Does Ditra Heat Need A Dedicated Circuit?

You can have evenly heated rooms with a Ditra-Heat floor heating system, but which electrical source should you use to heat the floor? We researched to find out if you need a dedicated circuit and if there are alternatives.

A Ditra-Heat floor heating system needs a dedicated circuit. If your electrical panel does not have a provision for a dedicated circuit, you need to ensure your current circuit breaker can handle the extra power to heat the floor.

A dedicated circuit is a must for a floor heating system. Keep reading to learn why and if there are alternatives. Included are the benefits and drawbacks of this floor heating system, whether it's safe, and how much it costs to install. 

Do You Need A Dedicated Circuit For Ditra-Heat?

System of underfloor heating in interior design

A dedicated circuit is mainly used with appliances with high electrical power, such as refrigerators, dryers, and dishwashers. The Ditra-Heat floor heating system also falls into this category. The heating system should not share the energy it receives with any other appliance. 

A dedicated circuit provides enough power, at least 220 volts, to the floor without the risk of overloading the system.  This is higher than the standard 120-volt receptacle on your wall. 

With a dedicated circuit, you are assured that the wiring on your floor will not draw in more power than it should.

This is what you risk if you use a non-dedicated circuit that can result in the wire overheating, which can cause a fire. Therefore, a dedicated circuit is a valuable safety measure

What To If You Don't Have A Dedicated Circuit

If you don't have a dedicated circuit and it's impossible to have one, ensure your circuit breaker can handle the extra power needed to heat your floor. An electrician can advise on this to ensure your floor has enough power for your safety. 

Can You Add A Dedicated Circuit?

Check out this GFCI circuit breaker on Amazon.

An appliance that requires more electricity than the circuit can handle could blow a fuse and trip the breaker. Its wires could also overheat and cause an electrical fire. 

According to the National Electrical Code, you need a dedicated circuit to operate high-power appliances. Your heated floor, in this case, uses high voltage. So, if you plan to install a heated floor, you can add a dedicated circuit.

On average, it costs $700 to install one. Materials such as a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breaker, cable clamp, and electrical staples can cost between $100 and $150. 

Expect to pay from $50 to $100 per hour for labor, totaling between $550 and $970 for a complete job. 

Have a look at this set of cable clamps on Amazon.

Is Ditra-Heat Flooring Safe?

Underfloor heating system under wooden floor

This is a question you are probably asking. Underfloor heating systems are very safe. However, you will jeopardize your own safety if the system is not correctly installed. That is why you need a professional to install it in your house.

Have a look at this Ditra underlayment on Amazon.

You should be very careful if you buy an older home. This is because its circuitry may not be able to take the load of an underfloor heating system. You'll need to install new wiring and fuses. Otherwise, your new flooring can be a potential fire hazard.   

Some installation instructions that need to be followed include not cutting or modifying the cables. You cannot use one cable to heat more than one room. In other words, don't pass the cable under the wall into another room. 

Instead, install the cable in one room, and if need be, install another cable in another room. The heating cables should not overlap or be installed under fixtures such as vanities and kitchen cabinets. 

The safety tips you must follow when operating the Ditra floor heating system include avoiding placing mats or flat furniture over the temperature sensors under the floor. You should also avoid placing pillows, mattresses, and futons over the sensors. 

These items can raise the temperature, interfere with the thermostat reading, and cause damage to the floor. 

In a nutshell, Ditra floor heating should be installed correctly, so it's best to hire a professional. Also, for your safety, you need to follow the guidelines provided by your dealer.  

Benefits Of Underfloor Heating

Walking on a heated floor during winter can be cozy and enjoyable. The benefits of this type of floor heating system include the following:

Evenly Heated Room

The room is evenly heated because the heating coils are evenly distributed throughout the floor.

This differs from heating a room through a vent since the warmest areas are those closest to the vents. This means there will be areas in your room that are not well-heated. 

Quiet Heating

You can enjoy peace and quiet with a heated floor. This may not be the case with a furnace that produces noise while operating.  

Durable

Professional worker installing electric underfloor heating system indoors, Does Ditra Heat Need A Dedicated Circuit

After installing your floor heating system, it should last for at least 20 years without requiring any maintenance. But, as earlier mentioned, this is subject to proper installation.

Versatile

This flooring is versatile since it is suitable for those who suffer from allergies and various respiratory conditions. Unlike other heating methods, dust, debris, and particles are not blown around the room, minimizing allergic reactions. 

Lower Energy Bills

Compared to heating systems where warm air flows out of a vent, heated floors can help you lower your energy bills.

First, you don't need to increase the heat to cover the cold areas because there are none. Instead, the heat is evenly distributed in the room. Second, there is no ductwork that can crack or get damaged and let the heat leak out.  

Drawbacks Of Underfloor Heating

Layers of heating floor in the room

Ditra heated floors do have their drawbacks, including the following:

Replace The Floor

You can install an underfloor heating system only on a new floor. So, if you want to install it on an existing floor, you must first demolish it.

After that, you can install the floor. Tile is the most popular. As a result, the best time to install this heating system is when you renovate your home. 

High Installation Costs

The initial cost of installing a heated floor is higher than most other heating systems. You can expect to pay between $10 and $20 per square foot. Labor may cost between $200 and $250 for a few hours to complete the job. 

Other than hiring a technician to install the floor, you will need an electrician to connect the floor to the electrical system in your home. For this service, you should be prepared to pay between $40 and $120 per hour, which can total between $150 and $600.

Although these costs are for medium or smaller projects, you will save on energy costs in the long run. 

Reason For Uncoupling In Ditra Heat

Floors go through expansion and contraction, which can cause them to crack. This is the reason Ditra-Heat uses uncoupling technology. It prevents the movement of the subfloor, which can affect the floor above, causing it to crack. 

In addition, the composition of the system t is waterproof, protecting the substrate from moisture. The spaces below the floor allow moisture to escape keeping the substrate as dry as possible. This, in turn, prevents the flooring above from damage. 

In Closing

Underfloor heating system under wooden floor

Ditra-Heat is a one-time solution for heating your home because it distributes heat throughout a room.

This is one of several benefits that come with this type of heated flooring system. However, it does have drawbacks that you may want to consider before installing the system.  

You will need a dedicated circuit for installing the system. If you don't have one, make sure that your circuit breaker can carry the power load required for the system to function. You can also add a dedicated circuit.

If you enjoyed reading this post, check out these related articles:

Are Heated Floors Dangerous?

How Long Do Heated Floors Take To Heat Up? [By Type of Floor]

 

 

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