Use and Care Manual

4
SunTouch Mat Do It Yourself Manual
Phase 1: Designing the System
SunTouch Mat should be installed in all interior floor areas
intending to be warmed. It cannot be used for exterior
applications, snow melting, in or on walls, or in ceilings. In many
applications it can be used to heat the room but an accurate
heat-loss calculation must be made to determine if enough
heat will be provided to match the heat loss.
STEP 1.1
Make a sketch of the room and measure the overall room
size. Measurement should be made from wall-to-wall
and include size and location of cabinets, tub, toilets, etc.
Determine the total square footage of floor area to be
warmed by subtracting out the area associated with the built-
ins. Keep in mind the following:
 • Heatwillnotradiatebeyondabout1-1/2"oneitherside
of the heating wire, therefore consistent coverage is
important.
 • Do install heating wire within about 1-1/2" to 2" from a
counter or vanity in the kick-space to ensure warmth in this
area.
 • Do not install the heating wire underneath cabinets or
fixtures having no floor clearance or inside a wall. Excessive
heat will build up and cause damage.
 • Do not run the heating wire into small closets or other
confined areas where excessive heat will build up.
 • Do not install the heating wires closer than 6" from toilet
rings to avoid possible melting of wax rings.
 • Do not directly cross expansion joints.
 • Do not place the heating wire any closer than 4" from
other items such as forced air ducting or potable piping to
avoid overheating them.
 • SunTouchMatmustbelaidinamannertopreventsurface
obstructions being placed directly over the mat location.
Failure to do so will result in capturing heat and may allow
potential damage from mounting brackets, bolts, or similar
penetrations associated with pedestals, support columns,
walls, or similar.
 • Installtheheatingwires4"to6"awayfromtheperimeter
walls of the room. It may be placed closer, but is
unnecessary since most people do not stand this close to
the wall. Make sure the heating wire will not be located
underneath finish trim.
 • Theheatingwireandfactorysplicesmustbecompletely
embedded in the thin-set. Only the power lead may exit
the thin-set and enter the wall. Pull power leads through
UL Listed conduit to a UL Listed junction box or the control
box.
STEP 1.2
Multiply the heated area square footage calculated in Step 1.1
by 0.90 to allow 4" to 6" spacing around the edges of the floor
area. Use this resulting square footage to select the appropriate
mats from Table 2 on page 5.
Remember:
• Do not exceed 15 amps at 120 VAC (1800 watts) or 15 amps
(3600 watts) at 240 VAC through a single SunStat.
• Selecteither120VACor240VACdependingonthepower
available. DO NOT mix voltages on the same SunStat if more
than one mat is to be installed to cover an area.
• Loadnomorethan12ampsona15-ampcircuitbreaker,or
15 amps on a 20-amp circuit breaker.
• SeetheWiringDiagramsinAppendixforfurtherinformation.
If the exact size of product calculated is not found in the
selection Table 2 on page 5, it may be necessary to adjust the
warming area(s) or select the next smaller size. Remember, the
heating wire must never be cut shorter to fit, and must be
completely embedded in thin-set, thick-set, or self-leveling
concrete. Failure to do so may result in damage to the
product. Do not select a product larger than necessary.
Small bath design
Gross Room Area: 8 x 5 = 40 sf
Built-in Areas
Sink and Toilet: 2 x 5 = 10 sf
Bath Tub: 2.5x 5 = 12.5 sf
Total Heated Area: 40 - (10 + 12.5) = 17.5 sf
Mat Coverage: 17.5 x 0.90 = 15.75 sf
Chosen Mat Size: 15 sf.
Sink
Toilet
Bath Tub
8 ft
5 ft
2-1/2 ft
5 ft
2 ft