The modern heating equipment market offers a wide selection of systems that are energy efficient and efficient. One of the best options is underfloor heating. It can be electric or water. This is one of the new systems that is gradually replacing other types of heating equipment.
There is a certain technology how to install a warm floor. This procedure can be performed independently if desired. It is necessary to take into account a number of recommendations and rules for the installation and operation of such systems. In this case, the equipment will consume the minimum amount of energy.
System features
Each owner of a private property can install underfloor heating . There are many varieties of such systems. They differ in a number of characteristics. However, the heating principle unites such systems.
Regardless of the system chosen by the owner of the house or apartment, the heating element will be located at the base of the room. Therefore, the warmest part in the room will be the floor. From it, the heated air gradually rises, cools. The minimum temperature will be determined at the ceiling.
This type of heating is considered more efficient. Conventional convector or battery, on the contrary, provides more heating near the ceiling of the room. To create the required temperature below the premises, it will take more energy. Underfloor heating is energy efficient equipment.
Varieties
There are many varieties of systems that are located in the thickness of the base of the room. They are divided into two large groups. The first of them includes water heated floors. They are a system of pipes through which water flows or other special coolant (for example, non-freezing liquid). These communications are connected to the boiler.
The second category includes electric underfloor heating. It is a cable or other current conductor. There are a number of recommendations on how to properly install a warm floor. They must be taken into account before starting repair work.
The fact is that the presented varieties of heating equipment are designed for different rooms. For example, a water heated floor will be problematic to mount in an apartment. In this case, preference is given to electrical systems. In a private house, on the contrary, it will be more efficient to install a water heated floor. Although the electrical system in this case is also not prohibited to mount.
Water floor heating
In a private house, a cottage most often install a system of water underfloor heating. It includes a boiler, to which pipes are connected using special equipment. A coolant heated to a certain temperature circulates through them. How to install a water floor heating, there is a certain instruction.
The system power should be calculated correctly. Depending on the total area of the premises, a boiler is chosen. Its power should be enough to warm the home. The boiler can run on solid fuel (firewood, coal, pellets, etc.), gas or electricity. The choice depends on the features of tariffs and the ability to connect a particular energy source in a given area.
Each room has its own heating circuit. A pipe is connected to the boiler to supply and return the coolant. A liquid circulates inside, the temperature of which should not exceed 55 ° C. This process is regulated by a special comb. It determines which circuit to apply a new portion of hot water to.
The principle of the system
Before you consider how and where to install warm floors, you need to understand the principle of the system. Controls the heating of each comb circuit. The boiler heats a certain amount of water, which is fed into the pipes. The movement of the coolant is provided by the pump.
Water circulates in the circuit until its temperature drops below a level set by the user. This indicator captures the sensor, which is located in a three-way valve. When the time comes, the shutter will open. Heated water will enter the circuit again, mixed with an already cooled liquid.
When the temperature inside the system reaches the maximum permissible value set by the user, the three-way valve turns again. The flap closes. Regardless of the position of the damper, the pump provides continuous circulation of water.
Installation of water floor
Many owners of a private house are interested in how to properly install a water-type warm floor . It should be noted that this work is recommended to be entrusted to professionals. They will be able to provide safe quality installation.
First, the base of the floor must be properly insulated. To do this, use expanded polystyrene, expanded clay or other insulation materials of high hardness. Next, a waterproofing layer is laid on the insulation. With the help of special fastening plates, the pipe is laid out. To create heating circuits, special types of communications are used. Pipes can be laid out with a snake or in a spiral.
Next, lay the screed layer. It should be at least 5 cm. The wider the pipes were laid out, the more solution will need to be poured onto the base of the floor. Otherwise, the heating will occur unevenly. The “thermal zebra” effect appears. The boiler must be connected by the appropriate authorities and highly qualified specialists.
Electric underfloor heating
Some apartment owners are interested in whether it is possible to install a warm floor in such a dwelling. In this case, installing a water system will be quite problematic. It will be necessary to abandon centralized heating. Next, you need to get permission to install the boiler. In many apartments, design features do not allow the installation of such equipment. It is very expensive and problematic.
