Carbonwarm® Heating Film FAQs

• Electric underfloor heating - what is Carbonwarm?
• Is all wood and laminate flooring suitable for use with underfloor heating systems?
• Is there a maximum thickness of wood flooring suitable to use with Carbonwarm® floor heating?
• How is Carbonwarm® supplied?
• Can Carbonwarm® be laid in wet areas?
• Do I need insulation under my Carbonwarm® underfloor heating?
• What type of insulation should be used with wood and laminate floor heating?
• Why is Impact Sound Reduction important?
• What is Fastwarm®-Lite insulation?
• Does Fastwarm®-Lite comply with Approved Document E Requirements (ADE)
• Will Fastwarm®-Lite insulation help to reduce the footfall noise on my wooden flooring when walking over it?
• What is the power rating of Carbonwarm® heating elements?
• Can Carbonwarm® be installed by a DIYer?
• How do I connect the Carbonwarm® heating elements together?
• Can Carbonwarm® heating elements be connected together into one thermostat?
• Will I need an electrician to make the electrical connections?
• Can I put furniture on top of a heated wooden floor?
• How do I control my Carbonwarm® underfloor heating system?
• How are Carbonwarm® heating elements laid?
• Can I cut the Carbonwarm® heating elements to fit?
• Do I need to tape the Carbonwarm® heating elements down?
• What is the maximum load I can control with a single 15amp thermostat?
• Is there any maintenance required once I have installed my Carbonwarm® heating system?
• How safe is Carbonwarm®?
• What is the guarantee on Carbonwarm®?

Electric underfloor heating - what is Carbonwarm?

Carbonwarm® is a very thin carbon heating film consisting of a specially formulated, semi-conductive medium, coated onto polyester film.

Carbonwarm® underfloor heating film is specifically designed for use under laminate, engineered board and solid wood flooring.

Most manufacturers approve their flooring products to be used with underfloor heating, but it is always advisable to check with your supplier that your wood or laminate flooring is suitable for use over under floor heating, before ordering.

The maximum board thickness should be no greater than 18mm (or thickness equivalent to a maximum thermal resistance of 0.15m²K/W).

Carbonwarm® heating elements are supplied in 2 different widths: 300mm and 1000mm with standard lengths between 2 metres and 10 metres, available in 1 metre increments. Each element is supplied with standard 5m long connection leads.

No, Carbonwarm® should only be installed in dry locations and is not suitable for wet areas.

For improved performance in heating times and running costs, it is strongly recommended to install a layer of good quality insulation: this will minimise heat losses and ensure quicker heat-up times for the laminate/wood flooring.

Fastwarm®-Lite has been specifically designed for wood and laminate flooring installed over electric underfloor heating. Fastwarm®-Lite has a high thermal rating with exceptional footfall and impact insulation qualities.

Where an alternative underlay is to be used, always check that it is suitable for the Carbonwarm® heating film.

Click Fastwarm®-Lite for more information.

Separating floors must provide impact sound insulation at source to reduce the amount of noise created by footsteps, furniture or heavy objects moving or hitting the floor: a maximum level of sound is permitted within Approved Document E.

Fastwarm®-Lite is a polyethylene closed cell, sound deadening foam with high thermal properties; making Fastwarm®-Lite suitable for both wood and laminate flooring, where impact sound reduction, coupled with high thermal insulation for underfloor heating, is required.

Fastwarm®-Lite has been extensively tested at the independent SRL laboratories to ensure it has the necessary performance levels and complies with current building regulation Part E for acoustic insulation between buildings, relating to impact and airborne sound levels.

Fastwarm®-Lite is available in 5mm and 10mm thickness, supplied in 5m and 25m rolls of 1m and 1.2m widths.

Fastwarm®-Lite widths can be jointed using Fastwarm® fixing tape.

Under Approved Document E, all residential properties must provide a good level of acoustic insulation between dwellings to the required decibel standards of performance for compliance.

Fastwarm®-Lite has been rigourously tested by an accredited testing service to comply with the ADE standards.

Fastwarm®-Lite conforms to current building regulations as measured to BS EN ISO 140-7 standards for acoustic emissions, where a low decibel rating is required for the flooring.

Fastwarm®-Lite is suitable for both new build properties and refurbishment projects, where the wood or laminate flooring requires a low footfall impact sound.

Carbonwarm® underfloor heating film is rated at 130W/m2 and operates on a standard 230 Volts mains electrical supply.

Carbonwarm® Underfloor Heating Elements are very simple to install and are designed for simple “do it yourself” installation, following the comprehensive installation guide included with each Carbonwarm® kit.

Carbonwarm® heating elements are connected using the new lever action commoning blocks.

For more information on making the electrical connections to the Carbonwarm® heating elements click here.

Carbonwarm® heating elements are connected using electrical connectors, sited within a junction box: the thermostat and power connections are routed into the junction box.

For more information on siting the thermostat and junction box, click here.

All electrical connections must be done by a qualified electrician and the complete installation must comply with BS 7671:2001 (IEE Wiring Regulations) and Part P of The Building Regulations.

Carbonwarm® underfloor heating systems must be protected by a 30mA RCD (residual current device) and a suitably rated fuse or MCB (miniature circuit breaker).

Carbonwarm® underfloor heating elements must not be installed below fixed pieces of solid furniture, cupboards, wardrobes etc as this could lead to a localised increase in temperature.

Thick rugs, dog beds, bean bags etc must not be laid on the heated floor as this may cause localised overheating and damage the floor covering.

Carbonwarm® is controlled by a simple to operate digital thermostat, providing the user with maximum flexibility and control to suit individual, lifestyle choices. Air and floor temperature sensors regulate heat output to maximise comfort. The unit can offer full 24-hour control; 7 days a week, with simple manual override functions.

Select the nearest lengths and roll width to provide maximum floor coverage. Installation is completely dry and is a simple unrolling process.

Carbonwarm® heating elements can be shortened by cutting along the printed cutting line using either scissors or a sharp knife and straight edge. The exposed copper strips will require insulating using the insulating green polyester tape discs provided with each heating element.

To hold the Carbonwarm® heating elements in place, prior to laying the wood/laminate flooring, tape along the edges of the using the Fastwarm® fixing tape.

A single 16 amp thermostat will control a maximum Carbonwarm® heated area of 28m²: in any event, the installed load should not exceed 3680 watts (16 amps).

The Floor Heating contactor will control up to a maximum of 22,000 watts or 96 amps total loading – a total Carbonwarm® heated area of 169m2

Click here for more information on contactors.

Carbonwarm® is reliable, safe and manufactured to last. Electric underfloor heating has no moving parts and is completely maintenance free.

Carbonwarm® is approved to the relevant International safety approval EN60335-2-96.

Carbonwarm® comes with a 10 year guarantee against manufacturing defects.