Tag Archives: Radiant heat

HOTNEWS

WARMZONE – Your Radiant Heating Solutions Begin and End Here

What can be daunting about any radiant heat home improvement project, of course, is where to start. What begins as a simple remodel becomes a full-time job, scheduling contractors, including architects, electricians, and other lay persons for the task at hand. It’s good to know that when you need a radiant heat solutions provider, Warmzone is there with the experts, and the expertise required to tackle literally all of the aspects of a radiant heat project—from the initial consultation, through planning and installation. Warmzone offers up-to-date information about the top quality radiant floor heating and snow melting solutions you’ll need to support just about any radiant heat project. They can design the best solution for you, and direct you to the radiant heat products that best match your needs. Whether you’re interested in heating your driveway, roof or flooring, Warmzone is there to help you complete the job on time, within budget, and to your satisfaction.

Snow melting heat cable laid out for asphalt heated driveway.

Vast Selection of Top Quality, State-of-the-art Radiant Heat Products
Of course, the cornerstone of any Warmzone project is its variety of top quality radiant heat products. When you choose Warmzone, you know you are getting cutting-edge radiant heat technology, backed by the best warranty coverage in the industry. ComfortTile floor heating products use state-of-the-art heat cable, which can be purchased in a spool, or pre-spaced and affixed to an adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh. Other Warmzone offerings, such as FilmHeat panels and In-Slab (SlabHeat) cable are incredibly durable and easy to install. And all of these products, and more, are backed by industry-leading manufacturer warranties.

The size of the Warmzone product portfolio is impressive. From floor heating mats, heat cable and low-voltage heating elements, there are “Best in Class” products available for almost any radiant heat project you can think of. And variety is key, because with the breadth and depth of Warmzone radiant heat product offerings comes freedom of choice. Our experts aren’t just knowledgeable about the products they sell, they understand what it means to meet your expectations and your budget. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to every radiant heat application, they’ll help you match the best product for your home at the best price. You’ll get sincere, non-biased recommendations and products that are best suited for your particular radiant heating needs.

Complete Radiant Heat Solutions

Do you have big home improvement plans but don’t know where to start? When it comes to radiant heat solutions, if you can conceive it, Warmzone can achieve it. Our professional designers evaluate your radiant heating system from top to bottom and create a detailed CAD of your system layout. You’ll know the electrical requirements, technical specifications and system performance expectations before one foot of cable is installed. We even have a master electrician on staff and available to provide technical support. Sure there’s convenience built-in to this approach—we also see it as a sure fire way to minimize any installation surprises in the short term, to save you time and money in the long term.

Consider our radiant heat specialists as part of your home improvement project team. We’re here for you from start to finish—to answer your questions, provide you with the appropriate resources, and to follow your radiant heat project through to its successful completion. Perhaps that’s why customers continue to turn to
Warmzone, not just for our sage advice but because of our willingness to go the extra mile for our customers. Whether you’re calling to get the answer to a single question, or to get a quote on a radiant heat solution for your home—Warmzone’s knowledgeable, dedicated staff of radiant heat experts is there, offering unbiased information and unwavering support in reaching your radiant heat project objectives.

ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and thermostat

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, not only the depth and breadth of product offerings will make your project easier, but the resources available to you, from start to finish will make your radiant heat project a slam-dunk! Warmzone is your complete resource for radiant heat products, services and installation support for heated floors, roof deicing and snow melting systems. With Warmzone, you’re never more than just a few clicks away from the solution to your radiant heat home improvement project needs. Our customers can visit Warmzone.com, 24/7, for downloadable versions of radiant heat installation manuals, user guides, installation diagrams and more.

When it comes to providing radiant heat snow melting and floor heating products and services, no one can match the comprehensive offerings of Warmzone. Are you gearing up for that next radiant heat project at home? Don’t wait until the chill hits, contact Warmzone at 888.488.9276 and get started!

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Hot Remodeling Trends

Home Remodeling Trends you can Really Warm up to

CBS Moneywatch.com recently identified twelve trends in home remodeling for 2011. The hottest projects—bathrooms, must-do remodeling and warmer interior design projects made the top three, with green living coming in at number nine. With growing concerns over rising fuel prices and carbon footprints, it’s not surprising that more and more homeowners are investing in their homes to cut fuel consumption. Installing Warmzone radiant heated floors is a great way to keep up with remodeling trends and recoup on home improvement costs.

