[moparmaniac]

My wife and I are considering adding electric radiant floor heating in our master bathroom. The square footage is roughly 25-30 sq ft. They say that 1 SF is 12 Watts and 1 Amp per 10 SF of product.

There is one outlet on the wall I was hoping to tie into for power, but after looking at our circuit breaker, it looks like the master bedroom and master bathroom are tied into one 15 Amp breaker.

Also the outlet in the master bathroom is tied into a 20 Amp GFI circuit with another bathroom at the front of the house.

All this being discovered, we run a space heater in the master bedroom and a blow dryer in the master bathroom and am wondering now if I can even tie into either one of these circuits.

Biggest problem is the bathroom is on the opposite side of the house from the panel and was wanting to avoid another line if possible.

Could I get some input on what you guys think? Thanks.

[tkrussell]

So at 1 Amp per 10 SF, a 30 SF space would need 3 amps, the local circuit may be able to handle it. You can try using the local circuit, and if it ends up being too much due to the other loads you know are on that circuit, you will need to plan on connecting to another local circuit that is less loaded, or run a new circuit and be done with it.

[moparmaniac]

Test

[moparmaniac]

If I was to choose a circuit, obviously I would pick the 20 AMP GFI circuit because it would be the least used circuit-that being the blow dryer (and a few chargers for razors and toothbrush). My next question is Most of the thermostat units included in the kits we were looking to purchase include a GFI thermostat. It was my understanding you didn't want 2 GFI units on the same line. Please advise!

[tkrussell]

You can connect the heating to the line side of the GFI receptacle.

[moparmaniac]

Ah.. yes... Thanks for the advice.. I was overthinking it.

[moparmaniac]

Quick follow up.. It turns out the product I received does not have built in GFCI protection and must be tied into a GFCI circuit.

While it looks quite a task to do, I've decided to run another line while I have the walls open on this remodel.

Here's my current dilemma. Our Breaker box is a now extinct item. To buy a 20amp GFCI breaker for this box is almost $100. I bought 2 15amp breakers for $15 each, knowing they were getting harder to find.

I was wondering if I could run the 15amp breaker from the box to the bathroom and install a GFCI outlet and then run the protected line to the Thermostat unit. This could cost significantly less.


Only concern is electrical codes... read over quite a few sections and of course is quite a lot to swallow.

Our vanity rests about 22" from the doorway entrance and stands 31" tall. It rests next to a wall stud and was wondering if it would be legal to place the outlet next to the vanity but at a lower height, 12-18" up on the wall? or 12" down from the height of the countertop?

Quite honstly, all our stuff resides on the far side of the vanity and doubt we'd even plug in anything to this outlet. Was just trying to avoid the $100 breaker if that was possible.

I would like to hear your input on this idea.. whether or not it's legal is my true concern.

[tkrussell]

Yes, you can use a GFI receptacle to protect this radiant heat.

You can expose the outlet, or hide it, or use a dead front GFI device so the GFI unit is dedicated to the radiant heat.