Introducing Heating Films, Generations 1–3

The first three generations of heating film differ mainly in the design of the power supply and in operational safety. For the first generation, the contact between copper and silver strips and the heating strips insulated from one another were the weak points; the second improved on this with a conductive polymer layer and an interconnected heating surface; and the third became self-regulating. This article was written in 2018 and is meant as a historical overview: today we install 4th-generation heating film.

Why does the generation of the heating film matter?

Our report presents heating film, one of the basic elements of infrared underfloor heating. As infrared heating became more widespread, heating films of several constructions appeared on the market, and the difference is not always visible at a glance. It is worth knowing what makes a heating film cheaper or more expensive, because safe and economical operation depends on it – this is in the common interest of the buyer and the installer.

In the video we show the differences between the generations with pictures:

The first generation: plain striped film

First-generation heating film has existed in Europe for a long time; it is an easily recognisable plain striped film. One of the most important and most delicate parts of heating films is the power supply: along the longitudinal edge of first-generation film runs a copper and a silver strip pressed together, and this is where the wires are connected at installation. In the first generation the contact between copper and silver is not stable, so discharges and short circuits are common. As a result, black spots form on the film, and heating stops along that strip. The same power then goes to the rest of the film, which is put under an even greater load. If the film was installed under an expensive cold floor covering, uncovering and repairing it is extremely costly.

The other weak point is that the black heating strips are not connected to one another. If a hairline crack appears anywhere, that strip stops working, and the rest of the film is again put under a greater load.

The second generation: conductive polymer layer

The second generation corrected these 2 major faults. In the second generation a conductive polymer layer was placed between the copper and the silver, which made it possible to rule out discharge. The heating surface is either a homogeneous material or the patterns are connected to one another, so a crack does not put an entire strip out of action. A further advantage of this is that the film can be cut anywhere if a drain, a light switch or the wiring of a chandelier is in the way.

The third generation: self-regulating heating film

When the article was published in 2018, 3rd-generation heating film was the newest; it had been available in Hungary since 2015. Compared with its predecessors, it reached its maximum power sooner, so the pleasant radiant warmth could be felt earlier, but its greatest novelty was the ability to self-regulate.

With earlier types, underfloor heating required a 4–5 cm air gap to be left between furniture and the floor so that the floor would not overheat. With self-regulating heating film this is not needed, because the film senses when a larger object is placed directly above it: as the temperature on that surface would begin to rise, the tiny nanoparticles move apart, so the film's power, and with it its temperature, falls – but only in that area. From then on you do not have to watch what furniture goes where, and the home can be rearranged at any time. Our 2018 article calculated that thanks to self-regulation consumption was 10–15% more favourable than with earlier versions.

Today: 4th-generation heating film

Development has continued since then: today we install 4th-generation heating film, which in Europe is available exclusively from us. The main changes of 4th-generation film compared with earlier ones:

• Larger heating surface: it gives off heat from an increased carbon-paste surface, which gives more even warmth.
• Full-width contact strip: where the copper strip and the carbon paste meet, a continuous contact strip running the full width ensures stable contact. In the 1st generation this point was weak and vulnerable; in the 3rd generation a mesh solution was used.
• Self-regulation: like the 3rd generation, it is self-regulating and reduces its own power under furniture or a carpet.
• Distinctive look: the exterior of the film has also been renewed, so it is easy to tell apart from other heating films.
• Certifications: the films have the necessary European certifications and certificates.
• Versatile installation: in the floor – directly under laminate parquet, and also under a floor covering and a concrete layer – as well as in the wall and ceiling.

We give a 15.5-year warranty on 4th-generation heating film if we carry out the installation.

What to look out for when buying heating film

The difference between generations is inside the film, so before buying it is worth asking the following:

• Which generation is the film, and how is the contact between the copper conducting strip and the heating layer designed?
• Is it self-regulating? Whether an air gap must be left under furniture depends on this.
• Is the heating surface interconnected, and can the film be cut anywhere?
• What European certifications and certificates does it have?
• Who carries out the installation, and what conditions is the warranty tied to?

If you are weighing whether built-in heating film or a wall-mounted panel suits your home better, on our infrared panel page we also present the uses of panels.

More videos

• TV 2 "Szépítők" programme – intelligent heating film
• "Szépítők" – Heating film for the ceiling