The popularity of film and tape electric heaters is difficult to overestimate. They currently make up approximately 40% of all heated floor models. More recently, a mobile version of the heater has appeared. Even the most non-technical person can install an electric heated floor under a carpet, and the simplicity of the device makes it indispensable for a trip to a country house or country house in winter.
Service life – more than 5 years
Criterias of choice
Since the warm floor covering under the carpet plays an important role in heating the room, experts recommend approaching its choice with full responsibility. The following points are highlighted as priorities that need to be paid attention to:
- type of system. As the analysis results show, many consumers give their preference to inexpensive and practically safe IR systems,
- power indicator. When assessing this criterion, it is necessary to take into account that if the system plays the role of an auxiliary heat source, then you should not chase high power, because you will need to slightly heat the air for complete comfort,
- presence of children or elderly people. For this category of residents, the heating system becomes not only a source of thermal energy, but also a way to prevent colds,
- price. This indicator is considered important for many consumers, so before purchasing it is recommended to carefully study all the options available in stores and only then make the final choice.
Minuses
No matter how well mobile under-carpet heaters perform, they also have negative sides. Firstly, you should pay attention to the topography of the surface on which the heater is placed. If there are depressions, it will heat up unevenly. In addition, heavy furniture cannot be placed on top of the appliances, as it will crush the heating element and damage the heated floor.
The thermostat needs to provide air access so that it does not overheat and break. Please note that the temperature on the sensor cannot be set higher than the recommended values.
As with any electrical equipment, when operating mobile underfloor heating panels, you should follow the rules. Even if the film can be installed in areas with high humidity, it is not advisable to subject it to a waterproof test.
A little theory
Heat can be transferred from one object to another in three ways:
- Contact - a hotter object heats a colder one upon contact,
- Convection - heat is transferred by heating a liquid or gas flowing around a heated body, and from them surrounding objects are heated
- Wave - heating is carried out using infrared waves.
Infrared radiation was discovered in 1800 by the English scientist W. Herschel. Using thermometers to determine the effects of different parts of the visible spectrum, Herschel discovered that the “maximum heat” lies behind the saturated red color (i.e., in the invisible part of the spectrum). In the 19th century, it was proven that infrared (IR) radiation obeys the laws of optics, and therefore has the same nature as visible light. In the 20th century, it was experimentally proven that there is a continuous transition from visible radiation to infrared radiation and radio wave radiation. That is, all types of radiation are of an electromagnetic nature. Infrared radiation is generated by any body with a temperature above absolute zero (-273 ˚C).
The infrared range is invisible to us. Today, the entire range of infrared radiation is divided into three components:
- shortwave region;
- mid-wave region;
- long wavelength region;
This division is very arbitrary and in different sources you can find different wave ranges corresponding to the given areas. Let's look at the following:
- short-wave region: 0.74 – 1.5 µm (source with a temperature of more than 700˚С);
- mid-wave region: 1.5 – 5.6 µm (source with a temperature from 300 to 700˚С);
- long-wave region: 5.6 – 100 µm (source with a temperature from 35 to 300˚С);
Radiation with a wavelength of more than 100 microns is today isolated into a separate region called terahertz radiation. I emphasize that the division is very arbitrary. From the temperature it is possible to determine only the wavelength at which the maximum radiation occurs, and quite approximately. However, to get an idea about infrared heated floors, such accuracy is quite enough for us. From the above classification, we can confidently say that infrared film floors emit in the long-wave and terahertz region (the operating temperature on the surface of the film is no more than 60 - 70 ˚C).
Advantages of laying heated floors under carpet
The positive qualities of such mobile devices are the following:
- convenient to use and do not harm human health;
- Can be installed under any carpet;
- you can lay a heated floor under a carpet on a wooden floor, laminate, linoleum or any other base;
- the possibility of thermal burns from the heating device is excluded;
- do not emit electromagnetic waves;
- energy consumption is 60% less compared to traditional heaters;
- ease of transportation;
- manufacturer's warranty for 7 years of continuous operation;
- strength and resistance to mechanical damage.
There are two main types of mobile heaters:
- infrared;
- resistive.
In the case of an infrared heated floor under a carpet, we can say that it efficiently warms the room without burning oxygen or drying out the air. Infrared radiation heats objects in the room. Such devices are convenient to use on glazed balconies and loggias, in bay windows or on cold stairs. It is also quite common to create warm floors in a frame house using mobile rugs.
Heating is carried out by carbon paste applied in a special way to the film. It is simply laid out in the right place and connected to a power source. But a resistive floor is made of individual heating elements fixed on a film substrate. Please note that such an electric heated floor under the carpet must be grounded.
The complete set of mobile film devices necessarily includes:
- heating elements of the installed type;
- thermostat;
- two layers of film backing and protection;
- plug and power cord.
Advantages of portable systems
As noted above, portable mobile heating devices are energy efficient and can save a lot of money. However, when choosing a heater for your home, it is worth considering some subtleties.
