Underfloor heating electric which one to choose. Which thermostat to choose for underfloor heating? Conventional underfloor heating or heating mat

A warm home is the dream of any owner. An efficient heating system of a private house or apartment will help to achieve the desired level of comfort. Until recently, living quarters were equipped only with radiator heating.

Oil-filled electric radiators were used as an alternative heat source. They are flammable and spend a lot of electrical energy for their work. Oil radiators, and sometimes stationary water heating, were replaced by underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating is a system of primary or secondary heating by means of electric cables or pipes with hot water. They are laid, and then sealed with a cement-sand screed. Both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages. Which underfloor heating is better to choose?

A water heated floor consists of hot water pipes connected into one system and connected to a heating plant or a gas boiler. This heating method is often used as the main one for large rooms. It is not suitable for living rooms with an area of ​​​​less than 20-25 m 2.

Its installation in multi-storey buildings residential buildings associated with technical and economic problems. Any leak in the pipes can lead to flooding of the neighbors below and the dismantling of the entire flooring in the room. Also, an additional load on the general house heating network can lead to a decrease in the average temperature of the coolant in the riser or house.

Electric floors are more in demand. For apartments, this is the only way of additional heating.

electric floor

It consists of heating cables or mats laid under a "wet" or "dry" coating. The electric floor is connected to the common house power grid.

Advantages

Electric underfloor heating has a number of advantages that distinguish them favorably:

• The principle of convection of warm air. With radiator heating, the heated air is unevenly distributed throughout the room. Batteries have a peak temperature of +60-65°C. At the bottom of the room, it decreases to + 18-20 ° C, and on the ceiling it rises to + 25-30 ° C. When a room is heated with electricity, the air is evenly distributed. At the surface, its temperature is + 25-30 ° С. Rising to the ceiling, it decreases to + 18-20 ° С. This achieves the main principle of a comfortable indoor microclimate - a warm floor and a cool ceiling.
• Zoning. If the floor heating is electric, then you can create several separate areas for heating the room. This is important for the arrangement of comfortable places of rest. The intensity of heating is regulated by the number of heating elements laid on 1m 2 of the surface.

The apartments have radiator heating. Its power must be taken into account when calculating thermal zones.

• Versatility. Electric heating is suitable for installation both in apartments of multi-storey buildings and in cottages.
• The calculation of power is reduced to the summation of the cost of electricity.
• Floor load. The electric floor is laid under a thin layer of cement-sand screed or under GVL boards. Water - requires significant concrete flooring, which can overload the floors.
• Speed. Installation work installation of a heating system takes less time than a water system.
• Safety. The probability of an emergency when operating a floor with electric heating is much lower than that of a water one.
• Programmability. With the help of remote and stationary control devices, the system operation can be set to an economical mode: active heating at night or on a weekend; an on timer that starts the system a few hours before the arrival of the owners. These options will help integrate underfloor heating into the smart home concept.

• Profitability. controversial option. With improper and illiterate operation, a warm floor will require a lot of electricity to work. Savings can be achieved if the system is configured correctly.

Choosing a warm floor with electric heating begins with a consideration of two parameters:

• power;
• type of heating element.

Power

This is an important parameter for answering the question of how to choose a warm floor. If there is not enough power, then the room will begin to freeze, “dead” cold zones will appear. If there is an excess of heating, then there will be excess heat, and the cost of electrical energy will increase. The number of heating elements per 1 m 2 of the room depends on several parameters:

• climate zone. The specifics of the calculation of all heating systems of residential buildings depend on it. Any territory belongs to its own climatic zone. From this parameter, the power is calculated.
• Rose of Wind. It indicates which side of the world the windows face.
• The thickness and material of the walls, floor and roof of the building. At building materials is the thermal conductivity. It calculates the heat loss of the entire structure. This parameter determines which electric underfloor heating is best suited.
• Additional thermal insulation. The power is affected by the quality of the insulation of window frames and door frames, as well as the presence or absence of an additional layer of insulation on the outer walls of the building.
• Functional specifics of the room. Heating power varies in the bedroom and kitchen, hallway and loggia.
• Temperature. For residential premises, the normal temperature is + 19-23 ° С. Under it, a standard calculation is made, but some customers want a higher or lower temperature. This makes adjustments to the final value of the number of heating elements.

