ELECTRIC FLOOR HEATING – CARPET FLOOR
Considering under carpet heating? Floor heating is a modern and affordable way of heating your entire home or just those particular rooms that you may find yourself spending the most time in. It is silent, safe and offers lasting, gentle warmth from the ground up.
Electric floor heating is an incredibly versatile heating solution and can be applied under almost any floor covering. We recommend in slab heating, in screed heating or in self-levelling bed. This will protect cables from damage while ensuring the even distribution of heat throughout the entire floor space.
A typical installation requires 20-25mm of screed over fixed heating cables, or 12mm of self-levelling compound over mats. This will provide a thermal mass and protection from nails and smooth the edges. The floor heating warms the surrounding screed or levelling bed which in turn warms the floor covering above. This heat then radiates from the carpet upwards into the rest of the room.
Insulation
Insulation is highly recommended to prevent heat loss downwards into the ground. The insulation should be installed under the floor heating cables or mats to provide optimum efficiency. Always consult with an expert for best practice, performance and especially safety before you consider installing under carpet electric heating.
Devex Systems is Australia’s leading brand of high quality underfloor heating solutions. Offering a full range of high performing, long-lasting, floor heating products, Devex sets the standard for one of the most respected names in heating Australian homes and businesses.
Important information regarding under carpet electric heating units
Although most Australian cables used in electric units placed under carpets comply with AS/NZS 60335.2.96-2002 (Particular requirements for flexible sheet heating elements for room heating), many fail to meet the second approval standard, the AS/NZ 60335.2.106 (Particular requirements for heated carpets, for heating units, for room heating installed under removable floor coverings).
We are not aware of any direct-acting under-carpet heater in Australia that complies with both standards. However these systems continue to be installed directly under the carpet or underlay despite the increased safety risk. This renders the cables more succeptible to damage that could lead to a safety fire risk.
It is imperative to consult your floor heating supplier and/or builder before pursuing the installation of electric underfloor heating directly under a carpet floor covering. This will ensure that the installation adheres to the above standards. If you are an homeowner concerned that your floor heating was installed incorrectly, please contact us for a free assessment.
