Electric, In-floor heating

[Jerry Simon]

Hey all you mothers. . .

How do you check an electric, in-floor heating system?  Only once that I can remember did I feel a warm tiled floor after turning up the system thermostat.  And, I've never had much luck using my laser thermometer, either (though I hardly use it and am probably doing something wrong).

Perhaps using my clamp-ammeter inside the main electrical panel?

On a related note, these systems have *test* buttons on their thermostats, but after pressing such a test button, I don't notice any change.

Thanks for any help here.

[Jim Katen]

Use your laser thermometer to take the temperature of the floor. 

Turn up the thermostat and confirm that the display shows that it's trying to heat. 

Come back an hour later and scan the floor with your thermometer again. Or if you have an IR camera, just take a picture of the floor - it'll light up like a christmas tree. 

You could also do it with an ammeter in the panel if you can find the circuit that's feeding the heater. 

On the thermostats that I see, the "test" button tests the GFCI feature. 

[Anatol]

An IR camera is the best method to see the field.  You could also take of your shoes and socks to feel the benefit of a warm floor.

Anatol

[Jerry Simon]

Maybe I'll get one of those basic IR scanners for my IPhone.  I hear they're at least good enough for this.  Thanks!

[Jerry Simon]

2 hours ago, Jim Katen said:

Use your laser thermometer to take the temperature of the floor. 

Turn up the thermostat and confirm that the display shows that it's trying to heat. 

Come back an hour later and scan the floor with your thermometer again.

I've done that a few times with no temp changes.  I've either got a bad laser therm or found multiple inoperable systems and didn't realize it 😯.

[Jim Katen]

They frequently don't work. It's a bit of an epidemic around here. 

[Jerry Simon]

8 hours ago, Jim Katen said:

They frequently don't work. It's a bit of an epidemic around here. 

As long as it doesn't become a pandemic.

Thanks for the help.  Bought the basic FLIR One Gen III yesterday

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by Jerry Simon

[Jerry Simon]

Just used FLIR ONE GEN III for first time.  Well worth the $200 price tag IMHO.  I know it's about as basic as one can get, but can't wait to try it out on a job.  Thanks for the help.

[Rob Amaral]

Been using small IR (C3) for this.. wonderful... but next time, ask Ms/Mrs Buyer or Ms/Mrs agent to take their shoes off and feel for it.. ... they often notice it : ) 

[Jerry Simon]

Weirdest HVAC system today I've ever seen in 27+ years.

Anyway, finally figured out "some" of the heat was electric radiant in the ceilings. Thank goodness I bought that inexpensive thermal-imaging camera for my IPhone or I would have only been guessing at such.

Also found the heating elements in the large living room were not functional.  Use of the camera today was a life-saver and justified the purchase 100% !

[Marc]

1 hour ago, Jerry Simon said:

Weirdest HVAC system today I've ever seen in 27+ years.

Anyway, finally figured out "some" of the heat was electric radiant in the ceilings. Thank goodness I bought that inexpensive thermal-imaging camera for my IPhone or I would have only been guessing at such.

Also found the heating elements in the large living room were not functional.  Use of the camera today was a life-saver and justified the purchase 100% !

I have one.  Not much call for it but when there is, it reveals important stuff.

[Mike Lamb]

The cheapies are only good for radiant heat and the client thinks I'm cool to have thermal imaging. A plus is when  scanning  old upright cast iron radiators I can see if they are mostly filled with air and need to be bled.

[Rob Amaral]

One of the first jobs I used the FLIR C3 was a 1946 Cape with multiple additions... through the fifties and sixties.. The LA said.. "you're gonna love this one... it's all electric heat.. some is in the floor and some in the ceiling and I have no idea which is which.. "    The C3 solved it easily and made a huge impression on those present...