How to Choose the Power of Heating Film?

Choosing the right power of heating film is crucial for achieving optimal temperature in the room and reducing energy consumption costs. In this article, we will present the factors to consider when selecting the power of heating film, such as the area of the room, thermal insulation, required temperature, type of window and door joinery, and the required heating speed. We will also provide tips on how to choose the power of heating film to meet individual needs and user preferences, ensuring optimal thermal comfort in the room at the lowest possible costs.

Selecting the appropriate power of heating film is a key element that affects the efficiency of the entire system. To achieve this, several factors must be considered, such as the size of the room, the type of flooring, and the thermal insulation of the building. This way, heating films will ensure comfort and low electricity bills.

What Affects the Selection of Heating Film Power?

The power of heating film that should be used depends on several factors. The first is thermal insulation of the building. The better insulated the building is, the lower the required power of the heating film. Experts from Termofol typically base their recommendations for the appropriate power of the film on the energy characteristics provided by the client. This document indicates how much energy is needed to heat a given building. However, it is advisable for the power of the heating film to be slightly oversized. This eliminates the risk of insufficient thermal comfort. The power does not affect either the investment costs or the operating costs. It only affects the heating time of the room. This situation can be compared to an electric kettle. A kettle with a power of 1000W will heat water using the same amount of energy as a kettle with a power of 2000W. However, the time it takes to boil the water will be longer.

When choosing the power of the film, one should also consider its intended use. Wall or ceiling systems generally require higher power than floor systems. The choice often falls on a film of 220 W/m2.

Another factor influencing the selection of heating film power is its application. If it will be used as supplementary heating (providing the effect of a warm floor, e.g., in a bathroom), then its power should be greater than if it were the only source of heat. This results in higher heating dynamics.

It is also important to mention the required electrical connection of the building. Its size should take into account all electrical elements in the building. If it turns out that the connection is too small, this should be reported to the Energy Company. There is also an alternative solution. Namely, priority switches can be used to synchronize the activation of individual heating zones.

When selecting the power of heating film, one must also consider the insulation of the building. If it is an old house without insulation, the installation of infrared heating will be unprofitable. The heat generated by the heating system will escape outside. The system will have to continuously supply it, which will reflect on electricity bills. In a well-insulated house, infrared heating is more cost-effective. Well-insulated homes have lower energy needs – including thermal energy. The power of the heating film can be selected for a specific type of building:

• Passive house – film 60 W/m2
• New house (WT2021) – film 80 W/m2
• Older house after thermal modernization – film 140 W/m2

Replacing the heat source with modern electric underfloor heating is an investment for the coming decades, but it is also costly. In our article “How to Replace an Old Furnace with Modern Infrared Heating?” we describe the basic grant programs that can be obtained for this purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heating Film

Choosing the appropriate heating power should not pose a problem for anyone. This topic is so crucial that a number of questions arise among investors. On forums and Facebook groups, the question often arises whether the heating film can be embedded in glue or concrete. The answer is: no, because the film is designed for installation under floating floors (click system) and on walls and ceilings.

People who are renovating their homes and replacing old radiators with heating film often ask about the thickness of the entire system. It depends on the chosen insulating substrate but does not exceed 7 mm. Others are unsure whether it is possible to combine films with different powers. It is important to remember that this is not possible. This is crucial for achieving an even distribution of temperature. However, it is possible to combine films of different widths – this allows for optimal coverage of the surface.

Summary

Selecting the appropriate power of heating film is a key factor as it affects the heating comfort in the room. The correct power of heating film will also contribute to lowering electricity costs. This should be kept in mind when purchasing Termofol heating films.

When choosing the power of the film, it is worth paying attention to the floor area. The system will operate efficiently when the heating film covers 75% of the floor. Without meeting this condition, the heating will not be effective, and the household members will simply feel cold. It should also be noted that this condition cannot be replaced by a film with higher power. As mentioned earlier, higher power does not mean higher temperature.

Knowledge about selecting heating power will be useful whether you are building a new house or renovating an old one. With this knowledge, you will not overpay for the installation and will not worry about high electricity bills. Properly selecting the power of heating film guarantees high thermal comfort, quick heating of the room, and the durability of the system, which will operate for many years.