Radiant Heat Installation

Warmzone wants to make it as simple as possible to install radiant heating systems, snow melting systems, and roof deicing systems for their customers. Intuitive, user-friendly installation manuals are available for download on www.warmzone.com . Click on the installation tab to access these radiant heat manuals provided as PDF files. There is a section specifically for radiant floor heating systems, space heating systems, radiant driveway heating, snow melting, and ice melting systems.

The Warmzone website provides detailed information on all radiant heating product information. Whether you are looking for research on what type of radiant flooring to use in your new home, or how to maintain heat in one specific area of your home, the site will walk you through what you need to know.

There is also valuable information on different types of snow melting systems . You can find out how to install a driveway heating system or use radiant heat cable on your roof to keep it free from excess snow and dangerous ice.

With the help of cross-section diagrams and helpful videos, users can access Warmzone’s site and be a click away from their very own installation manuals for the varied radiant heating systems and products Warmzone provides. If you aren’t certain whether or not your technical knowledge is up for the challenge you can also follow the link to radiant installers to find the nearest contracted radiant heat installer. You only need to provide your zip code and the site will match the closest available installers.

The Mystery Warranty

How much do you really know about the warranties offered by manufacturers? Sure it may say “25 Year Warranty” on the package, but what exactly does that mean? Most manufacturers of radiant heating systems offer a warranty, but a 25 year warranty isn’t always better than a 10 year warranty and this is why:

I chose the Danfoss GX electric radiant heat cables to build an asphalt heated driveway at my residence. The heat of the asphalt combined with heavy weight, caused me to wonder how the GX cables were going to hold up, and what would happen if a problem occurred. I was pleased to discover that Danfoss products have a 10 year warranty, that covers up to 5 times the cost of original installation. Why is this exciting? Because the failure of a radiant heating system isn’t like a vacuum cleaner breaking down, you can’t throw it in your car and bring it back to the store for a refund. Fixing a severed cable requires tearing up the surface of the driveway – or in the case of indoor radiant heating, tearing up your brand new tiles or wood flooring. The process of tearing up a floor or driveway is time consuming and costly, not to mention annoying. Many manufacturers will replace the bad product, but you still have to pay out of your own pocket to tear up the floor and hire someone to fix the problem.

Danfoss is so sure that you won’t have any problems, their warranty is the best offered by radiant heat manufacturers. Not only do you get brand new Danfoss product, but they will cover the cost of floor removal, and reinstallation (up to 5 times the cost of the original installation). So when you install your radiant floor or driveway, you can rest easy knowing that unexpected problems are already covered.

It's true that the Danfoss GX mats make the installation process much easier for a radiant snow melting system in your driveway, walkway, or patio area, but simple mistakes can create a huge headache. Here are some important techniques to remember before you begin laying the heat cable.

The cable rows are pre-spaced, which eliminates the confusion for DIY-ers trying to figure out the correct method of laying heat cables.  One of the most important things to remember is to never cut the heating cable. DIY-ers using the GX mat feel inclined to cut the cable, in order to make turns or heat odd areas where the mat cannot reach. Here are some helpful videos that show the proper method for laying the mats and making turns without cutting the heating cable.

Radiant Heat Installation - 90 Degree Turn

Radiant Heat Installation - 180 Degree Turn

When laying the mats, remember to keep the mat rows at least two inches apart from each other. Cables that are too close together will overheat and reduce the lifespan of the cable. Following these simple and easy steps will ensure a fully functioning system when you are done with the project. I always recommend hiring an electrician to do the final wiring steps to power the snow melting system. A professional should be able to complete the wiring from the control unit, to the automatic sensor, and ultimately to the heating system, in a matter of an afternoon.

Danfoss offers a myriad of cables for all kinds of projects, but figuring out the differences can be pretty tricky. I won’t go into technical details here, rather go over some basic differences that will help you choose which cable to use for which project.

All of the Danfoss products give you the option of choosing between individual cable in lengths (it comes on a roll) or in woven mats, which has the cable rows pre-spaced and makes installation much quicker and easier. The only difficulty with the radiant mats is that it works best with rectangular areas; however, the mat can be cut to accommodate corners and custom layouts. (Just don't cut the heat cable!) If you have a complicated, odd shaped area to heat, you may be better off with installing the individual heating cable.