Comfort & Efficiency with Electrically Heated Kitchen
This past week, we took a look at an electric floor heating system. This type of system works by electrical resistance. Essentially, as electricity is applied through and electrical conductor, there is resistance which transfers the energy into the form of heat. That heat slowly emanates through the interstitial layers beneath the tile flooring and then warms the floor. It doesn’t make the room very hot but it does have a positive impact on the overall heating of the space of a room.
This past week, we also looked at a photo showing the different layers of materials used to install this type of heating system. The picture below shows that same mock-up from a side angle. Essentially you can see the sections as they are installed vertically, one on top of the next. In total there are several different layers in the overall sandwich of materials.
In the past, we also discussed hydronic below floor heating systems. One of the trade-offs with those type of systems is that the floor must be built up significantly to encase the piping. In some cases the piping is assembled with PEX tubing. PEX is a type of cross-polyethylene which is relatively easy to work with because it can run from a large spool and be installed in continuous loops that are positioned as easy as you might position a hose.
The total thickness of the materials on top of the wooden subflooring, in this type of alternative electrical assembly, is about 1 in thickness. The adjacent flooring, in the adjacent rooms, may have an overall thickness of roughly 3/4 of an inch. Often, while kitchens and bathrooms are built with tile flooring, the flooring in bedrooms, hallways, and living rooms may instead be built with a material such as solid 3/4 in wood flooring.
This flooring would have a slight transition between the joints at the entryway between rooms. In a doorway, for example, between a hallway and a kitchen, this type of flooring might be a little bit thicker in the kitchen area and therefore require a slight step up.
A quarter inch difference is easy to work with though and hardly even noticeable. PEX in a gypcrete under flooring system, by comparison, may be as much as 2 inches in total thickness. It, therefore, may require a much larger transition at particular points of the build. Often, when Pex piping is used, the entire floor of a home will be built continuously with the PEX system underneath the finished floor.
The type of electrical heating system shown here is more often limited to just isolated installations in locations like kitchens and bathrooms. Where kitchens and bathrooms have a tile floor, they have a tendency to feel cold in the winter. This type of heating system makes those surfaces feel very comfortable, by comparison.
The grid used to separate the fracture isolation membrane from the heating system stands roughly 1/4 inch tall. This is enough space for the wiring to be nestled into preformed guides that allow the wire to be consistently spaced in a way that provides evenly dispersed heating. The height of the guide layer also provides enough space to allow separation between the heating cabling and the tile above. The wire itself is about 1/8 to 3/16 in in diameter so it’s slightly less thick than the protective layer installed below the formed suppressed area also allows the consistent coverage that can in case the cabling.
It’s a good idea to consider options like electrical heating systems during a full scale kitchen or bathroom renovation. At other times during the life cycles between renovations of a home, it would be extremely invasive and complicated to remove the entirety of the floor and install a system like this. Instead, it’s better to synchronize the installation of a floor heating system with a kitchen or bath renovation. However, even during the process of an interior renovation, systems like this need adequate time for planning because the size and shape of one room can be significantly different than another room, even when comparing between one kitchen and another kitchen.
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen and bathrooms can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project. If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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