Do-it-yourself warm electric mat

Winter is very close, the heating season has just begun, but out of habit we all want to insulate ourselves and our home before the cold weather sets in. Some people stock up on heaters, others stock up on woolen socks, but the fact remains: it’s cold in apartment buildings in the Russian winter, and something needs to be done about it. Of course, if you don’t want to get sick in one of the most wonderful and beautiful times of the year... Just imagine - after a cold street you return home, take a hot bath, get out and... stand with warm feet on a cold (usually tiled) floor. Just thinking about it makes me feel chilly. In principle, the bathroom is the place in the house where comfort and coziness should be elevated to the rank of the most important qualities. That is why it is worth decorating your bathroom in such a way that you feel great in it at any time of the year. For winter, warm electric bath mats can be an excellent solution.

Types of heated floors under carpet

It is known that carpet is a good heat insulator. This is why some argue that heating systems will not operate at full capacity, so there is no point in installing them. It is believed that if there is carpet, the heating system will heat not the apartment, but the floors between floors or even the neighbor’s apartment.

Of course, carpets have a thermal insulation function. The thicker the carpet, the greater its functionality.

However, it is important to note that thin carpet does not in any way affect the conductivity of heat. And to prevent heat from escaping into the ceilings, an additional heat insulator is installed under the heating system. It is important to note that in order for the heat to pass through the rug, the heating temperature of the system will need to be increased to about 5 degrees.

Disadvantages of purchasing heated mats

To be objective, we will also name the disadvantages of this product. As they say, let's add a fly in the ointment to that same barrel of honey.

Limited impact - whatever one may say, a small rug is not able to warm up a large amount of space in the bathroom. Its functional characteristics are significant, but localized in one place. That is why in a large spacious bathroom its effect will be minimized, but in a small room where the rug will occupy at least 20-30% of the space, its effect will be quite powerful and noticeable.
The need to monitor the condition of the rug - if you are introducing an electrical device into the space of your home, which, one way or another, will come into contact with water, you must be extremely careful. Despite the fact that heated mats are covered with a special protective cover, this does not mean that this cover will last long. In any case, when exposed to constant aggressive environmental influences (and in the bathroom the environment is quite aggressive due to the high level of humidity), the moisture-proof cover may become unusable. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the condition of the mat, and if you notice any damage to the cover, stop using it immediately.
The need for a power source - as a rule, bathrooms do not have a large number of outlets. They are installed solely as needed - for a washing machine, hair dryer, etc. And with the purchase of a heated mat, you will need a constant power source.

Buying a heated bathroom rug means creating coziness in your home, making it comfortable, convenient and enjoyable for spending time.

Advantages of heated carpet

Many people cannot afford to install an underfloor heating system. And no one wants to freeze in the cold season. Thanks to modern technologies, you can purchase a mobile heated carpet.

The carpet is equipped with a film heater, which is located between the layers of the carpet.

The heater itself is equipped with a carbon filament, which provides soft heat radiation. The device is safe to use because the edges of the carpet are specially treated. This carpet has many advantages.

Many people prefer to use a heated carpet because it is safe and mobile.

Advantages of a heated carpet:

Mobility. The film provides uninterrupted heat, which allows you to avoid freezing and use the carpet as a therapeutic means of heating.
The large area of the carpet allows you to warm all family members.
Safety. The heater does not harm health and ensures safe use.

A heated floor allows you to stay warm during the cold season, while significantly saving energy. Reviews of carpet heaters can be read on the Internet on specialized websites. Laying such a carpet on the floor is completely safe, which allows you to use it in different rooms.

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Advantages

A heated mat, like the entire floor, has a number of advantages that are indispensable in everyday life.

Pros of a heated mat in the bathroom:

low cost: unlike installing a heating system on the floor of the entire room;
the rug can be moved to any other room;
A heated mat in the bathroom will not only warm you up, but will also reduce the level of humidity in the room, which in turn will
will prevent the appearance of fungus or mold; a heated mat will prevent colds that occur due to freezing feet.

Among the disadvantages of a heated mat, the limited heating area should be highlighted. Unlike an entire floor heating system, a bath rug heats only one small area of the bathroom. Also, an electric mat requires an additional power source.

If the protective cover is damaged, there is a danger for us. After all, now splashes of water will have free access to the heating mechanism. And water and electric current, as we know, can lead to irreparable consequences.