How does radiant heat work? Heated floors radiate heat from the floor up to keep you warm and comfortable when cold weather sets in. Two types of systems—electric heat cable and hydronic (water-based) tubing systems—when installed in the subfloor of your home act as heating elements to warm the surface above. These heating cables/tubing coordinate with a thermostat and sensors, as do traditional forced air systems, to provide heat to your home.

Heating mats being installed to heat a bathroom floor

Warmzone radiant heat is green heat. Powered by electricity, electric radiant heat cables can heat a surface in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike forced air systems, they are room specific. With the help of sensors and a programmable thermostat you can heat one room, or heat them all quickly and efficiently, saving money on your monthly gas bill. And unlike forced air systems, they do not belch out the dust and dirt that compromises air quality in your home.

A radiant heated floor installation equals cheap equity. Heated floors give your home an impressive level of comfort and customization with minimal investment. Not sure you want to install heated floors throughout you home just yet? Warmzone offers a variety of heat cable products that can be easily installed under the subfloor of any room in your home, whether it be bathroom tile, wood or even carpet.

If, as CBS Moneywatch.com suggests, the over-arching remodeling trend for 2011 is to tackle small projects while you wait to do the really big remodeling project that’s on your list, why not start by installing heated flooring in your home.  Unlike other “one-size-fits-all” radiant heat providers, Warmzone offers an array of radiant heated flooring solutions designed to better match your individual project, and your budget. The good news—many of these floor heating products can be installed by do-it-yourself homeowners.

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Radiant Heat Technology

Snow Melting Systems: Technology For the Ages

While radiant heated driveways are viewed as a relatively modern convenience, you might be surprised to know that radiant heat has been around since antiquity. The Romans actually utilized raised-slab floors and an exterior wood fired furnace to heat their villas. As hot gases from the furnace would enter the house below floor level, they were naturally drawn through the floors up and out of the walls, radiating heat along the way.

Of course, radiant heat technology has come a long way. Durable, easily installed and inconspicuous, it clears the driveways and sidewalks we travel on, and warms our floors (along with our soles). Great news if you’ve ever considered a heated driveway in your future!

Today’s heated driveways are made up of three main elements: the heating element, the controller and the snow sensor or activation device. Controlled by either a wall-mounted control box, snow melting systems can be activated manually; or, with the help of sensors, automatically as conditions change.

ClearZone radiant heat cable comes with several benefits. Safely installed in new concrete pours, under pavers and in harsh, high-temperature new asphalt projects, it delivers unmatched durability. ClearZone cable can be customized to meet performance and space requirements for virtually any snowmelt project. Featuring a unique, maintenance-free design, a 10-year manufacturers warranty and the quickest response time, ClearZone cable is built to consistently outperform the competition.

Warmzone’s compact 6 x 3.5-inch wall-mounted snowmelt control unit monitors the activity of the entire heated driveway system. The snowmelt control unit can be switched on/off (standby) and the heating system can be forced on in case of blowing snow or ice formation due to wind or shade. It features manual override capability, and can also be controlled using an external signal, from a day/week timer, GSM-module or other signal source.

When moisture is present and the preset temperature is reached, it is the snow sensor—whether aerial-mounted or pavement-mounted —that relays the information to the controller to activate the snow melting system. Once the trigger temperature is set, the sensor switch will only activate a radiant heated driveway when needed, saving energy and operating costs.

As radiant heat technology has evolved, the ease of installation and the chief benefits of snow melting systems–efficiency and convenience–make heated driveways more compelling than ever. Warmzone can install heated driveways during pre- or post-construction phases, in almost any medium. The good news—with so much expertise and experience, Warmzone can easily customize a snowmelt system solution that’s right for you, and your budget.

Press Releases

Warmzone Unveils New Website

Salt Lake City, Utah, January 3, 2011 – Warmzone, the premier provider of radiant heat products and services, announced the unveiling of its newly designed Website (www.warmzone.com). The revamped site features improved navigation, new product offerings, and a wealth of radiant heat information.

