Installing SunTouch TapeMats is a pretty straightforward process with the right tools and instructions. Always follow your SunTouch installation guide and local electrical codes to ensure the system performs safely.
Warm Your Floor is a certified supplier of SunTouch heating systems. Purchasing your SunTouch heating system from a certified seller is important to ensure you receive legitimate parts and get eligibility for system warranty. To install your SunTouch heating system correctly, follow the steps outlined below.
1. Pre-Installation
To complete the installation, you’ll need your SunTouch heating mat and SunStat thermostat. You’ll also use a few basic tools:
- SunTouch Mesh or TapeMat
- SunTouch SunStat Thermostat
- Multimeter
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
- Hammer
- Wood chisel
- Trowel
Before laying the mesh or TapeMat, choose a suitable location for the SunStat thermostat. It must be on an open wall and easy to access. It’s recommended to install the thermostat on its own dedicated power line and follow all electrical codes for your area.
Next, prepare the electrical box by drilling or sawing two holes through the bottom wall plate – one for the power leads and one for the thermostat sensor. These holes should line up directly below the thermostat’s electrical box. A 4×4 electrical box with a single-gang mud ring works well for this setup.
Before installing, you need to perform resistance tests using a multimeter. Test both the SunTouch mat and the thermostat sensor to ensure there’s no damage with either part. Compare the results with the required values listed on the UL tag and record in the installation manual.
If the values are not in the required range, DO NOT continue with installation. Reach out to the Warm Your Floor team or the retailer you bought your SunTouch mat from to get assistance.
For full instructions on completing multimeter resistance tests, see our article: How to Conduct Floor Heating Resistance Tests Using a Multimeter
2. Before Laying the Mat
First, sweep and vacuum the floor to remove any dirt and debris before laying the mesh. The next steps are as follows:
- Feed the power leads up to the thermostat box. Route the thermostat sensor through the conduit as well.
- Do not bend the factory splice where the cold lead meets the mesh. Chisel a shallow recess into the subfloor if needed.
- Hot glue the splice securely into place.
3. Placing the SunTouch Mat
- Roll out the mesh and turn it as needed to follow your layout.
- To fill odd-shaped areas, pull wire from the mesh and lay it manually. If you have a custom SunTouch mat, you shouldn’t need to worry about this step.
- Secure the mesh with the staple gun (mesh only) or hot glue.
Note: Keep the mat out from under permanent fixtures and stay 4–6 inches away from walls, vents, toilets, and other permanent fixtures.
- Loop any extra length around the room perimeter within the 4–6 inch gap. Maintain at least 2 inches of clearance between heating wires and obstacles.
- NEVER cut the heating cable.
- Once the odd-shaped areas are covered, use a hot glue gun to secure the end of the heating cable.
4. Thermostat Sensor Installation & Mortar
After the mesh is secured, it’s time to install the thermostat sensor and cover the SunTouch heating system.
- First, place the sensor between two heating cable runs (parallel, not crossing).
- Hot glue the sensor to the floor.
- Perform another full resistance test on the mat and sensor. Record all values in the installation manual.
Note: Again, if the test results don’t match those required in the installation manual, DO NOT continue with installation. Reach out to the Warm Your Floor team for assistance.
Embed in Mortar
- Use 3/8-inch polymer-modified thinset for tile installations. Self-leveling mortar may be used for laminate, hardwood, carpet, etc.
- Using a trowel, fully embed the mesh in the mortar, ensuring no mesh or wires are exposed.
5. SunTouch Thermostat Installation
Once the mesh is placed and the thin-set mortar is set, it’s time to install the SunTouch thermostat.
- Start by removing the faceplate carefully to avoid bending the pins. Shorten leads from the mesh if needed, but make sure to keep the UL tag if you do so.
- Then, connect the following:
- Load leads from the mesh.
- Line leads to the thermostat from the breaker.
- Sensor wires to the sensor terminals.
- Make sure to leave the UL tag in the electrical box for future reference.
- Secure the thermostat base to the box using the provided screws and reattach the faceplate.
Test the System
- Briefly turn on the SunStat heating system to confirm the mesh heats.
- Do not leave the system on during mortar curing – doing so could compromise the mortar during the curing process.
The Warm Your Floor Team is Here to Assist
Your SunTouch floor heating system is now installed and ready to use once the mortar has fully cured. For troubleshooting support, questions, and additional resources, contact the Warm Your Floor team. Our floor heating experts are happy to assist you if problems or questions arise.
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