The method of carrying out a full-fledged heat engineering calculation requires special knowledge and takes a lot of time. In order to calculate and choose a warm floor at home, there are specialized programs. The initial data is driven into them: the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, the height of the ceilings, an additional layer of insulation and its thickness, the material of the enclosing structures and their thickness, the power of radiator heating, the number of windows in the room and their area.

There is a third way - to use the average values ​​of the number of kW required to heat 1 m 2 of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bdifferent rooms:

• Bathrooms (the only source of heat) - 0.13 kW / m 2;
• Living rooms (in addition to radiator heating) - 0.1-0.15 kW / m 2;
• Rooms without heating or basements - 0.13-0.18 kW / m 2;
• Heating of wooden floors - 0.06-0.08 kW / m 2;
• Floors without cement-sand screed (film floor heating) - 0.1-0.12 kW / m 2;
• Loggias and balconies (the only source of heating) - 0.13-0.18 kW / m 2;
• Floors filled with a thick concrete screed (the main source of heating) - 0.15-0.2 kW / m 2.

Heating element type

This is a fundamental parameter for the design of the entire system. Both the efficiency of heating the room and what material costs will be needed for installation depend on it. Electric underfloor heating according to the type of heating elements are divided into three groups:

• cable;
• heating mats;
• film (infrared).

Cable

This is a construction of heating wires, a heat-insulating substrate, a heat reflector, a screed or wooden flooring, a finishing coating. Surface heating occurs due to the release of thermal energy from the passage of electric current through a metal conductor.

The maximum heating temperature of the conductor is precisely calculated and must not exceed these values.

There are two types of electrical cables:

1. resistive. Resistive cable is the cheapest and simplest type of heating element, a good option for low-cost heating installations.

Resistive cable is simple and zonal:

• A simple cable is a conductor with one or two cores. Outside, it is protected by several layers of thermal insulation in a metal mesh. The average surface heating temperature is +60°C. The insulation protects it from heating up to +200°C.

The single core cable is sold in a fixed length. It is forbidden to connect two ends of different elements together, they will burn out. A simple cable is connected in a closed electrical system, i.e. the beginning and end of the heating element are at the same point. Two-core cables can be interconnected.

A simple cable for underfloor heating cannot be cut. It is designed for a certain length and power. If the integrity of the element is violated, the cable will fail, the entire heating system may burn out.

• Zone cable is a more expensive analogue of a simple heating element. It, depending on production needs, can be cut into small pieces. The zone cable is suitable for installation in small rooms. The heating temperature of its surface does not depend on the length of the section and is constant.

1. self-regulating. This is a temperature controlled cable. It maintains the temperature, regardless of external conditions. The self-regulating cable consists of two metal conductors in a plastic sheath. The veins are interconnected by special connections. When the cable heats up, the bonds are broken, and the temperature of the conductor drops to the standard value.

The heating temperature control cable can be cut into pieces. Its cost is higher than that of a conventional resistive heating element.

There are carbon self-regulating cables. Their cost makes them out of reach for most consumers.

Heating mats

This is a kind of cable systems where the heating elements are fixed on a fiberglass base. When attaching a conventional cable, it is difficult to maintain the same distance between the rows. Because of this, the heating of the surface may be uneven. Mats do not have this problem. They are easier to attach to the base of the floor, but otherwise the installation technologies do not differ.

Important! Mats are suitable for laying ceramic granite, which is attached to tile adhesive.

Film (infrared)

This is a different heating system. It is very different from the previous two. The infrared heat-insulated floor consists of a waterproofing film in which the heating element is soldered. There is an option where the film floor consists of a cable (rod). Both types are produced in rolls. How to choose an infrared warm floor?

According to the material from which the heating element is made, infrared floors are divided into:

• carbon;
• bimetallic.

Carbon fiber is made up of carbon fibre. It is sealed in lavsan film. It is a durable, wear-resistant and elastic material. They produce a more expensive version of the graphite-coated film. It gives the material strength and allows you to get the best infrared underfloor heating in its class.

Electric current is supplied to the carbon fiber through copper conductors. The system can only be connected to the electrical network in parallel.

Carbon heating film can be used for wall and ceiling heating.

Before you choose carbon underfloor heating, you need to know that they have a high cost. The graphite-coated option can only be afforded by rich people. Therefore, it is necessary to look for alternative options.

Bimetal infrared floors consist of a polyurethane film and copper conductors with an aluminum sheath. They have a ground wire. This makes adjustments to the technology of its installation.

