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Heated Driveways can be a Reality for Most Homeowners

Explore the Many Options for Heating Your Driveway

For some homeowners who are considering the installation of a heated driveway, discovering the initial price of a snow melting system can be like getting hit in the face by an errant snowball. The immediate response is to retreat to the garage and embrace the snow shovel with renewed, yet reluctant affection and appreciation. Unaware of the many custom – and affordable – driveway heating options that can accommodate a vast range of budgets and layouts, many consumers unknowingly close the door of possibility and relegate themselves (and their families) to a future of manual snow removal.

A heated driveway system in concrete operating during a snowstorm.
A heated driveway system in concrete operating during a snowstorm.

In truth, no two heated driveways are alike, as every system is customized according to the specific demands of the homeowner. Each system is not only designed for the specific layout of each driveway, but other factors are considered as well. In addition to the budget, driveway heating systems are also designed according to ASHRAE standards.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an organization committed to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.

Snow melting system requirements vary, depending on the specifics of the project. ASHRAE standards were established to address variances such as the location’s altitude, average snowfall and temperature, etc., to allow designers to optimize each system’s performance for that particular location. Basically, if you want the best snow melting system, it’s a good idea to choose a radiant heat solutions provider that adheres to ASHRAE Standards.

To ensure the best snow melting system for your needs, it’s vital that your radiant heat provider design a custom system in accordance with ASHRAE Standards. This ensures that every system best meets the specific needs of each customer. Adhering to these standards means breaking down the design of the system regionally. This entails careful research of the weather for the region, including the general climate, average snowfall, storm duration, temperatures, and other important factors to ensure that the system’s components and design is going to be best suited to perform ideally in that particular location.

While the price of a heated driveway can often be rationalized by the added convenience and time-saving features – or money saved from paying for manual snow removal – perhaps the real benefit of a heated driveway is added safety.

“It’s a classic example of how you can’t put a price tag on peace of mind,” says Alex Geier, of Hinsdale, Illinois (quoted by the Calgary Herald). Safety is likely the single greatest benefit of a heated driveway system.

Asphalt driveway with heated tire tracks

You also don’t have to heat the entire driveway. Many choose to only heat an 8-foot wide strip up the middle of a driveway, or two 24-inch tire tracks. The options and custom layouts are endless, and so many things can be done to accommodate the budget – without affecting performance.

Snow melting systems can be further customized to accommodate the available power. And don’t worry. You don’t need to be solely responsible for determining the available power of your home. Ultimately it is the electrician who determines this. However, there are some helpful guidelines that may assist you as you work with radiant heat professionals to determine the best snow melting solution.

One 30-amp breaker supplies enough power to heat a 170-square foot area. To heat a driveway of 350-square feet, two 30-amp breakers (or one 60-amp breaker) is needed. You can check your home’s main breaker panel to see the power coming into the house. (Most residences feature either two 100-amp panels or two 200-amp breakers. These are located at the top of the main breaker box, above the main breaker panel.)

If you have limited power there are still options that would allow you to install a heated driveway. Customers with minimal power have installed heated driveways that rely on zoning. This means that only one section of the driveway heats up at a time. For example, if there are three zones, then zone one will first activate. After it clears the area, zone two will then power up, followed by zone three. Certainly this is not as ideal as heating a driveway all at once, but for those with power constraints, this is a viable option. Regardless of your situation and budget, chances are that there is a custom driveway heating solution that will fit your needs.

Call Warmzone for more information (888.488.9276), or visit us online at www.warmzone.com.

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What are ASHRAE Standards?

The Importance of Designing Systems to ASHRAE Standards

Shopping snow melting systems during the spring months is smart. Even smarter, shopping a radiant heat solutions provider that meets ASHRAE standards. It’s your ticket to finding the very best electric snow melting system for your home.

What is ASHRAE? The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an organization committed to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. Sounds a bit lofty, huh? Basically, through research and writing, ASHRAE is striving to become the source for technical and educational information, and the primary provider of opportunity for professional growth in the arts and sciences of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating.

What does this mean to you as a consumer? Snow melting system requirements vary, depending on the location and specifics of the project, such as altitude, average snowfall and temperature, etc.). ASHRAE standards were established to address these variances to optimize system performance for radiant heat. Basically, if you want the best snow melting system, it’s a good idea to choose a radiant heat solutions provider that adheres to ASHRAE Standards.

