other heating elements of the house.

After laying, the wiring is connected to each piece of the laid film.

One of alternative sources heating of a house or apartment is an electric underfloor heating system. Due to the ease of installation and ease of use, the cable floor is rightfully one of the most popular among consumers.

Before considering how to make an electric underfloor heating, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages that this system is fraught with.

Electric underfloor heating - advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• the ability to use both as the main and as an additional source of heating for housing;

• uniform heating of the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room;

• unlimited installation locations. Availability for installation, both in living rooms and in offices;

• compatibility with most floor coverings (laminated board, ceramic tiles, linoleum);

• possibility of adjustment temperature regime- both throughout the apartment, and separately for each room. The time to turn on / off the system is also set at the discretion of users;

• no need to install additional equipment (as, for example, in the case of);

• relatively simple installation technology;

• aesthetics. The system is mounted under the finished floor, this eliminates any restrictions when designing the available space;

• long service life.

Minuses:

• significant cost of using the system. This type of heating can hardly be called economical;

• danger of defeat electric shock. Which puts forward special requirements for the calculation and installation of the heating element in all rooms, and in particular in the bathroom;

• the presence of an electromagnetic field created by a heating element (cable);

• the use of natural wooden flooring is excluded (laying under parquet, floorboard is impossible), because under the influence of temperature changes, the wood will dry out, as a result, cracks and squeaks of the floor will appear;

• reducing the height of the room due to the arrangement of the subfloor with a heating system;

• additional power requirements for existing wiring.

Professionals and users who have installed an electric underfloor heating on their own note that compliance with installation requirements and competent design can eliminate most of the listed disadvantages.

What affects the energy consumption of cable floor heating

Factors affecting the energy consumption of the "electric floor heating" system

• the climatic zone in which the house is built (private or multi-apartment);

• the volume of the room (area);

• type of floor (type of flooring);

• the level of thermal insulation of the room (degree of fatigue);

• the state of the warm circuit (windows, doors) and the level of heat loss through them;

• purpose of the premises (living room, industrial facility);

• purpose and period of operation. Whether the electric floor is used as the main or additional heating system. Constantly or periodically;

• the degree of perception of heat by people living in the room.

According to the reviews of those who already operate an electric underfloor heating - when using the system as the main source of heat - its power is 170-200 W / m.kv., As an additional - 100-150 W / m.kv.

Do-it-yourself electric floor heating installation

The technology for installing a cable electric floor heating consists in the sequential implementation of four stages:

1. Creation of the project and calculation.
2. Checking existing electrical wiring.
3. Selection of equipment, components and materials.
4. Installation of electric underfloor heating.
5. Pre-operational check of the system.
6. Screed filling.
7. Clean floor finish.

Stage 1 - creating a project and performing calculations

The beginning of work on the arrangement of the electric floor heating system begins with the choice of the type of heating element.

Depending on this, the following types of systems are distinguished:

• cable floors. The heating cable laid on the prepared base is responsible for the heat supply. Cable installation is carried out using additional fasteners or mesh;

• heating mats. In this case, the heating cable is placed in a special heat-conducting mat and is located inside in the form of a "snake". The use of mats significantly reduces the time for cable design and installation;

• . Heating is carried out by installing a special IR film for a warm floor.

Note: many users have encountered the problem of installing a floor in an operating room. The difficulty is due to the fact that pipe laying requires wall chasing to install an independent electrical wiring line.

Options for laying heating cables

When developing a project for a warm electric floor, one must also take into account the fact that there are various approaches to installing systems that differ in the way the cable is laid:

• mounted in a screed;

• laid on top of the screed under the tile, laminate;

• it is laid directly on the screed under the finishing coating (film (infrared) warm floors).

The developed project contains the following information:

• calculation of a warm electric floor;

• location of heating regulators and power supply;

• place of installation of the heating cable in each of the rooms;

Note: the cable does not fit in places reserved for the installation of furniture and bulky appliances. It is also impractical to lay it in places where there are sources of heat.

