How is thermal mass floor heat installed?
The short answer
The panels are laid evenly across the sand before the slab, wired in parallel in circuits of 6 to 9, and run back to the mechanical room. Then 6 to 10 inches of fill and the concrete go on top. A typical home takes 3 to 5 hours with two people.
The system
Each panel is a double Teflon-coated heating wire embedded in sheetrock, typically 18 inches wide and 7 feet long, with other sizes to fit around plumbing, footings and drains. Every panel is tested twice at the factory and is available in any voltage.
The install
The panels are laid out evenly across the floor area, wired in parallel with direct-burial wire, and usually terminated in the mechanical room. A circuit is typically 6 to 9 panels. Then 6 to 10 inches of fill goes over them and is prepared for the concrete.
A typical residential install takes about 3 to 5 hours with two people. On large buildings it’s still fast: Design Ready Controls’ 104,000 sq ft facility took 8 to 10 hours on the production schedule.
Answer drawn from Premier Energy USA’s blog. Read the original post 1 · original post 2.
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Choosing and Installing
Won’t a radiant ceiling lose heat through the roof?
Not if the ceiling is insulated properly. Drywall has a very low R-value, and the radiant energy passes right through it, while the insulation above sends the heat down into the room. On a cold day, a thermal camera in the attic shows no heat coming through. -
Choosing and Installing
What’s the best way to heat a garage or shop?
There are three ThermaRay options. Thermal mass panels go under a new slab. Radiant ceiling panels hide above the ceiling, new or existing. Architectural Series metal heaters mount on or hang from the ceiling where you can see them. -
Choosing and Installing
Can I add radiant ceiling heat to an existing home?
Yes. With attic access, the panels go above the existing ceiling. Without it, furring strips go on the existing ceiling, the panels go between them, and new drywall covers everything.
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