Frequently Asked Questions
How does the system
operate?
Heat input to the slab is
controlled by either a
wall mounted air
sensing thermostat or a
wall mounted floor
sensing thermostat.
When the temperature
reaches the thermostat
setting the power supply
automatically switches
off and the stored heat
continues to warm the
room throughout the
day. The heat is topped
up again during the next
regulated supply
period.
operate?
Heat input to the slab is
controlled by either a
wall mounted air
sensing thermostat or a
wall mounted floor
sensing thermostat.
When the temperature
reaches the thermostat
setting the power supply
automatically switches
off and the stored heat
continues to warm the
room throughout the
day. The heat is topped
up again during the next
regulated supply
period.
What actually is electric
storage floor heating
(ESFH)?
ESFH is a continuous
space heating system. It
consists of a Pyrotenax
Electric Heating Element
cast into the concrete
slab floor of a house or
building which then
acts as a large radiant
heating panel. The
system is designed to
operate on off-peak
electricity, otherwise a
time clock can be used.
storage floor heating
(ESFH)?
ESFH is a continuous
space heating system. It
consists of a Pyrotenax
Electric Heating Element
cast into the concrete
slab floor of a house or
building which then
acts as a large radiant
heating panel. The
system is designed to
operate on off-peak
electricity, otherwise a
time clock can be used.
How much does it cost
to install?
As a guide $50m2 for the
average house, delete
any permanent fixtures
e.g., kitchen cupboards
or built-in wardrobes, just
the open floor area. The
cost covers supply of
heating units, installation
of heating units onto the
reinforcing mesh and
monitoring of the
heating units during the
concrete pour. The cost
also covers the supply of
all thermostats and
controllers.
to install?
As a guide $50m2 for the
average house, delete
any permanent fixtures
e.g., kitchen cupboards
or built-in wardrobes, just
the open floor area. The
cost covers supply of
heating units, installation
of heating units onto the
reinforcing mesh and
monitoring of the
heating units during the
concrete pour. The cost
also covers the supply of
all thermostats and
controllers.
Would they give a free
quotation?
Yes. Detailed plans
would need to be
submitted for a firm
quotation as the system
is designed to individual
plans and needs.
Who do you
recommend to install
the system?
A specialist electric floor
heating installer.
quotation?
Yes. Detailed plans
would need to be
submitted for a firm
quotation as the system
is designed to individual
plans and needs.
Who do you
recommend to install
the system?
A specialist electric floor
heating installer.
Can sections of the
heated slab be
isolated?
Yes. In fact multiple
zoning with
i n d e p e n d e n t
thermostats for different
rooms/areas is
recommended. This
gives greater control of
comfort levels
(temperatures) and
more economical
running costs.
Can the system be
installed on an existing
concrete floor?
Yes. The heating cable
is buried in a minimum
30mm cement screed
on top of the existing
floor. The system
operates as a storage
system using off-peak
electricity.
heated slab be
isolated?
Yes. In fact multiple
zoning with
i n d e p e n d e n t
thermostats for different
rooms/areas is
recommended. This
gives greater control of
comfort levels
(temperatures) and
more economical
running costs.
Can the system be
installed on an existing
concrete floor?
Yes. The heating cable
is buried in a minimum
30mm cement screed
on top of the existing
floor. The system
operates as a storage
system using off-peak
electricity.
Can the system be
installed on a timber
floor?
Yes. A light gauge
reinforcing is laid on top
of the timber floor and
the heating cables are
tied to the mesh and a
40mm cement screed is
laid over the floor. It
then may be
connected to off-peak.
What happens if
something goes wrong
- can it be repaired ?
In the unlikely event of
the heating element
being damaged, it is a
straight forward job to
locate and repair the
fault. Tyco Cables have
a full range of cable
location equipment.
This equipment can
locate the cable and
where the fault is in the
cable run, then it is a
simple matter of
exposing the cable and
completing the repair.
installed on a timber
floor?
Yes. A light gauge
reinforcing is laid on top
of the timber floor and
the heating cables are
tied to the mesh and a
40mm cement screed is
laid over the floor. It
then may be
connected to off-peak.
What happens if
something goes wrong
- can it be repaired ?
In the unlikely event of
the heating element
being damaged, it is a
straight forward job to
locate and repair the
fault. Tyco Cables have
a full range of cable
location equipment.
