Under-tile electric heating – floor doesn't get warm

Cause

Faulty thermostat

Repair

  • if the heating system was supplied and installed in recent years, call the supplier/installer back to make the repair
  • if the thermostat is readily accessible, the supplier has provided (or can supply on request) details about how to replace or reset the thermostat, and you have the skills and experience and tools to do this, and a replacement thermostat is available, you can carry out the repair/replacement yourself
  • another option is to call in a registered electrician who holds an annual practising licence. You can check that an electrician is registered here

Cause

Thermostat not set correctly

Repair

  • as for the first cause above, but in the first instance ask the supplier/installer for advice about whether you can reset the thermostat yourself. Some systems are designed to make it possible for the homeowner to do this. Some suppliers can explain how to do this over the phone

Cause

Tripped circuit breaker or burnt out fuse

Repair

  • resetting the circuit breaker or replacing the fuse is the first step
  • if the circuit breaker trips or the fuse burns out repeatedly, contact the supplier/installer or call in a registered electrician who holds an annual practising licence to find the problem. You can check that an electrician is registered here

Cause

No power

Repair

  • check to see if adjacent properties have also lost power; if so, the problem is with the mains supply
  • check the main fuse or circuit breaker on the distribution board to see if it has tripped, that is, it is in the OFF position. If not, the problem is with the main supply
  • if the main fuse has not blown or circuit breaker has not tripped and adjacent properties do have power, the problem is between the power transmission lines and the main switch board; contact the power supply company
  • if the main fuse has blown or circuit breaker has tripped, the problem is in the house. Do not reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse at this stage:
    • check all appliances in the house and turn off as many as possible
    • if the board has circuit breakers, switch them all off; reset the main circuit breaker to ON; turn branch circuit breakers on one at a time; if one fails to reset or trips the main circuit breaker, the problem is in that circuit breaker; contact a registered electrician to identify and repair the fault
    • if the board has fuses, remove all branch fuses; replace the main fuse; replace branch fuses on one at a time until one blows again, indicating that the problem is in that circuit; contact a registered electrician to repair the fault