Tag Archives: Snow melting system

Testimonials

It Won’t Break the Bank, or my Back (Shoveling)

Location: Calgary, Canada

Solution: ClearZone Heated Driveway

Heated tire tracks in driveway

This past weekend, we received over four inches of snow and temps -15 degrees C . . . That’s like Green Bay cold!

Anyway, as you can see, the heated driveway is doing its job. Just a week ago, my electrician installed the correct type of wire for the CDP 2 so everything is functional now. A lot of folks in our neighborhood stop by on their walks and have conversations about my driveway, or ask questions if I am outside.

I know that some think this would be extremely expensive to operate, but last month, with Christmas lights on every night, I saw only a $150 increase in my electrical bill. Also, we only have 2 or 3 months of significant snow in Calgary so it won’t break the bank, or my back (shoveling) and delivery people don’t have to crawl up the slope in fear of slipping!

Have a great day.

Dennis S.

Testimonials

Your Electrical Support Person was Very Helpful

Solution: ClearZone Heated Driveway

Heated tire tracks in concrete driveway

I just wanted to follow up with you to let you know we had a successful installation. Your electrical support person, Dan, was very helpful in the system test process working with my electrician. I will be completing all the warranty paperwork soon and have all of the electrical measurements captured. Here is one of the photos of the project.

Best regards,

Dennis L.

Testimonials

It’s Been Taking Care of the Four to Six Feet of Snow That Would Otherwise Accumulate!

Location: Montana

Solution: ClearZone Heated Driveway

As we discussed, I would be more than happy to provide a reference and or install.

The system works as designed and is flawless. Even have pictures of the progress/process as the projects were constructed. It’s been taking care of the four to six feet of snow that would otherwise accumulate! Maybe more, just that was the depth of the snow in the area of installation.

Kevin P.

Testimonials

Heated City Sidewalks

Location: Missouri

Solution: ClearZone Heated Sidewalks

Heated sidewalks

I contacted Warmzone and explained to their sales staff what our project would consist of and what we wanted to accomplish. Brandon Weaver and the sales staff designed our system, ordered the materials and made sure that they arrived on time, and they were there whenever we needed their help. They worked with our electricians to solve problems or answer questions as they came up and were willing to go that extra mile when needed.

I just wanted to let you know that you have a terrific staff who are highly knowledgeable, truly professional and care about their customers. During the most recent snow event it was interesting to see that the sidewalks were completely dry and free of snow while the plow trucks were still pushing the snow off the roads. The City of Oak Grove is very pleased with our heated sidewalks and would highly recommend your product.

Joe B.

Radiant Heat News

Driveway Heating is What You Wanted You Just Never Knew It

A Heated Driveway Should Be on Your Wish List

Heaven forbid I be the bearer of bossy news, especially since you don’t know me. But trust me, driveway heating is truly what you want, you just might not know it yet. Allow me to illuminate the reasons you should put a heated driveway on your wish list. I feel confident that once you investigate driveway heating a bit more you’ll soon be on the heating bandwagon.

Heated tire tracks in driveway

First up, if you live where it snows make the call today to find out more. It’s simple really; if you have a heated driveway you don’t have to plow, shovel, or swear at the snow anymore. Snow melting systems will melt all the snow on your driveway plus your sidewalk if you choose to install heating cable there as well. Electric snow melting systems are easy to customize and can be installed just about anywhere or in any application possible.

Second, a heated driveway is an affordable and efficient way to maintain heavy snow loads on your property. The heat cables require very little electricity, plus they only run when conditions warrant. When the temperature is below a set point and the sensor detects precipitation, it signals the system to send heat to the cables. So these energy efficient systems operate only when needed, but they also feature manual override capability for times when it may be needed..

There are plenty of other reasons to consider a heating driveway system. But I’ll let you discover those for yourself as you explore this website and see for yourself that yes, you do want to put a heated driveway on your wish list.

