Monthly Archives: March 2013

Radiant Heat News

Why Should You Use Electric Radiant Floor Heat?

If you’re going to invest in a new heating solution, you are also going to do your homework before that investment. Why should you use electric radiant floor heat versus more traditional home heating methods? Radiant floor heating works like the sun and warms the objects around it, not just the air, creating a more comforting and effective heat. This method of electric radiant floor heat is also more efficient since it can radiate heat to objects rather than cold air.

Electric radiant floor heating systems evenly distribute radiant heat throughout the floor area and gently warms the objects like furniture and curtains surrounding it. This type of system doesn’t use any blowing warmed air which cuts down on dust too. Your overall environment is healthier with less potential allergens floating around your breathing space.

Radiant floor heating has another big advantage because it distributes heat in the most dramatically efficient direction; from the bottom to the top. Heat naturally rises, and radiant floor heating systems capitalize on this simple principle. Plus it spreads the heat evenly across your flooring surface, eliminating cold pockets that just never seem to get heated. Forced air systems simply can’t compete with efficiency, heating potential, comfort, and cleanliness.

HOTNEWS

Brutal Winters Make Radiant Heat an Attractive Option

Automated Driveway Heating Systems Offer a Clean, Affordable Alternative to Manual Snow Removal

With record snowfall from the Midwest to Northeast, many residents are considering upgrading from snow shovels to more automated options like heated driveways. In Amarillo, Texas, a February blizzard surprised residents by dumping over 19 inches of snow in 24 hours, eclipsing a 120-year snowfall record. Even in regularly cold areas like Chicago, where over 1000 flights were canceled due to a December storm in 2012, people see the need to find better ways to keep heavy snowfall from disrupting their daily responsibilities. Beyond the interruption of stopping to shovel snow, property owners are seeing the need to find alternatives to damage caused by corrosive salts and snowplows. Radiant heat for heating driveways and walkways is looking to be one of the best solutions to winter’s surprises.

Radiant heated driveway

Where snow is more frequent, many home and business owners have already turned to heated driveways and snow melting systems for some very good reasons. These systems turn on only as needed, meaning that no energy is wasted when there is no snow to melt. They further eliminate the cost, hassle, and interruption of snow removal. The best heated driveway systems, like those from Warmzone, feature a rugged, high-tech snow sensor that detects temperature and precipitation. When the temperature is below a set point and snow is detected, the sensor signals the system’s control unit, which then sends power to the embedded heat cable to warm the driveway. The heated driveway system remains on for a short period after the storm to ensure that it is clear of ice and snow before shutting off.

Along with the energy efficiency of radiant snow and ice melting systems, home and business owners have come to rely on the automated, maintenance-free advantage found in heated driveways and walkways. Imagine if you are away during a big snowfall. A snow-free driveway is more than a convenience upon arriving home; it makes your home look occupied and less of a target for criminals. You also enjoy the added advantage of the safety it provides. For a home or business, a heated driveway also provides safer access for visitors, delivery people, or anyone coming and going from the building.

Those living in cold climates know that keeping snow and ice away from buildings can help prevent structural damage. Ice can damage concrete both on the surface and by repeatedly building up in cracks. With a driveway heating system, snow and ice are never piled up against a building where ice can melt and refreeze, damaging concrete walls and cracking foundations.

Protect your Home with a Roof Deicing System

Protect your Roof, Gutters, and Downspouts with a Gutter Heat Trace System from Warmzone

If you haven’t thought about your roof much this winter, be proactive with a gutter melt system from Warmzone. They are specifically designed to melt ice and snow on roofs, in gutters and downspouts to prevent costly damage, not only to your roof, but for your home as well.

Gutter damage from snow and heavy ice buildup

Warmzone radiant roof heating systems quickly melt heavy ice and snow from gutters and trouble spots on your roof. They can be easily installed in existing roofs to prevent icicles, ice buildup and ice dams from occurring. Moisture buildup from ice dams can seep up under shingles and into the roof decking before making its way into your home and causing significant water damage.

Made up of a rugged, durable outer construction designed to withstand winter extremes, Warmzone’s RoofHeat self-regulating gutter heating cable is extremely effective, energy efficient and safe. Noted for its durable and self-regulating characteristics, RoofHeat radiant heat cable is one of the most recommended roof heating solutions available. The systems are easy to install and easy to customize.

RoofHeat snow melting systems respond to weather changes to anticipate events conducive to snow fall. Melting occurs as a snow event is happening. And since these roof heating systems are fully automated, there’s no switch to flip or roof raking to be done, making snow removal extremely convenient for you. Simply install it and forget it with the knowledge your roof is safely protected.

Warmzone offers the widest selection of radiant heat products, you’re assured of getting the best solution for you, at a price you can afford.

For more information on a RoofHeat radiant snow melting systems for your home, visit www.warmzone.com or call 888.488.9276.