The film floor cannot be laid under ceramic tiles. The copper reacts with the tile adhesive and oxidizes. The entire system may fail.

Finish coat

It is necessary to choose the right heating element for a specific type of finishing floor covering.

• Ceramic granite. For its installation, a rod, film or cable floor is suitable. The only negative is that the heat from the cable will go up and down at the same time. To avoid this, a heat-reflecting foil screen with insulation is placed between the concrete base and the rod heating. Energy is reflected and directed inside the room.
• Linoleum. A capricious material that, when heated, can swell, change color, and break apart. Therefore, the power of heating elements for linoleum is limited to 0.14-0.15 kW / m 2. Any film or weak cable floor is suitable for its installation.

With severe overheating, phenolic compounds harmful to the body are released from the surface of linoleum.

• Laminate. Does not respond well to sudden changes in temperature. Infrared film is an ideal option for installation under a laminate. Heating mats are also used. Installation does not take much time. A protective substrate is laid on the film and a laminate is laid. In case of failure of the heating system, the laminate is easily dismantled, the breakdown is corrected, and the coating is quickly restored.
• Carpet. Material that requires minimal heating. It is laid on a film infrared floor.

If you use an infrared floor as the main source of heating, you will need twice as much electricity as for cable heating. Therefore, the film floor is practically not used as the main source of heat.

After a power outage, a thick screed over an electric cable floor can heat a room with internal heat for several hours. The infrared floor will cool down in a few minutes.

What is more durable?

Underfloor heating and electrical components how to choose an option on long years? The service life of film and cable underfloor heating is approximately the same. First of all, it depends on the quality of the installation. If the floors were laid on an uneven, torn base, then over time the heating elements will fray, the system will fail.

Power surges adversely affect the life of electrical components. The more unstable the network, the sooner they can fail. The problem can be solved by installing stationary voltage stabilizers.

What is more reliable?

The infrared floor is stronger. It is more resistant to damage from mechanical stress. If the cable floor fails, the entire heating system will need to be replaced. At the infrared floor, only one faulty section needs to be changed.

Video: warm electric floors

The article has answers to the technical side of the question, which underfloor heating to choose. These tips should be followed when developing a plan for the main and additional heating of a room or apartment. Installation of the floor can be done independently, without resorting to help third parties. The main thing is to weigh everything and choose the most cost-effective option.

The rapid development of heating through floor heating in the room has led to the fact that over the past decade several varieties of underfloor heating systems have appeared, each of which has its own characteristics. characteristic features, advantages and specifics of operation.

To understand which warm floor is better and choose the most efficient (which one will be warmer, it is better to heat) and economical (which one consumes less electricity or gas), you need to consider all existing options and choose the optimal one, taking into account the basic requirements for the system.

Which warm floor is better - comparison of types

To simplify the comparison, you need to consider each type of sex and their distinctive features, advantages and disadvantages, and then compare key indicators in tabular form.

1 group - water heated floor

In this group, there is only one representative - the heating element is a pipe system through which the coolant (water) circulates.

Pros: 25% reduction in heating costs (compared to radiator), minimum expenses for installation, the ability to equip autonomous heating or connect to a central system;

Cons: complexity of design and temperature control, high screed, low maintainability, risk of flooding, the need to coordinate the project when connected to the central heating main, the need to equip a boiler room and purchase additional equipment, high operating costs.

Group 2 - electric floor heating

This group is represented by several types of floors, so you need to evaluate which electric floor heating is better already in the subgroups.

Subgroup - electric cable underfloor heating

Cable underfloor heating in a coil (in a bay, per meter)

Floor heating cable systems are quite popular among manufacturers. And many of them offer to buy a ready-made kit. Among the leaders in the market are Devi (Denmark), Caleo ( South Korea), Teplolux (Russia). The price for a set varies from 10,000 to 37,000 rubles. depending on the heating power, length and type of cable.

The packaging also affects the cost. There are options that include only the cable, regulator and sensor, and some even contain a tool for installation. You can reduce the acquisition cost if you complete the system separately. For example, the price of a DEVIflex cable (100 W) is 3,850 rubles / 10 m.p., a thermostat with a sensor will cost 6,670 rubles.

pros: relative cheapness, well suited for use under tiles;

Cons: the complexity of calculation and installation, the height of the room is reduced by 50-100 mm.