HOTNEWS

Protect Your Roof With a RoofHeat System

Don’t Get Snowed-in by an Inferior Radiant Heat Solution: Protect your Home with a RoofHeat STEP Deicing System

Put the finishing touch on that new roof installation, or preserve the integrity of your roof and your home with a RoofHeat STEP low-voltage deicing system by Warmzone. It is a top-of-the-line radiant heat system that is a good fit for you roof, and your budget. Paired with an existing or new gutter ice melting system, you will benefit this winter from the convenience and peace of mind that comes with a complete roof deicing solution.

Heated roof edge

RoofHeat STEP deicing systems involve three main components: a transformer, a heating element and an activation device (usually a sensor to trigger system operation in inclement weather). Here is a look at each of these elements at a glance:

  • A transformer is an individual control unit responsible for a specific section of the deicing system, and can step down from high voltage to low voltage (60V or less). It is the source for monitoring the power and output to the system heat cables to ensure safe, accurate performance of your radiant roof heating and deicing system.
  • Thin, semi-conductive polymer RoofHeat heating elements can be easily cut to size and discreetly nailed or stapled under shingles for a quick and easy installation. The heating element is polypropylene fused during fabrication for water proofing and protection from alkaline or salt damage.
  • When temperature and precipitation indicate snow, the activation device/snow sensor triggers the control panel. The control panel then sends power to the heating element to activate the RoofHeat STEP deicing system and heat your roof.

RoofHeat STEP deicing systems are a wise home improvement investment. It protects your home from the harmful effects of moisture caused by ice damming—moisture that can seep into roof decking, and eventually into your home. And it is fully automated—simply set the power unit and forget it. No more precarious perching on a ladder or slippery roof with a rake or push broom. Once the system is activated, the roof warms to efficiently prevent snow from accumulating and protects your roof from ice and water damage.

Available in 4, 6, 9 and 12 inch widths; RoofHeat heating elements can be cut and customized for just about any application. In fact, installing a Warmzone radiant heat roof deicing system is quite easy compared to competitive radiant heat systems. If you can swing a hammer or use a staple gun, you can install a RoofHeat heating element. The low-voltage heating element comes in a durable vinyl enclosure and can be easily nailed, stapled, or attached with fasteners or screws under a variety of roofing materials, including metal.

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or hiring a professional roofer, at some point you will require the assistance of an experienced electrician. The good news is that the average electrical professional will find the entire installation process quite intuitive; and Warmzone has the components, professionals and online resources to help you every step of the way. Call 888-488-9276 or visit us online at www.warmzone.com to start planning your radiant roof heating system.

Keep the Snow at Bay with a Radiant Heated Driveway

Just Like Your Favorite Hot Drink on a Cold Day, A Heated Driveway Will Quickly Become Something You Love!
Starbucks™ has made the shift to Pumpkin Lattes, and pretty soon, a warm drink (or a heated driveway) might be your antidote for winter weather. You may have heard of a heated driveway, but may consider it a luxury rivaling that $4.00 coffee drink your favorite barista serves up. What you may not realize—the benefits of electric radiant heated driveways far outweigh their modest installation costs. But to understand just how much you’ll save, you’ll need a basic understanding of how a radiant heated driveway works.

A warm mug of hot chocolate by the fire

Radiant heat is an incredibly efficient method for melting snow and ice from driveways and walkways, and is becoming increasingly popular as a practical home improvement solution. There are two types of systems: electric and hydronic. Electric snowmelt systems use heat cable while hydronic systems generate hot water, then pump it through plastic PEX tubing. In either case, the heating elements are installed under the surface of the driveway, and radiate heat upwards to quickly melt snow and ice before it has a chance to stick.

Every automated driveway snow melting system is composed of three main items: the heating element, the controller and the activation device. Sturdy resistance cable is the main heating element for an electric radiant heated driveway system and is sufficient (and practical) for most residential applications. It can be easily installed in almost any medium, under brick or stone pavers, newly poured concrete, or even hot asphalt. And Warmzone will design the system to best meet your snow melting requirements and budget. Heat the entire driveway or just heat two 24-inch tire tracks. Heated driveway systems can be easily customized to fit your needs.