Radiant Heat News

How Does a Snow Sensor Work with a Heated Driveway?

Driveway Heating is 100 Percent Automated

If you think installing a snow melting system sounds complicated, think again. Radiant driveway heating is easier than ever to achieve. Not only are the heated driveway systems more affordable than ever, but snowmelt systems can be installed at any stage of construction. Even if you are already living in your home, you can still enjoy a heated driveway. A snow melting system can be retrofitted into both concrete and asphalt driveways. And these systems utilize a smart snow sensor which activates the system only when needed, making them fully automated and keeping your driveway clear of snow and ice ‘round the clock.

Aerial mount snow sensor

A major perk to using a Warmzone snowmelt system, is that once it is installed you won’t have to worry about turning it on or off – not to mention never having to shovel snow again. The snow sensor detects precipitation and temperature levels (usually set at 39° F.) to signal the master controller and activate the system when conditions warrant. This results in a streamlined, highly efficient heated driveway system. Your heated driveway works only when there is enough snow to warrant use, so you save operation costs while enjoying the value added benefits it provides to your property.

A heated driveway system is a convenient way to face winter head on. Using a fully automated system means never having to worry about whether or not it’s working or whether or not it is watching the weather report like you are. It senses the moisture, turns itself on and works while you sleep. You can wake up in the morning after a big storm and not hassle with your snow gear and snow plows. Just start your car and ease on to your snow-free heated driveway.

Radiant Heat News

Are Radiant Heated Floors All or Nothing?

Small Spaces Shine with Radiant Floor Heat

When you tackle a home improvement project you want it to be perfect. You want to get the biggest bang for your buck, the most sophisticated designs, and obviously incredibly efficient output. That is a natural feeling as you protect one of the largest investments you’ll make; your home. Piecing little projects together here and there can be frustrating and cost a bundle in the long run.

Installing radiant heat for heated bathroom floor

Radiant floor heating may sound like an intimidating home improvement on the surface, as many people worry that they have to do all the floors in their home or nothing at all. Electric radiant heated floors actually shine in small rooms and spaces. These efficient systems are designed to add extra warmth to tiled entry ways, colder bathrooms, or eternally cool basements.

Radiant floor heating is a great way to primarily heat your home as well and can easily be done in every room of your home, but underfloor heat is definitely not an all-or-nothing type of home heating. Small spaces benefit greatly from underfloor heat simply because radiant heat can produce much more efficient heat than traditional methods of heating. Using it to heat your entire home is a smart choice as well. Radiant heat technology is more sophisticated than ever and allows the heat to penetrate each surface of your room, from the ground to the ceiling. Radiant heat allows heat to rise naturally, rather than be forced through ducts in the ceiling. Considering radiant heated floors is a big deal, but doesn’t have to be an all or nothing deal. Pick and choose the system that is right for you and enjoy heated floors in part, or in your entire home for added warmth and efficiency.

Articles

Transform Your House into a Dream Home

Warmzone Radiant Floor Heating Systems Provide Luxurious Warmth

(Read the PRWeb article.)

In today’s economy people are thinking less about buying their “dream home” than they are about converting their existing house into their “dream home”. Homeowners are updating their kitchens, renovating their bathrooms, replacing old linoleum floors with lavish hardwood or elegant tile and transforming their once modest dwelling into the home of their dreams.

One of the most common – and luxurious – yet, practical upgrades is the addition of radiant heated floors. In this unprecedented era of energy awareness, radiant floor heating systems have proven to be extremely efficient; and therefore, increasingly popular. But it’s not just the efficiency of these systems that have homeowners abuzz. Heated floors provide luxurious, comfortable warmth that truly needs to be experienced to be appreciated.

Radiant floor heating mats being installed

Many homeowners have been pleasantly surprised to discover that they can install radiant floor heat without tearing out the existing floor. Two popular floor heating systems (RetroHeat film heating panels and low-voltage FloorHeat) can be installed by accessing the floor joists from below. Both of these systems rank among the best when it comes to performance and ease of installation.

Adding radiant floor heat is also a smart investment for those who are remodeling or adding tile, hardwood or new laminate floors. Warmzone ComfortTile is an exceptional floor heating system that is highly recommended for heating tile floors. The heating cable is available on spools or pre-spaced in mats. ComfortTile mats feature heat cable that is attached to an adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh and can be rolled out like a sleeping bag and secured to the floor, making the cable installation quick and easy. The mats are compatible with all standard sub-flooring materials and have a low 3/16-inch (3 mm) profile, making this an excellent system for renovations.

The ComfortTile system features a shielded dual-conductor cable with single-point connection. This means that rather than having to run the cable across the floor and then return back to the starting point, the single lead is simply run to the thermostat and connected. The finish floor is then installed directly over the system. (Most of the cable and floor installation labor can be performed by the homeowner; however, the wiring of the system should be completed by a qualified electrician.)

