Operating principle of IR film heater
Let's start with the fundamental difference between an IR film heater and other heating devices: it heats not the air, but the objects in the room. This is the so-called direct heating system.
The IR film is based on a heating carbon element (carbon strip), which is sealed in a polyester or polypropylene film and conductive elements (copper, copper-silver) are located at the edges. When current is applied through these elements, it passes through the carbon fiber and infrared heat is released.
The structure of infrared film
The heat flow goes directly to the walls, floor, ceiling, furniture, and people. The radiant energy absorbed by them is converted into thermal energy and only after that is transferred to the air. Thanks to this, local heating of areas is possible.
In Russia, the most popular IR film is from South Korea. In recent years, there have been many offers from China on the IR heater market. In addition to IR heaters, this includes power cables (wiring), thermostats in each room, heat-reflecting substrate and circuit breakers in the electrical distribution panel.
The advantage of infrared film heaters is that if a person has experience working with electrical wiring, then installation can be done on their own.
It is important to understand that there are sets of IR heated floors and this is a finished product that cannot be shortened/lengthened/disassembled. Such products come in a certain length and width and are immediately ready for installation and connection.
There is also a separate IR film that can be modified to fit different sizes.
Thermal film
Thermal film is used to heat small rooms. Its thickness is 0.33-0.42 mm. It is very thin, but durable, consists of 2 layers. The film is made of polypropylene. The bottom layer contains a carbon mixture. It is applied in stripes. The top layer is protective.
When the temperature rises, the carbon mixture emits infrared waves. They heat the floor surface. Heat is transferred to all objects that are in the room. Heat distribution occurs evenly.
Along the upper and lower borders of the film there are busbars made of copper and silver. They are heating devices. Electrical wires are connected to them. The floor temperature is controlled by a sensor that is placed in a niche on the film. All heating system wires are suitable for the thermostat. There is a control panel on it. The control can be mechanical or software.
The carbon layer can be placed on the canvas in a continuous layer. In this case, heating occurs more efficiently. There are no wires on the sheet. You can form any complex contour from it by cutting the sheet with a mounting knife. Film heated floors are laid under laminate or parquet. To create a normal indoor microclimate, it is necessary to equip 70% of the floor surface.
The most popular brands of Korean underfloor heating:
- "CALEO";
- "STEM ENERGY";
- "TEPLOTEX";
- "HEAT PLUS";
- "UNIMAT".
Heating systems are produced in Korea, but they are popular in Moscow and throughout Russia. Thermal film is used not only for the main heating of the room. It can also be installed with central heating. Radiators cannot distribute heat evenly. Cold areas remain on the floor.
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Film systems are installed in the play area in the children's room, in the bedside area in the bedroom. Installation of systems is carried out in the bathroom and toilet, where there are no heating devices.
Thermal film is selected depending on the room conditions. For balconies, systems with a power of 220 W/m2 are chosen. Heating with a power of 170 W is installed in the bathroom and toilet. For individual zones in living rooms, low-power systems, 100-130 W, are chosen.
HEAT PLUS
The advantage of film flooring is the efficiency of heating, ease of installation, and the absence of electromagnetic radiation. Heating can be organized in a room of any configuration. Among the disadvantages are high electricity costs.
In addition, thermal film is not laid on floor areas where stationary furniture is installed. Interior items place a large load on the heating device. It is recommended to select furniture with legs so that there is a gap of 5 cm between the floor and the bottom of the cabinet or sofa.
Film heated floors from Korea
South Korea is a leader in the production of IR film
South Korea is a leader in the production of infrared film and IR film floors. Companies in this country have patented several key technologies in this area and continue to improve themselves and introduce innovative solutions.
In South Korea, more than 20 companies are engaged in the production of film and a large number of factories where all processes are almost completely automated and put on stream. Two or three people are enough to service these machines.
Thanks to this, Korean film is modern, made of high-quality materials and relatively inexpensive.
In the product line you can find warm floors suitable for any type of floor covering and type of room. From some manufacturers you can even find IR film for saunas.
IR heated floors are heating carbon strips connected by a copper-silver busbar and covered on both sides with a high-temperature polyester film.
The conductive elements are equipped with an effective spark extinguishing system. An ionizing protective coating is applied on the outside.
Advantages of Korean heated floors
- Suitable for heating various rooms and under different floor coverings;
- The flooring fabric can be cut, which gives freedom of action in installation;
- Produced from high quality raw materials using modern technologies;
- Completely fireproof;
- The optimum ratio of price and quality;
- Certified for use in the Russian Federation;
- Manufacturer's warranty averages 25 years.
Flaws:
- Supply disruptions;
- The price depends on foreign exchange policy.
Rod mats
The carbon mixture can not only be distributed on the film. To increase the heating surface, experts have developed heating systems with a rod element. The carbon mixture is formed into rods that are enclosed in a heat-resistant shell. The material is produced in rolls up to 25 m long. The rods are arranged in a stack.
Mats are recommended for heating rooms with the correct geometry. They are laid not only under laminate and parquet. This is a good option for heating rooms with tiled floors. The mats are laid in a screed or under tile adhesive. The layer thickness is 2 cm. To make heating more efficient, a substrate with a reflective surface is placed on the base of the floor.
