Warm Tiles Heating - Installation tips

Primary usage of Warm Tiles
Warm Tiles® under floor heating system is a network of cables placed in the mortar just below your tile, marble, or slate floors  to remove the chill. Warm Tiles® can be placed below flooring underlayment such DUROCK™ tile membrane or Schluter Ditra Warm Tiles is designed for easy installation by the skilled do-it-yourselfer. However, you should always consult your local electrical inspection agency prior to beginning your installation.

What are the voltage, amps, and wattage requirements?
The Warm Tiles system is designed for 120V or 240V applications in North America. The current draw of the largest size cable is 10.7 amps. The system can be installed to dissipate either 12 Watts per square foot (when using the Standard 3" spacing) or 16 Watts per square foot (when using the Alternating 3"/1.5") spacing. The current draw of the largest size mat is 13.1 amps. The system is designed to dissipate 16 Watts per square foot.


Product Warranty
There is a fifteen (15) year limited warranty on EasyHeat Warm Tiles cables. Warranty details are provided in the instructions with each product.

 

Types of flooring used with Warm Tiles system
Warm Tiles is designed for marble, ceramic, concrete, tile, slate, paver (brick, stone, etc.), laminate and engineered wood* type floors, and ceramic tile floor heating.

 

It is NOT designed for: wood, carpet, linoleum, or vinyl tile floors.

 

Warm Tiles cable MUST be embedded in mortar. *For use under engineered, floating wood floors only. Not approved for nail down installations.

How long does it take Warm Tiles to warm a floor?
From the time the cables are turned ON it usually takes about half an hour to 2 hours to warm the floor, depending upon floor material and thickness.

The surface temperature of the floor or heated tile depends upon several variables: the spacing between adjacent runs of cable, the depth from the cable to the tiles’ surface, the total thermal mass of the floor, and the temperatures of the room and area beneath the floor. For this reason, the temperature range will vary from installation to installation. Generally, Warm Tiles cables will warm a floor to a maximum of about 90°F.

Heating for the entire room?

Warm Tiles is not designed as a primary heat source for any room.

We recommend that the heating cable be the ONLY load on the electric circuit supplying power to the cable. Always check with your local electrical inspection agency prior to installing Warm Tiles.


How to figure the size of cable require

You will need to measure the area of the floor that you intend to warm in square feet. When figuring square footage, do not include areas under toilets, vanities, plumbing fixtures, or inaccessible areas. Allow at least 1 inch from toilets or other fixtures. Measurements should be as accurate as possible. Once you have determined the square footage to be warmed, you can select the appropriate size Warm Tiles cable system.

 

Note: If you are considering installing Warm Tiles under a shower area, check local electrical codes to see if this is allowed.

Testing the cable prior to installation

Yes. A resistance reading can be taken with an ohmmeter. Insulation resistance can be verified with a megger. Do Not energize the cables prior to installation.

How is the cable installed?

Complete, detailed installation instructions are provided with every cable. Metal strapping, provided with the cable, is anchored to the floor. The cable easily snaps into the strapping and is “laced” over the floor area to be heated. A mortar is then applied over the cables.

Can the cable be cut?

The length of heated cable CANNOT be altered. Cold leads, however, can be cut to desired length.

Insulate floor from below

Placing insulation under your floor is not imperative; however, it will increase the operating efficiency of your Warm Tiles system by minimizing heat loss.

Can I install this cable in the walls of my bathroom?

No. The electrical codes (NEC in the US and CEC in Canada) do not allow heating cables to be installed behind walls.

Selecting a Warm Tiles Thermostat

A thermostat is recommended for all Warm Tiles installations. Easy Heat offers both 120V and 240V thermostats in two distinct models. The FTS Series thermostats offer comfort level programming options as well as a simple off position selector switch. The ET Series thermostat offers a simple on/off switch along with a temperature adjustment toggle and accept button. All Warm Tiles Thermostats have integral ground fault protection. *Per U.S. National Electrical code – installation in a bathroom requires that this device be installed on a circuit protected by a separate Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).

Temperature range on the thermostat

The thermostat can be set to various levels to maintain a constant floor temperature. You will quickly become familiar with your own comfort zone and its corresponding setting on your thermostat.

Installing Warm Tiles cables in showers

Warm Tiles cables can be installed in tiled shower areas by installing the cables in a scratch coat using the standard method noted in the installation instructions. Then, a waterproofing membrane is installed over the cables to ensure that all water from the shower is directed to the drain and does not come in contact with the cables.

What happens if the cable gets damaged?

If the cable is cut or penetrated, the flow of current will be directed to the grounding braid surrounding the cable, thereby causing the ground fault protection to trip, which removes power from the cable. Depending on the type and severity of the damage, there is a possibility that a repair may be necessary.

Can I bury the cable in concrete?

Yes, but Warm Tiles cable must not be more than 3/4" from the surface of the floor.

Do not overlap the cable

The cable MUST NOT touch, cross, or overlap itself at any point. This would cause the cable to overheat and require replacement.

 

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