For residents of apartments, the use of electric wires for heating will be an acceptable option. The system consists of a core through which current flows. He quickly heats up the cable. Around the vein passes several different protective shells. They prevent damage to the heating core, allow you to evenly distribute heat on the surface of the floor.
Similar systems work from a normal household network. Many varieties of electric underfloor heating are on sale. They differ in the scope, installation features.
Varieties of electric underfloor heating
In the category of electric underfloor heating, three types of systems can be distinguished. The first group includes a cable whose thickness is about 7 mm in cross section. It must be mounted in a screed. This system can be mounted under tile, laminate, parquet, linoleum or thin carpet.
The second kind of electrical system is a thin cable. It has a thickness of about 3-3.5 mm. Such systems can be laid out on a special grid. It just needs to be rolled out and fixed with adhesive tape on the surface. Thin wire can also be supplied in the bay. It is laid out in the form of a snake by hand. Tile glue and tile are laid on top of a thin wire.
How to install an electric floor heating, there is a certain system. It should be noted that the installation in this case is simple. If you need to install a warm floor under such coatings as laminate, linoleum, you can give preference to the film. This is the easiest installation option for floor heating systems.
Temperature controller
The heating temperature of the electric underfloor heating is controlled by a special thermostat sensor. Without this device, the room would become very hot over time, and electricity would be spent inefficiently. Before you begin installing the system, you need to consider how to install a floor heating sensor. This is a simple procedure.
The temperature controller may have a sensor integrated in the housing. The device is installed at a height of at least 1 m from the floor. The sensor detects the air temperature in the room. If necessary, the device will turn off the power to the cable. When the temperature drops back to the set value, the thermostat will turn on the system.
Also on sale are devices that come with a remote sensor. It is laid in a special corrugated pipe, directly next to the warm floor. This method of measuring temperature is preferred. In some models of temperature controllers, an air and remote sensor are provided. In this case, the room is set to the most comfortable temperature, based on two indicators.
Cable tie installation
Manufacturers in the package of equipment for heating necessarily include detailed instructions on how to install a warm floor. There should be a distance of at least 5 cm and no more than 20 cm between cable turns. It is best to lay the wire in 10-12 cm increments. The choice depends on the heat loss in the room.
A layer of insulation (polystyrene foam 3 cm thick) is laid on the floor base. Waterproofing and a reinforcing mesh with cells of 100x100 mm are laid on it. A wire is laid to the grid using plastic clips. You need to choose a place to install the thermostat. From it make a strob on the wall. A corrugated pipe is placed in it, into which the sensor is inserted. It also fits between turns of wire. The base is poured with a screed of 3 cm with the addition of a plasticizer.
The wires from the sensor are connected to the thermostat. A cable for the warm floor and communications of the main network are also brought here.
Tile cable installation
There is a certain technique on how to install a warm floor under a tile. This mounting option is easier. You do not need to use a screed for this. The system can be operated already a week after installation. The cable that was embedded in the cable tie is turned on for the first time a month after installation.
The mat is rolled onto a clean, primed surface. In this case, it is not necessary to use insulation, especially if the apartment is not on the first floor. A thin wire is also laid out by a snake. The laying step is 7-10 cm.
Next, the sensor from the thermostat is installed in a similar manner. Only in this case, the strobe will have to be done not only in the wall, but also in the base of the floor. Next, tile is laid. A solution layer of 3-5 mm is applied to its surface. Installation of tiles is carried out in the usual way.
Film mounting
The easiest way is to install a film underfloor heating. However, it should be noted that this system can not be laid under the tile. In such conditions, the film will not work for a long time. Its insulation class is an order of magnitude lower than that of a wire. Therefore, it is recommended to mount the film under a laminate, linoleum or carpet.
The manufacturer in the instructions necessarily tells how to install a warm floor. You will need to purchase special insulation material. This can be a substrate for a laminate or other rolled insulation designed for flooring. Their thickness is 4-7 mm.
Recesses are cut out in appropriate places on the substrate for mounting a temperature sensor (in this case, without a corrugated pipe), as well as all the connecting elements of the film. When the film is laid out on the base, mount the coating without glue and mortar.
Having considered the question of how to install a warm floor, everyone can perform this procedure on their own.