A wall-mounted control box is the command center for the automated electric radiant heated driveway. It communicates with aerial or pavement-mounted snow switch that activates the system when it detects precipitation and the temperature reaches a set point (usually set at 38-39° Fahrenheit). Because it’s fully automated, there’s no switch to flip, or surfing the net for changing weather conditions. And if you want to get a jump on the weather, most systems include a manual timer for preheating areas before a large storm or melting a snow drift or ice that found its way to your driveway well after the storm hit.

Now that you understand just how an automated driveway snow melting system works, it’s easy to see the benefits. The initial purchase and installation of a heated driveway system more than pays for itself when you consider the fees associated with professional snow removal services. A radiant heated driveway operates for just pennies on the dollar, and is activated before one snowflake ever hits pavement. With a snow removal service, you’re facing much longer wait times, and years of seasonal fees that can be quite large.

So perhaps you’re a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-start-shoveling or snow blowing type. Depending on how deep the snow is, you’re also facing minutes to hours of shoveling or pushing a gas-spewing, noisy snow blower around, plus the risk of serious injury, depending on your age and physical condition. Using salt and other harsh snow melting chemicals destroys the surrounding vegetation, but radiant heat eliminates the need (and cost) of chemicals. Heated driveways can save you money and time. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend the time saved inside with a newspaper and your favorite hot beverage watching the snowfall instead?

The price of an electric radiant heated driveway, along with the ease of installation and low operational costs make it the perfect choice for a homeowner on a budget. But don’t just take my word for it. To learn more about radiant heated driveways, visit www.warmzone.com or call a sales representative to assist you find what best suits your snow melting needs at 888.488.9276.

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.

Articles

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)

HOTNEWS

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).

Articles

A Heated Driveway is a Wise Investment

Make Every Dollar Count with Radiant Heated Driveways

You might be like many of us and are afraid to even say the word recession. If we say it then we’ll have to admit it’s really here and our spending choices have to be even more prudent. Economic downturns such as the one we find ourselves elbow deep in, dictate wiser, well-researched and more cost-effective purchases. The weak dollar and tighter credit allowances no longer allow the penny-pinching consumer the luxury of frivolous spending sprees. Each purchase needs to count and provide an investment for the future.

A cost-effective investment and smart way to add value to your home is by installing a heated driveway (radiant snow melting system). Once installed, an affordable radiant heated driveway provides low operation costs in the long run, helping you lower your bottom line on home expenses. A heated driveway with an area of 300 square feet operates for under 50-cents per continuous hour of operation. Snow melting generally only takes a few hours to clear your driveway when a storm hits.

Driveway heating is an investment that has demonstrated and visible results. Not only does it allow you some free time with your family – not to mention saving your back from shoveling duties – but it is a proven way to protect the life of grass and surrounding vegetation by eliminating the use of salt and harsh snow melting chemicals. It also extends the life of your driveway by defending it from chemicals and other traditional abrasive snow removal methods.

Radiant heated driveways are fully automated so you can stay inside where it’s warm and count the dollars you are saving as you watch the snow fall. An automatic snow sensor signals the snowmelt system’s controller when precipitation is detected and temperatures are below 39° Fahrenheit. The controller then sends power to the embedded heat cable, rapidly warming the driveway and keeping it clear of snow and ice. The system shuts off automatically after the storm. Electric radiant snow melting systems have an extremely fast response time, operate silently, and are maintenance free – and there are several options to choose from when considering a radiant snow melting system. There’s really no better, or easier way to keep your driveway clear of snow and ice during the winter than with a radiant heated snow melting system.

So, instead of shoveling for hours after a Nor’easter or powerful lake effect storm, you can spend time relaxing inside with your family. The peace of mind that comes with making a smart purchase is invaluable right now. We are all looking for ways to ride out this (shhh, whisper) recession and worrisome economic climate, but you can still enjoy some of the finer things in life, and invest in wise products.