Tag Archives: Installing a Heated Driveway

HOTNEWS

My Experience with Installing a Heated Driveway

Knowing What to Look for When Shopping for a Radiant Heat Snow Melting System

This winter I’ve been enjoying my heated driveway like a little country boy enjoying a Red Ryder BB gun on Christmas morning. This is the gift that keeps on giving, and every snowy day seems a little like Christmas. I feel like a proud father as I watch my heated driveway distinguish itself from all the other driveways in the neighborhood. Oh, and there’s Bob, shoveling snow from his driveway. ‘Atta boy, Bob.’ I nod and acknowledge him with a raise of my coffee cup. I know he can’t see me, but still, this is oddly satisfying. Ah, but I’m not here to gloat over my snow-free driveway.

I’ve learned a lot about radiant heat this past year. As a homeowner, I wanted to share what I’ve learned about driveway heating systems. Perhaps some of my experiences can be beneficial to others who are exploring the possibility of installing a radiant heat system.

When my wife and I first decided that we wanted a radiant heated driveway, we knew very little about the actual systems. I figured that the driveway gets warm, the snow melts, and boom, there it is. But the reality of it is that there are certain components and support services that make a big difference. I was fortunate in dealing with Warmzone. With that being said, I guess my first piece of advice to homeowners is to make sure that you deal with experienced, established pros. (There are cheap options out there, like buying generic heat cable from some home improvement store, but when you don’t have customer support services, it ultimately costs you more in the long run.) A heated driveway is a significant investment. Don’t cut corners.

These systems are touted as fully automated and maintenance free. This almost sounded too good to be true, but it is actually the case. Once installed, you really don’t have to worry about it. However, I like to wipe down the snow sensor every now and then. During the year, wind storms can kick up dust or leaves that may end up on the small sensor. To be honest, I haven’t had a leaf land perfectly on the sensor, but one never knows. Regardless, I like to wipe the sensor plate down now and then, just to avoid any dirt buildup.

Heated driveway shown after a snowstorm.

In addition to the snow sensor, automated heated driveways also feature a heating element and control panel. Make sure the components for your system are proven products. Warmzone uses ClearZone heat cable, which has been around for decades, so I know it’s a cable I can trust. It also carries a top manufacturer warranty. The contactor panel, or controller is what kicks the power to the heat cable. The sensor detects snow, signals the controller, and then power is sent to the heating element that’s embedded in the driveway. It’s a simple system with no moving parts. Gotta love that.

Before I looked into getting a heated driveway, I didn’t realize that heat cable can be purchased in individual lengths off a spool, as well as in mats. I chose the mats. These are available in different lengths as well, but the cable is already pre-spaced, so they can simply be rolled out during the installation, and then secured. Boom! Pretty quick and easy. I was even able to help install them.

I’m really not much of a “do-it-yourselfer”, but this was something that even I could do. (I had my wife take a couple of photos of me “installing” the driveway, just for posterity’s sake – and to document my diverse skills.) Yeah, it was a proud moment, unlike the time I tried to show off my handyman skills by switching out a water facet in my wife’s apartment before we got married. (Be sure to always turn off the water supply beforehand.) But hey, she still married me. I guess I might still be trying to redeem myself for that one.  

Anyway, to heat our concrete driveway, thin remesh was laid out and then the cable mats were placed over the remesh and then secured with plastic ties. (Did I mention that I did this part?) Little plastic supports, called Mesh-Ups were used to keep the remesh from resting on the ground. This ensures that the heat cable is ideally positioned about 2-3 inches from the surface of the finished driveway. Then the concrete was poured.

I also learned that heated driveways are designed according to ASHRAE standards. (Don’t worry, I had no clue what this meant either.) In other words, your driveway heating system will be designed specifically for the winter conditions in your area. If you have an average winter temperature of 24°F, with annual snowfall around 70 inches, then the designers create a system that is specifically designed to handle those conditions. This helps to determine the watts per square foot that your system needs to effectively keep the driveway clear of snow and ice. Each system is custom tailored to deal with the customer’s unique demands.

Heated driveway with overlay of components.
The typical components of an automated Warmzone radiant heated driveway.

