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Electric Floor Mats - What Temp Do You Keep Them On?

15 years ago

I live just outside of NYC and would like to keep the floors toasty warm. I'm sure everyone has their own idea of what toasty warm feels like, but I would like to know what temp those of you with electric floor mats keep them at. Also, does anyone know how much electricity these mats use? Thanks

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Comments (8)

ladycfp
15 years ago
I like mine @ 82 degrees F best. Mine are on a program to fluctuate between 72 and 82 degrees depending on the time of day. I have no clue about energy consumption but I don't think it's much.
bus_driver
15 years ago
Electric radiant under ceramic tile? Mats just laid on the surface? Electric radiant under tile works well at about 10 watts per square foot. Satisfactory temperatures for these floors as supplemental heat is 80 to 85 deg. Higher temperatures cost more to operate.
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pps7, We completed a bathroom remodel about 6 months ago and have radiant heat (Suntouch wire) in 2 zones...the vanity/wardrobe/powder room areas and the wetroom area. Our heat also takes h-o-u-r-s to reach temp. We have a lot of mass to heat (soapstone in the 1st zone and large pebble tile in the wetroom), so I imagine a lot of the timing has to do with not only the mass that has to heat up but also what the conditions are under the floor (we're over unconditioned, uninsulated crawlspace). During the more moderate times of the year (Spring thru Fall) I run the floors at 82Ã¯Â¿Â½, with a set-back to 65Ã¯Â¿Â½ for the wetroom (as we only use it in the evening) and a setback to 72Ã¯Â¿Â½ for the zone 1. I found this Winter that the wetroom wasn't getting up to temp, even after 4 hours, so I now keep both zones at a constant 86Ã¯Â¿Â½ and plan to return to the setbacks when the weather warms for the season. I don't think what you've described is unusual. I didn't expect instantaneous heat when we opted to install radiant heat, just a nice, even, slow heat that radiates. Ooh, it feels s-o-o-o nice on our tootsies!! I hope that sets your mind at ease. BTW, I've yet to receive a utility bill since running the floors continuously, hopefully I won't be shocked.
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annkathryn
15 years ago
I keep mine turned off but turn it on about 30 min before a shower. It starts at around 68 and ends up around 74, which is toasty enough for me. Sometimes just taking the chill off the floor is sufficient.

The cat thinks 74 is about right too.
bus_driver
15 years ago
Since I am the only one in the household who will do any thermostat programming, I have a wall switch next to the thermostat that disconnects the power between the thermostat and the heating mats. The thermostat is powered all the time. The thermostat is programmed to be on at 81 deg 24/7. The switch controls when the mats will actually heat. If desired to really be programmed for operating times, the switch would be left in ON position.
weedyacres
15 years ago
We keep ours at 80-82.
heimert
15 years ago
Same here--programmable therm takes them to 80 in the morning and evening. The tile feels warm on the feet, but not hot in order to heat the room. The radiator takes care of that.
classicalone
15 years ago
Our central heat takes care of keeping the room at the right temp - usually set about 67/68 in the day, 65/66 at night.

Our floot heating mat is programable, and we have it at 75 most of the time, but heating up to 82 for a few hours in the early morning and late evening. I don't remember the specific times exactly but I think we have it set so that it starts to warm about 4:30 am, 1/2 hour before I get up at 5 am; and again about 7:00pm and staying high until about 10:00.

I LOVE how it feels on my feet when it's at 82, but it's still fine if we use the room when it's only 75.
snowyshasta
15 years ago
Wow, I must have defective feet - I heat ours to 86! It goes off for most of the day, but morning and evening up higher. It doesn't really feel warm enough to me otherwise - but then I like to turn the shower heat all the way up, too.

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