Cable underfloor heating in mats

It is advisable to choose this option for those who plan to carry out the installation themselves. The price on the example of Devimat is from 4,950 to 22,750 rubles. The cost is affected by the area of ​​the mat, its power, the type of heating cable used.

pros: thinner cable, ease of calculation, it is convenient to lay out the mats (the mesh on which the cable is attached can be cut) and mount, a constant distance between the turns of the cable is maintained, there is no need to fill the screed, due to the thickness of the warm floor, the ceiling height is reduced by 10-30 mm ;

Cons: higher cost of mats (by 25-30% compared to the cable system).

Subgroup - infrared floor heating

Despite the fact that the infrared floor is a kind of electric floor, it is advisable to put it in a separate group, since the infrared floor has a number of characteristics that are not characteristic of electric cable floors. Key Feature infrared warm floor is that it does not create electromagnetic waves, which is characteristic of the two previous options. It also has two varieties, which makes it necessary to find out which infrared floor heating is better to choose.

Which warm electric floor is better? You can choose the best option based on a comparison of designs, materials and data on the heat transfer of each type of "warm floor".

We will talk about the types of floor "heat emitters" and how they are mounted in residential premises.

"Warm floors" can be classified according to the order of appearance and the degree of prevalence:

1. Cable.
2. Heating mats.
3. Film.

How to choose an electric underfloor heating in terms of power will be prompted by calculations depending on the installation conditions: the deeper the heating element lies in the thickness of the floor covering, the more heat it should emit.

Especially if the floor is on the first floor, and there are no heated rooms below. A properly arranged "warm floor" should raise the temperature to 26-27 degrees at the level of an adult's head (while the floor temperature can reach 33-36 degrees).

A warm electric floor for tiles can be selected based on the quality and heat resistance of the ceramic material. " Fake diamond» is quite demanding on the conditions of thermal expansion.

The tile may begin to lag behind the mortar or adhesive if the temperature changes are too sudden.

What is a "heating cable"? This is an electrically conductive design based on the principle of heating resistance. Ordinary wire conducts electricity with minimal resistance, but still heats up a few degrees.

The heating cable has a higher resistance: it conducts current, but is designed for heating of several tens of degrees. It's like a heating element made of nichrome: the greater the resistance of the metal to the passing current, the higher its temperature.

Cables differ in device into two main types:

• resistive;
• self-regulating.

Resistive cables, in turn, are divided into two subtypes: "simply resistive" and zonal.

Simple resistive cables are a single-core or two-core construction of a metal conductor protected by several layers of heat-resistant insulation and "armor" of metal mesh and foil.

Insulation made of cross-linked polyethylene or heat-resistant PVC plastic is designed for temperatures above 200 degrees, but the cable heats up no higher than 80 (and this is the hottest cable), and on average - 60-70 degrees. The armor protects against mechanical damage, and the foil is needed to reduce the electromagnetic radiation of the cable.

The length of the conductor is designed for a certain amount of heat that it releases at the appropriate voltage. That is why it is strictly forbidden to cut the cable - it will simply burn out.

A single-core cable is laid in such a way that the beginning and end are at the same point and are connected to a power source.

A two-core heating cable, which is distinguished by the presence of a second, power or "cold" core, can be laid without this calculation. Just at the end of the cable, the cores are connected.

Zonal heating cables are more complex in design and more expensive, but they can be cut into small enough sizes (from 1.5-2 meters or more) to be laid in small rooms. Whatever the size of the section, the power and heating temperature of the cable will not change (for this they are called "cables of constant power").

A self-regulating cable is able to independently maintain the heating temperature at a certain level. This ability is "programmed" in the material of which the "heating element" consists - a conductive polymer matrix.

Two metal strands - conductors are immersed in a polymer, inside which there are conductive connections - "tracks". When heated above the permissible limit, the plastic expands, some of these bonds break, the temperature of the plastic drops, and it “shrinks” again. Thus, the number of heating "paths" remains at a constant level.

The cost of a self-regulating cable is two to two and a half times higher than a conventional single-core cable, but some consumers consider it the safest type of cable for underfloor heating.

A very special type of cable is carbon fiber. This is not so new (more than 15 years on the market) invention of the Japanese industry based on the ability of a carbon fiber to create infrared radiation.

Fine thread, spun from carbon microfiber, packed in durable heat-resistant silicone. The burning temperature of the fiber is 1600, but the maximum temperature to which the cable is heated does not exceed 85 degrees. Both carbon fiber and silicone are very flexible materials. This cable can be laid under wooden floors.