Heated driveway and parking entrance

This is where Warmzone comes in. Warmzone designs custom systems in accordance with ASHRAE Standards to ensure they meet the specific needs of each customer. Adhering to these standards means breaking it down regionally―looking at the weather for the region, climate, average snow storm, temperatures, and other important factors to make sure a system is going to work well for a particular location. Choosing Warmzone, then, is a great way to get the best possible radiant heated snow melting solution for your home.

Maybe an optimized radiant heated driveway is nice, but who’s to say a “one-size-fits-all” approach won’t do the trick? Warmzone is prepared to help you find that “sweet spot”, the system you want, at a price you can afford that exceeds your expectations. Warmzone is one of the largest radiant heat solutions providers in the country and has a huge inventory of snow melting products available to choose from. You get an top performing system that can handle whatever adverse conditions come your way.

With every Warmzone purchase, you also get free consultation, complete design services and installation support. Warmzone experts will take a look at your requirements and assess your situation to come up with the best snow melting solution for your driveway, walkways, gutters or roof. They’ll deliver a system with the best performance for your home and budget. And Warmzone will be available during the installation if you need any assistance during the installation process. You’ll also be able to freely access a full online library of installation manuals, articles and other helpful information.

When it comes to a snow melting solution for your home, don’t lower your standards. Contact Warmzone at 888.488.9276 for the best possible radiant heat solution.

Radiant Snowmelt Systems – Versatile and Easy to Customize

Install a Custom Designed Snow Melting System in Any Type of Driveway

Have you surveyed your existing driveway with the fear that radiant heat is simply not an option? No matter what your circumstances, whether it be your driveway type, budgetary restraints or your project goals, don’t pull the plug on your dream driveway until you speak with the folks at Warmzone. You’ll discover the versatility of radiant heat makes it possible to have the driveway of your dreams.

Heated driveway in Denver

If you’re building your own home, you’ll definitely want to consider a snow melting solution before you pour your driveway. Both electric or hydronic radiant heat systems can be custom designed to meet your specific snow melting needs. The difference between electric and hydronic systems is fairly simple. For electric heat, as you might already suspect, specially designed electric heat cable is installed in the driveway, evenly radiating warmth up to the surface of your driveway to quickly melt ice and snow. Hydronic heat, however, utilizes a boiler and pumps, heating the water and then pumping it through a network of Pex tubing with similar results.

A great benefit of radiant heated driveways is that they are fully automated and maintenance free. The systems are regulated by either an aerial or ground-mount snow sensor that detects optimal conditions for snow, including changes in air pressure, moisture and temperature. When conditions warrant, the sensor signals the master control unit that sends power to the heating element to warm the driveway. After the storm, the system shuts off automatically.

With both systems, most often the heating element (whether heat cable or Pex tubing) is laid out in a serpentine pattern to cover the area of your driveway, followed by pavers or an asphalt / concrete pour to seal the deal. But if you’re not in the market for a new driveway, and crave the convenience of a radiant heated snow melting system, you’re anything but out of luck.

No matter what your situation, Warmzone has a work around for you. Electric radiant heat systems are versatile and durable enough to be installed in virtually any type of driveway you choose. ClearZone heating cable is available off the spool or pre-spaced in mats that can be rolled out to heat a single strip, tire tracks or the entire driveway. Whatever you decide on, both the cable and the mats are durable and able to withstand years of punishment from the weather, as well as vehicle traffic. ClearZone heat cable can even be installed in hot asphalt installations.

Driveways can also be retrofitted with radiant heat. Featuring saw-cut technology, grooves in the concrete or asphalt driveway are cut and then cable is placed in the grooves and then a special sealant is placed over the cable. A more common application for heating existing asphalt driveways is to place the heat cable on the old asphalt and then apply a new layer of asphalt over the existing surface.

With electric radiant heat systems, there are very few limits to the type of surface and area you heat. They perform well and can be installed on or under a variety of materials, including concrete, asphalt, and stone, brick or tile pavers to deliver consistent performance every time. You’ll also find solutions to fit your budget as well. When it comes to the heated driveway system of your dreams, you may have more options than you think.

To learn more about the many options available, or to receive a free quote, call Warmzone today, at 888.488.9276.