High heat transfer, ease of operation and accessibility contribute to the fact that cable heated floors are increasingly used for heating apartments and cottages. The cable heating system has a very high efficiency; the electric current is almost completely converted into thermal energy.
The kit consists of three main components that you need to pay attention to when choosing a cable heated floor model - a heating element (cable), a thermostat and a sensor.
Heating element for cable underfloor heating
In all types of this type of heated floor, a cable is used as a heating element. It is the main and most important part of the structure. When purchasing, pay attention to its power per unit length. Various manufacturers offer cables with specific heat release from 17 W/m to 21 W/m. An increase in this indicator is undesirable and even dangerous.
In a heated floor system, the electrical cable can be resistive or self-regulating. In turn, resistive cable is divided into single- or double-core models.
Two-core ones have a simpler installation scheme, but are somewhat more expensive. They consist of a pair of wires, which can either be both heating, or one heating and the other feeding. The top of this cable is covered with a metal braid and a protective screen.
A single-core cable for underfloor heating consists of a metal core (nichrome, brass, galvanized steel, etc.), internal insulation and a screen, which not only protects the structure from mechanical damage, but also reduces electromagnetic radiation.
The principle of operation of a self-regulating cable is that the level of heat it generates changes along with the ambient temperature. Floors made from such cable can be laid directly under the floor covering, as it is not afraid of local overheating.
Typically, heating cables for heated floors are sold on a reel, as well as in the form of sections or mats (rolls).
The mats are a conductor laid in a snake pattern and attached to a fiberglass mesh. This mesh can be cut into fragments, naturally, without violating the integrity of the cable, and cover planes of different sizes and shapes with it.
Thermostats (thermostats) for heated floors
The design of any electric floors, including cable ones, includes a thermostat. It is preferable to use programmable versions of this device. Unlike manually controlled models, they not only react to a decrease in the temperature of the air or floor surface, but are also able to change it according to a given pattern. For example, heat the floor only in the morning and evening, and turn off the heating cable for the heated floor when all family members are absent.
In addition, programmable regulators allow you to take advantage of the two-tariff payment system for consumed energy with maximum benefit. They automatically turn on the heating during the “cheap” tariff period.
The limitation for installing a thermostat is high humidity. It is not recommended to install the device in the bathroom.
Thermal sensors
In order for warm cable electric floors to fully function, the thermostat must constantly receive information not only about the air temperature, but also about the degree of heating of the floors themselves. For this purpose, temperature sensors are used: internal and external. Internal sensors are placed between the turns of the heating cable and serve to monitor the floor. External ones are usually located inside the thermostat; they monitor the air temperature in the room.
When cable underfloor heating is installed as an additional heating system, it is usually limited to installing internal sensors. And if it is the main or even the only equipment for heating the room, then the ambient temperature becomes an equally important indicator. Then there is a need for an external sensor.
If you are installing a cable heated floor under laminate, wooden parquet or other material that is sensitive to overheating, then a double control system is required. In this case, you cannot do without both types of temperature sensors.
Cable heated floor: main and additional heating system
As a main heating system, an electric cable floor can be used in rooms that for some reason cannot be connected to central heating (for example, in cottages and dachas). But much more often it is used for additional heating of rooms with cold floors - bathrooms, toilets, corridors, as well as rooms located on the ground floor of the building.
Cable underfloor heating can be installed directly onto thermal insulation or reinforcing mesh. The concrete screed placed on top must be plastic, tightly swell the cable and have a thickness of at least 30 mm.
If you do not want to increase the height of the floor, then install the system directly on old tiles or concrete, without using thermal insulation. Of course, in this case the heating will be less economical. But you will get by with a screed, the height of which does not exceed 1.5 cm. Cable heated floors under the tiles are mounted directly into a thin layer of glue.
Before planning the installation of a warm electric floor, make sure that your apartment is designed to connect a 2.5 kW system. If not, then equip a separate wiring and automatic circuit breaker for the heated floor.
Cable heated floor of direct or accumulating action
The direct action flooring system allows the surface to heat up quite quickly. When installing it, a cable of not very high power is used, which is mounted in a screed of low height, close to the floor surface. The use of warm cable electric floors of this type is possible both for complete heating and for creating a comfortable temperature in individual rooms.
The storage system is very economical due to the fact that it accumulates heat during periods of reduced tariff.
Using a programmable thermostat allows you to calculate the time required for the floors to warm up to the desired temperature. Placing a heating cable for underfloor heating in a thick layer of concrete helps the floor surface cool slowly.
The basis for installing the storage system is a slab on which thermal insulation is located. Then follows the first layer of screed. It is on this that the cable is laid, and on top there is again a screed (up to 150 mm thick). For flooring, you should choose a material with low thermal conductivity (wood, cork, carpet, etc.).
Installation of a cable heating system under wooden floors
Installation of a heating cable for a heated floor with plank flooring has its own characteristics. The empty space between the logs is filled with thermal insulation, and the cable is placed on a special metal mesh. The intersections of the cable and the log are equipped as follows: a recess is made in the logs, which is protected with fireproof materials (for example, aluminum foil). Wooden boards up to 30 mm thick are used for covering.
Consumers who have used cable heated floors give positive reviews about it: it allows you to maintain the set temperature in the room, and at the same time the air does not become dry. In a room with such a floor there are no drafts or convective air currents.
A common drawback for electric floors can be noted - high energy consumption, especially if the system is the main source of heat in the room.