Installation of cable systems "warm floor"

Cable systems are mounted in concrete floors under mortar or cement screed. The cable is perfectly protected from moisture penetration by triple insulation and can withstand high mechanical loads, so the internal stresses of concrete are not afraid of it.

The optimal cable laying depth is from 2.5 to 4 cm from the surface. The total thickness of the screed must be at least 4 and not more than 8 cm.

The cable laying technology resembles a “layer cake”: the first layer of the screed levels the floor, the cable is laid (there should be a distance of 7 to 11 cm between the “waves” of the cable), the second layer is laid on top of the cable and leveled. The time for complete solidification of the solution is up to 28 days.

The first layer must cure for at least a week before laying out the cables.

There are particularly safe cables that can be laid under wooden floors. The lower (rough) floor is covered with logs, between which the cable is laid and fastened with brackets. The finished wooden floor is laid on the logs in the usual manner.

Heating mats

The lack of cable systems in fastening the wired part to the floor surface (the first layer of the screed) and maintaining a clearly maintained distance between adjacent "waves" was eliminated with the invention of heating mats.

The base on which the cable is attached (fiberglass mesh) does not change its properties when heated. Evenly sewn cable waves and clear boundaries make it possible to lay mats in a strictly limited area.

You can cut the mesh to lay it at a certain angle, but you can not cut the conductor (the mat is designed for a certain power along the length of the cable).

The technology of laying mats does not differ from laying the cable system, except that there are fewer problems with fastening the mat to the first layer of the screed. Manufacturers began to stick adhesive tape to the mats so that the mat would better hold during installation by the screed during pouring.

Film floor heating

Film heating elements belong to the emitters of the infrared (thermal) spectrum. Carbon tracks - emitters and metal tracks - conductors are soldered between two plastic sheets. The heater power depends on the type (width and thickness) of carbon conductors: 150 W/sq.m., 220 W/sq.m., 400 W/sq.m.

The first type (150 W) creates heating of the surface directly above the film to a temperature of +45, the second - up to +60, the third - up to +80.

The film of the first type can be laid under a thin laminate, carpet without adhesives. A medium power film warms up a wooden floor or thin ceramics well.

The most powerful heaters can be used as a thermal buffer in ceilings above cold rooms. Film heaters can be poured into the screed if the junctions of the power wires with electrically conductive paths are well insulated (located at the edges of the sheets).

When choosing electric underfloor heating, do not forget about related equipment - thermostats. A high-quality thermostat and air and floor temperature sensors will save up to 30% of electricity (a programmable thermostat will not only maintain a certain level of heat, but also change it during the day).

And remember that the "warm floor" system should cover at least 40% of the area of ​​​​a separate room. And in this area there should not be objects under which there is no air ventilation: cabinets, sofas, armchairs.

Video on how to choose a warm electric floor

More recently, manufacturers of underfloor heating offered their customers only two options that did not have a fundamental difference, but differed only in the features of the premises in which they were installed. But progress does not stand still, and today you can find a lot of proposals for the installation of electric infrared floors. Their advertising promises comfort, warmth and safety, but are they so different from their predecessors, and which is better - electric underfloor heating or infrared?

A fairly affordable and already tried by many people around the world way of heating a room. The design of such a warm floor is quite simple and consists of three components: a heating cable, a thermostat and a temperature sensor.

Heating elements, in turn, are single-core and twin-core. By and large, they do not differ in anything, except for the laying scheme. So, two-core cables must be connected to the electrical network only from one end, and single-core cables from both. Due to savings on sockets, two-core cables are considered more convenient, profitable and cost a little more.

Typically, the cable is laid in a spiral or zigzag pattern. Its diameter depends on the type of screed that you will make at home. For a thick screed, a cable of the appropriate diameter is selected, and for a thinner one (5-15 mm), a thinner one is suitable. The diameter of the underfloor heating cable can vary from 2 to 10 mm. Power, regardless of thickness, is almost always the same and amounts to 5-20 W per linear meter.

Why, then, warm floors are called "matte"? The fact is that the cable can have a different shape. There is a product in the form of a familiar wire, and there are so-called "mats". They are a mesh base with a cable attached to it. Thus, something like a single warm canvas is obtained. This type is more popular because "mats" guarantee uniform distribution heat throughout the floor.

