Radiant Heat News

Be on Time with the Help of a Heated Driveway

You’re Late for a Very Important Date and Snow is to Blame

Do you spend more time making up excuses as to why you are late than you actually do in being on time to your appointments, dates, yoga class, and work? We all have those lists in our head of excuses to our boss or our kid’s soccer coach about why we are late yet again. It’s never easy having to use these excuses. Your number one wintertime excuse of shoveling a foot of snow off your driveway could be a thing of the past however. You can eliminate snow shoveling from your “oh geez, am I late again? So sorry…” routine.

Heated driveway in Denver

Installing a heated driveway is now easier than ever. It’s also a cost-effective, proven home re-sell enhancing feature. Equipping a home with a technologically sound and savvy snow melting system has become a popular and affordable way to beat the snow. Look at the homes in your own neighborhood. Many of them probably already enjoy the benefits of a snow melting system. If they do, they are never late for a date or any other function because of back breaking snow removal. Their driveways remain clear and clean of sticking snow all winter.

Driveway heating has come a long way. It’s no longer something seen exclusively in the affluent neighborhoods or touted by the rich and famous. Heated driveways are now something your sister’s best friend just installed, your son’s basketball coach, your co-workers, next door neighbor or even your kid brother who you were sure was never going to own a home let alone increase its value with something as smart as a snow melting system. Get out of hot water with your boss, pull out of your driveway on-time and relaxed as you calmly wave at your less fortunate neighbors sweating and shoveling out from last night’s whopper of a snow storm. Install a snow melting system right now and start enjoying the benefits of a stress-free, time-saving heated driveway.

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Retrofitting Your Driveway with Radiant Heat (Part I)

It’s Not Too Late to Heat Your Driveway

Are you considering a radiant snow melting system for your driveway or sidewalks? Perhaps you’ve seen some heated driveways in action and wondered how nice it would be to never have to worry about shoveling snow again.

What some folks don’t know is that existing driveways can be retrofitted with radiant heat. That’s right! Snow melting systems are not just for installation in new construction jobs; you can upgrade your existing driveway so that you too can enjoy the benefits of a radiant heated driveway.

Of course, a great deal depends on the type of driveway that you currently have. Asphalt driveways are the easiest to retrofit with radiant heat, but fear not, concrete driveways can also be modified to incorporate a state-of-the-art radiant snow melting system.

How is it Done?
The ClearZone snow melting system features rugged heat cable that is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of hot asphalt applications. So if you are looking to heat your asphalt driveway, the process may be easier than you imagined. The cable is laid on top of the old asphalt and then the new layer of asphalt in installed and compacted on top.

The ClearZone heat cable is available on spools or pre-spaced in mats that can be easily rolled out during installation. Simply roll out the heat cable like a sleeping bag over the existing driveway and then apply the new layer of asphalt directly on top. (While you can do much of the cable installation yourself, it is important that a qualified electrician connect the wiring for the snowmelt system.)

The ClearZone heating cable is UL listed and features single point connection with FEP/XLPE insulation, polyolefin jacketing design (for flexibility and UV protection), allowing the radiant heat system to consistently provide top performance during harsh winter conditions. The ClearZone cable is rated at 220°F and is designed and built to outperform all competing products.

In addition to the heat cable, the driveway heating system also consists of an activation device (snow sensor) and controller. When the snow sensor detects precipitation and the temperature is below a set point (usually set at 39 degrees Fahrenheit), it triggers the controller which then activates the system. It is fully automated, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. The controller also features a manual timer to melt snow in case of snow drifts or ice forming in shady areas.

The process of retrofitting a concrete driveway is considerably different than that of asphalt retrofit applications. By using concrete saw-cut technology, grooves are cut in the existing concrete, and the heat cable is then placed in the grooves and then sealed, using an epoxy topcoat. (This process can also be used for asphalt driveways.) If desired, a sand broadcast can be applied to the surface before the epoxy cures for additional traction and safety.

