System Selection Basics
If you're just learning about electric floor warming systems, this page will provide you with the basic information you need to properly select the correct Warm Tiles® System for your project.
A floor warming system typically requires only two components:
1. A Cable Kit or Mat Kit, and
2. A Thermostat Kit
Some larger areas may require more than one Cable or Mat Kit, and more than one Thermostat Kit.
Step 1 - A Few Questions & Answers
To determine which components are best for your project, you will need to answer a few questions.
1. What voltage will this system be operating on - 120 Volt or 240 Volt?
- Warm Tiles® systems are designed to operate on 120 Volt or 240 Volt applications in North America.
- Either voltage is acceptable, but must be determined prior to making a selection.
2. Is the space being heated above another heated space, or is it a concrete slab or crawl space?
- For areas above another heated space, the cables are required to be spaced 3" apart. This is known as "Standard Spacing".
- For concrete slabs, crawl spaces, or high heat loss rooms, the cables are required to be spaced in an alternating fashion. First, 3" apart, then 1.5" apart, then 3" apart and so on. This is known as "Alternating Spacing".
3. Is the space being heated a relatively square or rectangular space with few obstacles, or is it an irregularly shaped space with obstacles, and several "ins-and-outs".
- For relatively square or rectangular space with few obstacles, cable and mat systems are equally recommended.
- For irregularly shaped spaces, the unlimited design configurations of the cable system make it a perfect choice.
4. Other than temperature control, would you like to program the system to turn on and off automatically?
- All Warm Tile® Cable and Mat Systems are controlled with a thermostat. Thermostats are available in programmable and non-programmable models.
- Programmable models feature comfort-level programming options as well as a simple off-position selector switch. Your may choose the pre-programmed set-back mode to reduce energy usage and costs by as much as 50%.
- Non-programmable models offer a simple on/off switch and temperature control.
With the above questions answered, you can now determine the Warm Tiles® Cable or Mat System(s) needed for your project. Use Step 2a or Step 2b depending on your choice of system.
Step 2a - Cable Kit Selection Basics
How do I know which Warm Tiles® Cable Kit to buy?
The
Warm Tiles® Cable system provides unlimited design configurations for
even the most difficult shaped room. The Warm Tiles® cable allows you to
install full floor warming coverage by lacing the cable on the floor
wherever you require a heated area. Two different spacing options
enable these extremely flexible cables to be installed virtually
anywhere. In a typical room above a heated area, simply space the cable
3”(7.61 cm) apart. For a room above an unheated area, on concrete slabs
or a high heat loss room such as a solarium, alternate the spacing from
3”(7.61 cm) apart, then 1.5”(3.80 cm) apart, then 3”(7.61 cm) apart and
so on. Simply snap the cable into the strapping included in your Cable
Installation Kit and follow the Cable Installation Instructions.
How do I calculate the area I plan to cover?
First, there is no need to install floor warming systems under base cabinets
or plumbing fixtures, within 2”– 8” (5.08–20.32 cm) of baseboards and
6” (15.24 cm) from the toilet flange.
Second, accurately
measure the length and width of the walkable heated areas of your room
in sections, as shown on the Warm Tiles® Cable Kit Room Layout Diagram below.
Add the walkable heated areas together to determine the total square footage of floor warming that will be needed.
Choose the correct system for your application by square footage from the Warm Tiles® Product Selection Charts for Cable Kits below.
Colored shaded areas represent where you would install your Cable System.
A is 3’ x 4’ = |
12 sqft
|
B is (3’ x 2’) ÷ 2 = |
3 sqft
|
C is 3’ x 5’ = |
15 sqft
|
A + B + C = |
12 sqft + 3 sqft + 15 sqft = 30 sqft total heated area |
Select
Floor Warming Kit voltage, 120V or 240V, to match your power supply.
For areas larger than about 70 sqft (6.50 m2), the 240V kits may be more
economical. Use Standard 3” (7.61 cm) spacing for rooms above heated
areas. Use Alternate 3”, 1.5”, 3” (7.61 cm, 3.80 cm, 7.61 cm) spacing
for rooms above unheated areas, concrete slabs or high heat loss areas.