But if the cable diameter can be matched to the thickness of the screed, then only thin wires are used for meshes, so “matte” warm floors are only suitable for thin screeds up to 15 mm.

The advantage of heating cables is that they can be installed under almost all types of coatings. Today in hardware stores you can even find self-leveling mixtures specifically for underfloor heating. But in order to guarantee fire safety, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the instructions during the laying of the coating. It is also worth considering that if you put a coating with excellent thermal insulation properties on top of warm floors, for example, a thick woolen carpet, then there will be little point in heating. When buying linoleum or laminate flooring, ask the seller or look at the manufacturer's label - it should indicate that the product is suitable for electric underfloor heating.

infrared floors

A novelty in the world of heating devices, which has already managed to prove itself in the best way. However, let's take a closer look and find out why infrared electric floors are rapidly replacing their predecessors from the market.

The main argument of manufacturers in favor of such innovative floors is their beneficial effect on human body. Let's not argue, it makes sense. Medical research has proven long ago that infrared radiation is beneficial to humans and can cure many diseases. It is actively used for physiotherapeutic purposes in clinics around the world. But infrared heat loses all meaning if it is blocked, for example, with ordinary linoleum, laminate or ceramic tiles. Therefore, before installing a film infrared electric floor, find out if it will be “friendly” with the future topcoat or screed. Unfortunately, this is more difficult to do than it might seem at first glance, because no manufacturer of infrared floors can guarantee that useful radiation will break through this or that coating and will bring this very benefit. Heat - as much as you like, but they try not to talk about the healing effect. Therefore, all the convincing arguments that sound in advertising are nothing more than a successful marketing ploy.

In the video, the infrared electric floor is presented in the best light and is positioned as the most best system heating of the latest generation. Yes, it is more convenient and more efficient than conventional batteries, but it is not a “miraculous” cure for all diseases caused by cold.

Advantages of infrared floors:

• low energy consumption - electric infrared floors consume much less electricity compared to cable ones. This is due to the absence of a screed over the film, and therefore the absence of heat loss;
• simple installation and replacement - if part of the film is out of order, it can be easily replaced without removing the entire coating. Since the heating elements are connected in parallel, the failed segment can be easily removed. However, it is these connections of the elements that are most at risk of breakage. Installation of the floor is carried out in just 2-4 hours, depending on the area of ​​​​the room;
• the price of an infrared electric floor is not much higher than that of a cable one. And even more so, it will be cheaper to install just such compact floors than to spend money on a convection heating system;
• infrared floor - the best solution for those cases when it is not possible to increase the height of the floor with a screed;
• the nature of infrared long-wave radiation is such that it heats not the air in the room, but the living objects that are in it. With such a system, the air in the room will not be musty or “heavy” due to temperature, and at the same time you will always be warm and comfortable;
• infrared heat does not dry out the air and does not provoke dust circulation, contributing to the formation of a clean and comfortable microclimate;
• environmentally friendly way of heating. Infrared thermal film is absolutely safe for human health, and even when heated, it does not emit toxic fumes;
• versatility of application. Infrared floors can be installed in any room. They are suitable not only for the bedroom and nursery, but even for the kitchen and bathroom;
• possibility of vertical installation. Thermal film is very flexible and lightweight, so it can be safely attached to walls and even ceilings.

There are not so many disadvantages of infrared floors. If you are not embarrassed by the price and installation features for certain coatings, the main thing to remember is that thermal film cannot be laid under furniture with low legs, such as chests of drawers or sofas. Otherwise, local overheating will occur under the furniture, and this segment of the infrared floor will quickly fail. Therefore, if you have such heating at home, then you need to plan everything very well before making a rearrangement.

Which floors are best

We've looked at electric and infrared floor heating, and now it's time to determine which one is better?

Cable floors are best laid in the bathroom, nursery or on the balcony, because they are better waterproofing than infrared. In addition, tiles, ceramics or screed can be laid on top of them.

The connections of the elements of the infrared warm floor are very unreliable and often fail, while the cable electric floor is a solid cable. The only thing weakness it has a clutch.

The price of a warm electric and infrared floor is not so different. Again, it all depends on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, the diameter of the cable and the cost of the services of the master.

Film infrared electric underfloor heating heats the objects in the room, but not the air. A cable underfloor heating, like conventional batteries, warms up the cold air below, and then elementary physics goes on - the air rises higher and higher as it heats up, and as a result you get a warm atmosphere under the ceiling, but not in your comfort zone.

