Underfloor Heating

FAQs - Electric Underfloor Heating

Underfloor Heating FAQs 

General

Cable Kits & Cable Mats

Carbon Film Heating

General

Will electric underfloor heating also warm my room as well as my floor?
Yes.  Underfloor heating turns the whole heated floor area in to a radiator and, heating the room by both radiation and convection.

In a space built/upgraded to modern standards underfloor heating requires approximately 15% less energy to achieve the same level of comfort experienced using conventional radiator based heating systems.  Older buildings, may be subject to greater heat loss which will have a negative impact on the efficiency of any heating system.  It is possible to calculate the U value of your room/house which is a measure of your house’s efficiency – please call if you need further advice.

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Will electric underfloor heating provide enough heat for my conservatory?
With a good level of quality floor insulation and the correct Cable Mat, Cable Kit or In-screed cable, an acceptable level heating output should be achievable to provide the desired room temperature.

Since the majority of conservatories do not have to pass building regulation U Values, depending on the type of glass and structure used, supplementary heating may be necessary for odd occasions like cold winter nights.

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How quickly can I expect a tiled floor fitted with CozyHeat’s Varme Cable Mats or Kits to warm-up?
Providing that there is an adequate layer of high quality insulation you can expect initial warm up times of 15-20 minutes.

There are a number of significant factors that affect warm up-time, an efficiency of the insulation barrier below the cable/mat, the construction of the sub-floor upon which it sits and the heat conducting properties of the tiles used, drafts etc.  If you live in an older property you may wish to consider parallel improvements in these areas to maximize the efficiency of your underfloor heating system.

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Can the temperature of floor heating systems be adjusted?
Each of our underfloor heating kit we sell includes a digital thermostat  that can be programmed to meet your lifestyle needs.

Power is provided to the underfloor heating system via the thermostat, which uses a floor sensor to monitor floor temperature and maintain it within 1°C of the temperature set.  All thermostats have 4 on/off settings within any 24 hour period, allowing complete control of the floor heating to suit your lifestyle and come with a 5 year manufacturer's guarantee.

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Do I need to be an expert to install the under floor heating system?
All CozyHeat systems come with a comprehensive set of installation instructions; the majority of small to medium size underfloor heating projects can easily be installed on a DIY basis. 

Generally your electric underfloor heating system will be connected to the mains electric supply via an RCD and fused spur, we recommend that a qualified electrician be consulted to advise and connect the heating system to the electric supply.

Do I need an qualified electrician to connect the under floor heating system to mains electrical power?
In accordance with current Part P domestic electrical connections, we strongly recommend a fully qualified electrician check out your electrical underfloor heating system and to advise accordingly.

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What additional height will CozyHeat underfloor heating add to my floor?
In most cases (where additional insulation is not required) you can expect to increase floor height by 3 mm, the diameter of heating cable.

Can I install the CozyHeat underfloor heating systems without insulation?
Yes this is entirely possible but the laws of science state that heat will always be attracted towards cold: heat energy will dissipate into the sub-floor, requiring more heat energy to bring the heated floor up to temperature.

If no insulation can be accomodated due to the additional floor makeup, then it is recommended that the CozyHeat High Output 200 heating mat is selected.

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Are CozyHeat  products guaranteed?              
All CozyHeat underfloor heating systems come with a lifetime manufacturer's guarantee. Although our Thermostats come with a 5 year warranty.

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Cable Kits and Cable Mats

What is electric underfloor heating cable?
CozyHeat’s Varme electric underfloor heating cables are manufactured from copper, with twin heating conductors in Teflon insulation.  The cores are protected by a layer of Kevlar to prevent stretching, this is then wrapped in tinned copper earth braid shield before being finished off with a PVC outer protective jacket.

The end result is a flexible, waterproof cable just 3mm in diameter.  The cable is resilient to damage and should last as long as your house.