| Warm Tiles® 120V Cable Kits |
| Model No. |
Standard SQFT(m2) |
Alternating SQFT(m2) |
Amps* |
| DFT 1011 |
9-13 (0.84-1.21) |
7-9 (0.65-0.84) |
1.1 |
| DFT 1016 |
14-18 (1.30-1.67) |
10-13 (0.93-1.21) |
1.6 |
| DFT 1022 |
19-26 (1.77-2.42)
|
14-19 (1.30-1.77) |
2.2 |
| DFT 1030 |
27-34 (2.51-3.16) |
20-26 (1.86-2.42) |
3.0 |
| DFT 1039 |
35-42 (3.25-3.90)
|
27-33 (2.51-3.07) |
4.0 |
| DFT 1048 |
43-54 (3.99-5.02) |
34-39 (3.16-3.62) |
5.1 |
| DFT 1059 |
55-65 (5.11-6.04) |
40-48 (3.72-4.46) |
6.4 |
DFT 1069
|
66-72 (6.13-6.69) |
49-54 (4.55-5.02) |
7.5 |
| DFT 1079 |
73-82 (6.78-7.62) |
55-62 (5.11-5.76) |
8.5 |
DFT 1088
|
83-92 (7.71-8.55) |
63-69 (5.85-6.41) |
8.8
|
DFT 1098
|
93-102 (8.64-9.48) |
70-76 (6.50-7.06) |
9.6
|
DFT 1108
| 103-113 (9.57-10.50)
| 77-85 (7.15-7.90)
| 10.7
|
Warm Tiles® 240V Cable Kits
|
| Model No. |
Standard SQFT(m2) |
Alternating SQFT(m2) |
Amps* |
| DFT 2021 |
18-25 (1.67-2.32) |
13-19 (1.21-1.77) |
1.1 |
| DFT 2031 |
26-35 (2.42-3.25) |
20-27 (1.86-2.51) |
1.6 |
| DFT 2053 |
48-55 (4.46-5.11) |
35-44 (3.25-4.09) |
2.6 |
| DFT 2065 |
60-70 (5.57-6.50) |
45-54 (4.18-5.02) |
3.3 |
| DFT 2078 |
71-83 (6.60-7.71) |
55-63 (5.11-5.85) |
4.0 |
| DFT 2095 |
90-100 (8.36-9.29) |
64-75 (5.95-6.97) |
5.1 |
| DFT 2118 |
110-130 (10.22-12.08) |
84-94 (7.80-8.73) |
6.3 |
| DFT 2137 |
131-145 (12.17-13.47) |
95-108 (8.83-10.03) |
7.5 |
| DFT 2157 |
146-165 (13.56-15.33) |
109-125 (10.13-11.61) |
8.4 |
| DFT 2175 |
166-184 (15.42-17.09) |
126-138 (11.71-12.82) |
8.8 |
| DFT 2195 |
185-204 (17.19-18.95) |
139-153 (12.91-14.21) |
9.6 |
| DFT 2215 |
205-225 (19.5-20.90) |
154-169 (14.31-15.70) |
10.7 |
* CAUTION: Kit combinations that exceed 10 Amps should be connected by a
qualified electrician.
Step 2b - "SAM" Mat Kit Selection Basics
How do I know which Warm Tiles® SAM Mat Kit to buy?
The
Warm Tiles® "SAM" Mat System provides a quick and easy pre-fabricated
installation by using state-of-the-art cables mounted onto a self-adhesive mesh
backing. Warm Tiles® Mats are ideally suited for concrete slab or
multi-unit applications, as well as square or rectangular installations
where the mat fits the shape of the room. These standardized
rectangular mats help reduce installation time and labor costs. Custom
mats are available for a variety of shapes and areas. Simply adhere the
mesh to the substrate and follow your Mat Installation Instructions.
How do I calculate the area I plan to cover?
First, there is no need to install floor warming systems under base cabinets
or plumbing fixtures, within 2”– 8” (5.08–20.32 cm) of baseboards and
6” (15.24 cm) from the toilet flange.
Second, accurately
measure the length and width of the walkable heated areas of your room
in sections, as shown on the Warm Tiles® Mat Kit Room Layout Diagram below.
Add the walkable heated areas together to determine the total square footage of floor warming that will be needed.
Choose
the correct system for your application by square footage from the Warm
Tiles® Product Selection Charts for Mat Kits below.
Colored shaded area represents where you would install your Mat System.
A is 20” x 6’ = |
10 sqft
|
B is 20” x 6’ = |
10 sqft
|
C is 20” x 3’ = |
5 sqft
|
A + B + C = |
10 ft2 + 10 ft2 + 5 ft2 = 25 sqft
total heated area. |
Select
Floor Warming Kit voltage, 120V or 240V, to match your power supply.
For areas larger than about 70 square feet, the 240V kits may be more
economical. All mats are 20” wide. Multiple mats may be used to
increase heated area of installation. All measurements are per
kit.