Continued (Read Part II)

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Retrofitting Your Driveway with Radiant Heat (Part II)

It’s Not Too Late to Heat Your Driveway (Part II)

Read Part I

The methods outlined in Part I are the least intrusive for retrofitting your driveway with radiant heat. However, there are those particularly ambitious consumers who opt to remove portions – or even all – of their existing driveway. Obviously, the ideal situation is to install a snow melting system during the original construction, but if you have a driveway on a steep hill or have extreme snow melting needs, removing portions of existing concrete to install a radiant heat system is still a worthwhile venture.

Heated driveway on incline with heated tire tracks

As shown in the photos, the old concrete is removed and then new rebar is installed in anticipation of the new concrete. The ClearZone heat cable is secured to the rebar and the concrete is then poured. Much of the cable can be installed by handy “do-it-yourself” types, but all the electrical work should be completed by a qualified electrician. (An important thing to remember is that a heated driveway / radiant snow melting system is only as good as the installation. The cable must be properly spaced and wired in order to accomplish the desired results.)

The Many Benefits of an Electric Snow Melting System
Radiant heat snow melting systems eliminate the need for manual snow removal –such as plowing – that can damage the driveway. Furthermore, there is no need to use salt and other abrasive snow melting chemicals that are harmful to grass and nearby vegetation.

Grass damaged by snow melting salt

The ClearZone electric radiant snowmelt system features an unparalleled, rapid response time when compared to other radiant heating systems. The fully automated systems are energy efficient and maintenance free.

So kick back on those cold mornings and enjoy a cup of coffee instead of shoveling snow from your driveway before you head to work. Installing a snowmelt system is a great investment that adds value to your home and is a great way to save your back from the aches and pains of shoveling heavy snow. It’s also a nice way to ensure safety for your loved ones and guests by eliminating slick ice from your walks and/or driveway.

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When to Install a Heated Driveway

Time for a Radiant Snow Melting System

According to radiant heat experts, the most popular time to install a heated driveway is during the summer and fall. However, early spring may be the best time to purchase a radiant heat system because that is when there is less demand, which may translate to discounts or slightly lower prices for you.

If you are remodeling or building a new home in a cold climate region, plan for the winters by exploring the options of installing a radiant heated driveway. These electric snow melting systems are fully automated and virtually maintenance free, providing reliable, energy-efficient performance and eliminating the need for manual snow removal or the use of harmful snow melting chemicals.

Heated driveway

Installing a heated driveway during spring or summer – before cold weather hits – is ideal for several reasons. The optimum temperature for curing concrete is between 65 and 85 degree Fahrenheit. This is crucial in order for the concrete to cure correctly and maintain its maximum compression strength rating, ensuring the cement’s durability and enhancing its life span. So, if you are considering installing an automated heated driveway system, don’t wait until winter hits to to begin construction. And believe it or not, installing a heated driveway is surprisingly easy, and one sure way to take the chill out of the arrival of winter.

With energy costs continuing to soar, consumers are searching for the most efficient ways to take the “sting” out of their heating bills. Consequently, homeowners and commercial property owners have not only discovered the appeal of energy efficient, indoor electric radiant floor heating options, but also of outdoor snowmelt systems, such as heated driveways, walkways, staircases and more.

Given the benefits of maintenance-free operation, reliable performance and affordability, it’s no wonder that heated driveways are becoming more commonplace among residential and commercial properties. Heated driveways are fully automated and provide labor-free snow removal without the need for salt and other snowmelt chemicals.

The cost to maintain an electric heated driveway is typically much less than hiring someone to manually remove the snow. Your concrete lasts longer because salt or harsh chemicals (or snow plows) are not being used to melt or remove ice and snow. Electric radiant snow melting systems are also simple to install, extremely durable, and require no maintenance.

Heated driveways not only enhance safety and increase the value of your property, but offer convenience and peace of mind. Driving your car out of the driveway doesn’t have to be an adventure every morning, and you shouldn’t have to put on your snow shoes to retrieve the morning newspaper. Check out the driveway heating and snowmelt options for your home today.

