Clear the Way With a Radiant Snow Melting System

We are in the thick of snow season and I know each of us have other things we prefer to shoveling snow. You are aware aren’t you that you don’t really need to be shoveling that snow? Electric heated driveways are not just a fantasy any more. They are the ticket to easy snow removal. Snow melting systems are a convenience that will over time become more of a necessity as we realize how functional and affordable they are. Just as microwave ovens used to be a luxury, heated driveways may be such right now but that will change. Oops, did I go back too far? Yes, believe it or not microwave ovens have not always been around. I remember the days, oh I digress.

Radiant snow melting systems consist of a wiring system installed within the surface of the driveway or sidewalk. A sensor will automatically signal the control unit which actives the system when conditions for snow are present. The surface is heated and the snow is gone. Your driveway is now a “snow-free zone”. How much more convenient can it get than arriving at home with a snow free driveway? Seeing the snow on your neighbor’s driveway may remind you of the days when you had to shovel, but chances are, you won’t really miss those times. But be a good friend and tell your neighbor that radiant snow melting systems can also be installed in existing surfaces. He’ll certainly thank you for it. 

Automated Snow Melting Systems Ease the Burden of Icy Winters

The snow has already started flying in parts of the country. It is not going to be long before we are waking up to ice hanging off the gutters and snow-packed, icy driveways. Radiant heat snow melting systems are here to help us fight the winter elements. With the tools of modern technology we have a fighting chance of winning this annual frosty battle.

Heated driveways and automatic snow melting systems make it so easy for us to combat the elements. These radiant snowmelt systems are fully automated and maintenance free. Sensors installed within the system will trigger the snowmelt controller whenever snow conditions are present, and the control unit then applies current to the heat cable, thus taking care of the snow concern. You no longer have to grab a shovel at the first sign of snow. Heck, you don’t even have to do anything. In fact, you don’t even have to be awake. It all happens while you are attending to other matters. Preferably things you want to do.

Take advantage of radiant heating technology that are at our disposal today and have a snowmelt system installed at your place. Put an end to the chore of manual snow removal.

Clearing Snow from your Driveway Before it Turns to Ice

Remember last year when you were out shoveling the snow off your driveway? You were probably thinking of all the things you would rather be doing, remember? Well, Old Man Winter will be back before you know it, and you'll be dusting off the 'ol snow shovel and giving your back a good workout once again. But there is something you can do to avoid the “cold, white workout”. Invest in a radiant heated driveway system.

Installing a driveway snow melting system is the key to enjoying the beauty of winter without the aches and pains associated with shoveling snow. You can stand by your window in the morning sipping hot chocolate as the automated snowmelt system clears the driveway for you. But don’t wait for Christmas. Give yourself the gift right now. Then when Christmas comes, you'll be enjoying the benefits of a snow and ice-free driveway. Radiant snow melting systems are virtually maintenance free, and it will be fun just to watch the snow melt from the warmth of your livingroom.

Heated driveway systems aren’t confined to new construction. They can be installed over an existing asphalt driveway. Heat cable is laid out over the surface and then a new finish coat is installed over that. The snow sensor installed will automatically trigger the control unit, which will switch on only when it is needed. Heated driveways utilize the same basic radiant heat principles as those used in underfloor heating applications.

Roof heating and gutter melt systems are also available from Warmzone. Eliminate ice dams and protect your structure by installing a radiant roof deicing system. But don't hesitate. The days are getting shorter and winter will be here before you can say “radiant heated driveway”.

Optimize Your Home Heating by Using Ground Insulation for your Heated Floors

Times are a changing and no longer acceptable to ignore “green building” when constructing a new home or building. This means maximizing the efficiency of your heat source. Fortunately, there are many options available today.

Starting with the preparation for the slab, ground insulation is something that is so effective and easy to install that it should never be ignored. It can significantly increase the efficiency of your heating source, especially if that source is a radiant heated floor system. Floor insulation is also an extreme energy saver. When installed under sub-floors it “reflects” the heat, adding tremendously to the efficiency of your heated floor installation.

Electric floor heat is the king of the hill when it comes to efficiency and comfort. These various forms of ground insulation only increase the efficiency of the floor heating system, regardless of your floor type (i.e., tile, hardwood, carpet, etc.).

When your heat source is the floor, you aren’t wasting a lot of energy heating the ceiling area, which is what forced-air systems tend to do. You can maintain lower temperature settings and still be comfortable. Why heat from the ceiling down – especially nowadays when so many new homes have high ceilings? That’s a recipe for nickel and diming you to death. Remember three little words, "heat your feet". That’s the ticket for energy efficiency and added comfort. Gone are the days of inefficient forced air systems that blow dust and allergens all over the house. Check out the options for radiant heated floors today.

Easy Driveway Snow Removal

Ever wondered why snow seems to stick on some driveways and not others? Maybe the south driveways stay a little warmer due do sun radiating across the surface, but you've probably noticed that there are some driveways on the north facing side of the street that don’t have any snow on them at all. Chances are fairly good that the well-informed occupants of that house have installed a radiant driveway snow melting system.

Just as radiant floor heating systems warm the surface of floors, snow melting systems radiate warmth under the surface of the driveway, resulting in a very clean, fully automated snow removal system. If you haven’t heard much about these radiant snowmelt systems, here’s a brief description.

When the driveway is being formed, radiant heat cable is installed and then the finish surface is applied over that. ClearZone cable is a common heat cable mat system which has proven itself over the years to be among the best – if not THE best – radiant heat cable on the market. It is durable enough that fresh concrete or asphalt can be placed directly over the cable. Radiant heat can also be applied under brick and stone pavers.

