Winter time is near. Are you going to spend winter shoveling your walks, or enjoying the benefits of automatic snow removal?

For many people the first snow is right around the corner, and the thought of constant maintenance and snow removal is scarier than the ghosts on Halloween. That’s why when I decided to build an asphalt driveway leading to my barn and workshop, my thoughts turned to electric radiant snow removal.

There are a lot of radiant snow melting options out there, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. Before you make a decision, it is always good to do some research first. I chose Danfoss GX electric radiant heating mats and this is why:

I looked up several different snow melting systems and I discovered something very surprising. Many of the systems on the market claiming to be cutting edge radiant heating technology were not initially made as a heating cable. These systems are often low voltage, and have very little insulation, which makes them easy to damage. But the biggest reason I said no to this cable is the high cost. Expensive and higher chance of failure = don’t waste your money.

Choosing to pave the new driveway with asphalt made selecting a radiant system even more difficult. The high temperatures from the asphalt can melt the cables of most systems. The Danfoss GX cables are durable with thick insulation, giving them the ability to withstand even hot asphalt.

Danfoss GX cables meet the ASHRAE standards for snow melting systems. Low voltage systems do not reach these standards.

The Danfoss offers a great warranty of 10 years and covers up to 2 times the cost of the original installation. Danfoss is one of the veteran radiant heating manufacturers in Europe (where radiant heat originated), and as a result, they really know what they are doing.

The choice to choose Danfoss GX cables was obvious for me because it best suited my project. But really, who can say no to high quality at a lower cost?

The Mystery Warranty

How much do you really know about the warranties offered by manufacturers? Sure it may say “25 Year Warranty” on the package, but what exactly does that mean? Most manufacturers of radiant heating systems offer a warranty, but a 25 year warranty isn’t always better than a 10 year warranty and this is why:

I chose the Danfoss GX electric radiant heat cables to build an asphalt heated driveway at my residence. The heat of the asphalt combined with heavy weight, caused me to wonder how the GX cables were going to hold up, and what would happen if a problem occurred. I was pleased to discover that Danfoss products have a 10 year warranty, that covers up to 5 times the cost of original installation. Why is this exciting? Because the failure of a radiant heating system isn’t like a vacuum cleaner breaking down, you can’t throw it in your car and bring it back to the store for a refund. Fixing a severed cable requires tearing up the surface of the driveway – or in the case of indoor radiant heating, tearing up your brand new tiles or wood flooring. The process of tearing up a floor or driveway is time consuming and costly, not to mention annoying. Many manufacturers will replace the bad product, but you still have to pay out of your own pocket to tear up the floor and hire someone to fix the problem.

Danfoss is so sure that you won’t have any problems, their warranty is the best offered by radiant heat manufacturers. Not only do you get brand new Danfoss product, but they will cover the cost of floor removal, and reinstallation (up to 5 times the cost of the original installation). So when you install your radiant floor or driveway, you can rest easy knowing that unexpected problems are already covered.

It's true that the Danfoss GX mats make the installation process much easier for a radiant snow melting system in your driveway, walkway, or patio area, but simple mistakes can create a huge headache. Here are some important techniques to remember before you begin laying the heat cable.

The cable rows are pre-spaced, which eliminates the confusion for DIY-ers trying to figure out the correct method of laying heat cables.  One of the most important things to remember is to never cut the heating cable. DIY-ers using the GX mat feel inclined to cut the cable, in order to make turns or heat odd areas where the mat cannot reach. Here are some helpful videos that show the proper method for laying the mats and making turns without cutting the heating cable.

Radiant Heat Installation - 90 Degree Turn

Radiant Heat Installation - 180 Degree Turn

When laying the mats, remember to keep the mat rows at least two inches apart from each other. Cables that are too close together will overheat and reduce the lifespan of the cable. Following these simple and easy steps will ensure a fully functioning system when you are done with the project. I always recommend hiring an electrician to do the final wiring steps to power the snow melting system. A professional should be able to complete the wiring from the control unit, to the automatic sensor, and ultimately to the heating system, in a matter of an afternoon.