We hope the following FAQ and answers will assist with any queries you have. If your question(s) remain unanswered from the list below please contact us either by telephone, fax or email and we will respond as soon as possible.
Can we buy 'Hot Floors' products in the shops?
No. We only sell online and we are the only supplier of our products. Selling our products direct to the public enables us to provide the most competitive prices and specialised service.
What is the difference between the Hot Floors underfloor heating products?
Heating Mats: The Hot Floors heating mats are simply our 3mm loose heating cable (rated 15watts/m) already spaced out for you and attached to a fully adhesive mesh backing. The heating mats come in 2 wattages:
- 200 watts/sqm which can be used beneath tiled or stone floors and are recommended in high heat loss areas such as conservatories.
- 160 watts/sqm mats which can be used as a primary source of heating beneath most floor finishes. 160 watts/sqm is the maximum recommended wattage beneath all non-tiled/stone floors.
The heating mats are for use on a finished subfloor and must be encased in either a flexible tile adhesive (if laying tiles) or a flexible levelling compound if laying any other floor finish.
Heating cable: the loose heating cable rated at 15watts/m and is the same cable used in the heating mats. Unlike the heating mats, the cable is loose and spacing must be manually measured. Like the heating mats, the loose cable can be used under all floor finishes.
- Under tiled / stone floors (up to 200watts/sqm) the underfloor cable must be completely encased in a flexible tile adhesive during installation.
- Under wood, carpet, linoleum (all non-tile/stone floor finishes – to a maximum of 160watts/sqm) the hearting cable must be encased in a minimum of 8mm of a flexible levelling compound.
In screed heating cable: must be encased in the finishing screed of the concrete floor (usually a minimum of 65mm as per Building regulations) with a minimum of 20mm of the screed above the cable. The same maximum outputs are recommended for the in-screed cable, that is, up to 200watts/sqm beneath tiles / stone and 160 watts/sqm beneath all other floor finishes.
Aluminium Wood Floor Heating Mats: are for use beneath wood /laminate floating floors only. The biggest benefit of this system is that the wooden / laminate floor can be laid directly on top of the heating mat (there is no need to encase in tile adhesive or levelling compound).
What flooring can 'Hot Floors' underfloor heating products be installed under?
The Hot Floors electric underfloor heating mats and cables can be used under almost all floor finishes. Our aluminium wood floor heating is for use beneath floating wood and laminate floors only.
What is the maximum wattage per square metre (SQM) allowed?
The highest wattage per SQM we would recommend is dependent on the floor finish:
Under Tiles / stone floors – up to 200 watts/sqm
Under carpet, wood or linoleum (all non tile / stone floors) - maximum of 160 watts per SQM.
What wattage would I require?
If you are looking to heat a normal room which is well insulated (and in which you can cover 90% of the entire room) 160 watts or greater is required. If you are heating a room which is considered high heat loss (e.g. a conservatory) or a room in which you cannot cover the majority of the floor (e.g. A kitchen) or simply just want some extra heat (e.g. a bathroom), we would suggest you use 200 watts per SQM (please note this wattage is generally only recommended beneath tiles / stone floor finishes).
Will the heating system be able to heat the room sufficiently?
As long as you use the wattage as recommended above and the floor and room are suitably insulated and you cover between 80-95% of the floor space, the system should be able to heat the room. We do recommend the use of insulation board particularly if there are any insulation uncertainties.
How can I get the best results from my Hot Floors underfloor heating system?
The best results can be achieved by taking the heat loss and size of the room into account and buying the most suitable product for the job. We do recommend that all our systems be installed with one of our fully programmable thermostats which measure both room and floor temperature and allows full temperature control. We also recommend the use of insulation board with all our systems – the insulation acts as a barrier between the room and subfloor minimising the transfer of cold air up in to the room and the loss of heat downwards.
Where are your products made?
Our underfloor heating mats, cables and thermostats are made in Europe in BEAB and VDE approved facilities.
How long will delivery take?
All orders completed before 2:45pm will are dispatched on a next business day delivery.
Is delivery included in the prices shown?
Yes. There are no hidden surprises when ordering with Hot Floors UK - all our prices include standard next business day delivery. Free delivery is excluded from our heavy items such as tile adhesive and levelling compound, this is due to the fact that they will ship on a pallet. Contact our office for a quote including delivery charge.
Are your products different to your competitors?
Yes, our products are different as we are the only online sellers of underfloor heating systems with electrical approvals for our products. Our 160 watt mats have full BEAB approval and all our other cables are made in the same way in the same BEAB approved factories. Therefore, not only do we have the safest products on the UK market, but we offer them at the most cost effective price. Further, our Aluminium wood floor heating system is the only system of its type with an earth, making it far safer than the competitors’ equivalent products.
Do your products come with a guarantee?
Yes. Our underfloor heating mats and cables come with a 10 year manufacturers guarantee with the only condition that our installation instructions are complied with. The guarantee on our BEAB approved Thermostats is 3 years.