Bathroom project example

One of the disadvantages of a warm electric floor is the inability to rearrange heavy pieces of furniture, because. it is highly undesirable to put furniture on a cable, this can lead to a violation of its integrity.

Calculation of electric floor heating

The calculation of the system in terms of power depends on the heated area and can be performed using the formula:

P - system power, W / sq.m.

P is the power of the heating element, W;

S - room area, sq.m.

Note: underfloor heating is calculated for each room separately.

For calculations, you can use tables developed by manufacturers of cable underfloor heating. These tables take into account the heat loss of the room, the cable laying step, the total length of the cable in the room. In the case of a film floor, the number of sections covering a given area is selected.

Stage 2 - checking the existing electrical wiring

The electric floor heating device is characterized by significant electricity consumption. This makes it necessary to check whether the existing wiring can handle the load that it will have.

In the process of calculations, the current cross section of the cable is taken into account.

Note: Electric underfloor heating must not be connected directly to a power outlet.

If the calculation shows that the old wiring cannot cope with the new load (the diameter of the wires does not match the load), you should either replace it or install additional wiring (directly from the shield), designed exclusively to serve the warm field.

The power consumption of an electric underfloor heating per 1 m2 is shown in the table:

The material was prepared for the site www.site

Note: Installing automatic fuses is a mandatory step in the installation of power supply for the floor heating system.

Project example showing furniture location, key system components and basic distances.

Stage 3 - selection of equipment and materials

The electric underfloor heating system includes:

• heating cable;
• connecting wires;
• regulator, temperature sensor;
• protection system (devices protective shutdown);
• ground cable (copper);
• other material: fasteners, dowel-nail, damper tape, chalk (for marking).

A standard tool is used for work: a hammer, a chisel, a puncher, metal shears, a tape measure, screwdrivers.

Types of heating cable for underfloor heating

The choice of a heating cable is of decisive importance, so you should know that the following types are used for installation:

• resistive cable. The heating element is a core, characterized by increased resistance. Due to this resistance, the current moving through the cable is converted into thermal energy;

• self-regulating cable. In this case, heating occurs due to the polymer matrix. A feature of the self-regulating cable is that overheating is excluded. This type of cable is distinguished by high cost, but also a longer period of operation.

Stage 4 - installation of electric floor heating

It is carried out in several stages:

1. Foundation preparation

The heating cable, mat or foil is laid only on the prepared surface. Preparation includes: elimination of protruding elements, alignment along the plane. For leveling, users are advised to use special mixtures that “lay down” better and also save time, because. ordinary cement strainer dries for a long time.

2. Preparation of the installation site of the thermal regulator

It is recommended to install the temperature controller at a height of 0.9-1 m from the floor surface. In this place, you will need to make a hole for installing the mounting box and gouge the wall to the floor to install the wire.

3. Laying insulation

Often, penofol (foamed polyethylene with foil) is mounted under a warm electric floor. Penofol insulation is a reflective insulation, the peculiarity of the material is its small thickness, the presence of a foil layer (which allows it to reflect heat) and a self-adhesive layer (simplifies the installation process, eliminates the movement of the insulation during cable laying). At the same time, the coefficient of thermal conductivity of penofol (at a temperature of 20 ° C is 0.031 W / mK).

Foil penofol is laid with foil up, end-to-end, and the junction of the strips is glued with adhesive tape.

In addition to penofol, the following can be used as a heater: expanded polystyrene or polystyrene (with a density above 25) with a layer thickness of 20-50 mm. When installing the underfloor heating system on a balcony, it is recommended to increase the thickness of the heat-insulating layer to 100 mm.

Tip: When laying insulation, you must comply with the requirement that regulates the distance from the edge of the heat-insulating material to the wall. The indent should be at least 5 mm (for thin foam foam), and at least 10 mm (for thicker materials - polystyrene foam boards, foam plastic).

After laying the insulation, the room, along the perimeter, is pasted over with a damper tape. Purpose edging tape– compensation for the expansion of the floor covering during heating.

