How To Install Electric Floor Heat Medford MA

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Electric floor heat can turn bone-chilling tile or stone into a warm and welcoming experience instead. Think of what a difference it would make to step out of your shower on a cold winter morning-onto a warm floor. Generally, hydronic or water-based radiant heat, is used for heating the entire house while for discrete areas-such as a bathroom-electric radiant floor heat is best.

While electric floor heat was once the purview of high end homes only, recent changes have made the installation process easier and more accessible to the average homeowner. Heating elements are embedded in mesh mats that are generally 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick so that they retrofit into most homes without affecting floor height. There are many different brands of electrical floor heat systems available so be sure to check the manufacturer's details and choose the type that is most compatible with your floor materials. Also buy a system with built-in ground fault protection and a high-limit temperature sensor. Although you'll want to use an electrician at the tail end of the process, you can minimize his time-and your money-by doing the rest of the installation yourself.

Don't get intimidated just because you are working with electric wire. The heating element will come embedded in a roll of mesh wire. You order it to size and then cut the supporting mesh-without cutting the heating wire!-so as to be able to maneuver and fit it easily. As long as you do not slice, crush, or otherwise damage the electric wire portion of your electric floor heat system, you will be fine. No splicing, no electrical connections, no expensive electrician!

Here's how to install electric floor heat on your own:

1. Electric floor heat can be installed on concrete or cement backerboard, and plywood. Inspect your subfloor. Make sure that there is nothing sharp in or on it that could damage the heating wire. If you want to lay down installation beneath the wire mesh, now is the time to do so.
   
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Author: Staff Writer