The content driven site serves as an information resource for homeowners and construction professionals alike who are considering the installation of a radiant heat system. A comprehensive collection of informative articles and blogs, as well as monthly newsletters and detailed product comparisons are easily accessible through the site’s “Pressroom” and “FAQ” sections. According to Warmzone Executive VP of Systems Design and Engineering, Brandon Weaver, consumers deserve to have as much current information as possible at their fingertips, which is why Warmzone prides itself on providing a comprehensive online radiant heat resource for consumers.

“Homeowners are carefully researching and comparing before making any significant purchases nowadays,” Weaver explained. “We want to make it easy for consumers to learn about radiant heat and get answers to their questions. As they learn more about the various systems and options available, we believe the more attractive our solutions become. Our goal is to serve as a partner by providing the most efficient, cost-effective solution for each customer.”

As one of the largest providers of complete radiant heat solutions, Warmzone partners with several manufactures to offer the widest selection of radiant heat products at the lowest prices possible. The new website showcases the various floor heating and snow melting systems and identifies the specific characteristics and advantages of each solution. Because Warmzone has cultivated relationships with the industry’s top manufacturers, the website is not limited to a single brand or type of radiant heat solution. Rather, the website serves as a truly informative site that includes accurate information about the most proven, reputable products.

Free quotes are also available through Warmzone.com. With a couple of clicks, consumers can submit a form with their specific project details. Warmzone will then evaluate the information and respond with a detailed project estimate, at no cost or obligation.

For more information on electric radiant heating, visit: www.warmzone.com or call a Warmzone consultant directly at 888.488.WARM (9276).

 

About WARMZONE – Premier Radiant Heating

WARMZONE is a privately owned and operated business headquartered in Salt Lake City Utah. With a staff of some of the most experienced professionals in the industry, Warmzone routinely provides radiant heat solutions throughout the United States and Canada. Warmzone’s business model focuses on providing each of its customers with the ability to design, plan and purchase custom radiant heating systems.

Press Releases

Warmzone Cited in Wall Street Journal

Online Wall Street Journal Interviews Warmzone Sales Manager, Bryan Morris

The Wall Street Journal recently cited Warmzone Sales Manager, Bryan Morris, in an online article, “ The New Cold Warrior,” published January 19, 2011. The piece features an in-depth view of the various snow removal tools and methods that are available to homeowners nowadays; ranging from battery operated snow blowers and ergonomic shovels to fully automated radiant heat systems. The general emphasis of the article is that high-tech snow removal solutions are on the rise because they are not only easy on the driveway and surrounding property, but also on the body.

Much of the exposé was devoted to Warmzone, including a spotlight on one of its recent snow melting projects. Richard Silverstein of Chappaqua, N.Y., purchased the snow melting system from Warmzone for his home’s steep 8,000-square-foot stone-paver driveway and walkways around his outdoor hot tub. The 60-year-old neuro-ophthalmologist works out of his house and was concerned that patients and visitors might hurt themselves because of icy conditions. The Journal was particularly interested in the Silverstein job because of the size and scope of the project.

Dr. Silverstein emphasized that he didn’t want to be at the mercy of numerous plows and snow blowers, but instead wanted to be “stress free” during the winter months. That’s when he decided to explore the options for radiant heat. Bryan Morris was the Warmzone representative who answered Dr. Silverstein’s call. Together with a team of designers and electrical engineers, Morris worked to develop the extensive snow melting system.

“At Warmzone,” Morris stated, “we deal with a variety of affordable environmentally green products; ranging from interior floor heating solutions to heated driveways and snow melting systems that melt snow and ice from roofs, gutters, walkways, ramps, etc.  Our approach is to thoroughly understand our customer’s needs, recommend services and solutions to meet those needs, and to support them before, during and after the sale.”

As a leader of radiant heat solutions, Warmzone carries a host of industry-leading snow melting and radiant floor heating products. The company also provides professional radiant heat design services along with detailed CAD drawings of each radiant heat system.

The Wall Street Journal article further elaborated on the components of Warmzone’s automated snow melting systems in addition to the cost and benefits of electric radiant heating. For a FREE quote, or to learn more about Warmzone heated driveways, roof deicing or radiant heated floors, visit the Warmzone website or call a radiant heat expert today, at 888.488.9276.

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Ancient Radiant Heating

The “Ancient” Art of Sustainable Living

As a current or future radiant heat consumer, you might fancy yourself to be part of a growing trend towards sustainable home heating. What you may not know is that although it is considered an emerging, “modern” trend among residential homeowners, radiant heat technology is actually thousands of years old.

