Infrared warm ceilings are systems that have built-in heating. The work is based on the principle of the propagation of thermal energy using infrared rays. Their action is aimed at heating solid surfaces, not air. This allows you to more rationally heat the room, creating a comfortable temperature for living in them.
Design Features Reviews
If you are interested in warm ceilings based on infrared film, then you should become more familiar with the design features. The heating elements in such systems are in the form of a polymer film, the thickness of which is equal to one micron. She is responsible for the distribution of infrared radiation.
According to customers, the film is coated with carbon paste, to which thin carbon fibers are fixed. Electrical contacts act as a rather important element of such a heater; they are made of copper foil. The film is protected on both sides by laminated polyester. The latter has electrical insulating fire-resistant properties. The radiation temperature can vary from 30 to 110 ° C, while the heater power does not exceed 500 watts.
Reviews on the principle of functioning of infrared ceiling systems
Users like that the design is quite thin, so it saves space. Warm ceilings work according to a certain principle. First, the material is heated to the state that is required for the propagation of thermal radiation. The next step is the transfer of heat to objects and structures in the room. From heated solid surfaces, radiation begins to emit, which is evenly distributed through the air. According to customers, as a result of the operation of the infrared heater, the temperature of the floor and ceiling become the same, which significantly reduces energy consumption.
Reviews of the main varieties of infrared ceiling heaters
Infrared ceiling films can be classified by radiation temperature and wavelength, they can be:
- low temperature;
- medium temperature;
- high temperature.
The first variety, as consumers emphasize, is a household system that heats in the range from 100 to 600 ° C, while infrared waves can have a length of from 5.6 to 100 microns. Medium temperature films can be heated in the range from 600 to 1000 ° C, while their wavelength varies from 2.5 to 5.6 microns. If we consider warm ceilings, then it is certainly worth highlighting also high-temperature films. Their temperature range is above 1000 ° C, while the wavelength is equal to the limit of 0.74 to 2.5 microns.
Buyers especially emphasize that each type of device requires a certain ceiling height. The first requires a room with ceilings up to 3 m, the second type requires ceiling heights ranging from 3 to 6 m, while the third type of ceilings can be installed in rooms where the walls have a height of more than 8 m.
DIY warm ceiling installation: installation methods
Warm infrared ceilings, reviews of which you could read above, can be installed in a closed way. This technology involves masking the film under the finish, the following materials can act as it:
- lining;
- plastic panels;
- hem structures;
- drywall.
If the installation is carried out in an open way, then such heating can be temporary or additional.
Technology of work
Warm ceilings, the reviews of which it is important to read before purchasing the product, must be installed in a certain order. To begin with, a plan is drawn up that will make it possible to understand by what scheme the film will be located. It is important to determine the area of the site on which it is planned to mount the system. If the heating will be basic, then the film area should be approximately 70% of the ceiling area.
The electrical wiring that will run along the surface should not be closer than 50 mm from the film. The wires should be separated by heat-insulating material, which will fill the hollow space of the ceiling. The master will have to calculate the power of the heating system, determine the power potential of the electric network and calculate the number of temperature controllers.
The current must be determined in order to select the cross section of the wire. These works are necessary to determine the suitability of electrical wiring for power loads. You will also need to select the appropriate temperature controller model. For example, if the cross-section of the wire is 1.5 mm 2 , the permissible current for the copper wire will be 16A. For aluminum, this value is 10A. For a cross section that is equivalent to 2.5 mm 2, the permissible current is 25A. If the cross section reaches 4 mm 2 , then the corresponding value is 32 A.
Methodology
The construction of a warm ceiling in the next step involves fixing on the surface of the insulation with a reflective layer, its thickness should be 5 mm. The insulation is strengthened taking into account the variety of the base, while to be used:
- furniture staples;
- screws;
- dowels.
The joints of the insulation plate or mats must be sealed with construction tape. The insulation layer should occupy 100% of the surface. The edges of the strips must be placed on the wall around the perimeter of the room by 15 mm. This will eliminate gaps at the joints through which cold can penetrate from the outside.
Specialist recommendations
Installation of a warm floor on the ceiling is carried out after preparing the right amount of film, which must be cut along the heating elements along the lines. The heating film has a certain cut length, this information can be obtained by reading the instructions. Electrical wires must be connected to conductive copper busbars using contact clips. Inside the heater is one half of the clip, while the other should be on the copper bus.
After making sure that the contact is reliable enough, it is necessary to insulate the cut line, which is located at the end of the heating film. Use for this should be bitumen tape. Following the calculations of the current strength, it is necessary to prepare wires with a cross section of 1.5 mm 2 or more. After stripping, the wire connects to the tip and is clamped with pliers.
The connection of the copper busbar and wire is accompanied by the use of a tip, as well as insulation with bitumen tape. Through the thermostat, the bands are connected to the network. The total maximum power of the thermal elements connected to the thermostat should not exceed its own power. If the load on the network is more impressive, you should connect the ceiling with separate wiring, which will have a circuit breaker. This approach involves connecting heating elements to a thermostat using a contactor.
Do-it-yourself installation of a warm ceiling "PLEN"
On sale you can find a warm ceiling "PLEN", the installation of which is usually done with your own hands. The film can be fixed to any surface, and the simplified technology is as follows. First you need to create a protective intermediate layer of insulation material. Thermal energy should be directed inward. To do this, it is recommended to use a material whose thermal resistance starts from 0.05 m 2 C / W.
The film warm ceiling "PLEN" can be fixed to the crate, its front side should be directed inside the room. To install, use:
- self-tapping screws;
- stapler;
- staples.
At the next stage, electrical work is carried out and the decorative layer is laid. Of great importance is the choice of installation location. Particular attention should be paid to the areas above the windows, doors and ventilation exits, because they act as the main constructs through which heat loss occurs. This is true if all other parts of the house are insulated quite well.
Before you insulate the ceiling, you can also consider a warm floor. By the way, the described systems are usually installed also on the floor. If we are talking about a warm ceiling, then climatic conditions must be taken into account. For example, under "PLEN" it is best to allocate an area ranging from 60 to 80% of the ceiling area. If the average annual temperature is below -7 ° C, then the area should be increased to 80% or more. If the first value does not fall below +3 ° C, then the film can be located on an area ranging from 50 to 60%.
Conclusion
In order to optimize the electrical wiring diagram, it is necessary to remember that the contact output should be directed towards the shield. Each sheet of warm ceiling has mounting fields or zones, they are necessary for fixing the system to the base. Experts do not recommend violating the integrity of the film outside these fields. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, before starting installation of the system, make sure that the heating elements are not damaged. Carry out these works with the help of a tester.