ComfortTile heat cable on the spool allows more flexibility in terms of heating odd, custom-shaped rooms. The cable is routed across the floor and attached to the subfloor with the use of thin, malleable steel strapping (supplied with the system). The straps have tabs that fold down over the cable to ensure accurate spacing of the heating element.

For heating hardwood or laminate floors, FloorHeat STEP and FilmHeat floor heating systems are both excellent choices. FloorHeat is a low-voltage system that features a unique, thin, flexible polymer heating element while the FilmHeat system consists of a lightweight, near paper-thin heating element (0.16-inch thick), which has quickly become a favorite among homeowners and installers. The easy-to-install panels are ideal for heating floating floors, require no floor build up and can be cut on site. The heating panels provide a remarkably efficient floor heating system that significantly reduces energy consumption.

The FilmHeat system is also easy to install. The panels are placed on the subfloor and require no mortar or adhesives, making the system quick, easy, and affordable to install.

Floor heating system being installed

For new construction applications, homeowners also have the option of installing heat cable directly in the concrete slab of the floors. The rugged In-Slab heat cable is engineered to withstand the stress of heavy concrete pours and will efficiently heat the slab to warm your floors.

There are a variety of choices when it comes to heating floors, but beware of “bargain shopping”. A radiant heating system is only as good as its installation, so it is vital to work with an experienced installer and a reputable system provider that offers complete system design services and installation support as well as quality products.

Warmzone is an established, reputable radiant heat provider that combines competitive pricing and top product offerings with complete radiant heat design and engineering services. Unlike most other providers in the industry, Warmzone has an expert staff on hand to offer personal installation support. It’s no secret why Warmzone has earned its reputation as one of the most trusted providers of radiant heat solutions. For more information, call a radiant heat expert today at 888.488.9276.

Articles

Radiant Heat vs. Snow Melting Chemicals

Now is the Time to go “Green” with Clean Radiant Heat

(Read the PRWeb article.)

Given the snow removal laws such as those passed recently in Massachusetts, homeowners are mandated to remove snow and ice from walkways for pedestrians. If the sidewalks are not cleared, property owners are not only susceptible to personal injury lawsuits, but they also face the possibility of fines levied by the local government. Removing snow from driveways and sidewalks is no longer an option – it’s the law.

To comply with the city ordinances, many homeowners find the convenience of using salt and other snow melting chemicals preferable to the time consuming, physically exhausting rigors of shoveling or plowing the heavy snow. So, many consumers stock up on salt and other snow melting chemicals prior to the winter months. But the convenience of using snowmelt chemicals comes at a price – a price not reflected in the actual purchase of the salt or chemicals.

The adverse environmental effects of these chemicals can be evident year round. While effective in melting snow, salt and chemicals are not so friendly to the surrounding landscape. When spring arrives, the bordering grass and shrubs often reveal the ugly scars from the repeated use of snow melting chemicals during the winter, as evidenced in the photo. Installing a heated driveway eliminates this problem.

Using salt to melt snow and ice from a driveway can damage nearby grass and bushes
The results of using salt to melt snow and ice from a driveway are clearly evident in the spring.

For those who are serious about going green in this day and age of environmental awareness, radiant heat snow melting systems have proven to be an ideal solution.

The Benefits of Radiant Heat Include:

♦ Operate on clean, renewable energy (hydronic or electric)
♦ Both electric and hydronic systems are environmentally friendly
♦ Many options are available and the systems are easy to customize
♦ Fully automated so that they efficiently operate only when needed
♦ Discreetly installed under the surface and operate silently
♦ Radiant heat can enhance the lifespan of your driveway
♦ Eliminate the time consuming, physical demands of snow removal

The best time to purchase and install a snow melting system is during the early spring. This is a time when homeowners are more interested in outdoor grills and barbecues than snow melting systems, so naturally, the demands for these systems wane. As such, consumers are more likely to discover discounted prices. Of course, once the summer has run its course and Old Man Winter can be seen on the horizon, consumers tend to scramble to install a snow melting system before the first storm hits.

Heated driveway on incline with heated tire tracks

While snow melting systems have become more affordable, it is still not a home improvement purchase that should be done on a whim. It pays to do some research and deal with experts who will talk openly with you about the various products available. Don’t be fooled into thinking that there is a ready-made system that is perfect for all your needs. You need unbiased professionals who can design and engineer your custom solution. Warmzone is one of the largest and most experienced radiant heat providers that consults freely with consumers to help them learn the “how’s, what’s and why’s” – before any decisions are made.

