Floor heating has long been used by homeowners who value the ergonomics and functionality of the heating system. Due to the design features, the performance of such devices is at an average level, which does not allow them to be used as the main heat source. Nevertheless, the National Comfort warm floor, reviews of which emphasize the balance of power and energy consumption indicators, can be used in some regions as the only home heating system. The main thing is to make the right choice of the kit and correctly implement the installation in accordance with the instructions.
System Options
The basic set includes heating sections, mounting tape, thermal insulation, corrugated tube and temperature regulator.
The basis of the warm floors is formed by heating sections, that is, electric mats that directly perform room heating. For the technical organization of the system, mounting accessories with fixing tape, corrugated tube and thermal insulation are also supplied. As for the tape, it is used to fasten the mats on the sides and at the joints. Thermal insulation is not always included, but the manufacturer recommends the use of insulation linings with a foil coating. For example, reviews about the National Comfort warm floors underline the advantages of combining expanded polystyrene up to 10 mm thick with mats. Due to this basis, it is possible to increase the thermal conductivity of the structure and minimize heat loss. The tube is used to install a temperature sensor, to which the thermostat is connected. This is a responsible functional element on which the autonomous control of the system depends.
Types of heating sections
Floor mats can be single or double core. Regardless of the number of circuits, the section will be an electric cable, supplemented by couplings and fixing wires. In turn, the number of cables determines the heating power of the system and the heat output. The coupling for the connection is simultaneously fixed to the cores of the installation wire and a shielding device that protects the structure from mechanical and electrical damage. When connected, the National Comfort single-core floor heating mat is connected directly to the thermostat contacts without a terminal block. Separately, a neutral wire and a ground loop are introduced into the system.
Two-wire sections also include a cable, a sleeve and a unit wire in the device. The features of this design include the fact that the wiring through the cores supplies power only from one end of the section, since the loopback of two circuits is performed on the other. Each end of the section is provided with a plug that connects the cores, and a coupling and a cold cable are connected from the opposite end. As you can see, twin-core mats facilitate installation and provide more thermal energy during operation, but they are more expensive.
Instructions for the location of the heating sections
The manufacturer recommends mounting sections on sites where furniture or heavy equipment are not supposed to be installed. When choosing the layout of the mats, one should take into account the power characteristics:
- If the system is breaded as an addition to central heating, then the National Comfort warm floor in a single-core configuration with a power of 110-120 W / m 2 is suitable.
- If the emphasis is on the main and only heating function, then a kit should be selected for 140-150 W / m 2 . In this case, the heating section will have to occupy at least 70% of the area served by the premises.
When drawing up a styling scheme, all sorts of combinations and combined solutions should be avoided. For example, the same section cannot be used for rooms with different flooring or microclimatic conditions. The design of a solid underfloor heating should be completely placed on the base with equal technical and physical characteristics over the entire surface.
Installation of heating sections
The working area is divided into several zones, each of which will correspond to one segment of the warm floor - that is, a section. Mounting is preferably performed at temperatures above -10 ° C. On the prepared surface, a thermal insulation layer is first laid on the adhesive (protective foil side facing up). After that, the mounting film is fixed. As noted in the National Comfort installation instructions for installing a heat-insulated floor, the direct attachment points should be located between the segments of the heat-insulating coating. That is, when calculating the format of expanded polystyrene sheets, it is desirable to focus on the parameters of the heating sections. Gluing strips to the tape should coincide with the loops of the mats, while being spaced from each other with a distance of about 2.5 m. The cable is laid evenly without contacts and intersections.
Connecting the temperature sensor
To install the temperature sensor, the already mentioned corrugated pipe with a diameter of 15-20 mm is used. The sensor is located inside and as close to the end of the tube as possible. The cable is led from the other end, connecting the device to a thermostat, heating mats and mains power. In this case, you can use the block, but with the expectation of the possibility of integrating the junction box into the floor. When wiring, it is important to consider that the instruction for the “National Comfort” floor heating eliminates the formation of pipe bends with a radius of more than 50 mm. The end of the tube must be sealed with a sealed solution on a cement or silicone basis. The temperature controller is mounted in the wall at a convenient height for operation. For its electrical connection, wall shredding may be required as when installing new outlets.
Screed device
After fixing the warm floor, installation activities do not end there. This is followed by a very crucial stage of strengthening the structure with a cement screed, the thickness of which is approximately 25-30 mm. As the basis for the solution, it is desirable to use self-leveling bulk compositions of polymers. They are distinguished by a combination of strength, wear resistance and the possibility of creating ultra-thin coatings, which is just what is required when pouring the film "National Comfort". Reviews also note the benefits of a combination of floor mounting film and reinforcing film that can be integrated into the solution. This inclusion will strengthen the thin layer of screed, which is very important for the further laying of heavy decorative coatings like tiles. The filling itself is carried out in one approach throughout the area. For uniform distribution of mass and the removal of air bubbles, it is advisable to use needle rollers and the rule for plaster.
Positive feedback about the system
Owners of the floor mainly share positive impressions, indicating the stability of its work, the reliability of the electrical base and the ease of regulation. Domestic products in terms of household engineering do not always indulge in high quality, but the exceptions to this rule can be safely attributed to the “National Comfort” warm floor. Feedback on system performance is also mostly laudatory. At least this applies to cases when the device is used as an auxiliary heating system.
Negative reviews
The main disadvantage of the system, many call the high cost, which averages from 2 to 5 thousand rubles. However, given the rather extensive configuration with mounting accessories, this is an acceptable contribution. As for the operational disadvantages, many minor flaws are caused by the structural complexity of the National Comfort warm floor. Reviews in this regard emphasize a large number of connecting nodes and technological levels of connection. For the same reason, experts recommend the use of simpler fittings from foreign manufacturers of electrical equipment.
Conclusion
The assortment of the company has several different modifications of the kit, which differ in working and structural characteristics. Which is better? Reviews of underfloor heating "National Comfort" to the forefront on the totality of positive properties put forward the modification of 2NK-535-3.5, which is based on a two-core mat. We can say that this is a premium offer of the company, which is confirmed by a price tag of 5 thousand rubles. Conversely, as a budget option, we can recommend the single core NK 370 floor, which successfully demonstrates its working qualities in small rooms. It can just be used for additional heating.