Note: Some users advise laying a metal mesh over the insulation to prevent contact between the insulation and the cable. Others note that this is an optional step, because. the screed does an excellent job with this function.

4. Mounting the thermostat

The thermostat for underfloor heating is a control unit that can be with a remote or built-in temperature sensor (measures the floor temperature). There are thermostats with an additional air sensor. The purpose of the thermostat is to provide the ability to regulate the degree of heating of the room and the consumption of electricity.

It is connected to the mains, as well as to the electric floor cable through wires that are laid in the corrugation. The use of corrugations will allow you to perform repair work (if necessary) without violating the integrity of the screed.

Note: A mandatory step at this stage is to check the resistance of the wire before placing it in the corrugation and connecting. The cable resistance must be checked against the technical data sheet of the device. Tolerance 10%.

5. Mounting the temperature sensor

The temperature sensor for underfloor heating is installed directly into the floor, more precisely into the corrugation. At the same time, the masters note the importance of cutting the insulation and “recessing” the corrugation so that it does not rise much above the heating elements (cable or mat). The bending angle of the corrugation should be smooth to prevent bending of the wire and cracking of the corrugation. The end of the corrugation, which goes into the screed, is recommended to be sealed with a sealant.

Note: A thermostat and heat sensor are installed in each room.

6. Laying the floor heating cable

After the service equipment is installed, you can proceed directly to the installation of the cable. Laying an electric underfloor heating is carried out in two ways:

• by installing heating mats. These are ready-made canvases, which are good because they allow you to install quickly and at the same time eliminate the possibility of bending the cable or violating the optimal distance between adjacent loops. Heating mats are attached to the heat-insulating material with adhesive tape. The distance between adjacent mats is 50-100 mm, between the mat and the wall - 150-200 mm;

• by installing a special tape with fasteners for a cable or a metal mesh (a plastic clamp is used as a fastener, which should not be tightened too much). With this method of laying, the cable is located in a snake, attention is paid to observing the specified distance between the cable loops.

If there is a junction of two floor slabs on the floor, then it is advisable to lay the cable in the corrugation in this place. This compensates for possible thermal expansion of the slabs and reduces the risk of damage to the underfloor heating system.

Note: Users are advised to make a diagram of the location of the cable and its connection points on the floor plan. This will come in handy in case of repair.

The view of the electric floor before the start of pouring the screed is shown in the photo.

Stage 5 - checking the electric floor heating

Before pouring the screed, you need to check the performance of the electric floor heating system. The pre-operational check includes measuring the resistance of the wire. If the deviation from the previous ones, the test is insignificant, you can start pouring the screed.

Measurement is performed using a multimeter or tester, and then a megohmmeter (used to measure high resistance, over 1,000 V). The result should not be lower than 10 MΩ.

How to make an electric underfloor heating - video

Stage 6 - pouring the screed

Laying an electric underfloor heating in a screed is done using a cable or heating mats. In the case of a film floor, installation is carried out without a screed.

For the installation of an electric floor in a screed, it is used:

• concrete screed. The classic mortar for concrete screed consists of 4 parts of sand, 1 part of M400 cement, 0.5 parts of water. When using cement M200, the ratio will be 2:1. To increase the elasticity of the solution, plasticizers (1%) can be added to it. The advantage of a plasticizer is its low cost, the disadvantage is a long period of complete drying;

• self-leveling floor. The height of the self-leveling floor is 3-10 mm. Therefore, it must be applied in several layers. Self-leveling floor is recommended when laid;

• tile adhesive. A proven option according to user reviews, which is advised to give preference if mounted.

Regardless of the type of material used for the screed, the optimal height (thickness) of the screed is 30-50 mm.

Note: crushed stone of fine fraction can be used as a filler for concrete, but in no case perlite or expanded clay. These materials can interfere with heat transfer and cause the system to overheat.

Stage 7 - finishing the underfloor heating

After the system has been tested, you can proceed to the fine finishing of the electric floor heating - laying tiles, laminate.