Summing up, one could say that the score is a draw, but there is always some “But”. Infrared floors would definitely outperform electric in 5 years. The current level of production still does not allow the full potential of this ingenious invention, but over time it will still become convenient, compact and one of the best options for heating a house.

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Home heating with underfloor heating is becoming incredibly common, gradually replacing radiators and other traditional sources of heat. Manufacturers invent new and better systems, use new technologies to reduce costs and increase efficiency. That is why every consumer faces a dilemma, which one to choose an electric underfloor heating with such a variety?

• film;
• cable;
• heating mats;
• infrared.

Let's take a closer look at each of these systems.

Floor heating can be electric or water. The first option deserves maximum attention, because it evenly warms up the room, regardless of the location of interior items, does not create difficulties during installation and does not cause trouble in operation.

Varieties of systems

It will be difficult for a person unfamiliar with the heating system to understand and decide which electric floor is better to choose, so you should get information on each type of heating technology in more detail before making your choice.

Electric heated floors are divided into 2 subspecies:

• Infrared floors, which are a system that radiates heat. Heating is carried out according to the principle of lighting the room with warm rays.
• Convection devices - floors where heating occurs directly on the heating element, and from it the heat goes to the screed and finish coat.

Nowadays, the choice of the buyer is provided with a large number of options for underfloor heating, depending on the variety chosen, the way it is laid also changes.

heating cable

The principle of operation is the conversion of electricity into heat. If the owner of the house is puzzled which one to choose for a warm electric floor under the tile, it is worth considering first of all the heating cable, which is extremely easy to lay. By design features it is not much different from a regular cable.

Mounted in a screed with a thickness of not less than 2 centimeters.

Given that this is a convection heating system, it is strictly forbidden to use it with a laminate.

This device will be the best option for combining it with tiles. As a result of the use of screed and tiles, heat accumulates, maintaining the temperature in the room for a long time, so after heating the device can be turned off for a while. Therefore, when deciding which electric underfloor heating to choose for tiles, you can leave your choice on the heating cable. And in the photo you can see the styling options.

Heating sections

Electric mats can be convection or infrared, they are produced in rolls, they do not require a thick screed in the process, which is very convenient for the laying process. Convection mats work on the same principle as a heating cable, respectively, they cannot be used under a laminate.

If you intend to choose electric underfloor heating under the laminate, then it is better to give preference to infrared heating systems. The heating elements in them are special rods, the ends of which are connected to the wires on both sides and placed parallel to each other.

Heating sections have become in demand in the market due to the special qualities of the rods, which provide the right air temperature where it is required. This type the floor is mounted without taking into account the placement of furniture, which distinguishes it from previous designs.

In fact, a warm floor is an infrared device, the main advantage of which is its thickness of only 0.5 mm. The disadvantage is that the structure must be isolated from moisture, so wet laying of the floor is excluded. Such electric underfloor heating is chosen for laminate or parquet. A film product is an economical option; it heats up only when it is plugged into the network.

Benefits of underfloor heating

Which underfloor heating to choose water or electric is a question that worries those who decide to increase the comfort in their home. If we talk about the advantages, then for electrical structures they are undeniable:

• Easy to install - although a tie is required for installation, it will be easy to make. IR warm floors and thermomats do not require a screed at all, it will be enough just to lay the heating elements directly under the coating.
• Electric systems guarantee high-quality heating, while at water floors, as heat moves and transfers, the water cools down. The amount of heat has its own norms, this makes it possible to calculate the power of the cables used as accurately as possible.
• With an unprofessional connection, water floors have a risk of leakage and flooding of neighbors, the owners of electrical structures are spared this trouble. In the event of a problem with the electrical system, it will be easier to fix it, since it will be much easier to get to the cable than to the pipeline.

Which underfloor heating to choose - electric or infrared - each owner must decide on his own, based on his financial capabilities, the design features of the floor and the finish flooring used.

The choice of a type of underfloor heating primarily depends on the thickness of the screed, as well as on what finishing materials will be used - tiles, laminate, parquet, etc. Each type of heating has its own positive qualities and some disadvantages, so each consumer must make a choice in favor of one or another material. Calculate required amount underfloor heating elements can be used using the tables of manufacturers, as well as with the help of specialists. All work on the installation of underfloor heating should be entrusted to craftsmen with a certain qualification.

If you still have questions, experts will explain in more detail what is the advantage of a particular system.