Tag Archives: Heat concrete slab

HOTNEWS

Warmzone Slab Heating Cable

Warmzone’s In-Slab Floor Heating Cable is Tops in Efficiency

If you’re looking for a way to efficiently, effectively heat concrete floors, In-slab radiant heat cable is much less expensive than hydronic radiant heat and much more effective. Designed for installation in new concrete slab applications, this cable can heat a variety of surfaces quickly, from carpet to tile, hardwood and more.

By its very nature, in-slab heat systems require less upfront investment, are much easier to install and feature much quicker response times. Consider hydronic systems–they’ve been around the longest, and are definitely a reliable source of heat. However, these systems rely on a boiler and a network of pex tubing to heat concrete surfaces, making their installation and configuration much more labor and cash intensive. A boiler is also required to heat the water first, before pumping it through a series of pex tubes embedded in the concrete, resulting in a significant pause before the water is warm enough to generate any heat.

Radiant heated floor and roll of In-Slab floor heating cable

Conversely, In-slab radiant heat cables are controlled by a technologically advanced, easy-to-used thermostat with a built in GFCI and an in-floor sensor. And radiant heat cables do not share the same rigidity in design and installation as hydronic Pex tubing does. Extremely bendable, electric radiant heating cable can be bent to fit into tight spots and can be installed to fit the most challenging spaces. Once installed, a turn (or pre-programming) of the thermostat dial allows the system to generate heat within just a few minutes.

Durable, rugged and waterproof, In-slab heating cable is designed to work under a variety of surfaces, wet or dry. The cable produces 10-15 watts per square foot of concrete surface, making it equally perfect for small, custom, residential applications and large commercial jobs. Quick activation times and heat storage within the concrete slab also end up saving you money in the long run. The In-Slab heating system is one of the most efficient floor heating systems available.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, choosing electric radiant heat over a hydronic system can also save you some hand-wringing and a few bucks to boot. Laying out of series of Pex tubing for a hydronic system requires some serious planning and coordination as the pipes are assembled, connected and sealed. In addition to In-Slab heat cable that is provided on spools, floor heating cable is also available in easy-to-roll-out mats that can be installed directly under the flooring. Visit Warmzone’s ComfortTile floor heating web pages to learn more about this electric radiant heat cable that can be purchased right off of the spool or in pre-configured mats. It’s another industry leading floor heating solution that can be used to heat a variety of floor surfaces.

Contemplating an electric radiant floor heating system? Be sure to contact Warmzone for more information on the benefits of In-slab and ComfortTile radiant heat cable at 888.488.9276.

Warmzone’s Professional System Design Services are Second to None

Heated floors and heated driveways can take a very little time to coordinate and install with the right company behind you. Warmzone can take all of the guesswork out of your installation with one simple phone call, so you can get back to boating or barbecuing. What makes Warmzone your best bet for radiant heat installation? They offer a vast selection of premiere products at very competitive prices, along with deep industry knowledge, allowing them to quickly assess your needs to deliver the perfection radiant heat system for you.

Professional radiant heat system design

In addition to offering the highest quality radiant heat products, you’ll get unmatched customer service and complete design services. Unlike your typical big box one-size-fits-all solutions, Warmzone custom designs radiant heated driveways, heated floors, and roof deicing systems to ensure they meet each project’s specific needs. Warmzone understands that regardless of the quality of your system components, a radiant heating system is only as good as its installation. In addition to Warmzone’s personal installation support services, you’ll receive a computer-aided professional system design, giving you all of the specs, from power needs to performance expectations including load calculations, and breaker sizes.

Warmzone’s complementary engineering and design services have set the industry’s gold standard when it comes to accurate, professional system layouts. These technical drawings minimize any issues you may encounter by providing you with all the necessary information prior to any installation taking place. This saves you the time and helps to ensure that your system is installed correctly and performing as advertised.

No matter what your requirements, Warmzone has the experience and expertise to deliver whatever you dare to dream up, whether it be a basic design or custom patio, walkway and steps scribbled on a cocktail napkin over lunch. If you’re not sure what the best solution for your project is, Warmzone can show you the many custom options that are available and walk you through the process from conception to completion. With free quote services, they’re often a good place to start your research, and often the logical place most consumers return to after they’ve shopped around. Warmzone’s dedicated installation support personnel are available to assist you should you have any questions during the installation process. Warmzone also offers free installation training for installers. You won’t find a more dedicated, knowledgeable and helpful staff than that of Warmzone.

At Warmzone, competence and quality win the day, every time. For more information on Warmzone’s system design and engineering services, call888.488.9276.

HOTNEWS

Electrical Thermal Storage

What is ETS and Why You Should Care

Here’s another acronym that’s worth remembering – ETS. Learning about Electrical Thermal Storage (ETS) may help you save some coin. Who can turn that down right now? And let’s be honest, who would want too? Saving money is on everyone’s mind, and this may be one more chance to do just that. Electrical thermal storage is the term given to certain types of heating, specifically, electrical storage heating that stores heat during the nighttime hours, allowing radiant heat to slowly transfer throughout your home or commercial site without drawing electricity during peak hours.

Some utility companies have adapted their rates to reflect high usage hours. In a way they have copied the telecommunications industry that charges more for calls during peak hours and drops rates during the less trafficked times of the day. Electrical thermal storage heaters draw upon this concept, allowing you to use your heat during non-peak usage times, storing heat for use during the more expensive times of the day.

In-Slab heating cable installed in concrete

You would need to check with your utility company first to make sure they offer these price incentives. If they do (and many are starting to jump on this pricing band wagon) then you may be a candidate for ETS.

