If you have the basic knowledge about a radiant ceiling thermostat, disconnecting and removing it is not as hard a task. It is a relatively easy process when you have clear instructions.
Regardless of why you may want to disconnect your radiant ceiling heating, it is possible to do so yourself. If you’re looking for an easy step-by-guide on removing the ceiling thermostat, you’re in the right place.
While it is a simple and easy task, you must know the actual amperage pulled by your thermostat. If you’re unsure of the amperage your radiant ceiling heating draws, you need to ask a licensed expert. A professional can easily measure the resistance of the circuit and determine the amp draw per grid.
Nevertheless, keep reading to learn how to disconnect and remove radiant ceiling heat from your home.
Getting to Work
Installing and repairing your radiant ceiling system are rather big jobs that are also quite difficult. This is especially because radiant ceiling heating systems use tubing inside the ceiling of your house to produce heat and provide warmth.
While installing a radiant ceiling heating system on your own is not a good idea, disconnecting it does not require much. Basic experience with electricity is enough to successfully and safely remove the radiant ceiling heat in your home.
Here is how:
Step 1- Shut Off Power Supply
Working with electricity can be very dangerous. So, ensuring your safety is always the first step of removing your radiant heating system.
Before moving on to the main process, you must ensure that you have cut off the power supply to your thermostat. Visit the power cable connecting to your thermostat and shut it off. Make sure to carry out all necessary disconnections and shut off all power sources that connect to your heating system.
Step 2- Turn off the Circuit Breaker
Next up, it is important to turn off the circuit breaker before touching the radiant ceiling heating system. Make sure to unscrew the fuse of your system at the main panel for electricity.
To turn off the circuit breaker, you will need to visit the main circuit of your home’s electricity supply. Here, make the necessary disconnections.
While this step ensures complete safety, turning off the power supply to the radiant ceiling heat is also enough. So you can also skip this step if you wish.
Step 3- Remove the Ceiling Tiles
After ensuring that the current won’t harm you, it’s time to touch on the main part of the process. To make the necessary disconnection for your radiant ceiling heating system, you must detach the ceiling tiles and faceplate.
Simply remove the faceplate by lifting it with your hands. Some other models of radiant ceiling heat also use screws to hold the plate. So you may need to use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws and remove the plate.
Step 4- Take a Picture
You will be directly exposed to the circuit board and wirings at once after removing the plate. At this point, it is important that you carefully observe the circuit board. This includes observing the direction of the wires and how they are connected.
In that regard, taking a picture of the current status of the board and wirings is a great idea. This will allow you to follow up in case a problem arises quickly.
Step 5- Label the Wires
After taking a picture of the circuit board and wires, use different emojis or stickers in your device to label the wires and connections.
You should label the picture according to your progress in disconnecting the radiant ceiling heat. For instance, you will want to put a G label on the picture when detaching a wire from the G terminal of your circuit board.
It is best if you don’t take much notice of the color codes as they can be confusing. Keep it as simple as you can.
Step 6- Remove the Backing Plate
Then, it is time for the backing plate to go from the picture. This step is especially helpful if you’re looking to replace your old analog thermostat with a new digital one.
Grab the screwdriver that you used earlier and use it again, now for removing the backing plate as well as the circuit board. If it fails to detach, you will need to wedge your screwdriver from one side of the backing plate and pry it off.
Reasons Why You May Want to Disconnect Radiant Ceiling Heat:
Getting caught up in the latest trend of radiant ceiling systems is not so hard. After all, it offers all the right reasons to be. Installing radiant ceiling heating systems allows homeowners to control the temperature of each room independently of another. This is especially great for homes where family members have different preferences.
Besides that, radiant ceiling systems tend to produce heat that may feel too warm at times. This is especially true when you sit or stand still for too long. But, installing a thermostat with your radiant ceiling heat can help you control the temperatures according to your preference.
However, many homes have systems that are installed without a thermostat. This can have numerous disadvantages. For example, the system runs continuously, using energy and costing money. In such a case, you may need a replacement or the addition of a thermostat.
Additionally, radiant ceiling heating systems have been common in older homes since the 70s and 80s. This also suggests that the thermostats installed in older homes are quite old and may need replacement. Many people choose to replace these analog ceiling heaters with newer digital ones.
Disconnecting radiant ceiling heating is not just for replacement. You may also need to do it in situations when you won’t be using the heating system for extended periods. Going for a business trip or vacation is one example in which you can disconnect the heating system and save money.
Key Takeaways
Disconnecting and removing a radiant ceiling heating system only requires little knowledge of and working with electricity.
The steps include shutting off the power supply, turning off the breaker, removing the faceplate, taking a picture and labeling it, and removing the backing plate and circuit board.
While it is easy to do so, you should always hire a licensed professional to install a new radiant ceiling heat in your house.
Sources
https://fireplacehubs.com/radiant-ceiling-heat-thermostat-replacement/
https://realestateke.com/how-to-disconnect-radiant-ceiling-heat/