Portable Snow Melting Solutions

WarmTrax Heated Traction Mats and Stair Treads
Are you looking for a way to keep your porch, steps or sidewalks clear of snow and ice this winter but don’t have the resources to install an embedded snow melting system? Then look no further than Warmzone’s portable snow melting solutions. WarmTrax portable heated traction mats and stair tread snowmelt products are a great alternative to embedded snow removal systems for heating outdoor walkways, ramps and stairs.etc. The mats are extremely durable, and the stair treads are available in aluminum or rubber, so they can handle heavily trafficked areas. These convenient snow melting solutions are a popular means of enhancing safety, and the systems are very easy to use.

Heated traction mats for outdoor steps

The heated traction mat features an electrically operated heating element sandwiched between two protective surfaces of non-slip rubber, making them as durable as automobile tires. WarmTrax mats are a popular solution for enhancing safety during the winter by providing a reliable solution for slip prevention. Potentially dangerous areas for pedestrians are kept safe and free from slick ice. The mats are designed with a continuous chevron pattern to provide extra traction.

WarmTrax mats and stair treads are a popular alternative to embedded systems because of their ease of use and unmatched performance. If you want to heat outdoor steps, both the rubber and aluminum stair treads can be easily daisy-chained together to cover as many steps as you need. These reliable snow melting mats eliminate the need for harsh snowmelt chemicals and snow shoveling.

When cold weather hits, simply unroll the WarmTrax heating mat across the area that you want to keep clear of snow or ice and plug the cord into a standard 120V or 240V outlet. The heating mats and stair treads also feature their own equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI). When it comes to keeping your walks clear and enhancing safety during the cold winter months, nothing could be easier than the WarmTrax portable snow and ice melting mats.

The WarmTrax portable snow melting traction mat is a popular solution for melting snow on disability ramps, steps, sidewalks, and porches, etc. The traction mats are also handy even in times when there is no snow. The durable mats increase safety during wet, rainy weather and also serve to minimize dirt and mud from being tracked inside your home or business.

WarmTrax products are made of the highest quality materials so they can withstand harsh weather and repeated use. The convenient portable snow melting mats are very easy to use and can be plugged in directly into any standard 120V or 240V outlet using its own equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI).

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Solar Power for Radiant Floor Heating

Go “off Grid” and Go Green: Pair Solar Power with your Radiant Underfloor Heating System

Solar power is the perfect partner for radiant heat. If your plan is to live off of the grid, Warmzone has the best hydronic underfloor heating solutions for your solar system. Our radiant floor heat is compatible with solar hot water systems. A good set of solar panels, in normal sunlight conditions, can provide adequate water temperatures required to heat your hydronic heated floors.

How it works—a solar-powered radiant heated floor relies on two sub-systems: a common solar hot-water system, and a common hydronic radiant heat system. The type of solar panels and solar water system you’ll need varies with the climate you live in. You’ll also need a backup gas system to provide enough water to the system in bad weather or during peak demand times.

Pair your “solar system” with a hydronic radiant heat system and you’ve got warm floors. Hydronic underfloor radiant heat systems rely on a PEX network of lightweight, durable plastic tubing to circulate water heated by the solar panels from a tank or reservoir, much like a hot water heater to give you warm, even heat, “right off the grid.” And this is where Warmzone comes in. Warmzone offers different solutions for a variety of radiant heat projects, including solar radiant heat systems.

Because your situation and project needs are unique to you, Warmzone does not take a one-size-fits-all approach to hydronic underfloor heat. Our goal is to find the ideal hydronic radiant heated flooring system for each and every project that satisfies our customers’ requirements, and their budgets. We can do this, in part, because of our longstanding relationships with manufacturers. So you get the benefit of a wide selection of top-quality radiant underfloor heating products to choose from, at the lowest prices available.

Warmzone offers several hydronic radiant heat system options that are perfect for your solar-powered radiant floor heating system, whether you’re building from scratch or upgrading your existing home. There’s the more traditional hydronic floor heating system, in which PEX radiant tubing is installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum Concrete or “Gypcrete.” There’s also a new alternative that makes hydronic radiant heated floor installation easier. Hydronic heating systems with aluminum panels offer a slab alternative, low mass or modular board underlayment system. Instead of embedding the PEX tubing into concrete, it is laid in the grooves of pre-cut aluminum panels.