Please pay attention to the following points:
- It is advisable to opt for an infrared heated floor under a rug. It is much safer and more reliable.
- Such devices do not need too much power - heating up to 30 ℃ is sufficient for an additional heat source.
- A mobile heated floor will help protect young children from colds due to drafts.
- First of all, you should choose products from well-known brands that have customer reviews. Make your purchase at specialized points of sale.
It is noteworthy that no preparation is required to install a mobile heated floor. It is simply spread on the floor and covered with a carpet. If necessary, it can be easily moved to another location.
Thanks to the presence of a thermostat, the heating temperature of the heated floor can be set to the optimal value for the consumer. Moreover, it does not heat up to such an extent that it burns - this is important if there are children in the house.
The efficiency of these devices is about 90% with an average power consumption of 200 W/hour. They are resistant to damage and can even work with individual damaged elements.
Famous manufacturers
The production of mobile heated floors under carpet has been established in Europe, Russia, Ukraine and China. If the power of such devices is approximately the same, then the sizes can vary significantly. Moreover, many companies began to produce products based on individual orders from consumers.
The industry leader at the moment is the Teplolux Express company. They offer film heated floors for carpet with dimensions of 2.8 x 1.8 m and 2.0 x 1.4 m. The upper part of the covering is protected by a layer of felt in discreet shades, which is easy to clean. For transportation, the cover can be easily rolled up and placed in a bag, and, if necessary, spread out in the garage or in the country house.
Express sells electric heated floors that are convenient to lay under laminate, tile or linoleum. They are perfect for children's rooms where the heater is placed in the center of the room.
From the Sinplen brand you can purchase a warm floor under a carpet that will function even if one of the heating elements fails. Plus, their products come in all sizes, so you can even cover the entire floor of a room.
But it is more focused on the production of small heated floor mats. With equal power, such products consume significantly less electricity.
The cost of different models of mobile carpet heaters differs slightly - it is only affected by the size of the product.
Infrared
The most popular model among warm floor mats is infrared film.
Device
Infrared-type warm floor is a film covered with carbon strips, which are combined into blocks of 20 pieces. Heaters (carbon strips) are connected in parallel, this allows the system to function even if one unit fails.
Models are available with a continuous carbon layer. In such structures, the floor works even with a local rupture of the fabric.
Principle of operation
In this device, the heat radiator is carbon paste with carbon compounds. Heat is dissipated throughout the room using infrared rays, their length is from 5 to 20 microns.
In addition, the infrared floor design has a foil layer, which is not present in a resistive floor, which allows you to direct the waves in the desired direction.
For your information! Infrared waves have a directional effect, so they evenly warm the room.
Advantages
A warm infrared electric mat has many advantages, and many people prefer it when choosing a heating system. These include:
- the ability to cut the film along special lines - which simplifies the installation process;
- high level of thermal conductivity - provided by carbon;
- efficiency - at minimal cost;
- insignificant production of anions, which are completely absorbed by the floor covering - thus, such a warm bedding on the floor does not harm health;
- safety - since according to technology the floor is connected to a grounded socket;
- admissibility of interaction with any floor covering - laminate, linoleum, carpet;
- minimum heating time - about 5 minutes;
- destruction of microbes in the air by infrared rays;
- The presence of a thermostat allows you to set the desired temperature.
Flaws
It is worth noting the minor disadvantages of infrared floors:
- the design has many hidden contacts, so it is necessary to test the floor before installation;
- high price;
- danger of fire if installed incorrectly.
How to use this comfortable new product?
The film mat can be used not only in the off-season or in winter as a local heater. It perfectly dries shoes or children's things. By placing it under your feet in the workplace, you can significantly increase labor productivity and preserve your health.
Do vegetables on the balcony freeze in winter? It is easy to avoid such a nuisance by insulating the potato storage box with infrared film. It is very convenient to place such a warm layer in the play area of a children's room or to make a chair for a pensioner more comfortable.
For those who have not yet purchased their own home and live in a rented apartment, a warm floor under a carpet (reviews confirm) can be an excellent mobile option for personal comfort.
Features of operation
To improve the quality of removable heating and extend its service life, you need to consider a number of points:
- Place the mobile mat only on a flat surface. Pits and cracks can damage it.
- Do not place furniture or heavy objects on the film, this will lead to overheating, and subsequently to system failure.
- The floor should be connected to a separate power source that has a built-in fuse.
- Do not include assembled.
- Only the film part should be covered; the thermostat should not be covered.
- Do not lay thick or heavy materials on top of the product, as this will interfere with the correct functioning of the floor.
- Do not leave on when not in use.
Mobile heated floors are convenient and effective heating devices that do not take up much space. They are easy to use and do not require much experience to install.
Having such a floor, your feet will always be warm, and when the temperature outside drops, you will be able to maintain comfortable conditions in the apartment.
