The temperature regime directly affects the comfort in the home. Throughout the year, you need to maintain optimal heat levels. Heating systems and heating devices maintain the desired climate in the apartment, but the floor remains cold. To be able to walk comfortably barefoot, you should install underfloor heating. Laying can be carried out both with the help of a master, and independently.
Description of electric underfloor heating
There are several types of underfloor heating. They depend on the thermostat, which is available in two types:
- mechanical;
- electronic.
The mechanical device is controlled by a special rheostat. Electronic controlled via relays.
Electric floors are classified according to the type of heater into the following groups:
- Cable. The heat source is the cable, which is enclosed in an insulating material. This is the most time-consuming method of heating; for installation, you need to call a master.
- Rod or heat mat. Consists of a cable that is placed on a heat-insulating film.
- Infrared film. A semiconductor heating strip is mounted in the canvas.
A thermostat is used to heat the electric floor under the laminate. It is in any scheme. It can be installed with your own hands, following the instructions that come with the floor.
Advantages and disadvantages
Electric underfloor heating has a number of advantages. These include:
- use as a main or auxiliary heat source;
- uniformity of heating;
- installation on different surfaces - linoleum, laminate, ceramic tiles;
- the ability to regulate the temperature regime;
- environmental friendliness;
- health safety;
- long service life.
The disadvantages are:
- cost;
- additional expenses for electricity;
- impossibility of installation under parquet or wooden flooring due to the possibility of deformation;
- creation of an electromagnetic field by cables;
- installation of additional equipment is required for an electric-water underfloor heating;
- risk of electric shock due to improper installation.
Installation of an electric floor heating can be done by yourself. Before work, you need to familiarize yourself with the attached instructions and connection diagram.
DIY installation
To work you need a professional tool:
- the heating system itself;
- fasteners;
- copper wire;
- connecting cables;
- RCD;
- regulator;
- temperature sensor.
The first step in the installation is to calculate and create a floor project. It should indicate the place where the sensor and thermostat will be placed. The surface of the floor itself must be cleaned of debris and dirt, leveled if necessary.
Step-by-step instructions for surface preparation:
- debris cleaning;
- alignment;
- subfloor primer;
- laying a waterproofing layer;
- installation around the perimeter of the damper tape;
- laying of heat-insulating material 3-4 mm thick for apartments in multi-storey buildings;
- covering with a reinforcing mesh.
For optimal heating, you need to calculate the power. This can be done according to the formula P1 = P2 * S * K, where Z1 is the power of the cable, Z2 is the heating power per 1 square meter, K is the power reserve factor equal to 1.3 - 1.6, S is the area of the room.
After the calculation is completed and the floor is prepared, you can proceed with the installation. The step-by-step instructions for each floor type will be slightly different. To install a cable floor, you need:
- prepare the foundation;
- put waterproofing (in the bathroom);
- install the mounting tape, lay the cable;
- lead the end of the electrical cable to the junction box with a temperature controller;
- install a temperature sensor in the corrugated pipe.
The system can be tested and turned on only after the screed is completely dry.
Heating mats must be installed so that they are in close contact with each other. It is necessary to cut the canvas in such a way that the heating cables are not damaged or deformed. The mat is placed on special glue, the layer of which should be 2-3 mm. The temperature sensor is also placed in the corrugated pipe between the turns of the heating elements. The second cable must be routed to the thermostat. The final stage is checking the system performance using a special tester. Laminate can be laid on a warm electric floor after the screed is completely dry.
Installation of infrared underfloor heating begins with the installation of a thermostat in a junction box. Wires are led to the shield. An insulating layer of no more than 5 mm thick is laid on the base. The joints must be secured with tape. The IR film is laid down by heating elements. Its edges need to be strengthened with tape so that no shifts occur. The contacts and the wire must be connected. In the second section, a thermal sensor is installed to receive information about heating. The last stage is checking the functioning of the system, laying the plastic sheeting and topcoat.
Electricity connection
The most important stage of installation is connecting the warm floor to electricity. The cables will be connected according to the following algorithm:
- checking the cable and wires for resistance using a multimeter and insulation of mats through an ohmmeter;
- connection of a temperature sensor, temperature regulator, power cable according to the attached instructions;
- grounding of wires;
- connection to a machine or an RCD, otherwise it will knock out plugs.
The system is regulated by an electrical unit. They are different - electromechanical, digital, programmable. Better to choose modern control panels that any user can customize manually.
Possible mistakes
The most common problem is fitting under a heavy headset. This leads to poor cooling of materials, their overheating and breakage.
Do not bend or bend the cables during installation. Then the whole system will be faulty and inoperative.
Improper control of the resistance of the insulating material also leads to malfunctions. Differences in the declared and received value of more than 10% must not be allowed.
An equally common mistake that novice craftsmen often make is pouring the temperature sensor into the screed. This cannot be done, the sensor must be placed in a corrugated tube and only then filled with a coupler. If the thermal sensor breaks, it will be difficult to repair the breakage when installed in a screed without a tube.
The lack of insulation of live parts when installing the IR film will lead to a power failure of the system
