problem with underfloor electric heating

[Phil22]

Hi, don’t know which product you have used, but as I understood it, electric under floor heating shouldn’t be relied on as a Primary heat source, as it is only intended to warm the floor and give it a comfortable floor temperature for walking on. (You may get better results out of it in upper floor situations, as the heat of the house naturally rises and helps warm up the upper floor better to start with, so there is less warming up to be done). So I would hate to think you are ripping out the flooring only to maybe get similar results again.
Any insulation under the mat will improve its performance sending more heat upwards, so if the customer cannot see that they are paying more to get the desired effect and more in the long run in wasted electricity (mainly warming up a concrete slab), then that’s up to them.
It’s a shame you’re picking up the tab for remodelling, especially if they’re expecting a toasty room/bathroom from the electric UFH
All the best!

 

[diamondtiling]

Hi Phil, UFH can be used as the primary source of heating in a room if installed correctly.
Running costs are relatively low if the correct insulation is installed from the outset.

 

[Phil22]

Hi diamondtiling, thanks for the update. I will stand corrected, especially if a room/building is properly insulated, but the information I provided is based on input I received when I attended a course with Devi, one of the leading manufacturers of electric UFH mats, who’s rep. kept reiterating their product was “Not a Primary heat source” and mentioned some customers disappointments when heat from them didn’t match expectation in heating the room they were installed in, as they had been installed as a primary heat source.
Devi’s literature states in small print “NB. The effectiveness of the heat output is dependent upon the heat loss of the room. Rooms with a high heat loss may require supplementary heating”.
Which I suppose could be said to some extent about any type of heating if your heat output can’t keep up with the heat loss of the room/building and even greater heat loss could be expected when installed onto a concrete substrate without any insulation.
So sorry if I confuse anyone by my comment, but it is based on sound information provided directly form a manufacturers rep through training on this type of product.
Thanks again[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

 

[daveaztec]

The manufacturer was warm up,followed their insallation manual to the dot,done my nut with warmup and their supplying me with new wire and probe,managed to get a good discount on the new tiles 60x 60 porcealain after explaining my plight to tilestyle manager,customer has offered to pay for insulating boards and half cost of tiles.all a bit of a sickener really cos the old floor was a slate mess all had to be taken up 6 freestanding appliances removed and put back plinths recut etc etc etc,done alot of work for these people last year so dont want to lose their or their friends / familys custom,not gonna lose money just not make any. will be in contact with warm up again to see about their spacing policy and insulating board recommendation/necessity

 

[Time's Ran Out]

We moved from Devi to Thermonet for the Primary source heating effect their mats provide. The concrete mats have a 200w output/metre and although heat will be lost into the room that's the idea!
From the original post I would have thought that any floor running at 28degrees with full coverage would be ideal!