As you can see, the installation of an electric floor does not cause great difficulties. The table below shows the cost of installation with the involvement of hired craftsmen. On average, the price per m2 for turnkey installation is 600 rubles/sq.m. excluding the cost of materials.

After analyzing the offers of different companies, the cost of installing an electric underfloor heating with materials will vary from 2,000 to 4,700 rubles per square meter (as of the end of 2016). At the same time, the minimum price is valid for orders from 250 sq.m. or if the ad was given private master not a construction company.

Thus, doing the installation of an electric underfloor heating with your own hands is an opportunity to significantly save on work.

Electric underfloor heating installation - errors

Here are a few common mistakes, which, according to the reviews of home masters, are very common:

• buying extra stuff. The error is due to the fact that in the calculations the user focuses on the total area of ​​​​the room, and not on the one that will serve as the basis for the heated floor. The calculations do not take into account the area occupied by furniture and heavy household appliances (refrigerator, washing machine);

• the cable used in the heating mat must not be cut. It is necessary to choose such a laying scheme in order to use the mat completely. It is better to leave a part of the floor surface uncovered;

• do not turn on the floor heating system until the screed is completely dry, because this can lead to uneven drying of the layer and the appearance of cracks and voids.

• The cable must not be laid on an unprepared surface. It is better to treat the surface of the subfloor with a primer to eliminate dust, which can lead to the formation of air pockets around the cable and cause it to overheat;

• the temperature sensor is placed in the corrugation, so it can be dismantled and repaired if it fails;

• resistance measurement is an important step in the pre-operational check of the electric floor, it should not be ignored. With significant deviations, you need to make a decision to correct the situation on your own or involve professionals;

• the cable routing scheme is useful when moving furniture and performing repairs or Maintenance. The easiest way is to photograph the installed floor before pouring the screed.

The electric underfloor heating is unpretentious in operation, reliable (with the choice of good components and proper installation) and will serve for a long time.

The feeling of even and pleasant warmth, which gives an electric floor heating, ensures comfort in the room. But this type of heating has become popular not only for this reason. Modern intelligent control systems make it possible to rationally use electricity and make this heating method cost-effective.

Types of electric floor heating

Depending on the type of heating element, electric floors come in the following varieties:

• traditional cable;
• innovative film;
• rod.

Cable models can be supplied for sale in the form of a simple coil, sections, as well as mats made of a special elastic mesh. The latter version uses a thinner cable than other models.

Electric cable floor is only convection, and film and rod models work on the principle of infrared heaters.

Each of the varieties has its own styling features and restrictions on use. If you decide to equip an electric underfloor heating, choose its characteristics based on what installation method is possible in the room.

Cable electric floor

The use of cable heating has already become a classic. For the manufacture of underfloor heating, both resistive and more complex self-regulating models are used. The resistive cable can be one- or two-core, with the second option due to its design features used for electric floor heating much more often.

The fact is that the consequence of the operation of the system is electromagnetic radiation, and the use of a two-core cable allows you to somewhat reduce its intensity. Self-regulating models are much more complicated than a conventional heating cable. They are able to identify areas where overheating has occurred and reduce, or even completely turn off the power.

Basic rules for installing cable underfloor heating

In general, the technology for installing an electric underfloor heating is approximately the same, regardless of which particular variety is used. Using the example of laying a conventional heating cable, we will consider the main stages of this process. Features and nuances that characterize the installation process of other models will be discussed in the relevant chapters.

The arrangement of any kind of electric floors begins with the choice of a place to install a thermostat. A recess is made in the wall for the device and wires that will power the system. A conductor for connecting the sensor will also be laid in it.

After that, the floor surface is prepared. A heat-insulating material is laid on a plane leveled and cleared of debris. The heating sections are placed on top and fixed with a mounting tape.

By the way, using a cable makes it possible to choose the distance between the elements, depending on what intensity of heating is required. For example, along the cold outer wall sections can be laid with smaller steps than in more protected parts of the room.

Important: Make sure that the heating conductors do not cross during installation!

