Warm floor Caleo: advantages of infrared TPs, their operation and model range

Underfloor heating from the Kaleo brand is an innovative infrared heating system that is suitable for creating high-quality coatings in apartments and private houses. The company's technology has proven itself well in Russia, the warm floors of this company are popular with consumers. Caleo floors provide maximum comfort in summer and winter due to their special composition and specificity. Before installing, you should learn more about their features, advantages and installation requirements.

Manufacturer information

Caleo underfloor heating element

Underfloor heating Caleo is a development that was discovered in South Korea - in this country, for the first time, they began to produce infrared heated floors. Now the Kaleo brand is considered the most famous brand of film coatings, the list of advantages of which includes the absence of problems during installation, quick implementation in work, optimal dimensions and beneficial properties for health. At the moment, in the Russian Federation, the brand's thermal film has occupied more than 60% of the entire market for IR floors with heating and a film base.

The coating itself is presented in the form of the thinnest film on which heating elements made of carbon substances - polymers are superimposed. Its main difference from the convection-type options is the heating of the room immediately after the heater is activated. Heat is transferred to each surface and spreads throughout the room, so you don't have to wait for the air to heat up completely. The minimum cut size is 17.4 cm, so you can install the floor in almost every room.

Installation of the Kaleo system is available in homes and manufacturing plants. It works well with all types of flooring, including laminate, carpet, linoleum and wood.

Warm floors Caleo - a very high-quality performance of the heating device

Companies producing electric heating systems, in one way or another, are trying to prove that it is their system that is the most acceptable in terms of various parameters. Warm floors from Caleo also claim to be the most optimal solution for heating your home. Let's figure out what is true and what is marketing.

The lineup

Caleo infrared underfloor heating is presented in four models:

Caleo Line;
Caleo Grid;
Caleo Gold;
Caleo Platinum.

There are significant differences, which we will talk about.

Line

This is how the simplest Caleo Line film works.

This is the simplest and cheapest model in the line. The main advantage of the model is the price. The minimum cost of a set (half a square) is $ 25. According to reviews of real buyers, this model of a warm floor has the property of a year later - two operations are partially not included, i.e. some of the stripes remain cold.

This disadvantage is due to poor contact between the copper bus and the carbon strips.

Grid

Arrangement of elements on Caleo Grid and Gold film

The most common model in the series, although not the cheapest. The minimum cost of a set for half a square is already $ 27. However, this model is more durable thanks to its patented silver anti-spark mesh technology. Thanks to the silver plating in the contact area of the copper bus and the carbon heating element, it was possible to:

First, to exclude excessive heating of the joints;
Secondly, to improve the contact of copper with carbon;
Third, significantly increase the service life.

This model does not have the flaws of the Line model and rightfully occupies a leading place in sales in the entire Caleo line. Of the entire range, only this model has three different film widths of 50, 80 and 100 cm.

Gold

This film is even more expensive.The minimum set will cost you $ 30 (for all the same half a square. At the same time, the manufacturer promises a self-regulation effect, that is, the properties of a self-regulating heating cable, but in a film. In fact, everything is not so.

Neither the manufacturer, nor the dealers, nor the installers can directly answer what the self-regulating effect of this film is. If we disassemble the film Grid and Gold, then we will not find any design differences.

The difference lies solely in the thickness of the carbon layer. Due to this thickness, the film is simply longer does not fail if you put furniture on it and do not let it cool.

So all the stories about self-regulation of the film floor are a myth and a marketing ploy designed to attract new customers.

Platinum

The scheme of Caleo Platinum thermal film differs from all other types by the presence of silver contacts across the entire width of the film

This is the most expensive underfloor heating from the Caleo line. The minimum volume of half a square will cost you $ 45. What do you get for this money?

For that kind of money, of the additional "buns" you will only get the opportunity to cut the film of any length that suits you. And the self-regulation declared by the manufacturer, which in fact does not regulate anything, but simply additional unnecessary protection against the fact that you suddenly decide to install a chest of drawers in the center of the living room.

Based on the analysis of the use of underfloor heating by the manufacturer Caleo, it should be admitted that the Gold and Platinum series are entirely marketing ploys that do not have any really useful properties.

Self-regulation These underfloor heating does not actually save electricity, but only protects the film from overheating if used improperly.

Ability to cut to any length (in the Platinum model), too, in fact, turns out to be not such a significant advantage, given that you will have to pay one and a half times more for this than for the Grid model, and given that the Grid comes in three different widths, this plus becomes completely ghostly.

