DOs and DON’Ts for Indoor Electric Heating

Monday, August 29, 2022
dos and donts_sensor-connection

Electric Heating is an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly floor heating solution. You can use it for either newly constructed or renovated homes. Even though electric heating systems don’t require specific maintenance, we have put together a list of recommendations to consider when using our products.


In this document, the phrases: 
“heating element” refers to heating cables and heating mats; 
“EFH” refers to Electric Floor Heating.

Smart installer with mobile app DRS

  • Store the heating element in a dry place before the installation.
  • Refer to the local regulations and requirements for electric heating.
  • Check the heating element’s resistance (+/- 5%) and insulation resistance before, during and after the installation.
  • Select output according to calculated recommendation (linear and specific) based on floor, subfloor and heat loss calculation. You can find these recommendations in our Application Manual or Installation Guide.
  • Use floor sensors for all heating purposes and a thermostat to control the electric floor heating. When used together with a floor sensor, the thermostat regulates the floor temperature, keeping the surface temperature safe and comfortable. Please note that the floor sensor is mandatory to ensure that the floor construction doesn't get overheated.
  • Not cross heating elements and avoid direct contact between heating elements and sensors.
  • Avoid direct contact between thermal insulation and heating elements.
  • Ensure the correct C-C distance and respective distance between hot water pipes, cold spots, drains, etc. and the heating element. C-C distance is area [m²] / Cable length [m].
  • Consider installing temperature sensors where the temperature is representative. Floor/wire sensors should be installed in a conduit pipe.
  • Make sure that areas below furniture that is in direct contact with floor surface (i.e., not elevated from the floor) are not heated (cold spot).
  • Follow the connection diagrams from a certified installer when making all connections.
  • Communicate basic rules and safety recommendations on the electric heating system to your customers (or future users).

 

Watch this video to find out how to:

  • install an under tile electric heating system using a heating mat;
  • calculate the heated floor area;
  • find the right sensor location;
  • install the temperature sensor inside the conduit pipe; and
  • check the heating mat.
  • Overlook recommendations stated in our technical literature.
  • Cut the heating element (i.e., the heating cable inside the heating mat).
  • Step on the heating element during the installation.
  • Drill the flooring in places heated by a heating element.

Check some additional tips for comfort floor heating in this animation: Comfort floor heating with DEVIflex heating cables.

Smart installer with end user

 

  • Only use a professional installer to install electric heating.
  • Follow the safety recommendations.
  • Follow the temperature and operational recommendations according to the thermostat’s installation guide and application manual.
  • Make sure all furniture placed on the heated area is on legs (min. 5 cm).
  • Store documentation and potentially photo documentation of the whole electric underfloor heating system built.

Find out how to install electric heating mats under ceramic or wood flooring in this animation. DEVI - Installation of electric floor heating mats.

  • Perform electrotechnical work.
  • Drill the flooring in places heated by a heating element.
  • Cover heated surfaces with carpets, blankets or other thick and warm coverages for an extended period. This can block the thermal heating, which may cause the system to malfunction or even dangerous situations.

You can find all our recommendations in our Installation Guides

Installation Guides

Related products

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Heating Cables; } else if (isBigColumns) { Heating Cables } else { Heating Cables }
    Heating Cables

    Heating cables are used for a variety of applications, including indoor comfort floor heating and total heating both for small houses as well as large commercial buildings.
    Heating cables are mostly used in connection with new building or larger renovation projects.

     

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Heating mats; } else if (isBigColumns) { Heating mats } else { Heating mats }
    Heating Mats

    The heating mats are used for installation in a thin layer of tile adhesive, self-leveling mixture, or similar. The standard minimum thickness of the floor layer is 5-8 mm while the thickness of electric heating mat is 3–4.5 mm. This minimizes the floor level increase. Electric heating mats consist of a thin cable securely fixed on self-adhesive glass-fiber mesh, usually of 50 cm width. Thin heating mats are manufactured as ready-made heating sections with a specific area (i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5 … 12 m²) including a power supply cable (cold lead) and hermetically sealed connections.

Learning

Danfoss learning - online training free of charge

Visit our Learning Center

Danfoss offers online training materials for technicians and designers working with electric heating. There are 6 e-lessons available free and on-demand through Danfoss Learning portal. For more information, register in our support section by following the link or find the overview of available relevant trainings in the table below.