We added Schluter Ditra-Heat electric radiant heating under our new kitchen tile during a full kitchen renovation in Burlington. Sharing the installation experience and 14-month operating data.
Why we added radiant:
Burlington mornings in January on a tile floor are brutal. The kitchen is over the crawl space — significantly colder than the rest of the house. Our original kitchen had sheet vinyl and it was cold. New tile was going to be worse without radiant.
Product chosen: Schluter Ditra-Heat — the uncoupling membrane and heating element are combined in one product. You set tile directly on the Ditra-Heat mat. No separate uncoupling membrane required.
Scope:
- 280 sq ft kitchen floor
- Ditra-Heat mat (280 sq ft): $2,100 supply
- Thermostat (Schluter DITRA-HEAT-E-WiFi): $180
- Electrician (dedicated 20A circuit from panel, thermostat wiring): $420
- Tile setter included Ditra-Heat installation in tile labour quote (added $350 to normal rate)
Total radiant system cost: $3,050 (excluding tile and standard tile labour)
14-month operating data:
- System runs on a schedule: 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM daily, and 4 PM to 7 PM
- Measured electricity consumption: 41 kWh/month in heating season
- Ontario electricity cost: approximately $8.50/month to run the kitchen radiant
Performance:
The floor surface reaches 24°C by the time we’re making breakfast. The kitchen is now noticeably the warmest room in the house on cold mornings.
One thing I’d do differently: I’d add a floor temperature sensor (the Schluter thermostat supports one). Without it, you have to calibrate the schedule manually. With the sensor, it cuts power when the floor hits the target temperature — saves energy and prevents overheating.