Ancient Roman ruins reveal floor heating technology
Ruins of a Roman underfloor heating system. (Photo courtesy of Silvermel.)

The history of underfloor heating began in 10,000 BC with the Chinese, who used the word “kang”(original meaning, “to dry”) to describe what became known as a heated bed. Inhabitants drafted smoke from fires through stone covered trenches in the floors of their subterranean dwellings. The hot smoke heated the floor stones, radiating into their living spaces. Evidence of heated floors based on this principle were found in 5,000 B.C. in China and Korea.

The Greeks and Romans finessed the process in 500 B.C. with the hypocaust. Literally translated, hypocaust means “heat from below,” from the Greek word hypo meaning below or underneath, and kaiein, to burn or light a fire. This system was more efficient and less evasive than that of its Asian predecessor. It used pillars to raise the floors, creating a space underneath to circulate hot air. Spaces were left inside of the walls so that hot air and smoke from the furnace would pass through enclosed areas underneath the floor and out of flues in the roof, radiating heat through the walls along the way. While the hypocaust was a marked advancement in under floor heating, the process of heating itself was labor-intensive and high in fuel costs, making it a luxury for those living in villas, and at the public baths.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that standards were developed for underfloor heating systems. Five years later, radiant heat became a traditional system in residential buildings in some European and Nordic countries, and began to find its way into non-residential applications. These modern underfloor heating systems use either electric resistance elements (electric) or heated fluid flowing in pipes (hydronic) to heat floors. Both can be cast in concrete, placed under the floor covering, or attached directly to the wood sub floor. Either type can be installed as an alternative to forced air to improve home air quality and reduce heating costs associated with fossil fuels, or as a localized system for thermal comfort.

Electric radiant heat marks a growing trend in residential heating. Electric radiant under floor heating systems are less evasive and less costly to install than hydronic systems, which require skilled designers and tradesmen familiar with boilers, circulators, controls, fluid pressures and temperature for proper installation. Electric radiant heat systems are more efficient than hydronic systems. Powered by electricity, radiant heat cables can heat a surface in 30 to 60 seconds, unlike hydronic systems, which may take anywhere from 4-7 hours to heat a surface—a considerable difference in performance. Because there is a boiler involved, hydronic systems may be fueled by natural gas, oil, coal or wood, making them less environmentally friendly and more costly to operate.

Whether you choose electric or hydronic floor heating, Warmzone has the experience and expertise to install a radiant heat system that’s right for your home and your budget. Whichever you choose, you’ll have the comfort of knowing you’ve done your part to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your home’s air quality and maintain a warm, comfortable environment for your family. Be sure to visit www.warmzone.com for more information on how Warmzone can customize a sustainable home heating solution just for you.

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Radiant Floor Heating

The silent operation of a radiant floor heating system free from drafts or flying dust particles is why these systems are becoming so popular. Home owners are searching for ways in which they can create a healthier environment to live in. Forced air systems can spread dust, pollen and germs while a radiant floor heating system uses electric resistance cables under the floor or PEX tubing that circulates heated water. Radiant heating systems warm floors to a comfortable level and naturally spreads its heat to objects in the room making your living areas much more enjoyable. Heating your home with radiant heated floors will make breathing easier and not dry you out. Imagine your floors without the need for vents or hot air blowing down from the ceiling.

Evenly distributed radiant heat in your floors will allow you to turn down your thermostat two to four degrees. This can reduce energy costs by 10-40 percent and can be verified with your local utility company. This setback to your thermostat can happen because a radiant floor heats from the ground up and delivers the heat through objects not air. This makes the lowest three feet of your home the most comfortable where a forced air system loses its heat to the ceiling and is required to heat from the top down. Delivering heat by air also makes it easy to escape and increase your overall heat loss.

A good analogy for radiant floor heating to forced air is a car that has heated seats and a forced air heater/furnace. The forced air in a car can dry you out and can become uncomfortable and is difficult to dial in because of the heat loss due to its air delivery. A heated seat will provide you with quick results and will remain warm long after it is reduced or turned completely off. The heated seat actually warms your body and the car seat, not the air. Forced air will over time will inefficiently heat objects but with the negative side effects of dry air, dust and pollen.

