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. 

Trick or Treat? Is Radiant Heat Installation a Trick or a Treat for End Users?

Around the time trick-or-treaters come eagerly knocking at your door, the hint of snow is in the air. In fact, some parts of the country have already endured a few light storms, reminding us all that winter is knocking along with those chubby-handed costumed kiddies. It is a time to seriously consider installing radiant heat in your driveway. A heated driveway keeps your drive and walks clear of pesky snow. Is installation of a radiant snow melting systems a trick or treat for do-it-yourself customers?

Warmzone offers a relatively simple product called ClearZone snow melting mats. These radiant heat mats are quite simple to install but come with a few disclaimers that if followed will help you avoid mishap. The great news is that ClearZone mats have pre-spaced cable rows making it simple to follow the correct method of laying the heat cables down.

One of the most important things to be aware of is that you must never cut the cables in an attempt to make them fit an awkward space or fill in a gap. Also, be sure to lay the cables at least two inches apart from its neighbor. If the cables are placed too closely they will overheat and reduce the life span of the radiant heat cables. No matter how confident you are with your placement and installation it is usually wise to hire a professional electrician to do the final inspection. Following these simple guidelines will help your radiant heated driveway installation be a wonderful treat instead of a horrible trick.

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”.

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.

What Are the Environmental Benefits of a Heated Driveway?

Have you ever heard it said that if you simply love someone they will love you back? Could the same be true of our beloved Mother Earth? If we show her just a smidge more kindness and tender loving care, will she in turn love us back? The news and media is all a Twitter (literally) about the lasting effects we are having on our planet. Our resources are depleting, our landfills are, well, filling and we are being bombarded with messages of going “green.” Believe it or not installing an electric heated driveway is one of those ways to “go green.”

A snow melting system has the brain-power to automatically detect snow, so it only uses energy when needed. Utilizing this renewable energy to heat your driveway cuts down on unnecessary power use and becomes a smart and eco-friendly choice. By electrically heating your driveway, you also eliminate the need for salt or harsh chemicals that harm the environment.

Mother Earth may be under the weather but small and simple choices in our lives and homes can make a big impact on her health. The smart part of driveway heating is that it not only shows Mama Earth the love she so desperately needs, but it also shows your wallet a little love as it cuts down on energy and increases the value of your home.

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.

This fall you will most likely heave a big sigh of relief when you rake that last leaf into that pile and bag it up or put it in the mulch pile. At that point,  you’ll be done caring for your lawn until next spring, right? Well, just because it’ll be wintertime doesn’t mean you can’t protect your garden or lawn. In the colder months, heating systems are the best option to melt the ice and to protect your landscaping. Outdoor heating systems like heated driveways do more than just melt snow and ice from driveways and sidewalks. They also help preserve your landscaping while avoiding the use of harmful salt and chemicals.

The potential damage done to lawns and landscaping by salt spread over asphalt and sidewalks to melt the ice is notable. The sodium chloride burns the plants and gets absorbed by the plants’ root systems. This just means you’ll have damage to repair in the springtime — so easily avoided with the use of heating systems.

The solution isn’t to use alternate “ice-melt” products, which don’t work as effectively as outdoor heating systems. You see, these systems don’t use any harmful chemicals, and they melt the ice so effectively that you don’t have to do any of the work.

Heating Systems Tip: These heating systems are state of the art but easy to install for any contractor or do-it-yourself expert. 

You may think, like many people do, that outdoor snow melting or heating systems in concrete, asphalt and under pavers is a luxury beyond the reach of most peoples’ budgets. But that’s no longer the case! Nowadays, heating systems of heated driveways, walkways or even parking areas are becoming common for many residences and businesses. If you’re building a new home and live in a cold region requiring snow removal throughout the winter months, you should seriously consider a heated driveway before you begin construction to assure yourself the best design and performance.

The snow is going to start falling any minute, and if you go by past winters, you know that by the first big snowstorm is predicted, the stores will all sell out of shovels, driveway salt, and snowblowers in a heartbeat, and then where will you be?  We say it’s time to start thinking about heating systems that can help you deal with snow and ice.

Warmzone.com even offers a portable heating system for your driveway, for those times when you know a big storm is coming; you can set it out ahead of time and not have to shovel at all once that snow starts falling.

Heated Driveway Tip:   Adding a heated driveway to your home or business will add safety and value to your property. 

The obvious answer is, “a driveway that is heated,” but what actually heats the driveway? The best driveway heating systems are radiant heating systems, similar to indoor floor heating systems. There are both electric and hydronic radiant heating systems that can be used to heat outdoor surfaces. Electric systems use an electric cable, and hydronic systems pump hot water through plastic tubing. The heating elements are compacted in the surface and use resistant heating to heat the surrounding surface. Most systems use automatic sensors to turn on the systems when it begins to snow. Electric systems tend to be more efficient, require less maintenance, and heat surfaces quicker. Hydronic systems are usually slightly more expensive to purchase and install, but the operational are usually lower. However, unless you’re heating extremely large areas, the advantages of electric systems tend to out weight those of hydronic systems.

Some of the obvious benefits are of course, not having to shovel your driveway again, prevention from slipping on icy surfaces, and no longer getting stuck in your driveway. Some other benefits include increasing the value of your home, prolonging the life of your driveway, and not harming the environment with harmful chemicals.

Driveway heating systems can be installed in almost any location, in almost any medium (including concrete, asphalt, under pavers, etc.), and at almost anytime of the year (depending on the medium). The most popular and ideal time to install a system, is during new construction, and during the summer. However, as long as the conditions are fair enough to install the driveway, there are no limitations when installing the system.