Possibilities of a warm electric carpet

Thanks to a warm electric carpet, you can maintain floor heat in certain parts of your apartment or house. Electric carpeting provides uniform heating while saving energy. You can purchase a carpet and save time and money on repair and installation work.

Electric carpets contain infrared heating film heaters that heat the carpet surface evenly.

This carpet is suitable for use in different rooms of the apartment: in the living room, bedroom, kitchen and even on an insulated balcony or loggia. Electric carpets are safe to use and do not cause harm to health. They do not dry the air and do not burn oxygen.

The electric floor ensures uniform heating of the entire room

Heating options:

Uniformity;
Possibility of use in different rooms;
Safety;
Large selection of sizes and colors.

An electric mat ensures uniform heating of the surface and provides the owners of the room with warmth during cold periods. You can order rugs of different sizes in online stores. These carpets are safe to use.

Pros of purchasing heated mats

There are many advantages of such products, some of which we have already outlined above, but let us dwell once again on all the advantages of warm bathroom rugs:

Cheapness is, of course, relative. You save twice: the first time is a single one, when you buy a heating mat, rather than installing a heated floor in the entire room, which is very, very expensive. The second time is on an ongoing basis, when you pay an insignificant amount for the electricity consumed by the product itself, while the heated floor consumes a huge amount of energy, increasing your rent bills in monstrous proportions.
Mobility - if you wish, you can move the rug from the bathroom, say, to the bedroom, so that when you wake up, you can stand with your feet on the warm surface.
The guarantee of health is, of course, conditional. By using such auxiliary elements during the cold season, you slightly, but still, reduce the risk of developing colds. After all, we all know that feet need to be kept warm.
Creating a favorable microclimate in the bathroom - a heated mat dries the air in the bathroom, which usually has a high level of humidity. At the same time, you save yourself from the possibility of infection of the floor and wall surfaces of the bathroom with fungus or mold.

Heater under the carpet: main advantages

Many people use a mobile floor when they do not want or do not have the opportunity to install a stationary heating system. Such heaters can be laid under different coverings, for example, linoleum or laminate. It is important to consider that thermal conductivity depends on the quality and thickness of the coating.

If the heater is laid under carpets, it is desirable that they be lint-free or woven.

The main advantages of a floor heater are that it is mobile and easy to use.

The most effective thermally conductive coatings are laminate, linoleum, ceramics, stone or metal-based tiles. The heaters consist of a front layer, a substrate, a flexible heating element, and a power box. Heating mats are sold together with power regulators.

Heater advantages:

Mobility. It doesn't take long to install.
Ease of use. It is practical and functional.
Comfort. Allows you to set a comfortable temperature regime.
Safety. Meets European standards.

When purchasing heaters, it is important to pay attention to quality certificates. You should not save money and buy heaters without a warranty period. It is important to remember that the device must be safe, and this can only guarantee high quality.

Heated mat for the bathroom: what is it?

As you understand, a warm heated bath mat is a relatively new invention that takes its roots from heated floors. However, this alternative is definitely more economical, convenient and can be used “on occasion”. Needless to say, the popularity of this type of product today is particularly high. And during periods of cold weather outside, homeowners literally sweep this miracle product off store shelves. What is this product? A heated mat is an electric heating device that consists directly of a base, which is the heating element, a moisture-proof cover, a plug and an electric wire. This entire structure is shaped like a bathroom rug. At the same time, the dimensions of the product may vary, so both owners of spacious bathrooms and very tiny rooms intended for hygiene procedures will be able to choose such an element and install it correctly in their home.

DIY heated mat

Many people do not have the opportunity to make repairs or install expensive floor heating systems. But everyone wants to live in a warm apartment or house and walk on a heated floor. You can make a heated mat yourself. It may include laminate, carpet and heating devices.

The linoleum will become a protective layer - it should be cut according to the size of the rug.

It is quite possible to make a heated mat with your own hands if you approach this process correctly.

For radiation and energy conservation, special thermal insulation (roll) is used. You need to cut a piece out of it that matches the size of the protective layer. The two layers are secured together using glue or double-sided tape.

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What you will need:

Linoleum;
Rolled infrared thermal insulation;
Glue or double-sided tape;
Cable.

There is no need to install a mobile mat - this is its main advantage. Heat will be available anytime, anywhere. In addition, mobile flooring is available to absolutely everyone.

