Frequently Asked Questions 

A: Good question, the number of heating mats really depends on the square footage of the room. However, comparable to loose cable, mesh mats, and hydronic systems, QuietWarmth mats is at the right price point to not break the bank. No more than a couple of household tools are needed to complete the installation and no extra circuit alarms or self-levelers are needed because of the thin profile of the radiant heat film.

A: Designed for floating and click together floors like laminate, floating engineered wood, floating luxury vinyl products that are 4 mm or thicker like LVT, LVP, WPC, SPC, EVP. Also floating tile systems like Snapstone, Avair, and Avella Quick Click. Do NOT use the floating radiant heat film with any mortar, glue, or nail down applications. Do not use under sheet vinyl as it is too thin to use with our radiant heat product.

A: Traditional installed ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles. This application is well suited for mortars and glue down applications. Do not use under nail down applications or sheet vinyl.

A: Because this product goes under the subfloor in the joist spacing cavity, this product can go under virtually any existing floors including nail down hard wood, sheet vinyl and carpet.

A: All wood and concrete slabs with smooth surface will work with our systems. If subfloor is concrete, vapor barrier is needed to prevent the unit from being exposed to concrete emissions.

A: You can purchase QuietWarmth products online at these nation-wide dealers.

A: You can use our design room tool by clicking here to get expert to review your room and place the mats appropriately, completed with a materials list. Our Floating Film and Peel & Stick for Tile mats both come in various sizes (1.5’ x 5’, 1.5’ x 10’, 3’ x 5’ and 3’x10’). The Retrofit for Existing floors come in only 16” on center joist spacing at this time. (16”x5’, 16”x10’, 16”x15’) All mats come in either 120V or 240V can be cut to length unlike other radiant heat systems.

A: Vapor barrier is recommended for concrete sub floors for floating radiant heat film applications. The Peel & Stick radiant heat films are sealed in their own antifracture waterproof membrane and do not require any moisture barriers below them. Both our floating film and peel and stick films are not suited for shower stalls or outside use.

A: No, our mats are not designed for outdoor use.

A: No, our mats are not designed for wet areas like shower pans, shower walls, or saunas

A: One thermostat can handle up to 150 Sq. Ft. at 120V and 300 Sq. Ft. at 240V. If you have more Sq. Ft., then a power module is needed to extend the power to the same additional square footage.

A: You need a dedicated 20 amp circuit from the main house electrical box to run the thermostat. If you are running mats from multiple rooms to 1 thermostat ask your licensed electrician if that is possible. It might be more convenient to run 1 thermostat for each room for optimal temperature control. One thermostat can handle up to 150 Sq. Ft. at 120V and 300 Sq. Ft. at 240V. If you have more Sq. Ft., then a power module is needed to extend the power to the same additional square footage.

A: Power Module is a relay thermostat and is a way to expand your coverage of the main thermostat. Think of the power module as a dummy thermostat. It doesn’t have a temperature set point operation, it is connected to the main thermostat and takes direction of when to turn on and off when the thermostat tells it to. One thermostat can handle up to 150 Sq. Ft. at 120V and 300 Sq. Ft. at 240V. If you have more Sq. Ft., then a power module is needed to extend the power to the same additional square footage. Code requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit from the main electrical box for each thermostat or power module.

A: For optimal safety, control, and operating comfort. There are 2 main features of a thermostat you will want for your electric radiant heat system. Built in ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and temperature floor sensor. QuietWarmth branded thermostats each have both a class A GFCI built in and floor sensor to better track the floor temperature.

A: We recommend the use of our QuietWarmth branded thermostats for optimal comfort, control and safety.

A: Yes, it can in some situations. A Manual J heat loss calculation is required. Consult your HVAC technician for more accurate calculations.

A: All are less than the thickness of a credit card. QuietWarmth Floating Film and Retrofit Film is 0.016” thick, Peel & Stick for Tile Floors is 0.030” thick.

A: No.

A: The amperage limit of a single Quiet Warmth thermostat is 15 amps. You can combine as many mats as you want to a single thermostat as long as the amperage load does not exceed 15 amps. It equates to 150 square feet at 120V and 300 square feet at 240V. For large spaces such as basements, we suggest "zoning" your space and using a second thermostat. Amperage will be listed on each mat. Power modules can also double the thermostat limit.

A: A unique benefit of QuietWarmth Film is it produces a gentle even heat which is friendly to wood based and luxury vinyl floors. Unlike wire or cable products, QuietWarmth’s watt density is spread out so it will not create unsafe hot spots under the floor. See your flooring manufacturer for their requirements regarding their product when used with radiant heat.

A: Yes, however it is unnecessary to install it wall to wall. Place the heat mats where you will want the optimal foot comfort and living space. We require a 1-inch airspace under any heavy objects. And, never heat under permanent fixtures.

A: No.

A: Not directly under carpet. The Retrofit film is the only product in the QuietWarmth family can be used under existing carpet floors since the mat is going under the subfloor decking and between the joist.

A: If more than 2 mats are installed, they have to be joined together at the junction box. If 2 mats are used, they can be directly run to the thermostat.

A: A licensed electrician is required in accordance with National Electrical Code

A: We recommend our Quiet Warmth brand thermostats. If not using our thermostat the system must be protected with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (this GFCI safety feature is already built into our Quiet Warmth Thermostats)

A: Always follow the flooring manufacturer’s suggestion for an underlayment. We do recommend one generally, depending on the floor type, It provides a thermal break and insulation to the floor. It will help deflect the heat upwards to warm the finished floor.

A: On an inside wall, never an exterior sided wall.

A: In most cases no. Unless installed at or below grade, then a 6-mil vapor barrier must be installed on top of the subfloor if the underlayment does not have a built in vapor barrier.

A: Yes we have videos for Floating Floors, Tile Flooring, and Existing Floors

A: Yes. Must be cut carefully cut between black bars (heated area) and only on ends without lead wires. Kapton disks (included in every box) must be added to the cut bus bars (Silver area). If you lost the Kapton disks, you can use electrical tape to seal the cut bus bar ends. See diagram in installation manual.

A: 12 watts per Square foot for the Floating film and Peel and Stick for tile floors. 10 watts per sq ft for the Retrofit film for under existing floors.

A: It will reach the temp set on the thermostat. Max temp can be programmed into the thermostat to meet floor covering manufacturer’s maximum temp. In normal use, the temperature will not exceed 80° - 85°.

A: No, a dedicated 20-amp circuit breaker is required from the main electrical box.

Yes. Comes standard with 15-foot lead wires but can be lengthened if needed. You can view the instructions by clicking here or to download PDF here

A: Lead wires are the wires coming out of the mat. Lead wires connect the mats to the power source.

A: Only pennies per day. CALCULATION of cost: Total Sq. Ft. of heated area x 12/1000 x local cost per kilowatt hour electric rate.

Example: 60 Sq. Ft. x 12 = 702/1000 = 0.72 x .12 cents (national average) = $0.086 for first hour to reach temp then half of that for each hour thereafter.

We also have a Cost Calculator Tool you can use.