BETWEEN JOISTS

INSTALLATION BETWEEN JOISTS

This application is used when the existing finished floor needs to be maintained and there is sufficient crawl space under the subfloor.
STEP WARMFLOOR is a low-radiant heating system; heat is transmitted by conduction rather than by radiation. Thereof, it is very important to place insulation snug under the heating elements with no air gaps to force the heat up.

Secure the heating elements under the floorboards; the elements are one foot wide and fit between the joists. Use insulation boards to hold the elements firmly against the subfloor. The thermal insulation values placed under the heating elements should be sufficient to compensate for the insulation values placed over the heating elements. See Insulation Under Radiant Floor Heating.

Where STEP WARMFLOOR heating elements are installed on a wood subfloor, the connectors and wires can be routed under the subfloor between joists.

Cut down the plastic of the elements, on each side of the bus braid, to the second slot, removing two strips. Connect the bus braids to the wires with the STEP connectors and insulate the connections. Drop the wires and the connectors through holes drilled in the subfloor wood.

This is an easy and fast way to connect the heating system. The terminal board(s) and transformer(s) can also be placed under the subfloor. See Electrical Installation.

STEP Element Electrically Insulated Connector Hot Wire - #14 AWG Common Wire - #14 AWG Terminal Board with self-resettable fuses Transformer - 24 Volts