Features of infrared heating: installation and installation of underfloor heating and selection of equipment

Infrared heating systems (IR) date back to the time of the Romans, who laid a system of pipes under the marble floors of houses and filled them with hot water. For such a heating system, the Romans used a wood-fired boiler. It was served by slaves, heating hot water. Many centuries have passed since then, and technologies have made a huge step forward, however, the principles of operation of IR heating have remained the same.

The principle of operation of the IR system

Infrared radiation is generated by strips of carbon fiber that are attached to silver bus bars connected to a copper electrical strip. Silver provides excellent electrical current transmission, preventing arcing at the points of contact. The components are then sealed tightly with two sheets of heat-resistant polyethylene film.

Advantages of installing infrared underfloor heating:

• Saves up to 50% on energy costs compared to conventional radiator systems;
• ease of installation;
• saving useful living space (about 15%);
• thermal comfort;
• security;
• dust protection.

For example, a floor heating system set at 19 C provides the same thermal comfort as a radiator set at 22 C.

Comparative calculation of costs

The cost of installing an IR underfloor heating depends on several factors:

• The size of the heated area;
• the height of the premises;
• the quality of the house insulation;
• floor covering material;
• internal and external air temperatures.

For clarity of the advantages of IR heating, let's compare two heating systems - an infrared heated floor and a heat pump (air conditioner).

Calculation data:

• The initial temperature of the internal air is 14 C.
• Internal air heating temperature 22 C.
• The average night temperature of the outside air is + 3 C.
• Heating time 30 days.

Results table

Index	IR heater	Heat pump (air conditioner) for subzero temperatures
Building area, sq. m	30,6	30,6
Thermal power, kW	3,5	3,5
Duration of work, hour	720	720
Total power consumption, kW	316	864
Average energy consumption, kWh	0,44	1,2
The cost of equipment and installation of electric heating, rubles	48000	42000
The cost of installing a traditional heating system, rub	42000	42000
Central heating cost season, rub	7560	7560
Electric heating cost season, rub	9580	26127

Comparison of the results shows that an infrared heating system in terms of costs is approaching the cost of central heating (including installation) and significantly lower heating costs using air conditioner. If at the same time we switch to the use of a multi-tariff meter, then infrared heating will be much cheaper than central heating.

Heating panel selection criteria

The choice of an IR panel for infrared heating is key. Types of infrared heating elements:

1. The mats are a combination of a heating cable attached to a fiberglass mesh for easy installation. The mats can be simply spread out on the floor, saving valuable time. They have double-sided tape on the underside so they can be easily fixed to any clean surface. They are the ideal electrical solution for heating stone and tile floors.
2. Infrared rugs - specially designed for installation under laminate or wood flooring. The system provides comfortable and luxurious warmth throughout the room, regardless of the outside temperature.
3. Carbon infrared heater. A silvery-carbon layer is deposited between two sheets of 0.2 mm foil, resembling two apertures, by means of photographic technology. This layer begins to heat up when exposed to electricity, however, even with continuous operation, its temperature never reaches more than 50 degrees Celsius. This design has tenfold protection, the device can be damaged only when the heating film is heated by several hundred degrees, which is impossible for these types of heaters.

This type of heater is used for heating rooms and open spaces. Cable infrared element manufactured using a self-regulating conductive core protected by a moisture-resistant barrier. It uses a modified polyolefin sheath (polyethylene) bonded with a tinned copper braid. This design, made for a one-time installation, withstands a maximum heating temperature of up to 85 degrees and a minimum ambient temperature of -60 C, with a service life of 20 years.

Infrared floor heaters rating 2018

№	Cover type	Brand	Manufacturer	Power / length / area	Warranty period, years	Cost, rub
1.1	cable	ENERGY CABLE 160	United Kingdom	8.5 m, 150 W.	20	2860
1.2	Cable	TEPLOLUX ELITE 18TLBE2−23	Russia	23 meters / 2.8 m2	50	5149
1.3	Cable	DEVI PIPEHEAT DPH-10 4 M	Poland	4m / 40w	20	7200
2.1	Film	PNK - 220 - 440 / 0.5 - 2M2	Russia	150 watts	15	3300
2.2	Film	ELECTROLUX EMSM 2-150-4	Sweden	600 watts	10	8721
2.3	Film	REHAU SOLELEC	Germany	160 watts	25	5860

Description of the complete installation cycle

Installing underfloor heating should be taken seriously. The fact that linoleum has a low conductivity, which significantly reduces the heating effect, requires special heaters. You need to choose thin linoleum. When heated, it can create harmful substances, so the temperature under it should be no more than 30 C. For these types of floors, a heating film with IR elements is used.

