I am planning on installing a interior concrete floor slab, and would like to install a backup heat system using electric cable in the concrete floor. I have worked through specifics for the floor, but was wondering about the electric heat and possible tips on what to do, not to do, and possible vendors that people have had luck with or types or brands to avoid. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
Jeff
Edited 9/11/2002 11:24:58 PM ET by Jeff
Replies
I've used "Heat-Weave" for several retro fit jobs for radiant floors and been very happy with the results.................BUT!
It specifically lists this product as a secondary (auxillary) heat source... not primary. And in my research for imbedded resistive electric heat sources, many were classified as secondary only. Which may exclude them as a "back-up" system.
In my mind (small one at that), a back-up system covers the need when all else fails. And being in a rural electric coop means that electricity is the first to go, therefore not a "back-up".
Just a randomly generated thought............................Iron Helix
Jeff,
I have installed two different electric resistence floor heating systems in my home. One is a cable imbedded in a mud bed under tile in a second floor bathroom. Made by Maxxon, sold under the trade name of Infloor Heating Systems. In an area of about 80 sf, the 800W floor heat provides enough heat to keep the room warm. Operates with a room air thermostat controller, with an internal floor temperature setting. No programming, on/off and temperature control. This works well in this installation because at night when the furnace is on a "setback" temperature, the bathroom floor is nice and warm, wonderful for bare feet in the middle of the night.
The other systems that I have installed in my home is by NuHeat which has the wires imbedded in a fibrous mat, installed in a thin layer of thinset. The wattages are less, per square foot (see their website for sizes and ratings), they are less flexible for installing in odd shaped areas (but can be custom ordered). The controller works bbased on floor temperature alone, but can be programmed for 4 (I think) different "modes" plus a manual control setting.
I like them both. I like the programmable controller over the non-programmable one, but the air temperature thermostat is nice for the reason stated above. The wires have to be clipped to the floor by some means and was a pain screwing clips into Durock over plywood. Also for the cable type, a self-leveling type of concrete like Thermafloor or Gypcrete (also by Maxxon) is recommended unless you are good with a trowel.