Is your website secure?
Our site is hosted on a secure server in a secure datacenter. We use 128 bit encryption for all of our order processing and credit card functions. Once we have processed your order, your credit card details are deleted from our system.
Can you use more than one cable / matt from a single thermostat?
Yes, you can have up to 16 Amps (approx 3600 watts) connected to a single thermostat. Just be sure to only connect mats (or cables spaced to achieve the same wattage) of the same wattage to the same thermostat.
If the combined load (for the room you are heating) exceeds the switching capacity of the thermostat (that is, 16A or 3600W or 3.6 kW) the installation of an electrical contactor will be required. When using more than two heating mat / cables you may need to use a junction box to connect them in parallel (the heating mats / cables should never be connected in series).
Why do you not supply the primer like some of your competitors?
As we do not know which tile adhesive you will use, we cannot specify a primer. You must always use a primer approved by the tile adhesive manufacturer. We do stock a primer for use with our Mira tile adhesives. We also stock thermal primer that can also be used as a primer, plus has the advantage of reducing the running costs of your heating system.
Does ‘Hot Floors' cost more than conventional heating to run?
Electric underfloor heating can be the most cost effective heating method simply because the entire floor acts as the radiator and the heat is radiant heat and is evenly distributed. Further, as the temperature of each room is individually controlled by a programmable thermostat you can have the system only working when and where you need it. The on-off cycling effect of the floor temperature-sensing thermostat can reduce cost by as much as 50%.
Whether using electrical under floor heating or any other electrical heating system, if operated at the same time of day they should cost exactly the same to provide 1KW of heat. Based on an insulated floor example, the typical running costs of a 250W model in a bathroom, based on electricity prices, would be less than 1p/hr.
How safe is underfloor heating?
As long as the installation procedures are followed, electric underfloor heating is very safe. Our heating cable is twin conducting (minimise electrical magnetic radiation), double insulated using Teflon, waterproofed and have a continuous earth screen. Our Thermostat has a floor sensor probe which is buried under the floor to monitor the temperature of the floor if this gets to high, the thermostat will automatically turn the floor off. Unlike any of our competitors we have BEAB approval for our 160 watt heating mats and thermostats and all our products are made in the same BEAB approved factories. BEAB is the UK electrical standards authority. Additional safety features of our electrical underfloor heating systems are:
- The temperature of the floor surface is very much lower than the surface temperature of a conventional radiator.
- There is no chance of hot water or gas leaks and no boiler to service.
- We recommend all systems be installed with an RCD.
How long will an electric underfloor heating system last?
A properly installed Hot Floors electrical underfloor heating system will have a lifespan similar to any standard mains carrying cable (assuming the floor is not damaged).
Do I need special tools?
For all installations you will need an ohm meter or multi-meter to check electrical resistance of the cables – this must be done the cables/mats are delivered to you, then again prior to installation (to insure they are in working order) and following installation before the floor finish is laid. Any tools used on top of the heating cables must be used and placed so that they do not damage the cable. For e.g., for the installation of our heating mat / cables under ceramic tiles you should use a plastic trowel rather than a steel trowel to minimise the chance of damaging the heating cable.
How long will it take for the floor to warm up?
The amount of time it takes to heat the floor / room will vary depending on your sub-floor and its insulation and other factors such as the desired temperature and heat loss experienced. Generally speaking, the better the insulation the quicker the floor / room will heat up. In well insulated conditions (for example when using Marmox insulation board) the floor will be warm up in between 15-30 minutes. Un-insulated floor can take 2-3 hours.
Can underfloor heating be used under carpet or vinyl flooring?
It is not recommended that you install any type of UFH directly beneath carpet or vinyl flooring, however our Heating Mats and Cable can be used with carpet or vinyl floor surfaces by encasing the entire heating system in a minimum of 8mm of a flexible levelling compound. The levelling compound will protect the cables and insure the heat is evenly distributed to the floor finish.
Can I install the Hot Floors heating system myself?
We provide a comprehensive installation manual and the actual, heating mats / cables are very easy to install for the DIY enthusiast. We supply wiring diagrams and instructions for every aspect of the installation. Please note that a suitably qualified Electrician must be consulted about the provision of the electrical supply and complete the electrical connections.
Are there any special wiring requirements?
For most small rooms the system can usually be connected to an existing household wiring circuit via a fused spur, for larger areas a single dedicated circuit from your distribution board will be needed. All electrical work must be completed by a qualified electrician who will be able to advise you on what you need. The use of an RCD is recommended.
How hot does the floor get?
The actual maximum temperate the floor reaches will depend on the type of floor finish, the wattage output, the insulation beneath the under floor heating and the heat loss of the room. The floor will never feel too hot as the entire system is based on the fact that the underfloor heating heats the floor and then this heat is dispersed to the air above.
