Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
Why are there different types of heating systems - for timber floors and concrete floors?
Answer:
Our systems have been tested to the European standard IEC335/EN60335, it is recommended that no higher than 100W/m2 should be installed on a timber floor, and as a safety precaution, we adhere to this instruction. Concrete absorbs heat at a higher rate than timber. Therefore we developed the HeatBord system, with an output from 45W/m2, for timber floors and cables and mats with an output of 120 to 200W/m2 for concrete floors.
Question:
I have seen some products meant for wooden flooring that are just a thin foil, why is the HeatBoard system made by aluminium?
Answer:
During our product research, we discovered that aluminium is an excellent material to absorb and distribute heat. We have developed the HeatBoard system to achieve a heat efficient system. The HeatBoard® system uses a thin 3 mm heating cable which has proven its reliability for years.
HeatBoard® is much easier and quicker to fit, there is no waiting for levelling compounds or primers to dry, no sticking tape over lengths of cable, no mess of wires to be assembled under floor. Simple to fit around obstacles, a much better option than foils – with a height of 4.5 mm, the HeatBoard can suit most areas.
Question:
Can it be used with wooden or laminate floors?
Answer:
The HeatBoard® is developed especially for wooden flooring. It is perfectly safe to fit under laminate, parquet or wood floors. Please contact us for further details.
Question:
How safe is HandyHeat floor heating?
Answer:
HandyHeat has many years of experience with developing and manufacturing heating cables over many years.
All HandyHeat Heating mats satisfy the requirements of European Standards. The FloorMat & Cable kit is doubly insulated with an earthed screen under the sheath and has the approval IEC 335/EN 60335.
All FloorMat & Cable kit systems use a floor temperature sensor connected to a HandyHeat DVTH electronic thermostat to control floor temperature.
Question:
Can I heat my entire home with under-floor heating?
Answer:
Electric heating is a viable solution for many home-heating applications. The low installation cost of electric versus hydronic, (hot water), systems make this heating less expensive to install.
Question:
Do I have to hire professionals to install an under-floor system in my house?
Answer:
The HandyHeat system is easy to install by any handyman. If you can lay tile or any type of flooring and follow our easy directions, you can do it. A qualified electrician should always perform electrical installations. Full wiring diagram, installation instructions and guarantee information are included with every order.
Question:
Won't the floor get too hot?
Answer:
The HandyHeat DVTH thermostat can be adjusted to control floor temperature accurately to the level you find most comfortable.
Question:
Isn't it expensive to run?
Answer:
A bathroom of 8 Square metres may require only 7 square metres of floor warming. When used to warm the floors for comfort it should only cost 40-60 Watt per square metre of warmed area per year. This cost per kilowatt energy varies from country to country and the operative time of floor is approximately 82 hours per week over a year.
Question:
I don't like to waste energy; do I have to have the floor system on all of the time?
Answer:
We recommend a DVTH132 intelligent thermostat witch include a timer function in all floor-warming applications. There is no need to warm a floor for comfort when you're not at home. This thermostat can use a setback timer to lower temperature or achieve any desired temperature.
Question:
Who can install it?
Answer:
Anyone can install it as long as they follow the straightforward instructions supplied with the heating system. However, a qualified electrician must connect the heating system to the electrical supply.
The cable is guaranteed for ten years if installed in accordance with the Installation Instruction.
Question:
What happens if the floor space is not a rectangle and the mat will not fit exactly?
Answer:
The FloorMat can be cut across the width of the mat between the cable loops so that the mat can be bent round to provide e.g. an “L” or “U” shape. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the cable. Under no circumstances should the heating cable be cut or shortened.
Question:
Will the heat affect the tile adhesive or tiles?
Answer:
HandyHeat warmed ceramic tiled floors will run with a surface temperature of about 22- 23°C and the adhesive under the tiles will be a few degrees higher. This temperature will have no effect on the tiles or the tile adhesive. The majority of the leading adhesive manufacturers have confirmed this.
Question:
Can electric heating on a wooden floor cause a fire?
Answer:
A FloorMat & Cable kit or HeatBoard system installed according to HandyHeat instructions will be completely safe as the cables are manufactured to IEC 335/EN 60335 standard. HandyHeat offers the HeatBoard system specifically for timber floors. However, a qualified electrician should make the electrical connections.
Question:
What happens if the floor floods?
Answer:
HandyHeat cables and FloorMat cold tail terminations are waterproof. All have an earthed screen under the outer sheath should a fault occur.
Question:
What happens if spikes or screws are used in the floor?
Answer:
Floors with electric heating do not allow any use of spikes or screws. However, should the cable be damaged, the earthed screen around the cable will protect the operator by causing the electrical protection RCD device at the supply intake position to switch off the circuit.
Question:
How long is the lifetime of the heating system?
Answer:
When the FloorMat & Cable kit is installed in accordance with the Installation Instruction, the cable should last just as long as any other electrical wiring in the building.
Question:
Will the system fully heat the room?
Answer:
HandyHeat provides full heating under new floors, but the FloorMat & Cable kit system is also used to take the chill off a floor or to provide a warm surface to walk on and it will keep floors dry in areas where water can splash.
Question:
Do I need a thermostat?
Answer:
Yes. Installing a thermostat is an essential part of the system. This ensures that your floor or room maintains your personal comfort setting.
Floor Warming - floor-sensing thermostats are used to maintain a comfortable floor temperature.
Room Heating - floor/air-sensing thermostats are used when the floor warming cable is to be the primary source of heat.
Question:
How is it controlled?
Answer:
The wall mounted electronic DVTH thermostat controls the system with a floor temperature sensor. This prevents the floor from over heating. The most comfortable surface temperature will be 22-23°C or any other temperature if required. The temperature is easily adjusted by turning the dial or by buttons on the thermostat.
Question:
Can I install it with tiles on a wooden floor?
Answer:
Yes, the system can be installed on a wooden floor. Normally, a heat resistant compound is spread on the floor and allowed to set before laying the FloorMat & Cable kit. As intermediate wooden floors can experience some flexing, it may be necessary to brace the floor by laying minimum 15-mm plywood (for wet rooms) and fixing it by glue and screws to limit the flexing so that the tiled floor has a stable base.
Question:
What happens if the system fails five-years from now?
Answer:
All HandyHeat cables and mats are guaranteed for 10 years when installed in accordance with HandyHeat installation instructions (thermostats two years).
Question:
Won't there be a lot of upheaval if I install HandyHeat under the new tiles?
Answer:
The new FloorMat & Cable kit was designed for installation on top of the existing floor so that the tile adhesive and tiles can be easily applied once the FloorMat & Cable kit is fixed in position. There is no need to excavate the floor and the FloorMat & Cable kit will increase the finished floor height by only 3 mm.
Question:
Isn't it dangerous to have an electric floor in the bathroom?
Answer:
All electrical items in a bathroom or kitchen must be installed with a RCD, (ground fault circuit interrupter) to meet European standards.
Question:
My covered patio is cold in spring and autumn because it is an add-on to the house. How can I fix it?
Answer:
HandyHeat systems can be installed under almost any type of flooring. This will add warmth to the floor as well as provide heat to the entire room.
Question:
How do I know the best way to lay the HandyHeat floor heating?
Answer:
Our comprehensive instructions are easy to follow.