Warmzone is a trusted, leading provider of radiant heat systems, for good reason. They’ve been around a long time, and offer a wide variety of proven systems from only the most reputable manufacturers. Unlike many providers, Warmzone is not “locked in” to selling one brand or “one size fits all” system. In fact, Warmzone provides customized solutions to meet the snow melting and budget needs of its customers. The professional design team reviews every aspect of the project and also provides installation support, resulting in the complete solution.

For those who are serious about the environment and looking for a “green” solution for snow melting, visit Warmzone online or call today, at 888.488.9276.

Articles

Baltimore Residents Turning to Radiant Floor Heat

Many Baltimore area homeowners have turned to radiant heated floors, either for their primary home heating or to supplement the existing home heating system. And as many owners of radiant floor heating systems will attest, nothing is finer than walking on warm floors during a cold winter day.

Warmzone offers a variety of electric radiant floor heating systems, as well as hydronic heated floors for homeowners in Baltimore and surrounding areas. And because Warmzone manufactures and carries the industry’s most trusted floor heating systems, our experts can determine the system that will be the most effective for heating your specific floor type.

When it comes to heating your floors, it is important to know that no single floor heating system is ideal for every type of flooring. That’s why it’s so critical to speak with an unbiased radiant heating expert who can offer you a wide selection of distinct floor heating options to choose from. Don’t be talked into purchasing a floor heating system simply because it’s the only system that the provider offers. Deal with an industry leader that can show you a wide selection of radiant floor heating solutions and explain the benefits and traits of each one.

Heating Tile Floors
The most proven system for heating tile floors is the ComfortTile floor heating system. ComfortTile features thin 1/8 to 3/16-inch diameter heat cable that is available on spools or pre-spaced on flexible fiberglass mesh backing with adhesive so it can be rolled out and then secured to the subfloor for easy installation. ComfortTile heat cable is also one of the most versatile floor heating systems.

Radiant heated tile floor

ComfortTile heat cable can also be used in conjunction with the Prodeso underlayment membrane. The Prodeso heat membrane is installed over the entire subfloor as an uncoupling, crack isolating and waterproofing membrane. The heating cable is then inserted into the grooves of the membrane, and the flooring is then installed over the cable.

Heating Hardwood and Laminate Floors
Many homes in the Baltimore area feature hardwood or laminate flooring. Warmzone offers several choices for heating hardwood and laminate, but the most popular solution is the low-voltage FloorHeat STEP system.

This unique floor heating system features a self-regulating, semi-conductive polyethylene heating element. The flexible heating element is so thin that it will not affect the floor buildup, weight loads, or flooring choices.

The unique attributes of FloorHeat STEP make this versatile heating element a popular choice for heating roofs as well. RoofHeat STEP is one of the most trusted roof heating systems available.

Helpful Links:
More information for heating hardwood floors.
General Tips for Installing Heated Floors

Heating Concrete Underfloor Slabs
The In-Slab radiant floor heating cable is designed for installation in new concrete slab applications. The heat cable is embedded at least ½-inch below the floor’s surface. In-Slab cable uses the concrete slab to efficiently store and distribute heat evenly throughout the intended area. The cable is affordable and can be installed to warm any type of flooring, including hardwood, carpet, tile, and more.

Heating Existing Floors
Warmzone also carries RetroHeat, a thin “film” heating element that can be stapled up between floor joists to heat existing floors. The paper-thin heating element can be cut on site and is then stapled up between the floor joists and common batt insulation is then installed over the heating panel. This directs all the heat upwards to warm the existing floor.

These are just some of the choices Baltimore residents have to heat their floors. Whether you’re looking to heat carpet, tile, marble, hardwood or any other type of floor, you won’t go wrong dealing with Warmzone.

In addition to Warmzone’s industry leading products, Warmzone provides unparalleled customer services, which include professional system design, free installation training courses, and personal installation support. Call a radiant heat expert today at 888.488.9276 to discuss your floor heating options.

Radiant Heat News

Which Season is Best to Install Radiant Floor Heat?

It’s Always Time for Underfloor Heat

We all think about the need for home heating during the winter but does that make the coldest season the ideal time to install radiant floor heat? Not necessarily as installing the heat means there is a small period when you are without heat as you finish the installation. It is the time when home heating is forefront on our minds, but any time of year is appropriate to install radiant floor heat.

If you consider purchasing underfloor heating during spring or summer, you may catch a supplier with excess inventory offering a discount or promotion. This is typically the slow time of year for these types of radiant heating systems so there may be a good deal out there for the taking. Radiant floor heat is a good investment no matter what time of year you install it, as this type of home heating is gaining in popularity.

The efficiency and affordability of underfloor heating is becoming a major selling point and more and more home are being built with radiant heated floors. Winter might be the time of year you think about and use underfloor heat but there are plenty of early spring morning or fall afternoons that you’ll be glad you had the foresight to install radiant floor heat. The radiant heat takes the nasty chill out of your floors, leaving them toasty to walk on.