If you are interested in discovering your options for a radiant floor heating system call one of our trained representatives at 888.488.9276. Our staff will match your budget to a radiant floor heating system that best meets your heating goals.

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Electric Radiant Floor Heat vs. Baseboard Heating (Part II)

The Top Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating aver Baseboard Heating

Read Part I

Radiant heated floors certainly beat baseboard heaters in several aspects, but perhaps the crowning feature of heated floors is the maximum flexibility they offer consumers.

Electric radiant heating offers three main aspects of flexibility that baseboard heating systems don’t: installation freedom, variety, and custom design plans.

Installation Freedom
Baseboard heaters can usually be installed in any room, whether the house is old or new. Finding the wall space, however, can be a tricky task. Additionally, having to rearrange your room to accommodate a baseboard heater is far from convenient.

Heated bathroom floor

Radiant heated floors, on the other hand, can go in any room on any surface. Whether you’re building a brand new home or sprucing up an old one, you can experience the benefits of radiant floor heating. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about keeping your furniture away from a dangerous heater. Feel free to place that fabulous new sofa wherever you see fit.

Additionally, heated floors can be installed on virtually any surface you can think of. Install one in your carpeted living room, your hardwood dining room, your tiled bathroom, or all of the above.

Variety
When it comes to choosing a baseboard heater, there aren’t that many options to choose from. All baseboard heaters are essentially the same poor quality mechanism that leave much to be desired.

With a Warmzone radiant heated floor system, however, you have a slew of high-quality products to choose from. Whether you choose ComfortTile heating mats, In-Slab heat cables, FilmHeat panels, or FoilHeat, you’re sure to be satisfied with your heated floors for years to come.

Heated bathroom floor

Custom Design Plans
Perhaps the greatest part about switching to radiant heated floors is the unparalleled service from Warmzone. When you are ready to make the switch from baseboard heating to electric radiant heated floors, the friendly Warmzone staff will walk you through the whole process from start to finish.

We’ll design a radiant heat system tailored to your specific needs. We realize your needs aren’t the same as the next customer’s, and we’ll design a customized plan of action (complete with CADs) to make sure that your radiant heated floors not only meet but exceed your expectations.

When it comes down to it, there’s just no reason to continue to wallow in your baseboard heating blues. Radiant heated floors offer superior efficiency, quality, and convenience that baseboard heaters couldn’t even think of touching. Say no to noisy, unsightly heaters and yes to cozy, consistent heated floors that will keep you, your family, and your wallet happy all winter long.

Radiant Heat News

Secretly Vow to Enjoy Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant Floor Heating is a Decision You Won’t Regret

Ok, here’s the deal, if you don’t know much about radiant floor heating you need to get up to speed and fast. You’ll miss the radiant heating boat and trust us, there are a lot of people clamoring to jump aboard and enjoy the warming effects of warm floors. You should secretly vow right now to treat yourself to the luxurious, yet remarkably affordable joy of radiant heated floors. There is nothing quite like stepping sans sock onto an otherwise cold surface only to find it surprisingly and appealingly warm. Those first steps taken on a radiant heated floor will make you wonder why you didn’t take this vow sooner.

Radiant heat provides constant and consistent heat throughout your floors, warming everything around it, unlike forced air systems that blow warm air that rises quickly and settles near the ceiling and sneaks out the cracks of your walls, causing the whole system to kick on once again to replenish what has been lost. Forced air systems create more allergies with all that air and dust moving around, a problem easily avoided with radiant floor heat. With radiant heating the radiant heat cables beneath the surface of your floors generates warmth that permeates the surface and all the spaces around it leaving your living space inviting and comfortable. Keep this vow to treat yourself to something irresistible and warm and you’ll soon realize that radiant floor heating is a decision you won’t end up regretting.

Radiant Heat News

Radiant Heating 101

The number of types of radiant heating systems available for residences or businesses is awfully mind-boggling. There’s really a lot of selection for homeowners to choose from. Today we’ll discuss the electric cable heating system kind of radiant heaters.

Electric cable heating systems are gaining popularity in as radiant floor heating systems and are ideal for heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. On some systems, the cable will be shipped to you as a large spool of cable. These systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give you the ability to space the cable how you want and customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor. Other systems have the cable attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a mat to maintain its proper spacing.

Every available cable system is equally effective, so when determining which radiant heating system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thinset.