In addition to the grid of heat cable embedded in the driveway, an activation device (snow sensor) is also installed, either in the surface of the driveway or mounted in a location where it will detect weather conditions. (These are the components that replace your snow shovel and snow plow or salt.)

When conditions are right for snow, the system is activated, applying current to the heat cable that radiates heat throughout the driveway surface. Snow removal has never been so easy. This can be an especially big plus for driveways with a fairly steep incline. Radiant snow melting systems can also be applied to existing asphalt driveways. Make life easy for yourself and install one before the next winter hits. You will be so glad you did.

Warm Tile Floors - The Very Definition of Comfort

If you look up “ultimate comfort” in the dictionary, there may be a mention of radiant heated tile floors. Well, there would be if I had any influence with Mr. Webster. Hopefully you have had the experience of walking on a heated floor. Better yet, hopefully you have had the experience of living in a home with a heated tile floor. It's a comfort that just can't be beat.

Radiant heated floors utilize a wire grid that is installed either in a concrete slab or placed in thin set on top of the slab, directly under the tile. A sensor in the floor is wired to a programmable thermostat, so you can maintain the desired temperature or activate the system only when you want. If you have a raised wood subfloor, the radiant heat cable is installed on the top of that and the finish surface is then installed over it. Tile is a common surface for radiant heated floors. Not only is tile attractive, it has a low “R” value, which means it won’t insulate you from the heated floor. This equates to efficiency. And nowadays, energy-efficiency is paramount.

One of the other big advantages of a heated floor is that it enables you to easily adjust the level of heat for each room. Want one room a little warmer than another? It’s easily accomplished with this set up. With a forced air system it’s not so easy.

Many tout the potential of increased efficiency using a heated tile floor system. That’s cool – or warm I should say – but I can’t stress enough the added comfort this form of heat will offer. You’ll lose track of your slippers. If your feet are warm you will be warm all over. Trust me, I'm a tile setter and I've installed a heated tile floor in my home. I haven't worn a pair of slippers since!

Driveway Snow Melting Made Easy

With spring approaching you might not think too much about installing an electric heated driveway system. As is very often the case however, now just may be the best time to make such a move. Contractors are not swamped before the onslaught of cold weather. Their availability for such projects and less demand for materials mean a better deal for you.

If you haven’t heard or aren’t familiar, driveway snow melting systems are the modern convenience to have in snow country. In fact, even if you are well informed, electric heated driveways are still the ticket. You'll love it when you drive right up that steep driveway without incident where you used to have to get a running start or do much shoveling first.

Radiant snowmelt systems can be installed in new construction jobs or even in existing asphalt driveways. To retrofit your asphalt driveway, a grid of radiant heat cable is installed over your existing driveway and then a finish layer of asphalt is applied over that.

A sensor automatically signals the control panel to activate the system whenever snow conditions are detected. That white stuff may pile up in your yard and on the road, but not in your driveway. Clearing your driveway doesn’t get any easier than that. The snow melting system operates on the same principle that radiant floors utilize in radiant floor heating applications. And believe it or not, such a system is not that involved of a project, so don’t be intimidated; and more importantly, don’t put it off for one more year. Take advantage of the conveniences – and spring prices – offered to us these days.

Radiant Roof Heating Helps to Protect our Homes from Ice Damage

As mankind faces the forces of nature we have learned to develop ways of combating the negative elements that hamper our existence. We invent things to make our lives easier. It’s just something we do. We used to rely on horses to get around. Then there were cars. Then planes, etc. Technology marches on.

Early homes were rudimentary structures that offered protection from the elements, but offered little else in terms of creature comforts. Like transportation, homes also reflect our advancements in technology. After the fireplace, along came central air heating systems. Becoming increasingly popular is the time-tested, yet only recently adopted technology of radiant floor heating, which not only warms the floors, but the home as well.

Radiant heat systems are also commonly used for roof heating to melt snow and prevent dangerous ice buildup. These roof heating systems have proven to be more valuable than most of us realize. By preventing snow and ice buildup on our roofs, these radiant systems help to prevent structural damage, as well as eliminate dangerous icicles.

Just as we have developed ways of preventing frozen pipes through the use of pipe tracing, we have developed ways of preventing damaging ice buildup through the use of roof heating. Every year, many of us are faced with damage caused by ice buildup on the roof. Roof heating cable can provide a means of preventing this concern. A gutter melt system will prevent that heavy ice accumulation that so often leads to broken gutters or worse.

Homes in the higher elevations would be well advised to acquire this convenience. It’s a matter of time before it is more than just a convenience. A radiant heated roof may save you from serious damage due to ice buildup.

With the cold winter months approaching there is nothing better than staying cozy and comfortable in your warm house. Probably the best way to do this is with something you may not think of at first, through the use of a heated floor.

The official start of winter is just days away, and right on cue is a cold front striking the western part of the U.S. This means one thing, cold weather will be sweeping eastward across the country. Heated floors are an ideal way to combat the goose bumps that will invariably follow. Electric radiant floor heat utilizes heat cable installed under the finish surface – usually tile – that not only removes the chill from the floor but also provides the most comfortable heat you can imagine. It makes the most difference to your comfort of any other type of heat I know of.

Radiant heat also comes in hydronic form, where tubing is installed in the floor and heated water is circulated by the use of a pump. Electric radiant heat is more common as it is more economical to install and generally provides heat to the floor much quicker.

Radiant heated floors can also be installed over existing surfaces. If you have considered a bathroom remodel, nothing may be more rewarding than electric radiant floor heating. It’s heat for your feet. Your feet will send it north and you will look back at the radiant heat installation as the best thing you ever did.