Safety precautions when performing work

For the successful completion of work you must adhere to the following safety rules:

1. Before installation, it is important to check and record the resistance of each heating element IK (IKE) with using a digital ohmmeter and compare these readings with the factory reference resistance by the manufacturer.
2. Before making electrical connections, make sure that the power switch on the IKE is turned off.
3. Do not install IKE on walls, under walls or partitions, or in places where they will be covered with furniture.
4. Floor IKEs must be designed for use with an electric underfloor heating system.
5. Do not bend or deform heating ICEs.

Necessary equipment

For self-installation, you will need the following:

• rolls of infrared floor corresponding to the heated area;
• two clips - for attaching contacts to each roll;
• one thermostat for each room;
• heat reflective material;
• plastic film;
• electrical cable;
• tape, knife, stapler, glue and insulating mastic.

Description of the installation process

For a successful installation, all actions must be performed sequentially:

1. Installation of an infrared floor. The heating element can be placed on any standard floor as long as it is flat, smooth and free from protrusions such as nails, screws, etc.
2. The calculated gaps during the installation of the EIK should be at least 15 cm between the edge of the rugs and the perimeter of the room or walls. The electrical wiring in the floor must be at least 5 cm from the EIC.
3. The location of the thermostat is usually located near the power wires.
4. Preparation of the workplace. Before starting work, make sure the work area is free of foreign objects and debris. Nails, screws, and other sharp debris can damage the rugs. Any EIC that is damaged in one way or another must be replaced.
5. Installation of EIK. The infrared film is unwound so that the copper strip is at the bottom. The film is cut between sections so as not to spoil the graphite tape.
6. Installation of additional power modules according to the project.
7. Installation of electrical box and electrical wires.
8. Installing the thermostat sensor. Cut off the lining area so that it is completely flush with the rug. Place the sensor on the pad in an area at least 2.5 cm from any black strip of the heating mat.
9. Connect the electrical wires according to the diagram.
10. Conduct a visual inspection to look for any signs of damage to the IQE or electrical wires that may have occurred during installation. If any part of the IQE is damaged, replace the entire mat.
11. Carry out a wiring test. To detect short or open circuits, a resistance test should be performed on the wires of each mat using a digital ohmmeter, if the resistance is higher than the manufacturer's specified, then it is damaged element. It is necessary to replace it, re-inspect all wiring for damage or loose connections and repeat the check. If the resistance reading is 0, it means a short circuit in the circuit.
12. Check the wiring path and make sure the wires are not punctured or otherwise damaged.

Infrared heating system test

To make sure the installed system is working properly, before commissioning, you need to carry out a test run of the heating:

1. Turn on the switch and adjust the thermostat so that the system starts heating.
2. After the system has worked for several minutes, run your hand over the heating EICs, they should be warm.
3. If the EICs do not heat up, double check all wiring and repeat the electrical tests above (after turning off the power at the switch).
4. Remember that rugs create low, comfortable warmth and are designed to heat the floor, not the air. If the room is hypothermic during installation, it is likely that the rugs will not immediately feel warm to the touch, so when the test will only have to rely on electrical resistance measurements or infrared thermometer data.

Connecting IR underfloor heating - a rather complicated process, and in order not to spoil expensive equipment, this work is better entrust to qualified personnel who have the appropriate admission groups to work in electrical installations.

As it follows from the above, the use of infrared heat at low temperatures of the heating medium provides very comfortable and efficient heat in living quarters. The heat from the heated floor surface creates natural radiation that provides more uniform heat in the home than can be achieved with other heating methods.

The advantages of this type of heating are obviousbut the word "radiation" often scares people. Indeed, there are some types of electromagnetic radiation that can be dangerous to humans and animals, such as ultraviolet and X-rays. Visible light (which we see with our own eyes) is also a type of electromagnetic radiation, however, like infrared radiation, it is 100% safe!