Unlike other hydronic radiant underfloor heat providers, the support doesn’t end with your radiant heated flooring purchase. Warmzone consistently exceeds competitive design services. Our in-house team of experienced professional designers will evaluate your radiant heating needs and produce a comprehensive design of a hydronic radiant heat system that is best suited for your needs. They’re ready to partner with solar heating experts to create system for your home that not only lives up to the definition of socially responsible green living, but lives up to the promise of warmth, comfort and convenience you would expect from your solar-powered hydronic radiant heated floors.

It’s a great time to partner with Warmzone and a solar heating specialist to make your green dreams a reality. Contact Warmzone today at 888.488.9276 to find out which underfloor heat product is best for you.

Radiant Heat News

Radiant Floor Heating is the Best Way to Ensure Consistent Heat

Radiant Heat Spreads Warmth from Your Toes to Your Nose

Radiant floor heating is a term being thrown about during most new construction projects. More and more homeowners (even business owners) are considering and then purchasing a radiant heated flooring system. Radiant heat is famous for its even and pleasing heat emitting from the heat cables beneath a floor. Radiant heat spreads warmth starting at your piggy toes, then on to each of its neighbors and then fills the room all the way up to your nose and beyond. A normal size room will feel the effects within moments of the radiant floor heating system kicking on. Radiant heated floors are especially effective in basements that normally suffer from colder drafts and settling cold air. Radiant heat emanates from the ground up and settles on each object it reaches, ensuring consistent and reliable heat.

Radiant floor heating is the best way to ensure consistent heat as well as a more energy efficient approach to your home heating needs. Radiant heat spreads much like a coffee mug keeps your coffee warm in the morning. It radiates the warmth outward from the heat source, warming room from the floor up. In this case it could be as small a space as a guest bathroom that never warms up to an entire floor and hallway that you wish to heat. Heating experts are standing by to assist you in the layout and design of your radiant floor heating. You’ll be assured of getting what you need and the tips to make it work efficiently and smartly.

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Radiant Heat for Hardwood and Laminate Flooring

The Ins and Outs of Electric Radiant Heat for Hardwood and Laminate Flooring

The growing trend in wood and laminate flooring installation is radiant heat. Affordable, efficient and comfortable, radiant heated floors are a welcome way to spend the winter months, and roll up your area rugs too. If you’re looking to heat hardwood or laminate flooring, or add some warmth to your existing wood floors, be prepared to do a little homework.

Heated hardwood floor

Find the right flooring for the job. Wood and laminate flooring can be safely installed over radiant heat, as long as you are careful to choose suitable products. It’s not the heat produced by the radiant heat source that’s a concern. It’s the humidity in your home. All wood products expand and contract with humidity, and over time, this process can create gaps between your floor boards. Unsuitable materials or a poorly constructed floor greatly accelerates damage caused by humidity over time.

Styles of wood flooring that are best for radiant heat installation include:

  • Laminated wood flooring
  • Floating floors, laminated/engineered or solid wood floors
  • Certain species of wood including American Cherry, American Walnut, Mesquite and Teak
  • Quarter sawn or rift sawn wood flooring

Some types of wood floors make better candidates for radiant heat than others, so it’s best to go with the manufacturer’s recommendation for suitable types of wood over radiant heat. Quarter sawn or rift-sawn flooring is more dimensionally stable than plain sawn wood flooring. Strip flooring is also a better choice than plank flooring, because narrow boards expand and contract less (take up more movement) than wide boards do. Because of its inherent dimensional stability, laminated wood is also a great choice for radiant heated floors.

Once you’ve chosen the right flooring, it’s important to partner with a reliable radiant heat solutions provider, like Warmzone, to help you choose and install an electric radiant floor heating system under your wood or laminate flooring. At Warmzone, you’ll benefit from an impressive selection of radiant heat products designed specifically for your hardwood or laminate flooring.

