The Amorphous ribbon is just 25 microns thick – that’s 1/80th of a millimetre! The thickness of the UFH mat including double insulation is approximately 2mm at its thickest point.

Yes. All Accolade mats have double insulation and meet or exceed all safety and regulatory requirements of the IEE/IET (section 753.415)

The Amorphous Metal ribbon will reach optimum operating temperature much quicker than other electric UFH systems. Typically around 3 - 4 minutes

Yes. Mats are supplied in either0.25m, 0.5m or 1.0m widths and vary in length from 1.0m to 7.0m (in 0.5m increments). All mats should be secured to the insulation material using either duct tape, carpet tape or double sided tape. This tape is NOT supplied with your heating system but is readily available from your usual supplier.

A “Primary heat source” product can generate sufficient heat to be the only heat source required to heat a typical well insulated room. If a householder is in doubt regarding the insulative qualities of a room/property we would recommend commissioning a specialist to provide a heat loss report.

A “secondary heat source” product is a product designed to be a supplementary source of heat (in addition to the main heat source). In UFH terms this would describe a “foot warming” product, with no capability of heating the airspace in a room.

If the heat mats cover around 80% or more of the total floorspace and there are acceptable levels of insulation in your room (not just in your floor), Accolade's underfloor heating system should be all you need to heat your room to acceptable levels.

If you are in any doubt whether your room is sufficiently well insulated Accolade recommend you comission a specialist to provide you with a heat losss report/calculation.

Fitting of the UFH mats is relatively easy and can be carried out by any competent person – though a suitably qualified electrician should carry out all electrical connections, testing and commissioning.

All mats should be secured to the insulation material using either duct tape, carpet tape or double sided tape. This tape is NOT supplied with your heating system but is readily available from your usual supplier.

We provide a fifteen year manufacturers warranty with all heat mats providing the system has been laid in accordance with the installation guide supplied with each mat and 18 or 24 month guarantee with thermostats (depending on which model is specified).

220 – 240v power should be fed from the consumer unit on a fused spur and connected to a 30Ma RCD (circuit breaker). This should be a dedicated supply with no other appliances connected to it. This supply is then connected to the thermostat which feeds the power to the Underfloor Heating System.

Each room/area should have it’s own thermostat. This provides superb flexibility and allows much greater system efficiency.

Yes. For safety compliance a 30Ma RCD must be fitted to the system. The RCD will detect any trace of earth leakage and act as a safety cut-off. Not incorporating an RCD will invalidate the manufacturers warranty.

Our website has lots of information and several PDF downloads including fitting instructions, technical brochure and thermostat control instructions. Our UFH instalation video is also be available to view from here, or you could of course call us on 01383 567059.

No. Mats come in a variety of sizes to fit most spaces and cannot be cut, split or folded.

No. There should be a gap of 50mm between each mat.

Effective heating requires 80% or more of the floor area to be covered (the higher the coverage, the quicker the response time will be). Mats should not be fitted within 100mm of any wall or within 150mm of any fireplace or hot water pipe

Accolade’s UFH mats should not be fitted under fixed/heavy items as this will cause the mats to overheat and eventually fail.

We recommend using a carpet underlay with a tog value of 0.8 or less. This underlay is widely available and should cost no more than an average underlay. Some underlays used in the past are:

“ROMA” by Ball & Young

“TRACTION IMPACT” underlay (0.79 tog) from tradepriced.co.uk "

"HEAT-FLO" by Duralay - Tog value 0.77

"CRUMB DURAFIT 500" by Duralay - Tog value 0.59.

N.B. The above underlays are just a selection of those available in the marketplace.

No - acoustic insulation is not absolutely necessay as the heat insulation material used for UFH is an excellent acoustic insulation properties. Using an acoustic insulator on top of the mats may restrict the flow of heat, causing a “thermal block”

Yes. The cold leads (Live & Neutral) on each mat consist of double insulated wire manufactured to withstand temperatures between –40c to +105c. There are five metres of cold leads on each mat and this is sufficient for the majority of installations. On the rare occasion where a longer length is required you can use the excess cable from the other mats (connect this by using a 2.5mm crimp sleeve and shrink tube) or you can order additional cable from Accolade.

No. Wiring the system in series would cause overheating and would lead to a system failure fairly quickly.

A parallel wiring system means that in the unlikely event of a fault, only the damaged/faulty mat will fail – the rest of the mats will still operate perfectly.

A fault in a system wired in series means the whole system would fail leaving the property with no heating whatsoever.