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What is the difference between laying a single cable and a heating mat?
Our 150W  heating cables come either on a drum (cable kit) or pre-attached to a 50cm wide fiberglass mat (Cable Mat).   Both systems are designed for use over both concrete and wood sub-floors.

Cable Kits – These products allows you to make as much use as possible of the restricted floor space, such as in a bathroom, or where the room is an irregular complicated shape.  By laying the cable yourself you can vary the distance between each cable and therefore vary the heat output achieved.

Cable Mats – These products take the proven technology of the Varme heating cables and pre-attach them to a fiberglass mesh mat.  Mats allow easy and rapid coverage of open floor areas; mat can be cut and cable can be removed from the mat in small areas to avoid obstructions UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE VARME HEATING CABLE BE CUT.

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When would I choose to use a Cable kit rather than a Cable Mat kit?
If the room to be heated has an irregular shape (ie alcoves, chimneys and niches etc) it may not be possible to get sufficient mat coverage to provide the energy output required.  Typical examples are kitchens and bathrooms where cabinets and utilities take up floor area, but some old houses raise similar problems.

If you have any doubt please gives us a call and we will advise which is the most appropriate for your installation.

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When would I choose to use a Cable Mat kit rather than a Cable kit?
For larger, more regular areas professionals choose Varme Cable Mat kits because time-is-money and cable mats are much faster and simpler to lay; we would strongly advise that you do likewise.

CozyHeat’s Varme heating mats consist of a single cable pre-attached on to a glass fibre mat backing with a factory set spacing to achieve a consistent output of either 150 or 200 W/m².  It is possible that your particular installation requires special consideration, ie limited insulation or you want more heat than the standard  Cable Mat spacing will provide – if this is the case give us a call and we will suggest a solution tailored to your needs.

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I have a large area to heat, can I still use Cable or Cable mats?
For larger installations, greater than 23 m², we would recommend a combination of 2 or more underfloor heating mats or cables wired in parallel up to a maximum of 3,450 watts or 15 amps.

Alternatively, for areas in excess of the above or where only a single thermostat is required for large areas, a switch  contactor can be used; this will control up to a maximum of 22K/w (22,000 watts) of heating mats/cables or 96 amps loading.  We have lots of experience on larger installations and would normally recommend a bespoke solution so please call if you require advice.

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Can under floor heating cables be reduced in length if too long?
Under no circumstances should underfloor heating cables be cut or reduced in length.
If using a Cable Kit, the spacing between cable runs can be altered to make maximum use of the cable provided.  Note that to achieve 150 W/m², cable spacing will be around 65mm , this can be adjusted down to a minimum of 50mm between runs producing approximately 200 W/m².

We will be pleased to advise you what length cable to buy.

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What is the CozyHeat’s Varme Mat 150 Standard Output heating mat?
CozyHeat’s Varme 150 heating cables are pre-attached to a 50 cm wide fiberglass mesh mat backing at a predetermined cable separation to produce a power output of  150W/m².  (The Mat system simplifies and speeds up the fitting process – ideal for regular shaped rooms.)

150W/m² is designed to meet the requirements of the majority of internal heating installations.

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What is the CozyHeat’s Varme Mat  200 High Output heating mat?
CozyHeat’s Varme 150 heating cables are pre-attached to a 50 cm wide fiberglass mesh mat backing with a reduced cable separation to produce a higher power output of  200W/m².  (Again, the Mat system simplifies and speeds up the fitting process – ideal for regular shaped rooms.)

200W/m² is designed to meet the requirements of areas subject to greater heat loss, such as a conservatory, or where physical difficulties prevent the installation of appropriate thermal insulation.

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What is the advantage of the 200 watts/m² heating mat?
CozyHeat’s Varme 200 heating mats should be used in primary heating applications likely to suffer from high levels of heat loss, ie conservatories, or where there is a physical restriction to fitting appropriate levels of thermal insulation.  It may also be used where a higher ambient temperature is required such as a paint workshop, exotic plant house etc.

