General Information about Electric Underfloor Heating Systems
Underfloor heating systems come in two types: electric and water-based, each having their own benefits. For people looking for ease and quickness of installation, electric underfloor heating is often the best choice.
Standard versus high output heating cable
Most electric cable used in underfloor heating systems comes in one of two wattages: 150w and 200w. Standard output (150w) is suited for most projects. However, in instances where the room suffers high heat loss, like in a conservatory, high output (200w) underfloor heating is a better choice.
Loose heated cable versus heated cable mats
Electric underfloor heating comes as a loose cable or in mat form. Determining which is best depends upon the room you are installing the system into. Small areas like bathrooms, or complicated rooms where the shape or size is not conducive to a mat, are better suited to loose heated cable. In the same vein, underfloor heating mat systems are perfect for larger, more straightforward areas.
Heating large areas
For larger rooms, a combination of two or more mats running in parallel generally works well, as long as it does not exceed a maximum of 3,680 watts, or 16 amps. For even larger areas where only one underfloor heating thermostat is required, a contactor can be used to control up to 22,000 watts, or 96 amps.
Underfloor heating insulation
While not always mandatory, using underfloor heating insulation in conjunction with an underfloor electric heating system will improve the system’s performance and speed up warm-up times. The specific type of insulation to install will depend upon the type of flooring.