The system should be tested to detect any faults/damage prior to laying the floor covering. This makes it easier to take any remedial action necessary and shows the system is in perfect working condition prior to handover (to floor fitter/householder).

The mats are extremely robust but we would recommend using old cardboard or plastic sheeting etc to place on top of your UFH system, particularly in areas of high traffic.

Although the mats will cope with normal traffic it’s very easy to walk into the room and not realise that you have a piece of broken glass (or other sharp object) on the sole of you shoe which could damage the mats – Prevention is better than cure!

No. Accolade can provide a system especially for outdoor use such as driveways and patio areas. Please contact us for details

It doesn’t need it!

Standard UFH is achieved with a cable (or water pipe) embedded into a concrete screed. This means that a large percentage of heat generated is used in heating the concrete – no the room! This results in higher power consumption; much slower reaction to thermostatic control and makes maintenance extremely difficult (if not impossible).

Because the Accolade Amorphous Metal ribbon operates at much lower temperatures over a larger area, this allows the system to be installed below the floorcovering but without the requirement for a screed (a considerable cost saving). This means you get a more efficient and more responsive system that heats up in minutes – not hours!

All mats should be laid as flat as possible. Whenever possible unfold the mats 24 hrs before they are laid - this will help the mats “relax”. If you still encounter ridges or folds stretch the mats as flat as possible and use adhesive tape to secure the edges of the mats to the insulation material. You could also lay the Duct tape across the mat (along the fold/ridge) to assist in levelling the mats.

Grounding nets are an earthing facility consisting of a fine metal mesh (0.35mm thick) connected to a 3m length of earth cable which sits on top of a heat mat and connected to the property’s earth. Grounding nets are required in wet areas such as bathrooms, cloakrooms and en-suites. Grounding nets are also required in kitchens, but only above heat mats that are within 0.5m of any white goods (oven, fridge, dishwasher etc.) or any sink/tap.

Using a "Dot & Dab" tiling method is not recommended as it will restrict the systems efficiency and cause hot/cold spots in the room

To operate as efficiently as possible Accolade's ribbon element must be in full contact with the flexible adhesive above it. This allows the heat generated to permeate through the adhesive and ceramic tile, and into the room at a consistent, even temperature.

Yes. In the unlikely event of a fault or break in a mat, a simple repair kit can be used to correct the fault/break. See the installation guide supplied with each mat for details.

No. The fused spur should be a dedicated supply used only for your UFH.

Gas central heating is a “convective” system (using air as the heat transfer medium) - warm air rises to fill the room with heat from the ceiling downwards, the air then cools and falls to be re-heated again causing a continuous cycle of warmed air that is hotter at ceiling level and cooler at floor level.

UFH uses radiant heat as a transfer medium, minimising heat loss through the ceiling and maintaining the temperature at floor level, allowing the temperature to be reduced without loss of comfort.

Radiant heat also maintains the humidity (air moisture) in a room making UFH the obvious choice for anyone with airborne allergies or respiratory problems.

The responsiveness of any UFH system is dependent upon the thickness and density of any surface laid above the heat source. For example:

UFH in a conservatory with a 6mm laminate floor finish will heat the room space quicker than the same room with a 15mm ceramic tile floor.

So… it is perfectly acceptable to put UFH in a room with 18mm solid wood - and although the responsiveness of the system will be compromised to some degree when compared to a thinner flooring, will still heat up quicker than any other electric wire or water based UFH system.

It is perfectly okay to put furniture on a floor with UFH as long as the furniture allows some airflow at floor level (i.e. has castors or feet). Any furniture with a large/flat “footprint” such as a filing cabinet with no feet, or a futon style bed that sits directly on the floor, will cause thermal blocking and should not have UFH below it. Similarly – beanbags placed in a room with UFH will cause a “thermal block” and will compromise the efficiency of the system.

Yes – although you will need a 6mm self-levelling screed on top of the UFH system before the vinyl is laid.

The reason for this is simple: An inherent characteristic of vinyl floorcovering is that it will soften slightly when heated. This, through time will show the shape of the mats through the floorcovering (commonly referred to as “ghosting”) and the only effective way to overcome this is to use a 6mm screed prior to the vinyl being laid.

Of course you can. UFH is ideal for fitting in these areas, and feels great when you step out of a shower or bath onto a warm floor (rather than cold tiles!)

All mats should be secured to the insulation material using either duct tape, carpet tape or double sided tape. This tape is NOT supplied with your heating system but is readily available from your usual supplier.

