Ceiling Heating Foils

Radiant heat from above

Ceiling heating foils are an alternative means of creating comfort through radiant heating.

Ceiling heating foils consist of a thin carbon film heating element sandwiched between two layers of transparent high temperature plastic laminate.

The foils are positioned to lie directly on top of a plasterboard ceiling and directly beneath bulk ceiling insulation. The insulation provides a barrier for the heat generated by the element, effectively heating the plasterboard ceiling and directing the heat downwards into the room below.

Our designs have allowed for Ceiling timbers or battens being spaced at 400mm or 600mm centres and up to 16mm of Plasterboard as Ceiling material. Ceiling lining materials like lath and plaster or timber are not recommended. We require 60-80% of clear ceiling space, wall to wall, with no obstructions - this is to ensure that the full heating load can be installed in each zone. If installation area available is insufficient the total heat load cannot be installed and the system will not work effectively.

Installation

For ceilings where heating is to be fitted from below:

 The building must be airtight, and the insulation batts must be in place. The Plasterboard/Ceiling must be installed without delay to avoid damage to the elements.

When ceilings are already in place:

  The Plasterboard/Ceiling Material must be in place. The surfaces where the devifoils are to be installed must be clean and level, and free from any sharp objects. The Insulation batts must not be installed until after all the devifoils are in place. The Insulation batts should then be installed without delay, to avoid any damage to the heating.

Plasterboard Requirements:

Plasterboard must be fitted to Australian Standard AS/NZS 2589.1 (1997) and AS/NZS 2589.2 (1997) - 'incorporating the back blocking technique and paper taped joints'. Control joints must be used where required.

Thermostat Control

The use of surface and air sensing thermostats is essential. This enables the ceiling temperature to be monitored and pre-set to a maximum of 42°C (or as per the plasterboard manufacturer's recommendations). The devireg132, devireg532 or devireg535 thermostats are recommended.

Insulation

A minimum of 75mm Batt Type Insulation MUST be laid in direct contact with the devifoils, ensuring that there are no air gaps. The recommended minimum is R2.5 in Sydney. To obtain optimum performance and efficiency the use of R3 is highly recommended. The supply and installation of ceiling insulation is not included in our quotation.

If ceiling insulation is already installed, we have not allowed for the removal or re-installation of any existing insulation. Only Batt type insulation can be re-used where devifoils are being installed. "Loose Fill" type insulation material can only be re-used in areas where no devifoils are being installed.

Electrical

The zones and electrical loadings of the areas to be heated will be set out in the quotation. The Ceiling Heating must be protected by a 30 mA Residual Current Device. It is the responsibility of the site Electrical Contractor to:-

• Wire from Sub-Board/Switchboard to Room Thermostat locations, then wire to ceiling space leaving 1 metre of Neutral + Switch Wire in one corner of each room to be heated.

• Provide 1 empty 16mm or 20mm conduit (with no more than a 90° bend) from Thermostat into ceiling space for sensor probe.

• All loads over 2kW will require Neutral + Switch Wire to be run from Contactor to one corner of the room to be heated leaving 1 metre for connection to devifoil). Also provide 1 empty 16mm or 20mm conduit (with no more than a 90º bend) from Thermostat into ceiling space for sensor probe.

• Install any Thermostats, Contactors or Time Switches provided.

• Wire from the Thermostat locations to Sub-Board/Switchboard.

• Connect the heating to a 24 Hour Tariff eg., Domestic or Time of Use.

It is the Electrical Contractor's responsibility to organise any inspection required by the Supply Authority.