Design and principle of operation of heated mats

The design of heated mats may vary. This has a direct impact on the operating principle and characteristics of a particular device. Before choosing a specific option, get to know the existing models.

The design of the mats may vary

Cable-based electrical models

Electric models are characterized by high thermal conductivity. Such products are quite effective, even with small sizes. As heating elements in such mats, a steel core is used, through which an electric current is passed, due to which the surface is heated.

Attention! The cables used to make the mats are strong and reliable enough to withstand numerous twists during transportation.

The heat generated by the cable is used to heat the surface of the mat

Infrared and jade models

Infrared mats are especially popular. The heating element in this case is a polymer film with graphite strips, placed in a special protective case. After supplying electricity, the polymer film emits infrared heat, warming surrounding objects and creating comfortable conditions.

Infrared heat is created by a special film

The design of jade mats is similar to infrared ones. However, in this case, jade is used as a heat source.

Heat produces jade

Installing a heated floor under a carpet (video)

Warm floors are an excellent solution for those who do not want to freeze. Equipping underfloor heating systems is quite expensive, of course, it all depends on the type of system. It can be water, electric, infrared or mobile. The most effective, safe and economical is the infrared heating system. And for those who are not going to or do not have the opportunity to install an embedded system, there are mobile versions. An electric carpet can be purchased at a specialty store. It is safe, and you can use it to heat any room: kitchen, living room, bedroom or hallway.

Romario February 14, 2016
Homemade products for homeheat

Today we have a useful homemade product for your home or garden: a homemade heated foot mat.

This homemade product will allow you to watch your favorite movie, work on the computer, or do other things in coziness and comfort. And it’s not scary that there is no heated floor or interruptions in heating. Your feet are always warm. Now let's get down to business.

What it is?

A heated mat is an electrical device in the form of a mat. Consists of a flexible heating element, a moisture-proof cover, an electrical cord and a plug.

Heated mat.

In turn, the heating part often consists of carpet and rubber coating, and between them there is a very thin heating mechanism - a film heating module. It is this that ensures quick and uniform heating of the entire mat.

Also inside it is installed a material that reflects heat, due to which the temperature increases.

Such a rug is no longer considered a piece of furniture or decor; rather, it is a new type of equipment.

Bathroom rugs.

Most manufacturers use a power source with the safest and lowest voltage level - 12V. Which is not only safe for humans, but also economical for the family budget.

Since an electric mat requires very little power, it is used around the clock. According to research, after three months of operation, electricity bills do not increase significantly.

To make a homemade heated mat we will need:

furniture fabric or plush (not important, any with low thermal conductivity) for the bottom of the product;

felt (you can use thick batting or other fabric with low thermal conductivity and flammability);

nichrome thread (from a heating element 220 V - 300 W) about 2 m;
double-sided heat-conducting tape on top of the thread (this is to make it easier to mount the top and bottom of the mat without losing the efficiency of heating the thread). An awesome thing for homemade people who are interested, the link to it is here https://ali.pub/pa5f4

genuine furniture leather (in my case). It transfers heat well to the feet; it also holds the heat of the threads well and looks beautiful, but it’s not important - you can take any other material with good thermal conductivity. For example, there are high-quality leather substitutes that are very dense, the backing of which consists of 30-40% recycled leather.

We carefully connect everything and stitch it between the turns of nichrome thread for additional insurance against them touching each other.

power supply from an old laptop (with switching modes from 12 to 24 volts);
a fuse designed for the maximum power of the mat plus a small reserve (in my case 1 A), which is inserted into the cut of one wire for safety.

How to assemble it all into a finished product and other nuances, see the video. Comment, ask. Remember: my DIY is my responsibility. Your product is your responsibility for the consequences of improper use of electrical appliances. With respect, Roman.

Author of the article “Do-it-yourself heated foot mat” Romario

Does a heated mat consume a lot of energy?

Modern manufacturers, in pursuit of energy savings and safety, supply heated mats with a power source of only 12 volts. Such a low voltage is ideal for the safety of family members, as well as for their family budget. A heated mat of such power can be left unplugged and used 24/7. At the same time, you will not notice a significant increase in electricity and, as a result, bills. Overall, a heated bathroom mat heats up quickly and starts working literally as soon as you plug it into the socket. This heating rate is explained by the design features and the relatively small size of the product.