It's not just a matter of placing the resistors. The electrical installation has to be prepared to handle it.
Electric radiant floor has become one of the most sought-after heating options in bathroom renovations and small rooms. It is comfortable, quiet, invisible, and heats very uniformly. But before deciding to install it, there is a question that is worth asking: is my electrical installation prepared to handle it?
At Iluminamos tu Vida we install electric radiant heating in Madrid quite frequently, and the first thing we always do is check that the existing installation can handle the additional load without any problems.
How much does the electric radiant floor consume?
Consumption depends on the surface area to be heated and the type of system chosen, but as a general reference, an electric radiant floor consumes between 80 and 150 watts per square meter. For a bathroom measuring 5 square meters, that amounts to between 400 and 750 W running continuously during usage hours.
It's not excessive consumption, but enough that it needs its own independent electrical circuit in the dashboard, with its own properly calibrated automatic.
Why does it need an independent circuit?
The radiant floor cannot share a circuit with other appliances in the bathroom or the home. It operates for extended periods and its consumption, although moderate, is constant. If it is connected to a shared circuit, it can cause overloads or cause the automatic system to switch off frequently.
In addition, when installed in a bathroom, the installation must meet the specific protection requirements for wet areas, including a high-sensitivity differential that properly protects that circuit.
The thermostat: a fundamental part of the system
The electric radiant floor is always controlled by a thermostat that regulates the temperature and operating times. Installing the thermostat requires an electrical connection point on the wall, usually at the height of a switch, which must also be provided for from the outset.
If there is no light point or plug near where the thermostat is located, a cable must be laid from the panel or the nearest register box. It is a simple task but one that must be planned before installation.
When is the best time to install it?
Electric radiant heating is installed before laying the floor, so the renovation is the ideal time. If the renovation is already underway or you have it planned, including the radiant heating in the project from the beginning allows for a perfect coordination of the electrical installation with the rest of the work.
Installing it later, with the floor already installed, is not impossible but it is much more complex and expensive.
At Iluminamos tu Vida we take care of both the electrical installation and the installation of the underfloor heating system in Madrid. If you are thinking of incorporating it into your next renovation, give us a call and we will tell you how to plan it correctly.