Heat floor technology involves the use of special heating elements. There are two main approaches to arranging such systems: hot water circulating roofing and laying electrical components for heating. To date, the electrical system has been recognized as more efficient and economical in installation, which will be implemented by a heating mat for underfloor heating with associated regulators. In essence, this type of heating is independent, although it is often used as an auxiliary one. One way or another, if you choose the right mats and install them correctly, then the kit will completely cope with the tasks of heating in any room.
What is a floor heating mat?
Underfloor heating mats can be seen as a combination of traditional cables and a multi-layer sheath. The basis of the coating is copper or steel electrical wires - they are the source of heat. The shell device looks much more complicated. It is an insulating protection formed by fibers of polymers, fiberglass and rubber. From cables to warmHeating floor mats are distinguished by their fixation to a non-metallic mesh, which is also covered with an aluminum sheath and a PVC film on top. Actually, such layering of insulators contributes to high protection of wires from mechanical damage. The operation of the mats is powered by a 220 V network, to which the "cold" ends of the cables are connected. Further, the incoming electricity transmits heat to the aluminum protection, which, in turn, distributes it over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe decorative flooring.
Single or twin?
Traditionally, mats are made with the inclusion of single-core wires with a thickness of no more than 3 mm. Recently, however, some manufacturers have begun to introduce two-core cables into the model lines. In addition to increasing the thickness, such coatings also have operational differences. The fact is that heating mats with single-core wires during operation create electromagnetic radiation that is unfavorable for humans. Of course, it is within the permissible values, but it is for this reason that experts recommend using elements of this type on the street and in industrial premises, and not in a residential building. In two-core cables, this drawback is eliminated by including a second wire, which "quenches" the radiation of the electromagnetic field. Accordingly, it is more profitable to purchase mats with two-core cables, but it is important to consider that they are more expensive and reduce the height of the ceilings even more.
Selection of mats by power
The question is not easy, butfor his answer, first of all, it is necessary to decide what place the warm floor will occupy in the general heating system. Based on the initial calculations, it is possible to determine in which premises the use of such a system is in principle justified. If the installation of heating mats is planned in the bathroom, then the recommended power value will be 150 W/m2. In the hallway and in the kitchen, the heating requirements are not so high and can be limited to 120 W/m2. The highest rates should be foreseen if the installation will be carried out in a children's room, bedroom or on a balcony - in this case, you should look at mats with a power potential of at least 200 W/m2.
Calculate area
The advantage of heating mats is their ease of use and calculation of laying area. They do not need to be painstakingly fixed with a snake or in a spiral - just cut off a piece of a certain size and lay it on the floor. However, there may be nuances that should be taken into account. Firstly, heating mats should not be laid in places where heavy equipment, furniture or electronics will stand. Secondly, it is necessary to calculate the connection points for temperature sensors and thermostats. In order not to make mistakes in the calculations, it is necessary to draw up an installation diagram in advance, in which all the critical elements of the system will be indicated. The prepared layout will help not only reduce installation costs, but also optimize the system in terms of energy saving.
Compatible withfloor coverings
Heating mats, like all electric floor heat sources, can be combined with different materials. It is best if the laying is done on a concrete screed. First, you will have to arrange the substrate and waterproofing, and then install the heating system. In the case of top flooring, the ideal option would be tiles, which are a good conductor of heat and do not deform under its influence. But in the case of wood and synthetic coatings, heating mats are suitable with some limitations. For example, laminate and linoleum are suitable for top coating under a warm floor only in special versions that are resistant to temperature loads. It is not recommended to use parquet at all, since deforming processes will be detected already during the first time of operation.
Styling technology
The area marked for laying is cleared and prepared for installation. It is advisable to prime or treat all defects in the rough coating with putty so that the installation of heating mats is carried out on a flat surface. A length of sufficient length is unwound from the roll, after which a line is marked in which the mats will adhere to the plinth. Thus, the first strip is laid and the piece allotted for it is cut off. It is important to consider that only the mesh needs to be cut, so that it remains possible to later transfer the cable to the second and subsequent strips.
As the installation progresses, it is necessaryperiodically unwind the roll, cut and turn the wires to a new direction in accordance with the diagram. In this case, it must be taken into account that the cables must not cross - any unintended contact will cause a short circuit, damaging the heating mat. Laying is completed by testing the performance of the system. The uniformity of heating is checked in all areas of the heating coating.
Temperature controller and temperature sensor
An obligatory element of modern underfloor heating systems is a special tool for controlling the parameters of their work. First of all, these are thermostats. They can be electronic with a minimum list of options or programmable - with the ability to set a timer. There are also models in which a program with a “smart” timer is integrated. In this case, the underfloor heating mat is adjusted automatically according to the temperature sensor readings. For example, if the temperature indicator drops below a certain level, then the system works for "warming", and in warm weather, on the contrary, it turns off or changes the mode of operation.
Reviews on heating mats
Consumer opinions about heating mats vary greatly. Among the advantages, users note the ease of installation and the absence of problems during operation. However, such systems do not always justify themselves in terms of heating efficiency. But here much depends on the power that it hasspecific heating mat. Feedback from people who use underfloor heating as an “assistant” to central heating, on the contrary, testifies to the performance of the system.
Conclusion
The question of the advisability of using underfloor heating in rooms where additional heating is required is not even a question for specialists. They unequivocally recommend such systems instead of radiators, stoves and other obsolete heating devices. If we turn to the statistics of manufacturers, it will become obvious that the heating mat is far from the last place in sales. How to choose the model of such a system that is optimal in terms of characteristics is the main question that the consumer faces. However, only two criteria are significant. These are power and area. The material must cover the entire "working" area and at the same time provide sufficient heat generation. Recently, there has also been debate about how justified the use of warm mats is from the point of view of economy. Of course, there will be certain costs during operation, but they cannot be compared with the financial costs of installing and using other heating systems.
