SunTouch Heated Floor Installation

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Customers can get things warming up with a SunTouch heated floor! Getting it installed is the first step. With these SunTouch heated floor installation instructions, you can have things properly up and running in no time. This guide covers installation specifically for the SunTouch UnderFloor Electric Radiant floor warming system.

Tools & Supplies

Digital ohmmeter (Multi-Meter)
Scissors
Drill
Sealant or adhesive
Nylon wire clip (optional)
Nails
Silicone caulking or urethane foam

SunTouch UnderFloor Electric Radiant Floor Warming Installation

Before getting started, it’s important to note that you should never cut the mat wiring. If there is too much left, try rerouting some of the leftover wiring to an empty location without cutting or damaging the wires. Once you’re ready to begin, follow these steps for the proper SunTouch heated floor installation instructions:

Inspect the Mat & Sensor

Monitor the wires – At the beginning and throughout the installation process, it’s important to take resistance readings of the mat and floor sensor wires to make sure there’s no damage.
Use the LoudMouth™ monitor – This monitor is designed to monitor the mat during installation. It will go off if anything is cut or damaged.
Check for breaks – Measure the resistance between the black and white leads and record it on the resistance log sheet provided.
Check for short-circuits – Measure the resistance between the black and green leads and between the white and green leads and record them on the resistance log.

Install the Electrical Boxes

Step 1. Choose a location for the box.
Step 2. Determine whether or not you need lead extensions to be able to reach the mat and sensor wires.
Step 3. Install the electrical box to the desired location.
Step 4. Drill a hole up through the wall bottom plate to route the power wiring from the control box to the mats below the floor.
Step 5. Install electric wiring from the power source breaker to the control electrical box and then to the junction box below the floor for the mat leads.

Install the SunStat Sensor

The SunStat sensor must be located in a floor where the mat is located. There are a few methods to doing this. If one isn’t possible due to layout or difficulty, consider these:

Method 1: If the sensor can’t be installed in the floor, it can be installed under the subfloor. Keep in mind that this means the floor-sensing control will need to be adjusted.
- Step 1. Drill a hole through the bottom plate of the wall to route the sensor wire.
- Step 2. Feed the wire down from the control box through the floor.
- Step 3. Drill a 1” long hole at an angle into the bottom of the subfloor making sure it’s located in a joist bay directly over where the mat will be installed, about 2” from the joist.
- Step 4. Insert the sensor into the angled hole and seal it with adhesive.
Method 2: If the system can’t be installed in the subfloor, it can be held flat to the subfloor with a nylon wire clip.
- Step 1. Locate the sensor in a joist bay directly over where a mat will be installed.
- Step 2. Clip it into place making sure it’s laying flat.
- Step 3. Insulate the sensor with “blueboard” or fiberglass insulation.
Method 3: If possible, install the sensor directly into or under the floor covering area. If the floor surface is tiled, the grout line can be removed and the sensor laid into the grout line.
- Step 1. Drill a hole into the wall behind the baseboard trim and directly below the control electrical box.
- Step 2. Feed the sensor through the hole near the floor and out into the floor above where the heating mat will be.
- Step 3. After the installation of the mat is complete, regrout over the sensor.

Install the Mat

Check the joists and the underside of the subfloor for nails, screws and other protruding objects that can damage the mat and cut them off or bend them flat. Once there are no sharp objects in the way, follow these steps to install the mat:

Step 1. Measure between the floor joists where matwill be installed. Measure the width of the mat selected to fit between these joists. The difference between these measurements determine how much mat mesh remains for stapling to each side of the joists.
Step 2. If the mat begins near the rim joist, measure about 6” out from that rim joist. This will allow enough room for the mat power leads, and will prevent unnecessary heating of the wall cavity above the floor.
Step 3. Measure 2” below the subfloor and mark the joists on both sides of the joist cavity.
Step 4. To help hold up the power leads while installing the mat, fasten one NailTite over the power leads.
Step 5. Hold the mat up along one joist and begin stapling the mat mesh along the 2” mark from the subfloor. Staple every 4” to 6” for about 2 ft. to get started.
Step 6. At the other end of the mat, place a nail into the joist at 2” below the subfloor. Hang the fiber mesh of the mat onto the nail.
Step 7. Continue stapling the mat mesh at 2” below the subfloor, every 4” to 6”. Then remove the nail at the end that held it up.
Step 8. Raise the mat to the other joist and staple the mat mesh 2” below the subfloor.
Step 9. Repeat the steps above to install any other mats.

Install a Junction Box & Connect the Mat

Step 1. Install a junction box below the subflooring within reach of the mat power leads.
Step 2. Route the power leads from the mat to the junction box following all electrical and building codes.
Step 3. Connect leads in parallel and not in series.
Step 4. Connect the mat leads to the power drop from the control electrical box or SunStat Relay.

Final Wiring

Step 1. Install the controls for the mats according to the wiring diagrams provided.
Step 2. Connect the power supply lead, the power drop to the mat junction box and the floor sensor wire to the SunStat.
Step 3. Wrap the wire nuts with electrical tape to secure the wires into the wire nuts before pushing the control back into the electrical box.
Step 4. If using a SunStat relay, connect power supply leads and power drop for the mats to the relay. Run a 2-wire 22-gauge or 24-gauge wire to connect the relays to the master SunStat.
Step 5. Connect the floor sensor wire to the master SunStat master control.
Step 6. Test the system.
Step 7. Apply the warning label to the control.

Install the Insulation

Step 1. Install R-13 to R-19 fiberglass insulation below the mat.
Step 2. Gently press the insulation up to the mat and secure in place with rods or staples.
Step 3. Seal any openings around pipes, waste lines, ducts or joist blocking with silicone caulking or urethane foam.

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