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How do Floor Heating Systems Work?
Heating Mats – DWM
How Radiant Floor Heating Systems Work:
Radiant heating systems work with thermal mass. This means that it heats the things around it, which then radiate the heat outward. So, for example, a heating cable will heat thinset and tile, then stop. And the thinset and tile will release that heat in the room.
Because thermal mass is very stable (unlike hot air from a furnace), radiant heat is much more efficient. You could open the windows in the winter but your tile floor would still be at 80 degrees. Once you close the window, comfort would resume immediately. With a furnace, it would have to kick in and work hard to replace the cold air with warm air all over again.
More Resources:
Want to see our products in action? Visit our YouTube Channel for tech tips, installation videos, and more!
For more information on our floor heat products, view the Literature Page on our website.
Interested in reading more? Head over to our blog post on this topic for more detail.
Further Questions?
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Troubleshooting
- What if my thermostat screen is black and won’t turn on?
- Check the Resistance Readings of your Electric Floor Heating System
- What are the electrical requirements for my Warmup system?
- Ground Fault Error: What does this Mean if my Thermostat has “Ground Fault Error” on the Display?
- Why is my Floor Temperature Reading Incorrect?
- Why hasn’t my Controller activated my snowmelt system if its snowing?
- What if the Sensor Probe Reads Higher or Lower than Actual Temperature?
- What does “ER1” on the thermostat display mean?
- Was your electric floor heating system installed directly on a concrete slab?
- Un-Mounting Your Thermostat
- Thermostat Reads Error Message “ER2” on the Display?
- Should I use Self-leveler or Thinset ?
- Output Fault Detected on the Display
- Once a repair has been completed, can I replace the tile right away?
- My Floor has No Heat but There Are No Error Messages?
- Is it Normal if my Thermostat Makes a Clicking Noise?
- Heater Error: What Does it Mean if my Thermostat Reads “Heater Error” on the Display?
- Can I Cut the Electric Floor Heating System Wire if I Have too Much?
- Can I cut my floor heating mat if it’s too large?
- Are you getting a “Ground Fault” error after a few years?
- “ER1 Out” Thermostat Reading on the Display
- How to repair an electric floor heating cable system
- Floor Probe Installation Instructions
- Check the Resistance Readings of your Electric Floor Heating System
- What if my thermostat screen is black and won’t turn on?
- What are the electrical requirements for my Warmup system?
- I nicked the wire slightly; do I need a repair kit?
- Why is my thermostat flashing?
- Can I have a technician come to my home?
- How do I test my thermostats GFCI?
- How does the infrared thermal camera work?
- Why does my thermostat say test monthly?
- What can I do if my old thermostat has stopped working?
- Why is my thermostat stuck on the Warmup screen?
- Is it possible to repair damaged underfloor heating?
- Can I delete a WSM in the application?
- What should I do if I change my WiFi settings at home and my WSM is not online anymore?
- How do I perform a factory reset on the WSM ?
- How do I connect my WSM-252W to WiFi?
- How do I test a floor probe?
- How do I test my heating cable(s)?
- Comment tester mon (mes) câble(s) chauffant(s) ?
- What is the difference between a Watch Dog and an Alligator?
- ER1 on the Thermostat Meaning
- How to Check the Resistance Readings of your Electric Floor Heating System
- What Does the Control Fault Error Message Mean?
- What Does the Error Message on my Tempo Mean?
- How do I test my system using a Megger (Mega-Ohmmeter)?
- What does it mean if my thermostat reads “output fault detected” on the display?
- What is causing my thermostat to keep tripping requiring that I press the reset button?
- What does it mean if my thermostat reads “ER 1 Out” on the display?
- What if my thermostat says system is on however the floor is not heating up?
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Wiring
- What if my thermostat screen is black and won’t turn on?
- Can I install a 120V mat on one leg of a double pole breaker?
- Can I Have Another Thermostat as an Acting Relay?
- Floor Probe Installation Instructions
- Will the Electric Floor Heating System Work Without the Floor Sensor Probe?
- Why does my heater have a ground wire but the thermostat has no terminal for ground?
- What is the EMF level of Warmup cables?
- What if my thermostat screen is black and won’t turn on?
- What gauge wire should be used for the CIT-1?
- What are the electrical requirements for my Warmup system?
- Should I use a 120V or 240V electric floor heating system?
- Is the electric floor heating system wired correctly?
- Is the CIT-1 sensor high or low voltage?
