Frequently Asked Questions - Radiant floor heating
FLEXTHERM floor heating systems include detailed installation instructions. An experienced do-it-yourself enthusiast can install the heating cable by following the installation guide. You must ensure that the installation is carried out in compliance with the electricality code of your region. The system must be installed by a qualified person where required by law.
FLEXTHERM products can be installed on 120 VAC or 240 VAC electrical circuits, more commonly known as 110 or 220. It is possible to supply 208 VAC systems for special projects on special order. In all cases, the circuit must be dedicated to heating.
FLEXTHERM floor heating systems can help you reduce your energy consumption by up to 28% according to studies conducted by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) specialists.
Radiant floor heating can be used as the primary heat source for a room. Several factors must be considered: the level of subfloor insulation, the size of the room, the exposure of exterior walls, the window coverage, the desired comfort level and the system’s output.
The cost depends on the installation process and several other factors: the local price of electricity (KwH), heat loss and the insulation of the room, the desired comfort level and the heating period. A radiant floor heating system can help you reduce your energy consumption by as much as 28% compared to traditional systems.
If you install the system on smooth concrete, the concrete slab must be insulated to prevent heat loss and maximize the benefits of radiant floor heating. There are a variety of products available on the market that you can use to create heat barriers. Insulation product suppliers will be pleased to give you some advice.
Depending on the product, FLEXTHERM cables are compatible with a wide range of floor coverings, including ceramic, natural stone, engineered wood, vinyl, floating floor, linoleum, parquet and carpet. For coverings other than ceramic or natural stone, it is important to always check with the manufacturer in order to make sure that its product is compatible with floor heating systems. Just follow FLEXTHERM’s recommendations to achieve the best result for your installation. FLEXTHERM does not recommend installing heating cables under hard wood or cork.
Depending on the application, FLEXTHERM cables can be installed on a wide variety of subfloors, including: plywood, smooth concrete, concrete panels, ceramic, acoustic membranes, anti-fracture membranes, scratch coat, mortar bed or buried in a concrete slab. Just follow the recommendations in the FLEXTHERM installation guide to achieve the best result for your installation.
Radiant floor heating means heating masses directly rather than ambient air. The comfort achieved using this method is vastly superior to classical heating methods such as baseboards, wall-hung radiators or hot air systems. With their feet nice and warm, people who choose radiant floor heating are more comfortable and save a lot of energy.