Technical Specifications

40100-020 Rev. 1 ©2003 Easy Heat
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q What is the primary usage of Warm Tiles
®
?
A Warm Tiles is a network of cables placed in the mortar just below
your tile, marble or slate floors to remove the chill.
Q What are the voltage, amps, and wattage requirements?
A The Warm Tiles system is designed for 120V or 240V applications in
North America. The current draw of the largest size cable is 10.7 amps.
The system can be installed to dissipate either 12 Watts per square
foot (when using the
Standard 3" spacing) or 16 Watts per square
foot (when using the Alternating 3"/1.5") spacing.
Q What is the warranty on the product?
A There is a fifteen (15) year limited warranty on our Warm Tiles cables.
Warranty details are provided in the instructions with each product
or find it on the World Wide Web by visiting:
http://www.warmtiles.com/_PDF_Files/WT_warranty.pdf .
Q What types of flooring may use a Warm Tiles system?
A Warm Tiles is designed for marble, ceramic, concrete, tile, slate, or
paver (brick, stone, etc.) type floors. It is NOT designed for wood,
carpet, linoleum, or vinyl tile floors. Warm Tiles cable MUST be
embedded in “cementitious material” (e.g., mortar).
Q How long does it take Warm Tiles to warm a floor?
A From the time the cables are turned ON it usually takes about half an
hour to 2 hours to warm the floor, depending upon floor material
and thickness.
Q How warm can I expect my floor to get?
A The surface temperature of the floor depends upon several variables:
the spacing between adjacent runs of cable, the depth from the cable
to the tiles’ surface, the total thermal mass of the floor, and the
temperatures of the room and area beneath the floor. For this reason,
the temperature range will vary from installation to installation. Generally,
Warm Tiles cables will warm a floor to a maximum of about 90°F.
Q Will there be enough heat for the entire room?
A Warm Tiles is not designed as a primary heat source for any room.
Q Can I add this to my current circuit or does it require a separate
circuit?
A We recommend that the heating cable be the ONLY load on the electric
circuit supplying power to the cable. Always check with your local
electrical inspection agency prior to installing Warm Tiles.
Q Does this product need to be installed by a professional?
A Warm Tiles is designed for easy installation by the average do-it-
yourselfer. However, you should always consult your local electrical
inspection agency prior to beginning your installation.
Q How do I figure the size of cable that I will require to warm my
floor?
A You will need to measure the area of the floor that you intend to
warm in square feet. When figuring square footage, do not include
areas under toilets, vanities, plumbing fixtures, or inaccessible areas.
Allow at least 1 inch from toilets or other fixtures. Measurements
should be as accurate as possible. Once you have determined the
square footage to be warmed, you can select the appropriate size
Warm Tiles cable system.
Note: If you are considering installing Warm Tiles under a shower
area, check local electrical codes to see if this is allowed.
Q Can I test the cable prior to installation?
A Yes. A resistance reading can be taken with an ohmmeter. Insulation
resistance can be verified with a megger. It is not necessary to energize
the cables prior to installation.
Q How is the cable installed?
A Complete, detailed installation instructions are provided with every
cable. Plastic strapping, provided with the cable, is stapled to the
floor. The cable easily snaps into the strapping and is “laced” over the
floor area to be heated. A cementitious mortar is then applied over
the cables.
Q Can I bury the cable in concrete?
A Yes, but the Warm Tiles cable must not be more than
3
/
4 " from the
surface of the floor.
Q Can I overlap the cable?
A The cable MUST NOT touch, cross, or overlap itself at any point. This
would cause the cable to overheat and require replacement.
Q Can the cable be cut?
A The length of heated cable CANNOT be altered. Cold leads, however,
can be cut to desired length.
Q Should my application be insulated from below?
A Placing insulation under your floor is not imperative; however, it
will increase the operating efficiency of your Warm Tiles system by
minimizing heat loss.
Q Can I install this cable in the walls of my bathroom?
A No. The electrical codes (NEC in the US and CEC in Canada) do not
allow heating cables to be installed behind walls.
Q Is a thermostat required for Warm Tiles cables?
A A thermostat is recommended for all Warm Tiles installations. Easy
Heat offers both 120V and 240V thermostats that have integral ground
fault protection and programmable setback features.
Q Is there a temperature range on the thermostat?
A The thermostat can be set to various levels to maintain a constant
floor temperature. You will quickly become familiar with your own
comfort zone and its corresponding setting on your thermostat.
Q Can Warm Tiles cables be installed in showers?
A Generally, Warm Tiles cables can be installed in shower areas by
installing the cables in a scratch coat using the standard method noted
in the installation instructions. Then, a waterproofing membrane is
installed OVER the cables to ensure that all water from the shower is
directed to the drain and does not come in contact with the cables.
Q What happens if the cable gets damaged?
A If the cable is cut or penetrated, the flow of current will be directed
to the grounding braid surrounding the cable, thereby causing the
ground fault protection to trip, which removes power from the cable.
Q How much does it cost to operate Warm Tiles?
A Warm Tiles systems are very cost effective to operate. When used in
conjunction with a setback thermostat, operating costs are about 1
cent per square foot of heated area per day. Note that the heat from
a warm floor will disperse throughout the home and thereby offset
home heating requirements.
Q Where can I buy Warm Tiles?
A Warm Tiles products are available at many tile shops as well as
electrical distributors and home centers. For the name of a Warm
Tiles dealer near you, contact Easy Heat at 574/654-3144.