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What can I do if the CozyHeat cable heating mat I’ve ordered is too long?
As a rule of thumb, a correctly sized Cable Mat will cover approximately 85% of the available floor area.  If the size of the room has been ascertained correctly you should have no problem but if in doubt any we always advise that you test fit your cable mat (without cutting the mat) before finally fixing it in place; provided you have not cut any part of the heating mat we will give you a full refund against a smaller heating mat.

Cable Mats come with detailed instructions, but if you need further assistance please call us and we will advise.
Please remember, if in doubt ask before you cut!

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How do I connect the CozyHeat cable heating mats to the household power supply?
For most domestic installations (ie systems producing up to 3,450 watts or drawing less than 15 amps) is highly recommended that you connect your under floor cable heating system via a fused spur  thus allowing the heating system to be isolated for future maintenance. The power supply should be via an RCD (Residual Current Detector) safety contact breaker to the thermostat, a qualified electrician will be able to advise you.

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Can I lay under floor CozyHeat cable heating mats under wood laminate flooring?
This is possible but an extra step is required. All underfloor heating cables require fully encapsulating, the application of a flexible leveling compound screed to a recommended depth of 6-7mm is necessary to cover the cable mat in preparation for laying the laminate flooring.

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What happens if the space on the floor is not a rectangle and the cable mat will not exactly fit ?
Cable Mat can be cut across the width of the mat between the cable loops so that the mat can be bent round to provide e.g. an "L" shape or a parallel run. Instructions provided detail of how to deal with common obstacles.

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Do I need to use a special tile adhesive when tiling over a Cable Kit or Cable Mat system?
You should use a flexible floor tile adhesive to allow for any movement caused by heat expansion. You should also use a flexible grout.  Tile specialists and builders merchants should be able to provide suitable products.

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Can I tile directly on top of Cable s and Cable Mats?
If CozyHeat Cables and Cable Mats are secured to the floor, it is acceptable to tile directly on top. It is usual to cover Cables and Cable Mats with a thin layer of self leveling compound, this secures and protects cables and provides a superior surface for tiling.

Carbon Film Heating

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Can I use CozyHeat’s Carbon Film System under laminate or timber floors?
Yes, the Carbon system is laid out over a 6mm layer of Depron insulation which provides a insulation, protection from any protruding objects on the floor’s surface.  A moisture barrier is fitted over the carbon and the floating floor, laminate or timber is laid on top. We recommend that you use 2 layers of 6mm Depron on uninsulated floors.

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Can I lay a Carbon Film System on to concrete or timber sub-floors?
A carbon film system can be laid on to either. Use at least one layer of 6 mm  Depron between the subfloor and the Carbon film (2 layers if the sub-floor is  uninsulated).

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How do I work out the size/amount of Carbon film required?
Each Carbon film system is tailor made to make best use of your  available floor space.  We will require the dimensions of the room to be heated, the complete system will be shipped to complete with an installation plan.

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Can I use Carbon Film System under carpet or vinyl?
Yes, as for use with timber and laminate floorings, the Carbon system is laid out over a 6mm layer of Depron insulation which provides a insulation, protection from any protruding objects on the floor’s surface.

The Carbon Film System is then covered with a stable plywood layer (minimum 6 mm, recommended 12 mm of WPB), floating or fixed, the final cover in is laid.

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Can the carbon system be used below 'real' wood floors or just laminate/engineered wood?
Yes. And it has been fitted below thousands of sqm of such real wood floors over the last few years.  We have had no reported incidents of cracking, warping or other damage to the real wood floors.  3 points you should consider:

1. A 'floating' installation of the real wood floor is best (boards are glued/fixed together using the tongue & groove).
2. Carbon film secured onto battens at 400mm centre-centre spaces - please see our web page for details
3. Wood is a natural product and should be appropriately seasoned to ensure it is fully dried out before using for flooring. A good wood merchant should be able to advise on moisture content & suitability for use over underfloor heating.

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