Warm Tiles® 120V Mat Kits
| Model No. |
Mat Dimensions
|
Coverage
|
Amps* |
SAM1010
|
20" x 6.67'
|
12-15 Square Feet
|
1.3 |
| SAM1013 |
20" x 8.67' |
16-19 Square Feet
|
1.7 |
SAM1017
|
20" x 11.33' |
20-22 Square Feet
|
2.2 |
| SAM1020 |
20" x 13.33'
|
23-28 Square Feet
|
2.5 |
SAM1025
|
20" x 16.67'
|
29-36 Square Feet
|
3.1 |
SAM1033
|
20" x 22'
|
37-46 Square Feet
|
4.2 |
| SAM1042 |
20" x 28'
|
47-54 Square Feet
|
5.3 |
| SAM1050 |
20" x 33.33'
|
55-66 Square Feet
|
6.5 |
SAM1062
| 20" x 41.33'
| 67-80 Square Feet
| 8.1
| SAM1075
| 20" x 50'
| 81-94 Square Feet
| 9.7
| SAM1087
| 20" x 58'
| 95-106 Square Feet
| 11.5
| SAM1100
| 20" x 66.67'
| 107-120 Square Feet
| 13.1
|
Warm Tiles® 240V Mat Kits
| Model No. |
Mat Dimensions
|
Coverage |
Amps* |
| SAM2010 |
20" x 6.67'
|
12-15 Square Feet
|
0.6 |
| SAM2013 |
20" x 8.67'
|
16-19 Square Feet |
0.8 |
SAM2017
|
20" x 11.33'
|
20-22 Square Feet |
1.1 |
SAM2020
| 20" x 13.33'
| 23-28 Square Feet | 1.3
|
| SAM2025 |
20" x 16.67'
|
29-36 Square Feet |
1.6 |
| SAM2033 |
20" x 22'
|
37-46 Square Feet |
2.1 |
| SAM2042 |
20" x 28'
|
47-54 Square Feet |
2.8 |
SAM2050
| 20" x 33.33'
| 55-66 Square Feet | 3.1
| SAM2062
| 20" x 41.33'
| 67-80 Square Feet | 4.1
| SAM2075
| 20" x 50'
| 81-94 Square Feet | 4.8
| SAM2087
| 20" x 58'
| 95-106 Square Feet | 5.7
| SAM2100
| 20" x 66.67'
| 107-120 Square Feet | 6.5
|
* CAUTION: Kit combinations that exceed 10 Amps should be connected by a
qualified electrician.
Step 3 - Thermostat Kit Selection Basics
How do I know which Warm Tiles® Thermostat Kit to buy?
Once you've chosen the Cable Kit(s) or Mat Kit(s) to cover your space, you'll need to add a Thermostat Kit for temperature control. Refer to the Chart below. Simply choose between a programmable or non-programmable model that matches your power supply and Cable Kit(s) or Mat Kit(s) voltage. The Warm Tiles® Thermostat Kit is designed for easy installation by a skilled do-it-yourselfer. However, you should always consult your local electrical inspection agency prior to beginning your installation. Refer to the Thermostat Installation and Operation Instructions in every Kit. Instructions vary between programmable and non-programmable models.
For larger spaces, more than one Warm Tiles® Cable or Mat Kit can be attached to a single thermostat as long as the total combined amperage of the kits do not exceed 16 Amps. If the heated area requires more than 16 Amps of load, separate the area into more than one zone. Use a separate thermostat to contol each zone, or install a Relay Kit. Relay Kits can boost available amperage for single thermostat control to a maximum load of 24 Amps per floor warming system. The Relay is housed in a separate electrical box typically located just
below the thermostat electrical box, and requires a second line voltage
feed to operate. Make sure to follow the installation instructions
provided with each Kit.
Product Selection Chart for Thermostat Kits
| Warm Tiles® Thermostat Kits |
| Model No. |
Voltage
|
Programmable/
Non-Programmable
|
Maximum
Amperage
|
| FTS-1 |
120 Volts
|
Programmable
|
16 Amps
|
| FTS-2 |
240 Volts
|
Programmable |
16 Amps
|
| ET-1 |
120 Volts
|
Non-Programmable |
16 Amps
|
ET-2
|
240 Volts
|
Non-Programmable |
16 Amps
|
We hope this information was helpful. For additional information, refer to the other sections of this website (Literature, Video Training, Tutorials, FAQ's, Troubleshooting), or contact us directly with your questions.
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