After the laying is completed, all connections are made electrical wires. Then the internal sensor is installed. It must be placed inside the corrugated tube. This will protect the device from damage. The tube with the sensor and the connected wire is placed between the heating cable. It remains to test the system for performance. If the resistance of the sections and the sensor corresponds to the data specified in technical passport, then you can start pouring a cement-sand screed.

After three days, the topcoat is laid. The warm floor is connected only after the screed has dried completely - not earlier than after 28 days. You can independently equip a warm electric floor, installation - the video of which is presented below, is not a very complicated process. The main thing is to follow the instructions given in this video. But if during the viewing process it turns out that you do not have any skills or you do not have necessary tools then use the services of a specialized company.

Heating mats - a variant of a warm floor under a tile

Warm mats are a variation of the traditional cable floor. They have the same heating element - a cable, but in the manufacture of mats, models with a smaller cross section are used. In addition, such a floor is sold ready-made - it is fixed on an elastic fiberglass mesh. Most often, mats are used to heat the floor, lined with ceramic tiles.

The underside of the mesh is usually covered with an adhesive that allows the structure to be fixed almost instantly. Therefore, the installation of an electric underfloor heating in this case does without the use of a mounting tape. After the heating mats are laid out and fixed, the necessary connections and system testing are carried out. Then the surface is filled with a solution for fixing ceramic tiles and lay the finish coat.

Infrared Electric Floors

Infrared floor with carbon heating rods is gradually becoming a strong competitor for other varieties of electric floor heating systems. Only a rather high price limits its widespread use so far. This is the healthiest way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Those who have already installed a core warm floor, the reviews about it are mostly positive.

Such a floor can be laid even under a surface cluttered with furniture, as well as calmly move it during operation. Carbon rods are not afraid of overheating because they have a self-regulating function. The carbon mat is designed for installation using a screed or glue. It is suitable for laying ceramic tiles, but it can also be used under other coatings.

To increase the efficiency of the system, a heat-reflecting film substrate is first placed on the floor surface. For reliable adhesion of glue or screed to the subfloor, special holes are made in the insulation. Laying the electric floor heating is carried out evenly over the entire surface. If necessary, the mats are cut in the places where connecting wire into pieces of the desired size. After completion of installation and inspection work, the surface is covered with a thin layer of cement-sand screed or glue.

The easiest way is to install a warm electric floor of a film structure. It does not require preliminary measures for the arrangement of the surface. Such a floor is laid on a heat-reflecting substrate, and the selected coating is laid on top.

Electric floor control

The system is not only connected to the power supply through the thermostat, but also controlled by it. This device monitors the level of heating of floors and air, reading the readings of internal and external sensors. Internal sensors are the main ones, they are installed when installing a warm electric floor in a screed or under a coating. Auxiliary sensors record the air temperature. They are usually located on the wall.

The simplest thermostat is able to maintain a certain temperature in the room: if certain parameters are exceeded, it simply turns off the power and allows the system to cool down. A programmable thermostat for an electric underfloor heating works according to a more complex scheme. Its use allows owners to set the desired room heating algorithm.

Some models have a set of standard programs that take into account the time of day, weekends or working days.

They will independently turn on the power before the arrival of the owners and turn it off while no one is at home. At the moment, there are already thermostats that are controlled remotely, via the Internet or a mobile phone. This allows apartment owners to adjust the program if plans change.

Of course, you will have to pay several times more for a thermostat with artificial intelligence than for simple model. But the costs will pay off due to the fact that the operation of the electric floor heating will be more rational, and energy consumption will be economical.

Electric underfloor heating: main and additional heating system

It is possible to use electric underfloor heating as the main heating system only if the thermal insulation of the room is carefully carried out. But even if this condition is met, this heating method is more suitable for areas with warm winters. In more severe conditions, it will not be very effective and very costly.

To maintain a comfortable temperature level only due to the warm floor, its area should be quite large - at least two thirds of the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room.

Accordingly, if there is a lot of furniture in the room, then the system will not perform its task to the fullest. In addition, a specific power of at least 150 watts is required.

Underfloor heating for balcony