As you’re shopping for a system, ask questions. I’m glad I did. And be sure to have your electrician find out about the power requirements. (This usually isn’t a problem for most homeowners, but for those who are looking to heat massive areas, you should definitely find out what your available power is, and confirm the system’s power demands.)

Fortunately, snow melting systems can be customized to the hilt, so you can install radiant heat exactly how you want. If you don’t want to heat your entire driveway, then you can heat two 24-inch wide tire tracks, or just an 8-foot wide strip in the middle. Heck, you can install radiant heat in a checkerboard pattern if you want. It’s all about you and what works best for your layout and budget.

Also, perhaps the most important services for customers are the support services such as free installation training, technical support, and system design. The free installation training was invaluable. The instructor covered every aspect of the installation, so the electrician and installers knew everything they needed, prior to installing the system. Warmzone also provided real time technical support. When the electrician had a question, he called and spoke with an expert. Also, prior to any work taking place, Warmzone created a detailed layout / design of the system. We knew exactly how and where to install the heat cable and every component. These support services are what made the difference. I can’t stress enough that you deal only with a company that provides these types of services.

My advice to you is to call and talk with a radiant heat expert and explore your options. (Oh, and remember to always turn off the water supply before changing water facets.) Warmzone radiant heat experts are friendly professionals who will ask you about your project and then explain the best available options. There’s no rush, and no pressure. I talked with these guys for months before my wife and I decided to do the installation. They were always there to patiently answer any questions or address any concerns. Given their quality products and remarkable support services, I couldn’t imagine working with any provider other than Warmzone.

Warmzone is one of the largest providers of floor heating, snow melting, and roof de-icing systems, as well as luxury home heating amenities. For more information about Warmzone radiant heat systems or luxury amenities, contact a friendly Warmzone representative today, at 888-488-9276.

Radiant Heat News

You Don’t Have to Ride a High Horse to Have a Heated Driveway

Driveway Heating – More Affordable than you may Think

Is it true that only the rich and famous can afford to own a heated driveway? Chances are if you started asking around, more people than you might suspect already have a heated driveway. Heated driveways are not only more affordable than most people think but everyday Joe’s and Josefina’s like you and me install them all the time. Heated driveways are the most convenient and reliable way to remove snow each winter and you don’t have to ride a fancy high horse to see the many benefits of driveway heating. There are many snow melting options that make radiant heated driveway systems affordable for us all.

The costs of a heated driveway should no longer be a legitimate reason why you don’t have this simple luxury. Warmzone representatives are available during business hours to speak with you and answer your questions about installing a heated driveway. They can also provide you with a price quote based on your specific snow melting needs, budget and installation option. If you are building a new home, installing a heated driveway is a quick and easy project for a professional. But even if you have lived in your home for years and suffered through back breaking snow removal, there is a good chance a snow melting system can be retrofitted beneath your existing driveway. The ritzy, glitzy population may have some fun toys and gadgets, but a heated driveway is not exclusive to people with gobs of extra money. But having a heated driveway may make you feel rich and famous.

Radiant Heat News

Heated Driveway – Your Boss’s Best Friend

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 tire tracks in residential concrete heated driveway

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

Articles

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.

HOTNEWS

Back on Track with a Heated Driveway

Heated Driveway System in Illinois Paves the Way to Big Savings for one Warmzone Customer

When a Warmzone customer in rural Illinois found he did not have the resources to heat his entire driveway as originally planned, Sales Manager, Bryan Morris, offered a reasonable alternative. “Tire tracks were a great option in this scenario,” he explained, “because you can still get a heated portion that allows you to drive in and out, without breaking the bank. After consulting with the customer and our design team, we laid out the options (verbally and with drawings) before deciding on a more cost-effective, two-track heated driveway solution. Ultimately, heating two tire tracks (500 sq.ft.), as opposed to heating the entire 1,250 sq.ft. driveway, resulted in a $3,900 cost savings.”

Retrofitting asphalt driveway with heated tire tracks-1      Retrofitting asphalt driveway with heated tire tracks-2

Another consideration was the lack of available power. “To heat an entire driveway would have required a large number of amps from the home’s electrical power panel,” Morris stated. “Most homes only have a 200 amp panel, yet it takes approximately 180 breaker amps per 1,000 square feet to heat an entire driveway.”