Manufacturers warn that aluminum foil is not used as a screen.
Screed and tile adhesive further strengthen the mats on the base of the floor. High-power equipment is used to heat balconies, outbuildings, and verandas. Infrared heating is used to heat greenhouses and conservatories.
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The following brands of heated floors from Korea are distinguished:
- "CALEO";
- Felix Korea RHE;
- "UNIMAT".
Since the rod mats are installed in the screed, both hard and soft coverings can be used to cover the floor, which is an advantage of this heating system. Equipment from Korea is chosen for underfloor heating of rooms with high loads. If one of the rods breaks, the heating of the room does not stop. If necessary, you can change the rod to normalize the operation of the system.
Among the disadvantages is the installation of the highway. The rods must not be connected or overlapped. It is also impossible to cut out a curly outline from them. The carbon layer will be damaged. The system will stop functioning. Rod mats operate on 220 V electricity. This can be an additional financial burden.
Features of domestically produced IR film
Ready-made sets of heated floors based on film are produced in Russia
In Russia, components for underfloor heating are not produced, but are ordered abroad, in the same South Korea. That is, sets of a certain length and width are usually made from finished film.
There are very few manufacturers of such products and production in our country is quite expensive compared to China and Korea. These factors lead to an increase in the price of domestically produced infrared heated floors.
Ready-made sets of heated floors provide little room for maneuver in laying the product. The film comes in a width of 50 cm and a certain length. It cannot be cut, shortened or lengthened.
Advantages of domestic heated floors:
- Products are certified in the Russian Federation;
- Fireproof;
- Extended warranty;
- Import substitution;
- Manufacturer's warranty averages 20 years;
- Complete kit, ready for installation and connection.
Flaws:
- The cost depends on the cost of raw materials and currency fluctuations;
- There may be interruptions in the supply of raw materials;
- Small selection.
Cable heating
Cable sections can be used as a floor heater. Each section has a certain length and has a certain power. In cold rooms, sections with high power of 120 W are installed. For heating residential premises, sections with a power of 18-50 W are chosen.
The cable is laid in a screed or in tile adhesive. Porcelain stoneware and natural stone are used as cladding. Korean cable-type heated floors are installed in children's institutions and hospital wards. The system creates a favorable indoor microclimate.
For heating, a single-core or two-core cable is used. At the heart of a single-core cable there is 1 heating rod, a core. It is made of chrome or brass. On top of the rod there are several layers of insulating heat-resistant material. A single-core cable is connected to the thermostat at two ends.
A two-core cable consists of 2 heating cores and 1 drain rod: it is capable of collecting excess energy. This occurs when the cable is “locked”, the drain rod protects the section from overheating. Each rod is insulated with a fiberglass sheath. On top of the insulating layer there is a protective screen that blocks electromagnetic radiation.
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When installing a section of a two-core cable, the wire is connected to the network at one end. The 2 cores that make up the wire are connected to each other and insulated. Lay sections in rooms with any geometry.
Among the heating systems, the most famous are the following brands:
- "CALEO";
- "Arnold Rak/Priotherm";
- "EASTEC";
- "EASYMAT".
The cable can be fixed on mats. They are easier to install over a large area or on a small cold section of the floor. Installation is not difficult. Select mats with a cable of a certain power depending on the location of the room: living room on the 1st floor, 2nd floor, balcony, bathroom, toilet.
EASTEC
There is concern that the cable section, when heated, creates an electromagnetic field that has a negative impact on human health. Experts reassure that the radiation from the section is negligible. Moreover, a two-core cable creates an electromagnetic field 50 times less than a single-core section.
Underfloor heating systems produced in Korea are of high quality and reliability. For production, innovative technologies are used that are constantly being improved. Korean heated floors have a service life of more than 50 years. Breakdowns only occur when the system is installed incorrectly.
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Alternative from China
Chinese film is widely represented in Chinese online stores
Collecting information on the Internet, many come to the conclusion that the best option is to order IR film from one of the most popular Chinese online stores in Russia. The parcel will take about a month, but what a nice price.
The film looks exactly as it should be in its usual form: black heating elements are made on the basis of carbon paste, together with copper power bars they are rolled into a durable polyester laminate. It also deserves additional appreciation that everything necessary for installation is included: thermostats, clamps with cutting teeth, adhesive tape, insulating paste.
Another plus is the ability to cut the film to the required length on site.
But keep in mind that such film is often not certified in the Russian Federation. And it’s also unlikely that anyone checked it against the fire safety standards of our country. That is, in essence, you are buying a pig in a poke.
Even if quality certificates are attached to this product, it is quite difficult to verify their authenticity.
Plus, if you decide to buy IR film from a Chinese online store, check what the warranty is for the product and whether you can return it in the event of a defect or breakage.
Advantages of Chinese film:
- Price;
- Complete set, ready for installation and connection;
- Possibility to cut the film to suit your needs.
Flaws:
- “Foggy” origin of raw materials;
- Often not certified in the Russian Federation;
- Difficulties with warranty and returns.