For new or existing floors, self-regulating Warmzone FloorHeat is a unique, low-voltage heating element perfect for installation under hardwood and laminate flooring. This radiant heat system uses a self-regulating semi-conductive polyethylene heating element, and is ideal for both new construction and retrofit applications alike. It is also very thin, making it a great option for installation under laminate and wood, without additional floor build up. A safe low-voltage product, FloorHeat can also be nailed through without damaging the heating element. This flexibility makes FloorHeat a good choice for retrofitting existing floors.

If you can access your floor joists from below, you’re also a perfect candidate for the Warmzone RetroHeat floor heating system. The RetroHeat heating element is easy to install so it makes a great do-it-yourself project.  The two most highly recommended options for floors are RetroHeat and FloorHeat. Both systems are very affordable, and allow you to install radiant heat to your existing floors without extensive floor tear ups or remodeling.

To learn more about the ins and outs of electric radiant heat for your hardwood or laminate floors, be sure to contact Warmzone at 888.488.9276.

Radiant Heat News

Time to Treat Your Toes Tenderly with Radiant Heated Floors

Radiant Heat Soothes and Comforts Feet

It’s true, radiant heat soothes and comforts feet but here’s the not-so-secret secret . . . it also radiates heat to every object of the room. Starting with the floor, radiant floor heating works subtly to produce an even warmth that envelops the entire room. You’ll feel it tenderly caress your toes and you’ll smile as you walk from each formerly cold surface, soaking in the inviting heat cast from the radiant heat cables working seamlessly below. Radiant heat radiates from your toes all the way to the soft tips of your ears.

Dad and baby on heated floor

The heat slowly warms your whole space and you find it tugging at the sides of your mouth, forming a happy grin and thoughts such as “why didn’t I install heated floors years ago? How do people enjoy their tile floors without radiant heated floors? What if I had to wake up tomorrow without the soothing comfort of radiant heat?”

Lucky for you if you are already a happy customer enjoying the benefits of radiant heat. Lucky because you’ll never have to ask those questions. Radiant heated floors are gaining popularity and are cropping up in most homes these days. If your home has hardwood floors or a tiled kitchen or entryway you’re an excellent candidate for radiant floor heating. These otherwise cooler surfaces take on the radiant heat produced beneath them and start to boast a consistent, calming warmth that tickles your toes tenderly with warmth.

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Radiant Snow Melting and the Benefits of a Green Winter

Make Life Greener and Cleaner with Radiant Heat

Snow is on its way, and if your resolution for the New Year is to live a greener life, radiant snow melting systems are a great place to start. Electric snow melting is simply kinder to the environment. Clean, silent and compatible with renewable energy sources, electric snow melting doesn’t require harsh snow melting chemicals or additional snow removal equipment, saving your driveway, lawn and surrounding landscaping and your budget.

Radiant snow melting systems use an automatic sensor that automatically activates driveway heat when precipitation is detected and temperatures are below 39 degrees Fahrenheit. System response times are fast, so chances are good that your driveway will be clear long before your boots ever see pavement. There’s no back-breaking shoveling, waiting for a snow removal service, or supplemental snow melting chemicals required.

Unlike electric snow melting systems, snow removal chemicals have a negative impact on your lawn and surrounding landscape. Direct contact from salt spray from roadways, or from salt-laden snow that has been blown or shoveled over them can create yellow, dead patches of grass on your lawn, and cause bud death as well as twig dieback. And salt buildup in the adjacent soil formed by the repeated yearly applications of ice melting chemicals can damage plant roots, rendering them incapable of taking up water.

A high concentration of calcium chlorides can permanently damage your driveway. Heavy application of these products is most often the biggest culprit, which shortens the lifespan of concrete surfaces. In addition to the damage caused by harsh chemicals, chain marks, scratches or gouges often result from the snow removal equipment used by well-meaning commercial snow removal companies. Unlike radiant snow melting systems, there’s also a potential for damage to landscaping that comes with hiring a snow removal service.

Perhaps at this point you’re wondering just how much green a radiant snow melting system is going to cost you. Once you get past the initial cost of installation, operating a radiant heated driveway will literally cost you pennies on the dollar. Once you decide on your heating requirements, Warmzone is there to design a system to suit your needs, whether you’re outfitting a new concrete pour or an existing driveway. Warmzone has the experts and the expertise necessary to come up with an electric heated snow melting solution for your driveway that’s within your budget, without cutting corners on performance. Just think of all of the money you’ll save on lawn repair and snow removal services.

