The modern market for heating equipment offers a wide range of systems that differ in energy consumption and efficiency. One of the best options is underfloor heating. It can be electric or water. This is one of the new systems that is gradually replacing other types of heating equipment.
There is a certain technology, how to install a warm floor. This procedure can be performed independently if desired. It is necessary to take into account a number of recommendations and rules for the installation and operation of such systems. In this case, the equipment will consume the minimum amount of energy.
System Features
Each owner of private real estate can install underfloor heating at home. There are many types of such systems. They differ in a number of characteristics. However, the principle of heating unites such systems.
Regardless of the system that the owner of the house or apartment chooses, the heating element will be located at the base of the room. Therefore, the warmest area in the room will be exactlyfloor. From it, the heated air gradually rises, cools down. At the ceiling, the minimum temperature will be determined.
This type of heating is considered more efficient. A conventional convector or battery, on the contrary, provides more heating near the ceiling of the room. To create the required temperature at the bottom of the room, you will need to spend more energy. Underfloor heating is energy efficient equipment.
Varieties
There are many varieties of systems that are located in the thickness of the base of the room. They are divided into two large groups. The first of these includes water heated floors. They are a system of pipes through which water or another special coolant flows (for example, non-freezing liquid). These communications are connected to the boiler.
The second category includes electric underfloor heating. It is a cable or other current conductor. There are a number of recommendations on how to properly install underfloor heating. They must be taken into account before starting repair work.
The fact is that the types of heating equipment presented are designed for different rooms. For example, it will be problematic to install a water heated floor in an apartment. In this case, preference is given to electrical systems. In a private house, on the contrary, it will be more efficient to install a water heated floor. Although electrical systems in this case are also not prohibited.
Water floor heating
In a private house, cottage most often installedunderfloor heating system. It includes a boiler, to which pipes are connected using special equipment. A coolant heated to a certain temperature circulates through them. How to install a water heated floor, there is a specific instruction.
You should correctly calculate the capacity of the system. Depending on the total area of \u200b\u200bthe premises, a boiler is selected. Its power should be enough to heat the home. The boiler can run on solid fuel (wood, coal, pellets, etc.), gas or electricity. The choice depends on the characteristics of the tariffs and the possibility of connecting one or another source of energy in the area.
Each room has its own heating circuit. A pipe is connected to the boiler for the supply and return of the coolant. A liquid circulates inside, the temperature of which should not exceed 55ºС. This process is regulated by a special comb. It determines which circuit to supply a new portion of hot water to.
How the system works
Before considering how and where to install underfloor heating, you need to understand the principle of the system. Controls the heating of each comb circuit. The boiler heats a certain amount of water, which is fed into the pipes. The movement of the coolant is provided by the pump.
The water circulates in the circuit until its temperature falls below the user-defined level. This indicator fixes the sensor, which is located in the three-way valve. When the time comes, the damper will open. The heated water will enter the circuit again, mixing with the already cooled liquid.
When the temperature inside the system reaches the maximum allowable value set by the user, the three-way valve turns again. The damper will close. No matter what position the damper is in, the pump ensures continuous circulation of water.
Mounting the water floor
Many owners of a private house are interested in how to properly install a water-type warm floor. It should be noted that this work is recommended to be entrusted to professionals. They will be able to provide a safe, quality installation.
First, the base of the floor needs to be insulated with high quality. For this, expanded polystyrene, expanded clay or other insulating materials of high hardness are used. Next, a layer of waterproofing is laid on the insulation. With the help of special fastening strips, the pipe is laid out. To create heating circuits, special types of communications are used. Pipes can be laid out in a snake or in a spiral.
Next, you need to lay a layer of screed. It should be at least 5 cm. The wider the pipes were laid out, the more mortar will need to be poured onto the floor base. Otherwise, the heating will be uneven. The effect of "thermal zebra" appears. The connection of the boiler must be carried out by the appropriate authorities and highly qualified specialists.
Electric floor heating
Some apartment owners are interested in whether it is possible to install underfloor heatingin such a home. In this case, it will be quite problematic to mount the water system. You will need to abandon central heating. Next, you need to obtain permission to install the boiler. In many apartments, design features do not allow the installation of such equipment. This is very expensive and problematic.
