HOTNEWS

A Look at one of the most Innovative Floor Heating Technologies

Warmzone® offers one of the largest selections of radiant floor heating products in the business. Carrying a wide variety ensures that customers receive the best system for their specific floor types, budget, and heating needs. One popular floor heating system is Warmzone’s FilmHeat™ radiant heat system.

Designed for installation under laminate and floating floors, the innovative FilmHeat floor heating system features heating panels that are just .016-inch thick. That’s thinner than a credit card. The paper-thin heating element is so lightweight that it will not affect weight loads, and because it is so thin, installing the system will not cause any floor buildup.

The heating element is applied over an underlayment, and the floating floor is then installed. There is no need for mortar or self-leveling compounds, alarms, or special tools. This remarkable system is quickly and easily installed, and the heating mats come with the cold leads attached.

FilmHeat floor heating element installed.

The FilmHeat floating floor heating system consists of three major components: the heating elements, the wiring, the control device. These components work together to create a system that provides comfortable, energy-efficient floor warming as either a primary heating system, or as a supplement to the existing home heating system. FilmHeat can be installed on any standard, flat sub-floor, but care must be taken that the subfloor is smooth and free from protrusions such as nails or screws that may damage the heating element.

Features and Benefits

  • Energy Efficient: The efficiency of the FilmHeat system makes it one of the most affordable to operate.
  • Easy To Install: Apply the underlayment over the subfloor. Lay the heating panels over the area to be heated, and cut to length if needed. Install the floating floor. No self-leveler or mortar is needed. There is no need for an alarm or repair kit.
  • Apply the underlayment over the subfloor. Lay the heating panels over the area to be heated and then install the floating floor. No self-leveler or mortar is needed. The heating element is easily cut to length onsite. There is no need for an alarm or repair kit.
  • Smart Controls: Touchscreen 7-day, four settings per day, programmable thermostat with floor sensor. The Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat allows the user to program or set the thermostat from their smart phone.
  • Safety: GFCI Protected. ETL, CETL Certified.
  • Best In Class Warranty: 25-year warranty with no maintenance required

Heat Existing Floors with RetroHeat®

A variation of the FilmHeat system (called RetroHeat) is also available to heat existing floors. If you have access to your floors joists from below, either through a crawl space or basement, you can enjoy the comfort of radiant heat, without having to replace your current floor or undertake any major remodeling.

FilmHeat for heating hardwood floating floors.

The UL listed RetroHeat panels are stapled up between the joists, and then batt insulation is then applied to direct all of the upwards to warm the floor. The RetroHeat system provides comfortable warmth for a wide variety of floor types, and is extremely efficient, with virtually no heat loss. The heating elements provide 10 watts per square foot, and can be cut onsite.

Thin, flexible, ultra-efficient FilmHeat and RetroHeat floor heating systems are engineered to deliver the ultimate in thermal comfort. The heating panels can be used to warm a variety of floor types, with low energy consumption at affordable prices. These systems are commonly used to complement the existing home heating system by providing extra comfort to the most popular rooms in the house. The systems are configured with factory connections, and all products are suitable for either new construction or renovation projects.

For more details about the many radiant floor heating options that are available, contact Warmzone today, at 888-488-9276.

Warmzone is one of the largest providers of floor heating, snow melting, and roof de-icing systems, as well as luxury home heating amenities. For more information about Warmzone radiant heat systems or luxury amenities, contact a friendly Warmzone representative today, at 888-488-9276.

HOTNEWS

New IoT Controller Offered

Warmzone Adds Advanced Controller to its Impressive List of Product Offerings

Over the years a growing number of consumers have come to rely on Warmzone for all their radiant heating needs. Knowing they can count on Warmzone’s industry-leading products and customer support services, homeowners and construction professionals alike turn to Warmzone for their snow melting, home heating, and roof de-icing needs.

As an established industry leader, Warmzone has focused on two basic philosophies: Provide unmatched customer support services, and a large selection of the industry’s most proven products. This emphasis on selection and service is why Warmzone has grown to be a favorite among building professionals.

In keeping with Warmzone’s commitment to offering the largest selection of the best products, Warmzone recently added the EcoTrace IC controller to our line of snow melting controls. This advanced device is a single-circuit IoT heat trace controller for use in snow melting, freeze protection and temperature maintenance applications.

What is IoT?

“IoT” refers to the Internet of Things, and may be one of the most important technologies of this century. It allows us to connect everyday objects such as roofs, driveways, kitchen appliances, etc., to the internet via embedded devices. These devices (or sensors) can be added to objects to measure environmental parameters, and the data is then transmitted through a communications network. IoT technology makes seamless communication possible between people, processes, and things.

EcoTrace IC Controller for snow melting and heat trace applications.
The new EcoTrace IC Controller for snow melting and heat trace applications.

How does the Controller Use This Technology

The advanced controller uses its proprietary algorithms to process weather data and adjust the system’s power output according to storm conditions. In addition to activating the heating system, the controller’s “smart” snow melting capability includes optional preheating, the ability to ignore light storms, and dynamic heating after the storm, all to improve overall system performance and reduce energy use and operating cost. The versatile controller allows the user to choose from a selection of weather-based control algorithms, which include, roof de-icing, gutter heat tracing, and heated driveways and snow melting systems.

Pipe Heat Trace

For pipe trace applications, the EcoTrace IC controller can be used for freeze protection and temperature maintenance. A temperature sensor can be connected, allowing you to use either ambient or pipe sensing modes to prevent pipes from freezing. Hybrid freeze protection uses weather forecast data in combination with the local sensor to control freeze protection systems up to 40 percent more efficiently. The temperature sensor can also be used for process temperature maintenance, grease waste lines, and hot water maintenance lines (HWM).

Eliminate Silent Failure with 24/7 Monitoring

Heat trace failures can result in frozen pipes, leaks, and damage to critical equipment. With the comprehensive 24/7 system monitoring and automated fault notification, you can rest easy knowing your systems are working. The device’s cloud platform allows you to manage all of your heat tracing systems in one place, even if you are somewhere else.

Connect from Anywhere

The advanced controllers connect to the Frio Cloud via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Cellular. When connected to the cloud, the controller will upload system status and receive operational commands. Multiple devices can be joined together in the Cloud platform, allowing centralized control of multiple heat tracing systems. Users can access their control device remotely via the Cloud platform to check status, activate the system or run a diagnostic test, eliminating the need to physically check the heater control system.

Front view and internals of EcoTrace IC Controller.

Two models of the controller are available: one with Modbus and BACnet connectivity, and the other, which accepts a thermistor only. Both controller models support Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. The devices are designed to use 802.11n Wi-Fi operating in the 2.4GHz band or the 5GHz band. Both units are compatible with older 2.4GHz 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a networks. The ethernet connection supports 10Mbps and 100Mbps operation. See the user manual for firewall information.

The controller can drive up to a 30A resistive load to control electric heat trace systems operating between 110 VAC and 277 VAC. The IC (Internet Controller) comes in an outdoor-rated enclosure, tested to IP67 standard.

The controller also allows for the user to manually activate the device for a set period of time. Manual override can be set from the device’s Cloud platform, or through Modbus for BMS connected systems.

Warmzone is one of the largest providers of floor heating, snow melting, and roof de-icing systems, as well as luxury home heating amenities. For more information about Warmzone radiant heat systems or luxury amenities, contact a friendly Warmzone representative today, at 888-488-9276.

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