QuietWarmth – Floor Heating Systems – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good temp setting for radiant heat floor?

We find that 73 degrees is the right temperature to set your thermostat for floor heating. When your floor heats up, the warmth will transfer through your body compared to force air units. The temperature also depends on how you like your comfort.

Can the flooring get too hot?

With the QuietWarmth floor heating systems, the mats can not go past 85 degrees. However, you should use caution not to trap the heat, as that can cause damage or discoloration to your flooring. Do not place area rugs, flat bottom furniture, bean bags, ottomans or “poufs” without legs, cabinets, etc over the top of the heated flooring.

Can QuietWarmth be used in a bathroom?

Absolutely. QuietWarmth is the ideal place to install as it will make morning more tolerable with warm feet. It is important to prevent water or moisture from seeping below the flooring by using a silicon sealant at the flooring expansion gaps, especially around toilets, showers, bathtubs, etc. The mats should not be used in “wet” areas such as shower pans, steam rooms, bathrooms with “zero-entry” showers or floor drains, etc.

Can I connect multiple QuietWarmth units to 1 thermostat?

We recommend using no more than 120 Sq. Ft. of 120V mats, or 240 Sq. Ft. of 240V mats per thermostat. If you have more square footage, then a power module can be used (on its own dedicated circuit) to extend the coverage of the thermostat. For example, if you have a room that you’d like to use 400 square feet of mats in, you can connect 200 square feet of 240V mats to the thermostat and 200 square feet of 240V mats to the power module. The thermostat is connected to the power module with speaker wire or similar small gauge wire; when the thermostat kicks on, it directs the power module to kick on at the same time. This allows you to have your entire floor heating simultaneously.

How much do heated floors cost?

QuietWarmth uses 12 watts per square foot, so 30 sq ft would be 360 watts per hour. Utilities bill in kilo-watt hours, so you would divide your kwh charge by 2.77 and multiply it by the number of hours you would run it each day. So if your electric company charges you $0.20 kwh and you run 8 hours a day it is: 0.20 / 2.77 = $0.07 per hour times * 8 hours = $0.56 per day. We do have a calculator tool you can use that helps you without doing math!

Can these mats be used to heat a room?

Yes, it can in some situations. A Manual J heat loss calculation is required. Consult your HVAC technician for more accurate calculations.

Is there any vibrations noise when the film operates due to 60Hz alternating current.

QuietWarmth will not vibrate during operation.

What underlayment do you recommend using with QuietWarmth product?

When installing a floating flooring with QuietWarmth Float, you can use any underlayment compatible with radiant heat, however we recommend you select an option from our Quietwalk family of underlayments that is compatible with the flooring type you are using. Our QuietWalk family of underlayments (QuietWalk, QuietWalk Plus, QuietWalk LV, QuietBoard) all have a high R-Value which will reduce the amount of heat lost to the subfloor. QuietBoard is the best underlayment to use, as it is compatible with all types of floating floors and has a thermoreflective film for maximum heat transfer to the flooring. At ¼” thick, it allows you to cut a channel or trench in the underlayment to recess the connections and lead wires, versus needing to channel into your wood/concrete subfloor.

How long are the pre-attached wires? And how can you extend them?

The lead wires to connect to your power supply are 15 feet long. They cannot be extended. If your thermostat is further than 15 feet from your mats, you should install a junction box in the wall to join your lead wires, then supply power from the thermostat to the junction box with 12/2 romex or similar electrical wiring. You may want to review this video to see more!

Can QuietWarmth be used in a travel trailer?

Yes, it can be as long as directions are followed and the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations on subfloor preparations are followed. We have heard stories it works great and actually heats the camper when temps drop down to 35-40 deg F.

Can this be used in a basement that sometimes get water?

QuietWarmth should not be exposed to water or moisture vapor emissions from a concrete slab. We require the use of a vapor barrier above the concrete subfloor to eliminate any moisture issues. QuietWarmth should not be installed in basements prone to flooding, sewer backup, etc.

Can I cut a QuietWarmth mat?

Absolutely! The QuietWarmth mats are designed so the installer can shorten the length of the mat as needed. They cannot be made narrower. The cut off portion of the mat cannot be used (as it does not have lead wires to supply power to the mat) and should be discarded. The EXCEPTION is if you purchased a QuietWarmth Float 2-in-1 mat. These specialized mats have lead wires installed on both ends, so both portions of the mat can be used. This video is super helpful.

Looking to replace an electric baseboard by a bathroom. Can the existing power and thermostat lines be used?

Our system requires the following (In-Line thermostat, thermostat or circuit breaker with built-in GFCI, Dedicated 20 amp circuit). You also need to ensure you purchase the correct voltage of mats for the voltage of circuit you are installing on. Confirming your existing power and thermostat includes these requirements, you should be good to go. If you want to read more about the installation, you can view the guide here.

How many amps does one pad generate?

A 120V mat will draw 0.1 amps per square foot. So, a 3’x10’ 120V mat will draw 3 amps. A 240V mat will draw 0.05 amps per square foot. So, a 3’x10’ 240V mat will draw 1.5 amps.

Each mat, regardless of voltage is 12 watts per square foot. So, a 3’x10’ mat is a total of 360 Watts.

You can find the full amps and watts chart in the installation manual.

We have lots of information on these and other frequently asked questions that can be found on the website.