Many! A wet system will cost more to buy, more to install and more to run than the Accolade system. It will also take much longer for a wet system to respond to thermostatic control (anything up to 4 hrs compared to just a few minutes for the Accolade system)

With an electric system you do not require a cupboard full of control valves, and because the electric system is not embedded in concrete or screed, it is easy to access – so in the unlikely event of a fault it is a simple task to source the fault and effect a repair without digging up tons of concrete. It doesn’t leak and as there are no moving parts, there is no costly servicing of the equipment.

If you are laying underfloor heating in a room with a carpet floor finish, the underlay should have a tog value of no more than 0.8 tog.

These underlays are readily available and several manufacturers/brands that have been used successfully are:

"traction impact" underlay - tog value 0.79

"Roma" underlay by Ball & Young - Tog value 0.80

"Heat-flo" underlay by Duralay - Tog value 0.77

"Crumb Durafit 500" by Duralay - Tog value 0.59.

There are two different types of insulation material – flexible and solid.

Flexible insulation is 6mm thick cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam. This is laid when the floor finish is Hessian backed carpet, laminate or solid wood.

Solid board insulation is 7mm thick and made from extruded polystyrene. This is laid when the floor finish is a ceramic tile, stuck down vinyl (Amtico/Karndean etc) or carpet tiles.

Technically yes - but we don’t recommend it! Insulation material performs three important functions.

It prevents the downward flow of heat and saves its cost many times over in reducing the power needed for a room to reach the required temperature.

It reduces the heat up times as it directs the heat generated up into the room in which it is laid.

It helps to protect the mats themselves from damage by screw heads, nails or staples sticking up through the floor surface.

Please bear in mind that users will invalidate their warranty if installing the system without suitable insulation material.

No. Flexible insulation laid under ceramic tiles will eventually cause cracking in the grout and may even cause cracks in the tile itself. Only solid insulation should be used below ceramic tiles.

Solid board insulation is made from extruded polystyrene. This is a closed cell material with excellent spanning capabilities and although lightweight and easy to fit, is very strong and will withstand weights up to 30 metric tonnes per square metre. Any weight laid on it will be distributed over the whole floor area.

Ensure the area is clean and free of any debris.

The boards are lightweight and easy to cut. Secure the insulation to the whole floor area using a flexible tile adhesive (the same adhesive used to lay ceramic tiles).

Spread the adhesive on the floor with a castellated (notched) trowel, lay the insulation boards directly on top and press down firmly to ensure good adhesion.

There should be no gaps between the boards (any gaps can be filled with the adhesive). Allow the adhesive to “cure” before fitting the mats to the boards.

Accolade recommends using a flexible tile adhesive to secure the solid board insulation material to the floor. Flexible adhesive allows a degree of elasticity that is required as a result of expansion/contraction of the system due to the heat generated.

Please ensure the adhesive is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems and use only as directed by the manufacturer

Flexible insulation can be secured to the floor in any of several ways:

Floating. The insulation material can be laid on the floor area and not secured in any way (the weight of the Accolade heat mats and the floor covering will hold the insulation material in place)

Adhesive tape. The insulation material can be laid on the floor area and secured using adhesive tape such as Duct tape or double-sided adhesive tape.

Stapled. If the floor base is chipboard or wooden floorboards it is possible to use staples to secure the insulation material to the floor.

Silicon. The insulation material can be laid on the floor area and secured using any proprietary brand of silicon sealant. Make sure the silicon sealant has “cured” before proceeding to lay the heat mats.

Accolade’s Metallic Alloy ribbon mats operate at a lower temperature over a larger area.

Advances in manufacturing now allow us to reduce the thickness of our insulation boards from 10mm to just 7mm and still have better thermal efficiency than before. This means there is no need for the thicker insulation other UFH systems require (which can cause floor “build-up” issues).

You may of course choose to use a thicker insulation material, but Accolade's 7mm product will be adequate for the majority of installations.

Unfortunately not!

You need to prevent heat travelling downwards into the concrete base (above your insulation) otherwise the system will use more power and take more time to achieve the required temperature.

Accolade offer a "next working day" delivery if required.

"Next working day" is defined as anytime between 8am and 6pm on the specified day. If you require a morning or afternoon delivery there will be an additional delivery charge. Please contact us for details.

If you're a specifier or tradesperson/contractor simply contact us by phone, fax or e-mail. Give us the relevant information we need – including scale plans/drawings whenever possible. As soon as we’ve worked out your needs we’ll get back to you with costs and estimated delivery date.

Pretty much! Just give us your contact details including business name and let us know your requirements and our estimating department will call you back as soon as they’ve worked out your room layout and costs.