With all non-tile / stone floors you should set the floor sensor (with the thermostat) to a max of 27ºC (this being the maximum temperature recommended by most floor manufacturers). This means the floor will never get hotter than 27ºC. We find most of people like a floor temperature between 22 and 27°C.
How large a kit do I require?
We recommend you aim to cover between 80-95% of the free floor space of the room. Covering less than 80 % of the FFS means you will end up with cold spots on your floor.
Can I get help in working out what products I require?
Yes definitely – our staff are happy to help. Simply send us a room layout with all measurements shown, and the type of flooring you are using (and some information about the subfloor) and we will provide an itemised quotation for you. Please send your drawings to info@hot-floors.com or fax to 0207 0994453. A layout diagram can be downloaded from the support section of our website.
Can the heating mats be used in odd shaped rooms?
Yes definitely. Our heating mats are installed using the cut and trim method where the blue heating mat mesh (NOT the BLACK heating cable) is cut across the width of the mat between the BLACK cable loops so that the mat can be turned round to allow for 'L' or 'U' shaped rooms and to work around wall units etc.
What happens if the floor gets wet?
Hot Floors heating mats and cables all have waterproof terminators making them 100% waterproof. They are also fully earthed in case of damage.
Can I use screws / nails to affix items to the floor on top of the heating system?
No. Do not affix items to the floor using nails or screws. If the cable is damaged the earthed screening will protect you by tripping the RCD but this damage to the cable will mean the system does not work. It is important to plan your installation so that you do not put the heating system beneath areas where objects need fixing e.g. Toilets, Kitchen units etc.
Do you have to use a thermostat?
We recommend that a thermostat (with a floor sensor probe) is used with all our heating systems to insure the heating systems works effectively (and maintains your room (and floor) at the required temperature).
Doesn't the mat / cable take up a lot of room under the floor?
No because our heating cables and mat systems are only 3mm thick. There is no need to excavate the sub floor. Our thicker 5mm cables are used in the finishing screed and this is generally in a newly built area.
How long do I have to wait before using my underfloor heating system?
The Aluminium Heating mats (used beneath wood and laminate floors) can be used immediately after the installation is complete.
The 3mm heating mats and cables can only be switched on once the adhesive or levelling compound in which they sit is completely dry. This is typically 7 days but do check with the manufacturer of the adhesive or compound you are using.
Is it dangerous to use electrical underfloor heating in a bathroom?
Not at all. Infact using underfloor heating in bathroom and wet rooms in one of its main uses. All our products are waterproofed and must be installed with an RCD. In a bathroom, the thermostat, which is Rated IP21, must be installed in an appropriate area within the bathroom or an adjoining room, e.g. in an airing cupboard or landing / hallway.
If the cable gets damaged, can it be repaired?
Yes. This is an easy job. Just contact 'Hot Floors' and we will be able to supply a repair kit.
Will heat affect the tile adhesive or tiles?
No. The Hot Floors underfloor heating systems will never reach temperatures high enough to have any effect on tiles or tile adhesive.
Do I need to install insulation?
The Hot Floors Under floor heating mats and cables will all work without using insulation, however the use of insulation such as Marmox will make the system operate far more efficiently and therefore more cost effectively.
The Hot Floors Aluminium wood floor heating must be installed with a soft insulation such as Izofloor. This insulation also acts as the underlay for the floating wooden floor.
Can the Hot Floors Heating cables or mats be cut to length?
The actual Heating cable (which is BLACK) should NEVER be cut. If you are using The Hot Floors heating mats, the Blue mesh can certainly be cut in order to accommodate your room size and shape (the mats, which are all 50cm wide and various lengths, are actually based on the cut and trip method).
If you are using our Aluminium wood floor heating, once again the actual aluminium matting can be cut to accommodate your room size and shape (the cut and trim method) BUT the actual heating cable MUST NOT be cut.
Why might my tiled / stone floor not feel warm enough?
This may be because the floor sensor upper limit is too low (factory setting to 27° C). You will simply need to increase the sensor upper limit (refer to the thermostat instructions).
Do I need a special adhesive / levelling compound when using the Hot Floors underfloor heating mats and cables?
We recommend that you use either a flexible levelling compound or flexible tile adhesive when installing our 3mm heating mats and cables. You should check with the tile manufacturer and that the adhesive you use is compatible with UFH. We recommend the Mira products which have been specifically designed for use with underfloor heating.
Can the Hot Floors underfloor heating systems be used as the only heat source?
In well insulated conditions, our 160 watt systems can be used as a primary/sole heat source. If you are installing UFH in a high heat loss room such as a conservatory where the floor finish is tiles, we would always recommend the use of a 200watt system to insure you are not disappointed with the amount of heat generated. Using a 200watt system will not affect your running costs as they simply help to reach the required temperature faster and from there the thermostat accurately regulates the power consumption to meet the temperature you choose.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, then please contact us.