How do I size electrical service for my SunTouch system?
All sizes & voltages of SunTouch mats are designed to output the same 12 watts per square foot. For every 10 square feet of 120 VAC (Volts Alternating Current) mat, you need 1 amp of electrical service. Each square foot of mat puts out almost 40 BTUs (British Thermal Units. One BTU is about the same amount of energy that is released if you completely burn one wooden kitchen match). A typical SunTouch system with 50 square feet of mat would use 600 watts (6 light bulbs) of energy and would require a 5 amp service. This 50 sq. ft. system would deliver 2000 BTUs per hour of heating to your space under optimal conditions and less when you take into account heat loss below or to the edge of your floor. The SunTouch 240 volt mats put out the amount of BTUs, but they do it with half the amperage. The formula for electrical energy is Voltage x Amperage = Watts. Using the 240 VAC mats allow you to reduce the amperage requirement for that space by 1/2.