- If I have too much mat or cable, can I cut it?
- I nicked the wire slightly; do I need a repair kit?
- Can I upgrade to the 6iE?
- Wiring the DS-9 Controller
- Can you wire floor heat for 120 or 240 volt?
- How far away from the thermostat can the relay be mounted?
- Can multiple relays be used?
- Do Warmup outdoor controls have GFEP protection?
- What gauge wire should be used?
- What is the largest breaker allowed by code to power a snow melting system?
- What is the difference between a Watch Dog and an Alligator?
- How to Check the Resistance Readings of your Electric Floor Heating System
- How do I wire my WSM-63 to my DS2 controller?
- How do I wire my WSM-63 to my ETO2 controller?
- How Do I Wire my Tempo Thermostat?
- Do you have to wire the floor sensor probe that comes with the 3iE thermostat?
- How to wire the 3iE Energy-Monitoring Floor Heating Thermostat
- How To Wire the DS-2 Controller ?
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Miscellaneous questions
- Why is my Floor not Reaching Target Temperature?
- Why does my thermostat trip every time it reaches the same temperature?
- Why does my floor heat unevenly?
- Why does my floor get warmer in some spots?
- When my screen goes dark, will my floor continue to heat?
- When I push the test monthly button on my thermostat, the screen goes red and tells me to call Warmup. Should I be worried?
- The Factory Joint Rule
- How can I turn my system on or off completely?
- Does the 3iE have a battery backup?
- Can I replace tile immediately when repair is completed?
- Can I use an uncoupling membrane with the NADWS cable ?
- Can I install my Warmup system directly on top of plywood ?
- Can I connect one Warmup heater to another in series?
- Can I connect more than one Warmup heater to a thermostat?
- Can a wooden floating floor be installed directly over the Warmup NADWS system?
- At what temperature does the CIT-1 sensor activate?
- What type of thinset should I use with my Warmup system?
- How Long will my Electric Floor Heating System Take to Heat Up?
- Do I choose cable or mat electric floor heating systems?
- Can I Cut the Electric Floor Heating System Wire if I Have too Much?
- Can I cut my floor heating mat if it’s too large?
- Why does my heater have a ground wire but the thermostat has no terminal for ground?
- What is the EMF level of Warmup cables?
- Should I use a 120V or 240V electric floor heating system?
- Can I upgrade to the 6iE?
- How much accumulation can a snow melting system handle?
- Can I use area rugs with underfloor heating?
- What are the differences between the old WSM version (before 2020) and the new?
- Can I reset my password?
- What is an uncoupling system?
- How much does underfloor heating cost to operate?
- What does the DCM-PRO Warranty Cover?
- Will the membrane keep it’s decoupling capability over time?
- Will the peel-and-stick glue ever dry?
- Does Warmup Underfloor Heating Comply with Title 24?
- What Does the Error Message on my Tempo Mean?
- How do I test my system using a Megger (Mega-Ohmmeter)?
- Can I Install my Floor Heat over an Existing Sheet of Vinyl Floor?
- Programming the Floor Temperature
- Initial Set up of the 3iE Energy Monitoring Floor Heating Thermostat
- My sensor triggers properly most of the time but seems to miss very wet snow.
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Installation
- What are the electrical requirements for my Warmup system?
- Why does my floor heat unevenly?
- Why does my floor get warmer in some spots?
- Master/Relay (relay reading ER1)
- Installation tips for the Electric Floor Heating Mat System
- How to install a floor heating mat around a drain in a shower ?
- How far from the controller can the CIT-1 sensor be placed?
- How do I turn on my thermostat unit?
- How do I check if the cable is working ?
- Can my sensor probe be extended?
- Can I install directly onto durock or hardieboard?
- The Factory Joint Rule
- Warmup Shower Installations
- Installation of the CIT-1
- How do I install the factory joint which is thicker than the heater wire?
- Can Warmup Electric Heating be Installed in a Shower?
- Can I install my Warmup system directly on top of plywood ?
- Can I install a 120V mat on one leg of a double pole breaker?
- Can I Have Another Thermostat as an Acting Relay?
- Can I connect one Warmup heater to another in series?
- Can I connect more than one Warmup heater to a thermostat?
- Can a wooden floating floor be installed directly over the Warmup NADWS system?
- What type of thinset should I use with my Warmup system?
- What do I need to prepare for my electric floor heating project?
- Do I choose cable or mat electric floor heating systems?