Installation

All infrared films, regardless of the manufacturer, are mounted in the same way, equally simple. You can lay this floor on your own, without the help of qualified specialists in an hour or two, if you use our photomanual (opens in a new window)

Other benefits

Caleo has a number of advantages over its competitors:

Price. Although it is not the lowest, it is quite competitive. Considering that the country is a producer of South Korea, which means the quality will be much higher. For comparison: "National Comfort" warm floors cost the same as Caleo Grid, but the quality of the parts is much lower, as well as the service life. All because "National Comfort" ostensibly produced in Russia, but actually in China;
The quality of the workmanship. The most painful part of all infrared floors is the connection. In Caleo, they were made really at a height, and the contact groups supplied in the kit will really serve the entire life of the floor;
Fire safety. Caleo does not burn or sustain combustion;

In general, if we take away the “fabulous” promises of sellers, Caleo underfloor heating is quite an acceptable option for additional heating, but not for the main one.

Instead of main heating

Let's calculate for clarity: to use a Caleo warm floor as the main heating, you will need to cover at least 80% of the floor surface with it.

Let's say the area of the room is 10 sq. To cover it, you will need 7 square meters of film, which in terms of electricity is 1400 W

The same room can be heated using a convector heater with a capacity of 1 kW, which is already 40% less in terms of energy costs.

If we compare the cost of a Caleo underfloor heating for such an area ($ 450) against the same convector for 1 kW ($ 65 is the most expensive), then it becomes clear that using it as the main type of heating is unprofitable both at the installation stage and further exploitation.

Caleo product lines

Platinum cuts heating costs by 4 - 5 times

The brand's line of systems is available in a wide range. Most of the kits included in the range are installed without the need to install a cement screed. The most expensive Unimat Premium systems can also function efficiently under concrete. Each product line should be considered separately to understand which option is right for a particular case.

Line. It is a budget line, suitable for laying under any type of linoleum. This is a system with limited functionality without a self-regulation option, while it consumes less energy compared to expensive counterparts - 130 W / m2. It can be used as additional heating.
Grid. It represents the middle segment in terms of price and performance, suitable for laminate, carpet and parquet. The design has a silver mesh separating the busbar and the radiator. The system is characterized by increased heat transfer and can be used as a main heating source. Available in two versions: 150 W / m2 and 220 W / m2.
Gold. Runs more economically with a self-regulating option that reduces current consumption as the temperature rises. The coatings have a power of 170 kW / m2, if the thermostat is on, the total energy consumption will not exceed 39 W, which makes this line quite profitable and budgetary.
Platinum. This system is considered the most efficient and can reduce the total energy consumption by 4-5 times. If the temperature is +10 degrees, the film power will be 175, 230 or 280 kW / m2. Platinum models differ from other lines with a coating thickness of 0.4 mm.

In addition to the coating itself, it is necessary to buy auxiliary components of this brand. Their list includes a wire of the connecting type, terminals, as well as bitumen-based insulation.

Benefits of underfloor heating from Kaleo

Foil underfloor heating can be installed without screed

The use of film systems of the brand allows you to save up to 20% of electrical energy when compared with convection-type heating systems. Those who want to further reduce costs should buy a thermostat. The system from Kaleo does not require any special efforts during installation, since it has optimal dimensions. The list of additional benefits includes:

installation without the need to make a screed, which greatly simplifies installation, which on average lasts no more than 1.5-2 hours for one room of a standard plan;
reliability due to the presence of a silver mesh, which prevents contact of heated elements with copper buses;
safety for health due to the creation of the necessary microclimate in the room and living heat, preservation of fresh air and an optimal level of humidity.

The film coating is excellent for mounting on ceilings, mirror coatings, walls and other surfaces in private houses and apartments.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of infrared floors is their quick installation due to the absence of additional work. Such heating systems can be installed on any floor covering, without screed and base preparation.
The use of a thermostat makes it possible to correctly adjust the room temperature, and the ability of the film to instantly warm up makes it possible to quickly heat a room.
When heated, with the help of infrared radiation, the humidity of the surrounding air does not change and the temperature at the floor is higher than at the level of the ceiling.
The infrared floor has a healing effect on the human body and helps prevent certain diseases.

The disadvantages of these floors include:

They can be easily damaged by mechanical means.
Significant floor cost.
If misused or damaged, the film may catch fire.

Specifications

The characteristics of the coating directly depend on the type, since each line has its own parameters. At the same time, the Caleo IR floor has general parameters, including a power consumption of 130 W with an average consumption of 39 W / h per 1 m2.

The width of the film is 50 cm, the maximum length can be no more than 12 meters. The total length of the IR beam in the system is 5-20 µm.

The film melts at 120 degrees, this factor is taken into account when placing heating devices on the finished floor.

Installation

Connection diagram for Caleo series films: Line, Grid, Gold

Caleo Platinum film connection is slightly different due to design features

Features of operation

Compliance with the rules and recommendations from the company allows you to significantly extend the life of the floors. Thermal film and thermostats must be used in accordance with the norms, the system can only be connected according to the rules of SNiP, VTT KSO and PUE, and all work must be carried out by specialists according to the instructions with the appropriate qualifications.