This equipment can
locate the cable and
where the fault is in the
cable run, then it is a
simple matter of
exposing the cable and
completing the repair.
What maintenance is
required?
The Pyrotenax system is
basically maintenance
free as there are no
moving parts to wear,
apart from the
thermostat which is
cheap and easy to
replace.
Is the system safe?
Yes. The outer copper
sheath of the Pyrotenax
heating element is
earthed during
installation. Pyrotenax
heating cables do not
require to be
connected to earth
leakage protection.
required?
The Pyrotenax system is
basically maintenance
free as there are no
moving parts to wear,
apart from the
thermostat which is
cheap and easy to
replace.
Is the system safe?
Yes. The outer copper
sheath of the Pyrotenax
heating element is
earthed during
installation. Pyrotenax
heating cables do not
require to be
connected to earth
leakage protection.
Do you need to alter
home/building design
or make concrete slab
thicker to
a c c o m m o d a t e
heating cables?
No. The heating cable
is fixed to the reinforcing
mesh within the
standard slab design.
Also there is no need to
allow space for ducting,
furnace, etc. There is no
need to increase the
slab thickness or
change any structured
reinforcing mesh.
What is off-peak
electricity?
Off-peak electricity
supplied during the
supply authority low
demand hours. The
electricity is supplied at
a reduced cost. Price
reductions are from 40
to 60% of the general
rate cost. Floor heating
may also be connected
to a time of use tariff, a
time clock is used to
enable power only to
be used in the low cost
hours.
home/building design
or make concrete slab
thicker to
a c c o m m o d a t e
heating cables?
No. The heating cable
is fixed to the reinforcing
mesh within the
standard slab design.
Also there is no need to
allow space for ducting,
furnace, etc. There is no
need to increase the
slab thickness or
change any structured
reinforcing mesh.
What is off-peak
electricity?
Off-peak electricity
supplied during the
supply authority low
demand hours. The
electricity is supplied at
a reduced cost. Price
reductions are from 40
to 60% of the general
rate cost. Floor heating
may also be connected
to a time of use tariff, a
time clock is used to
enable power only to
be used in the low cost
hours.
Is off-peak much
cheaper than normal
electricity?
Yes. Depending on the
region it can be less
than one third the cost,
thats over 50% savings.
How does off-peak
electricity compare
with gas running costs?
Operating cost to
maintain 21oC for 24
hours are generally
cheaper than gas in
most areas. The
operating costs vary in
some areas due to tariff
charges and climatic
conditions.
cheaper than normal
electricity?
Yes. Depending on the
region it can be less
than one third the cost,
thats over 50% savings.
How does off-peak
electricity compare
with gas running costs?
Operating cost to
maintain 21oC for 24
hours are generally
cheaper than gas in
most areas. The
operating costs vary in
some areas due to tariff
charges and climatic
conditions.
What about insulation?
(a) A vapour barrier
(polyethylene sheeting)
beneath the slab is
usually standard
practice nowadays.
(b) Certainly ceiling
insulation (batts) is
recommended as 30-
40% of heating can be
lost through an
uninsulated ceiling.
What is the minimum
heated area in a slab
floor?
There is no minimum size,
however, for 240 Volt
operation the heated
area must be at least
1.5m2.
(a) A vapour barrier
(polyethylene sheeting)
beneath the slab is
usually standard
practice nowadays.
(b) Certainly ceiling
insulation (batts) is
recommended as 30-
40% of heating can be
lost through an
uninsulated ceiling.
What is the minimum
heated area in a slab
floor?
There is no minimum size,
however, for 240 Volt
operation the heated
area must be at least
1.5m2.
What happens when a
cold night is followed by
a warm day?
The heat will stay
trapped in the slab
when the air
temperature exceeds
the floor temperature so
no heat will rise out of
the slab.
cold night is followed by
a warm day?
The heat will stay
trapped in the slab
when the air
temperature exceeds
the floor temperature so
no heat will rise out of
the slab.
How hot does the floor
get?
To maintain a 21oC air
temperature the floor
temperature would be
approximately 25oC or
approximately 4oC
above the desired room
air temperature.
get?
To maintain a 21oC air
temperature the floor
temperature would be
approximately 25oC or
approximately 4oC
above the desired room
air temperature.
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Concrete Slab