Infrared warm ceilings are systems that have built-in heating. The work is based on the principle of distribution of thermal energy using infrared rays. Their action is aimed at heating hard surfaces, not air. This allows you to more rationally heat the rooms, creating a comfortable temperature for living in them.
Reviews on design features
If you are interested in infrared film-based warm ceilings, then you should get to know the design features better. Heating elements in such systems have the form of a polymer film, the thickness of which is equal to one micron. She is responsible for the propagation of infrared radiation.
According to buyers, the film is covered with carbon paste, to which thin carbon threads are fixed. Electrical contacts are a rather important element of such a heater; they are made of copper foil. Film withBoth sides are protected by laminated polyester. The latter has electrical insulating fire-resistant properties. The radiation temperature can vary from 30 to 110 °C, while the heater power does not exceed 500 W.
Reviews on the principle of operation of infrared ceiling systems
Users like that the design is quite thin, so it saves space. Warm ceilings work according to a certain principle. First, the material is heated to the state required for the propagation of thermal radiation. At the next stage, heat is transferred to objects and structures in the room. From heated solid surfaces, radiation begins to emanate, which is evenly distributed throughout the air. As a result of the operation of the infrared heater, the floor and ceiling temperatures become the same, which significantly reduces energy consumption, according to customers.
Reviews on the main varieties of infrared ceiling heaters
Infrared ceiling films can be classified by radiant temperature and wavelength, they can be:
- low temperature;
- medium temperature;
- high temperature.
The first variety, according to consumers, is a household system that heats up in the range from 100 to 600 ° C, while infrared waves can have a length of 5.6 to 100 microns. Medium temperature filmscan be heated in the range from 600 to 1000 ° C, while their wavelength varies from 2.5 to 5.6 microns. If we consider warm ceilings, then we should definitely highlight high-temperature films. Their temperature range is above 1000 °C, while the wavelength is equal to the limit from 0.74 to 2.5 microns.
Buyers especially emphasize that each type of device requires a certain ceiling height. The first type requires a room with ceilings up to 3 m, the second type requires ceiling heights ranging from 3 to 6 m, while the third type of ceiling can be installed in rooms where the walls have a height of more than 8 m.
Installing a warm ceiling with your own hands: installation methods
Warm infrared ceilings, reviews of which you could read above, can be installed using a closed method. This technology involves masking the film under the finish, the following materials can act as it:
- lining;
- plastic panels;
- sewn designs;
- drywall.
If the installation is carried out in an open way, then such heating can be temporary or additional.
Work technology
Warm ceilings, reviews of which are important to read before purchasing a product, must be installed in a certain order. To begin with, a plan is drawn up that will allow you to understand according to what scheme the film will be located. Importantdetermine the area of the site on which it is planned to mount the system. If the heating is the main one, then the film area should be approximately 70% of the ceiling area.
Electrical wiring that will run along the surface should not be located closer than 50 mm from the film. The wires must be separated by heat-insulating material, which will fill the hollow space of the ceiling. The master will have to calculate the power of the heating system, determine the power potential of the electrical network and calculate the number of thermostats.
The current must be determined in order to select the wire size. This work is necessary to determine the suitability of electrical wiring for power loads. You will also need to choose a suitable model of the thermostat. For example, if the wire size is 1.5mm2, the allowable current for the copper wire will be 16A. For aluminum, this value is 10A. For a section that is equivalent to 2.5 mm2 , the allowable current will be 25A. If the cross section reaches 4 mm2, then the corresponding value is 32 A.
Work methodology
The construction of a warm ceiling at the next stage involves fixing thermal insulation with a reflective layer on the surface, its thickness should be 5 mm. The insulation is strengthened taking into account the type of base, while to be used:
- furniture staples;
- screws;
- dowels.
The joints of the insulation board or mats must be sealedconstruction tape. The insulation layer should occupy 100% of the surface. The edges of the strips must be brought to the wall along the perimeter of the room by 15 mm. This will eliminate gaps at the joints through which cold can penetrate from the outside.
Specialist recommendations
Installation of a warm floor on the ceiling is carried out after preparing the required amount of film, which must be cut along the heating elements along the lines. The heating film has a certain cut length, this information can be obtained by reading the instructions. The electrical wires must be connected to the conductive copper bars using contact clips. Inside the heater is one half of the clip, while the other must be on the copper bus.
After making sure that the contact is sufficiently reliable, it is necessary to insulate the cut line, which is located at the end of the heating film. Use bituminous tape for this. Following the current calculations, it is necessary to prepare wires with a cross section of 1.5 mm2 or more. After stripping, the wire is connected to the ferrule and clamped with pliers.
The connection of the copper bus and wire is accompanied by the use of a ferrule, as well as insulation with bituminous tape. Through the temperature controller, the strips are connected to the network. The total maximum power of the thermal elements connected to the thermostat must not exceed its own power. If the load on the network is more impressive, you should connect the ceilingseparate wiring, which will have an automatic safety switch. This approach involves connecting the heating elements to the thermostat using a contactor.
Installing a warm ceiling "PLEN" with your own hands
On sale you can find a warm ceiling "PLEN", the installation of which is usually done by hand. The film can be fixed to any surface, and the simplified technology is as follows. First you need to create a protective intermediate layer of insulating material. Thermal energy must be directed inward. To do this, it is recommended to use a material whose thermal resistance starts from 0.05 m2C/W.
The PLEN film warm ceiling can also be fixed to the crate, its front side should be directed into the room. To install use:
- self-tapping screws;
- stapler;
- staples.
At the next stage, electrical work is carried out and the decorative layer is being laid. The choice of installation site is of great importance. Particular attention should be paid to areas above windows, doors and ventilation outlets, because they act as the main constructs through which heat is lost. This is true if all other parts of the house are well insulated.
Before you insulate the ceiling, you can also consider underfloor heating. By the way, the described systems are usually also installed on the floor. If we are talking about a warm ceiling, then it is necessary to take into account climatic conditions. For example, under "PLEN" it is best to allocate an area ranging from 60 to 80% of the ceiling area. If the average annual temperature is below -7 °C, then the area should be increased to 80% or more. If the first value does not fall below +3 °C, then the film can be located on an area ranging from 50 to 60%.
Conclusion
In order to optimize the electrical wiring diagram, it must be remembered that the contact terminal should be directed towards the shield. Each sheet of a warm ceiling has mounting fields or zones, they are necessary for attaching the system to the base. Experts do not recommend violating the integrity of the film outside these fields. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, before starting the installation of the system, it is necessary to make sure that the heating elements are not damaged. This work should be carried out with the help of a tester.