- Was your electric floor heating system installed directly on a concrete slab?
- Can I cut my floor heating mat if it’s too large?
- Specialized installation – under Nailed Hardwood
- Floor Probe Installation Instructions
- Floor Heating Loose Wire Installation Video
- Electric Floor Heating Mat Installation Video
- Will the Electric Floor Heating System Work Without the Floor Sensor Probe?
- Why does my heater have a ground wire but the thermostat has no terminal for ground?
- What are the electrical requirements for my Warmup system?
- If I have too much mat or cable, can I cut it?
- Can I upgrade to the 6iE?
- How far away from the wall should floor heat be installed?
- Can I cross floor heating cables?
- How long after flooring installation should we wait to use the heat?
- Can you install over tile?
- Can you trim the floor sensor?
- How do I register a product warranty?
- Does the membrane adhere well to Warmup insulation boards?
- Can I install directly onto durock or hardieboard?
- Does Warmup restrict tile size?
- What can I do if I do not have enough cable?
- Can I mount my thermostat anywhere?
- Is there a video guide for installing the DCM-PRO system?
- What system works best with tile flooring?
- How do I test my heating cable(s)?
- Comment tester mon (mes) câble(s) chauffant(s) ?
- What is the difference between a Watch Dog and an Alligator?
- How much self-leveler goes over the membrane?
- Is it possible to put less leveler over the membrane?
- Can the cable be spaced at 2 pegs?
- Does having a membrane change the cure time?
- Should we roll the membrane?
- Does self-leveling grip on the membrane?
- Which thin set is recommended in Québec?
- What type of thin set can be used with the DCM-PRO system?
- Should I use primer?
- Should I leave space between membrane sheets?
- Can I Install a Warmup System Under Carpet Tiles?
- How do I Mount my Tempo Thermostat?
- How do I test my system using a Megger (Mega-Ohmmeter)?
- Is GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Required for Bathrooms?
- Can I Install my Floor Heat over an Existing Sheet of Vinyl Floor?
- Conduit Requirements when Installing a Warmup System
- Where do I place the sensor probe when installing the DCM-PRO cables?
- Mounting the 3iE Energy Monitoring Floor Heating Thermostat
- Can I install a wooden floating floor directly on top of the cable ?
- Can the cold tail lead of your Warmup indoor heating system be extended?
- Can the lead of your Warmup heating system be trimmed?
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Preparing for your project
- What type of thinset should I use with my Warmup system?
- What do I need to prepare for my electric floor heating project?
- How Long will my Electric Floor Heating System Take to Heat Up?
- Do I choose cable or mat electric floor heating systems?
- Was your electric floor heating system installed directly on a concrete slab?
- Should I use Self-leveler or Thinset ?
- Floor Probe Installation Instructions
- What are the electrical requirements for my Warmup system?
- How much accumulation can a snow melting system handle?
- Can I install floor heat under my tub?
- Do Warmup thermostats zone?
- Does every room with floor heat need its own thermostat?
- What product do I use if I need 110V?
- Can floor heating be used as a primary heat source?
- Can I heat under furniture?
- Can I download the application manual ?
- Do Warmup outdoor controls have GFEP protection?
- How thick is the heated floor mat?
- How thick is DCM-PRO?
- What system works best with vinyl flooring?
- What system works best with tile flooring?
- How do Floor Heating Systems Work?
- Calculating Heat Loss: How many BTU’s are in a watt?
- How do I change the probe setting on my Tempo thermostat?
- Does Warmup Underfloor Heating Comply with Title 24?
- Is GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Required for Bathrooms?
- Can I Install my Floor Heat over an Existing Sheet of Vinyl Floor?
- Can you Heat under Glass Mosaic Tiles?
- Conduit Requirements when Installing a Warmup System
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Programming
- Why can’t I program my thermostat to read air temperature?
- What does the LD Dip Switch mean?
- What does the DEL Dip Switch mean?
- 3iE Making Temporary Temperature Adjustments
- 3iE Basic temperature programming/Setting each day separately
- 3iE Adjusting the time
- How do I test my thermostats GFCI?
- How do Warmup thermostats work?
- I can’t add a new WSM in the app
- What are heating limits?
- Can I turn my thermostat above 86°F?
- What are the Three Setting Dials around the Large Timer on the WSM-63?
- How-to: Programming Your Tempo Thermostat
- What is the purpose of the LTC Dip Switch?