If an accident occurs and the warm floor is flooded, it is turned off and the surface is thoroughly dried. Sometimes the thermal film is damaged, such places have to be insulated. With a temperature control range, set a value not higher than 30 degrees according to GOST standards.

It must be remembered that with a long absence of people in the room during the winter period, the heating is not completely turned off, it is set to a minimum level.

Comments:

Mark

Good article. Kaleo is really one of the best options for underfloor heating. I recommend this brand to my clients at my sites. Although nothing is perfect, marriage happens, but very rarely.

Semyonich

Good overview. Platinum film is definitely not worth taking, like Line - only Gird! The first one is too expensive and is absolutely no different from the Gird, the second contacts fall off after 2-3 years.

Vladislav

Thanks for the review, I was going to take the planium and cram it everywhere) I better take the grid (wider than the strips) and decompose it wisely

Hope

Thanks, forewarned, then forearmed. Very useful info

Jacob

In the fall of 2020, I decided to insulate the cold vestibule in the house so that cats could live there at least up to -25 C.

The choice fell on the warm floor caleo, they advertised it very nicely in the LeroyMerlin store, and according to the characteristics it was quite suitable for me.

The first year went well, the floor was doing its job.

In January 2020, there was a fire, fortunately, they noticed at the stage of smoke. The house is safe, everyone is safe ...

I decided to understand what the reason is (there was a thought that I had not insulated the connections well enough).

I opened the laminate, there were no problems with installation.

Autopsy results in the photo. (Https://otzovik.com/review_4364221.html)

I wrote to the manufacturer's website - an interesting correspondence turned out:

caleo: Judging by the photographs, we can conclude that the film has heated up to temperatures above 80C, which led to the melting of the heat-reflecting material. Since the thermal film is not self-regulating (Grid 150/220), this result can be achieved in only two ways. The first is to heat the entire film to the specified temperature, i.e., do not install the floor sensor under the film, do not use a thermostat, or set the temperature to 80C on the thermostat. The second is to "lock the thermal film", that is, to create an obstacle to normal heat dissipation.

Me: I had a temperature sensor placed as I wrote earlier.

what is meant by creating a normal heat sink? I had the whole film lying in the same conditions, while the adjacent row was in absolute order.

caleo: Something was lying / standing on the floor during the operation of the thermal film, otherwise the film cannot be "locked".

These films are intended only for open areas where there are no low-lying objects.

So be extremely careful, if you are using these floors do not try to put cat houses on it !!!

service-caleo

Dear Jacob, we regret that the ownership and use of the Caleo Grid film underfloor heating has led to this situation.

Essentially the problem, before operating a technical product, you must carefully read the instruction manual, the Installation and Operation Manual indicates that the gap between the object and the floor must be at least 3 cm, it is also indicated that the Caleo Grid film heat-insulated floor can be laid only on an area free of low-lying objects, in the paragraph "Forbidden during operation! ... Cover the warm floor with objects (furniture without legs, blankets, etc.) that prevent effective heat dissipation into the air." I ask you to draw your attention to the fact that with proper operation, such a case could not happen in principle.

Any film floor heating of any (except for a film floor with full self-regulation) will begin to melt, because there will be no normal heat dissipation, respectively, in the place of "locking" the temperature of the film warm floor will reach critical indicators, which will lead to deformation and melting of the "film".

I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that all Caleo products are certified and pass quality control.

You can get acquainted with the certificates for the products of the Caleo company at any point of retail sales, get detailed advice on the product of interest, or use the manufacturer's Hotline by phone 8-800-555-28-62.

Dedicated servers

Yesterday we put the Caleo infrared film heat-insulated floor on the insulated balcony - we wasted MONEY. And, in these conditions, the area and total power of the installed warm floor does not correspond to the existing recommendations.

Dedicated servers

However, not all property owners want to install such systems due to the need to dismantle the topcoat. But not so long ago, this situation changed, because mobile warm floors appeared on sale, which fit under the carpet.

Vladimir

I agree with the author. We bought Caleo Platinum for laminate flooring. It is impossible to step on the floor and there is no self-regulating effect. The resistance may change within some small limits, but there is no effect from this.

Vladimir

I was not too lazy to test the purchased and installed Caleo Platinum floor under the laminate. As a result of measurements it became clear - 1) The floor was laid 2.2 square meters. 2) Floor temperature at the time of measurement is 44 degrees Celsius. 3) Power is 970 watts. So there is no self-regulation and the power of a square meter is not declared ((Film heat-insulated floor CALEO PLATINUM 230 W / m2)), but really 440 W / m2. These are the disappointing conclusions.