The two-track radiant heated driveway system required installation of four Warmzone ClearZone snow melting mats, a 200-amp Warmzone electrical timer panel, an aerial mounted moisture/temperature snow sensor, a remote manual control unit and an NEC marker plate. Tire tracks were easily installed by rolling out the mats like sleeping bags. A protective asphalt layer was then raked over the tire track mats (photo 2) before the final surface coat was applied. “We use an asphalt machine that straddles the heating element to prevent damaging the heat cable,” offered Morris.

Asphalt driveway being retrofitted with heated tire tracks - 3      Heated asphalt driveway retrofitted with heated tire tracks.

The great news is that you don’t have to pour a new driveway to benefit from a heated driveway. Warmzone can customize your system to fit your needs and budget. “On this project,” said Morris, “the customer was paving the whole driveway anyway. Some customers pick other install methods, such as saw cutting, to achieve their goals.”

Saw cutting is cutting grooves or paths and inserting the heat cable in areas where heat is desired. With certain driveway heating systems, it is also possible to pave over the mats and create the appearance of a seamless transaction. “You can cut out the area you want to heat and then pave only that area,” Morris added. ClearZone is used under cement, asphalt and pavers on a regular basis.

Flexible options make heated driveway solutions a very popular equity booster for homeowners, and are becoming a popular home improvement option. “On average,” Morris stated, “the overall materials (cable, electrical and auto sensors) cost $6.00 per sq.ft. for 1,000 sq. ft., and the operating cost per 5-hour storm is $18.00, or $3-4 per hour depending on the state the heated driveway system is installed in and the power company’s cost per kilowatt hour.”

While the initial cost of installing a radiant heated driveway system may seem a bit daunting, the benefits of driveway heating are well worth the initial investment, the most obvious being convenience. Heated driveways don’t require shoveling, harmful salt and chemical applications or expensive snow removal services. Instead, driveway heating systems provide a safe, thorough snow removal solution with curb appeal, solving snow  removal challenges posed by problematic driveways, steps, and other heavy traffic areas.

Heated driveway systems are fully automated, so they will automatically turn on or off when needed. “If it snows at 3 a.m.,” Morris smiled, “our customer will wake up to a clear driveway. He now has a reliable, efficient snow removal solution.”

Project Spotlight – Colorado Homeowners Install Solar Powered Radiant Floor Heating System

When two Colorado homeowners decided to build a new home from the ground up, they had two main objectives in mind. They wanted a home just for them and they wanted to be as eco-friendly as possible. One of the components they chose in their new construction was to install radiant floor heating through the 1600 square feet downstairs and 900 square feet upstairs.

After doing some research and finding Warmzone online they were pleased with the many options available for various applications and the customer support offered during the entire process.

These Rocky Mountain homeowners had several great reasons for wanting to go the radiant heat route. A major consideration was allergies and how forced air systems exacerbate this condition. Cost was another concern, as was the noise of a running furnace and the desire for a comfortable, even-air temperature throughout the home. Many customers are finding their way to radiant floor heating for some of the same well thought-out reasons.

Installing radiant floor heating cable

In order to accommodate the necessary electricity needs for a radiant floor, they installed 28 solar panels to meet the demand of the electric heat. This means they are using electricity solely produced by them, helping to keep costs down and mother earth smiling.

This project called for ComfortTile heat cables and a low-voltage floor heating system laid under a variety of flooring throughout the home. The Colorado couple chose tile, wood laminate, and carpet in various parts of the home. The radiant flooring systems were chosen because of their particular capabilities and installed throughout different zones. Warmzone provided the design layouts and helped walk them through the entire process.

When asked about the benefits of using radiant floor heating, the homeowner produced a long list, including evenly spread heat through the whole house, toasty floors, noiseless heating system with easy-to-program thermostats, lack of dust, and no need to wear shoes indoors anymore.

Solar panels installed to power radiant floor heating system

Asked if they would recommend radiant floor heating to others Jane responded, “Definitely! Check out the different flooring options and applications and determine where you want the zoned heating.” Warmzone provides customers with a variety of options and helps you select the best solution for your home and budget.  Warmzone prices, product offerings and professional design services are among the best in the industry.