For residents of apartments, the use of electrical wires for heating will be an acceptable option. The system consists of a core through which current flows. It quickly heats up the cable. There are several different protective sheaths around the core. They prevent damage to the heating core, allow you to evenly distribute heat over the floor surface.
Such systems operate from a regular household network. There are many types of electric underfloor heating on the market. They differ in scope, installation features.
Varieties of electric underfloor heating
In the category of electric underfloor heating, three types of systems can be distinguished. The first group includes a cable, the thickness of which is about 7 mm in cross section. It must be mounted in a screed. This system can be mounted under tiles, laminate, parquet, linoleum or thin carpet.
The second type of electrical system is a thin cable. It has a thickness of about 3-3.5 mm. Such systems can be decomposed on a special grid. You just need to roll it out and fix it with adhesive tape onsurfaces. Fine wire can also be supplied in coils. It is laid out in the form of a snake by hand. Tile adhesive and tiles are laid on top of a thin wire.
How to install an electric underfloor heating, there is a certain system. It should be noted that the installation in this case is simple. If you need to install a warm floor under coatings such as laminate, linoleum, you can give preference to the film. This is the easiest floor heating system to install.
Temperature controller
The heating temperature of the electric underfloor heating is controlled by a special thermostat sensor. Without this device, the room would become very hot over time, and electricity would be used inefficiently. Before starting the installation of the system, you need to consider how to install a floor heating sensor. This is a simple procedure.
The thermostat may have a sensor built into the housing. The device is installed at a height of at least 1 m from the floor. The sensor detects the air temperature in the room. If necessary, the device will turn off the power supply to the cable. When the temperature drops back to the set value, the thermostat will turn on the system.
On sale are also devices that include a remote sensor. It is laid in a special corrugated pipe, directly next to the warm floor. This method of measuring temperature is preferred. Some models of thermostats provide for the presence of an air and remote sensor. In this case, the maximum comfortable temperature is set in the room, based on two indicators.
Installing the cable into a coupler
Manufacturers in the delivery of heating equipment must include detailed instructions on how to install a warm floor. Between the turns of the cable there should be a distance of at least 5 cm and no more than 20 cm. It is best to lay the wire in increments of 10-12 cm. The choice depends on the heat loss in the room.
A layer of insulation is laid on the base of the floor (polystyrene foam 3 cm thick). Waterproofing and a reinforcing mesh with cells of 100x100 mm are laid on it. The wire is laid to the grid with the help of plastic clips. You need to choose a place to install the thermostat. From it they make a strobe along the wall. A corrugated pipe is placed in it, into which the sensor is inserted. It also fits between the turns of the wire. The base is poured with a 3 cm screed with the addition of a plasticizer.
The wires from the sensor are connected to the thermostat. The underfloor heating cable and the main network communications are also brought here.
Installing the cable under the tile
There is a certain technique for how to install a warm floor under the tile. This mounting option is easier. This does not require the use of a screed. The system can be operated within a week after installation. The cable, which was poured into the screed, is turned on for the first time a month after installation.
The mat is rolled out on a clean, primed surface. In this case, it is not necessary to use insulation, especially if the apartment is not located on the ground floor. A thin wire is also laid out with a snake. The laying step is 7-10 cm.
Next, install the sensor in the same way fromthermostat. Only in this case, the strobe will have to be done not only in the wall, but also at the base of the floor. Next, the tile is laid. A layer of 3-5 mm solution is applied to its surface. Tiles are installed in the usual way.
Film Editing
The easiest way is to install a film underfloor heating. However, it should be noted that this system cannot be laid under tiles. Under such conditions, the film will not work for a long time. The class of its insulation is an order of magnitude lower than that of the wire. Therefore, it is recommended to mount the film under a laminate, linoleum or carpet.
The manufacturer in the instructions necessarily tells how to install a warm floor. You will need to purchase a special insulating material. This may be a substrate for a laminate or other roll insulation designed for the floor. Their thickness is 4-7 mm.
In the corresponding places on the substrate, recesses are cut out for installing a temperature sensor (in this case without a corrugated pipe), as well as all connecting elements of the film. When the film is laid out on the base, the coating is mounted without glue and mortar.
Having considered how to install a warm floor, everyone will be able to perform this procedure on their own.