Unlike other snow removal options, outside of that slight tick upward in your electric bill, there’s no snow blower to fill with gas, snow removal service to pay, or snow melting chemicals required. An electric snow melting system is self-contained and virtually maintenance free. Just set it and forget it. The snow will be gone before you even have a chance to warm up that morning cup of joe. And if your goal is to live off the grid to the fullest extent possible, it’s a good idea to include Warmzone radiant snow melting systems in your plans. They’re fully compatible with renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.

Find out more about Warmzone radiant snow melting systems and their impact on a greener lifestyle by calling 888.488.9276.

Read Warmzone’s Green Energy Statement.

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Electric Underfloor Heating Systems

Electric underfloor heating systems are particularly well-suited for heating small to medium sized rooms and areas. Electric radiant heating systems are energy efficient and cheaper and easier to install than water-based (hydronic) radiant heating systems. Radiant underfloor heating systems are controlled by a thermostat with an in-floor sensor, and the systems are ideal for heating tile floors, hardwood, laminates and more. Electric radiant floor heating systems are also maintenance-free and feature rapid response times.

Thinset can be applied directly over heat cable

One of the most proven and popular electric radiant floor heating systems is the ComfortTile heated floor. The thin ComfortTile floor heating cable has a ⅛-inch diameter, and when installing a heated tile floor, the cable can be installed in the thinset, so there is only a slight floor buildup.

In addition to being able to purchase the heat cable on spools, ComfortTile is also available in easy-to-install mats that can be quickly and conveniently rolled out during installation. The heat cable is pre-spaced and attached to a durable mesh with adhesive-backing. The heat cable on the spool is best for installing in large, custom shaped areas while the mats are typically used for heating standard shaped rooms and areas.

Warmzone also offers several other electric underfloor heating systems, including the FilmHeat floor heating panels, In-Slab radiant heat cable, low-voltage FloorHeat systems and RetroHeat electric under joist floor heating systems.

In-Slab (SlabHeat) underfloor heating cable is excellent for a variety of concrete applications. Ruggedly designed for installation directly in cement slabs, the In-Slab radiant heat cable produces 10-15 watts per square foot and can efficiently radiate heat to warm any type of flooring, from ceramic tile to marble, hardwood, slate, and more.

FloorHeat radiant heating systems feature a unique, self-regulating polymer heating element. This low-voltage underfloor heating system is extremely thin and requires no floor buildup. Because of these attributes and that it can be easily secured to the subfloor with nails, adhesive or staples, FloorHeat is ideal for heating hardwood floors. The system utilizes a step-down transformer that converts the 220 line voltage to the low voltage of 60V (or less).

Stapling up RetroHeat floor heating element

Existing floors can also be retrofitted with radiant heat, using the FloorHeat or RetroHeat under joist floor heating systems (providing you can access the floor joists under the floor you wish to heat). RetroHeat features a paper-thin heating element (available in 12, 16, and 24-inch widths) that can be cut on site and safely stapled between the floor joists. After stapling the floor heating panels between the floor joists, the electrical connections are made and common batt insulation is then installed to direct the heat up through the floor. The RetroHeat underfloor heating system is an outstanding value for retrofitting radiant heat under any existing floor covering, including tile, hardwood, and carpet.

While Warmzone offers one of the best selections of underfloor heating systems available, it is best to call and speak with a radiant heat expert to determine the ideal system for your needs (888.488.9276). In addition to offering the best radiant heating products and systems on the market, Warmzone also includes complete radiant heat system engineering and design services. This ensures that your radiant underfloor heating system will perform as well – or better – than expected. Warmzone’s radiant heat design services include a detailed autoCAD of your system, so you’ll know all the system installation requirements and power needs prior to laying down any heat cable. So if you are considering installing a radiant underfloor heating system, deal with the best, most trusted radiant heat professionals at Warmzone. Call to speak to a radiant heat expert today, at 888.488.9276.

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