Yes. Every mat has comprehensive fitting instructions as well as a warranty certificate. Additional information is available on our website, and we’re always at the end of the phone if you need to check anything with us.

We will provide you with a layout to show your installer the size and position of each mat within your room. This will be sent to you along with your order.

Of course!

But you need to satisfy yourself that the thermostat you have will operate effectively with our system. Any damage to the system caused by using inappropriate controls is not covered by your UFH warranty.

Of course!

But you need to satisfy yourself that the material you use will provide you with effective insulation to allow the mats to operate at their most efficient. The “R” value of the material should be between 1 – 3 tog.

Any returns must be made within 21 days of delivery. If the products are in merchantable condition we will provide a refund but will charge a 50% restocking fee plus carriage costs.

We always add approximately 10% more insulation than the room area. This is because there will inevitably be a degree of wastage when fitting the insulation material and wouldn’t want to delay your fitting of the system because you need additional insulation sent to you.

The type of insulation we recommend/supply depends on what your floor finish will be.

Flexible insulation is used for wood, laminate, engineered board and carpet floor finishes. Solid board insulation is used with stuck down vinyl or ceramic tile floor finishes.

If you order your system before 2pm, and we have all items in stock, our couriers will deliver to you on a “next working day” basis.

Give us the new sizes/layout and we will work out what additional mats you need. You then have the choice of returning the excess mats you have or keeping them for your next installation.

If we have supplied you with wrong sized mats we will send the right sized mats to you immediately and arrange to pick up the surplus mats at no additional cost to you.

If we have supplied mats for a property where the layout or dimensions have changed, we will send the right mats to you but you will be responsible for additional mat & delivery costs.

We recommend only a suitably qualified electrician carry out all electrical connections, testing and commissioning.

We provide an 18 month warranty with our standard thermostats and 24 month warranty with our SMARTstats (wifi model).

The thermostat should be sited approximately 1.2m from the ground and not in an area where other heat sources can influence the sensor (in direct sunlight, above a radiator/heater or in “dead” areas such as behind a door or in a passageway).

The maximum load of a standard thermostats is 16amps (3,450watts). If the total load of the UFH system is greater than this, either use a contactor (to allow control of a higher amperage) or divide the total mats in the room between two (or more) thermostats to provide a “zoned” heating solution.

The floor probe controls the temperature of the floor (rather than the ambient temperature of the room). This is particularly useful with floorcoverings such as carpeting or solid wood. It is generally accepted that the maximum recommended temperature for solid wood flooring with UFH is 27c – a higher floor temperature may contribute towards the floor twisting or warping over time.

N.B. Solid wood flooring is a natural product and will over time, twist and/or warp irrespective of any UFH system. Since Accolade’s UFH system works at a lower operating temperature (max 30c), it is much kinder to the floor surface than other UFH systems that operate at temperatures up to 70c.

Yes, but you should only use the same cable as the floor probe itself. Contact Accolade for further information.

Check the temperature setpoint for the floor sensor is not set too low and adjust if necessary. Make sure the thermostat isn’t sited where external heat may cause the system to cut out prematurely (such as above a radiator/heater or in direct sunlight). Check the floor sensor is not touching any part of the heat mats. Make sure there are no items placed directly above the area where the floor probe is fitted – this will cause thermal blocking resulting in the symptoms described above.

It’s possible you may not have programmed the schedule to your requirements. The thermostat has been pre-programmed to factory settings, which will switch the system on in the afternoons. See the instructions supplied with your thermostat for programming details.

Probably not. The programme schedule will only operate if the system is on “Automatic” mode. Check if the system is on “Manual” mode – if so; press the “Mode” button on the thermostat until the “Automatic” mode shows (see the programming guide). Check the “Economy” temperature setting – if this is set to a similar temperature to the “Comfort” setting, this will have the effect of switching on the system 24 hrs per day.

No. Your thermostat is a 7-day model that can be set to a different schedule each day. Please see the programming instructions provided with your thermostat.

No. Simply use the “down arrow” (bottom right of the thermostat) to reduce the temperature to your requirements and press the “comfort” (sun) button for three second (until the sign appears in the LCD display). This confirms you have reset the comfort temperature setpoint. To increase the temperature simply use the “up arrow” and follow the same procedure. This information is available on the programming instructions issued with each thermostat.

No – but try to place it around this height for optimum performance, or consider using an F mode thermostat - this will control the system through monitoring the floor temperature only, making the siting of the thermostat less critical.

Try not to site the thermostat too close to the floor as this could cause the thermostat to switch the system off prematurely. You may need to make allowances for this when programming the temperature setpoints.