Once you establish the rate system of your electrical provider, you may find you could benefit from a radiant heat system that provides electrical storage heating when the rates are lower. While it is important to distinguish that you will not be saving energy with this system, it can save you money because you’ll be taking advantage of the lower rates.

Warmzone offers radiant heating systems compatible with electrical thermal storage. Specifically the In-Slab cable systems provide underfloor heating ideal for this time of money saving advantage. Warmzone’s radiant heating floor systems are an inexpensive system that will effectively warm your floors and heat your entire home or commercial building. When you install In-Slab radiant floor heat, you are given a maintenance-free operating system as well as the peace of mind that comes with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. Warmzone’s In-Slab heat cable is durable, high quality, and hassle free. The In-Slab floor heating systems can be installed to provide luxurious radiant floor heating to almost any type of floor surface. The technology associated with these heat cables make them ideal for electrical thermal storage heating because they are typically installed beneath a concrete or brick floor. While heat is building up, drawing upon your electricity you may use the system during less expensive times of the day. The radiant heat builds up and then once shut down during peak hours, slowly transfers throughout the day from all the heat stored in the slab.

It may not be for everyone, but ETS may be another way you can save money as you heat your home. Contact Warmzone to find out if you can benefit from a radiant heating system that would allow you to take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of electrical thermal storage. ETS – it might just become your favorite acronym.

Electric Radiant Floor Heat – Steps for Installing a Radiant Heated Floor

We all know about forced air heating systems, which use burners to fire up and heat the air and then a fan blows heated air throughout the home. For the most part, this works rather well. It is reasonably quick and for years it has been the standard method of heat for homeowners. So, you ask, what else is there? Well, surely you have heard of radiant heated floors. It’s a form of heating for the home that is becoming more and more popular as of late.

Installing electric radiant floor heating is not extremely difficult. Here are the basic steps to installing a heated floor. (Don’t worry, you can do this.) Let’s assume that you have arrived at the point where you can get started. After thoroughly cleaning the subfloor surface, lay out Reflect ground insulation over the area you plan to heat. A proven ground insulator such as Reflect will optimize the efficiency of your heated floor.

Radiant heated floor being installed in bathroom.

ComfortTile heating cable is available pre-spaced and woven into mats that can be easily rolled out, or individual cable that is laid out with the aid of spacing straps. Individual cable is best suited for custom shapes while the heated mats are ideal for quick layout of standard shapes.

Thinset can be applied directly over heat cable

(It would be a good idea to check the resistance of the wiring before proceeding.  The instructions will give you a range that it should fall within. Temperature can make a difference in the reading as well so keep that in mind.)

If you are installing over a wood subfloor (after applying ground insulation), staple the heating mat or cable spacer tabs to the floor in the desired layout. Be careful to avoid damaging the heat cable anywhere. Lay the cable out in such a way as to allow for the connection to the switch in the wall of course.

Once you have the heat cable laid out and fastened, you should consider pouring a leveling surface over the cable. Technically, you could simply apply thinset and then install your tile, but since the heat cable has a thickness of around 3/8th of an inch or so, it is advisable to pour a leveling surface. Quick Level does a good job of this. Use the adhesion liquid that is recommended. Follow the instructions for applying the liquid and then simply mix the Quick Level with water and then pour it over the entire floor.

Heated bathroom floor

Ensure that it spreads evenly and doesn’t form any lumps anywhere. Only pour to the top of the heat cable. The less you use the better. This will provide you with a clean flat surface to which you will adhere your floor surface.

Tile is a common surface since it conducts the heat very well. Reflect floor insulation is effective in preventing the heat from being lost, and the radiant properties of the tile further enhance the efficiency of the system. Once installed, the sensor embedded in the floor will automatically maintain the temperature you desire.

One of the big advantages to radiant floor heating systems is that you can heat only the rooms you are using. There is no need to heat the whole house. In that sense these floor heating systems are very efficient. The greatest advantage though is the enhanced comfort level you will enjoy. It is really true that when your feet are warm you feel warm and comfortable all over.

Press Releases

Warmzone Offers In-Slab Heating Cable for Indoor Radiant Floor Heating

April 15, 2008 – Making a good thing better, Warmzone is adding to its most popular line of radiant heat products to reach an even wider range of users and radiant heat applications. The In-Slab floor heating system is now available for indoor radiant heating in both residential and commercial settings.

The In-Slab floor heating system can be lower in cost than the popular CT system, making radiant heating accessible to more people for their building projects. The In-Slab heating cable and radiant heat system works best in new concrete construction and can be installed under any flooring in both wet and dry environments. In-Slab radiant heating cable offers great features such as: durability, energy efficiency, a 10-year manufacturer warranty, safety approved, and versatility for rooms or walkways of any size and shape.

The In-Slab system can be installed by any competent do-it-yourselfer, or by a preferred Warmzone installer in your area. (However, be sure to have a licensed electrician wire the system.) The In-Slab radiant heat system is controlled by a thermostat with a built-in GFCI and in-floor sensor. The thermostat also has a built-in clock that allows you to program up to four events per day, with the option to manually change for a single event.

Electric radiant heating systems have been gaining popularity throughout Northern America, and many upscale resorts are installing radiant heat to entice customers seeking luxury amenities. Radiant heat is no longer thought of as only a luxury, but as an efficient means to heat homes or work spaces without the use of fossil fuels. The benefits of electric radiant heat extend far beyond added comfort, providing home owners and businesses a green alternative heating solution.

About Warmzone
Warmzone’s mission is to match customer’s needs with the finest radiant heating systems available. As an intermediary between project requirements and a variety of system choices, Warmzone and warmzone.com offer non-biased, individualized solutions that factor the installation, durability, performance and operational investment as the key criteria of their customers.

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