Monthly Archives: October 2012

Radiant Heat News

The Secret of Heated Driveways is Out

Driveway Heating is More Well Known Than Ever

If you were trying to keep your driveway heating all to yourselves, convinced that no one else deserved such a luxury, then you may be interested to hear that the heated driveway secret is out. More and more homeowners are catching on to the affordable, once thought of luxury of driveway heating. It is easier and more affordable than ever to lay radiant heat cables beneath your driveways and sidewalks.

Business owners are catching the wave of heat as well. The secret has spilled into their parking lots and loading docks and even showing up on school properties across the country as well. Radiant snow melting systems are a great way to keep property clear of snow. What was once a little known system has become a staple in winter-laden homes and businesses across the states. Heated driveways are efficient and require little power to access their heating power. The warmth keeps the snow from accumulating on the pavement and snow and ice danger is minimized with the flip of a switch. The automatic snow sensor keeps tabs on the temperature and snow fall so you never have to get up in the middle of the night to turn it on. The sensor detects those things for you and turns on and off when needed or not. Share the secret that is not so secret anymore with your friends and neighbors and tell everyone about driveway heating. They’ll love you for it.

HOTNEWS

Taking Snow Melting to the Radiant Degree

Warmzone’s Electrifying Dexterity in Outdoor Radiant Heating

Looking for the A to Z of radiant heating solutions, or somewhere in between? Warmzone offers a full menu of complete radiant heating solutions, and more importantly, they do it well. They have a vast portfolio of industry-leading products and services to choose from. And just like their interest in serving up top notch electric radiant heat and hydronic heating solutions, they take a vested interest in maintaining customer relationships for life. You won’t find better customer service. From your initial contact to your final installation, you’re more than a customer–you’re part of the Warmzone family. As a Warmzone insider, you can expect unbeatable customer service, free installation training, complete design and engineering services, along with installation support before, during and after your home improvement project is completed.

Heated driveway with brick pavers

How do Warmzone radiant snow melting solutions work to preserve the environment surrounding your home? Electric snowmelt systems utilize durable, highly efficient cable that distributes heat evenly across the surface of your driveway or sidewalk. The cable is rugged enough to be installed in new concrete pours, under pavers and even in harsh, high-temperature new asphalt construction projects, alleviating the need for shovels, snow removal services and snow melting chemicals—all of which can have devastating affects on the exterior of your home, from your lawn to your exterior landscaping. Warmzone ClearZone heating cable is the most popular driveway snow melting cable and features efficient, maintenance free operation and a 10-year manufacturer warranty.

Of course, no single radiant heating system is perfect for every type of job. What makes Warmzone more attractive than those “other” radiant heat providers? It’s their ability to match you with the best product for your project at the best price. Warmzone doesn’t partner with just one manufacturer. They carry a variety of top radiant heat solutions for just about any application, allowing them to deliver sincere, non-biased recommendations that best suit your project requirements. Warmzone’s experienced staff is well-versed in each and every one of the products available, and can get you matched up with the best product at a price you can live with.

From heated driveways, heated steps, portable snow melting, heated sidewalks, and heated roofs to gutter and downspout heating solutions, Warmzone’s definitely got you covered; and all these systems can easily be customized:

Radiant heated driveways: Warmzone’s ClearZone snow melting system can heat almost any size, shape and type of driveway. By the spool or with the help of pre-configured mats, ClearZone electric radiant heating cable can be installed under just about any surface (asphalt, pavers or a fresh concrete pour). Driveways can even be retrofitted with a ClearZone snow melting system.

Radiant roof heating and gutter trace systems: These best-in-class radiant heat systems prevent hazardous ice dams and icicles from forming on your roof. They eliminate prolonged ice damming and the severe effects of seepage through roof decking that can work its way inside your home, damaging ceilings, walls and floors, resulting in mold growth.

Portable snow melting: WarmTrax portable snow melting solutions, including portable heated traction mats and stair treads, are a great alternative to the permanency of embedded snow melting systems for heating outdoor walkways, ramps and stairs. Made of electrically operated heating elements sandwiched between two protective surfaces of non-slip rubber, WarmTrax heated traction mats are a popular, affordable and very versatile snow melting solution that serve a wide variety of uses.

    (End of Part I)

Warmzone’s Outdoor Radiant Heating (Part II)

Many of these snow melting products (and projects) are perfect for first-time do-it-yourselfers. If you’re ambitious enough to take on the project, Warmzone is right there to back you up. Not sure where to begin with your next radiant heat project? Warmzone professional designers will evaluate your radiant heating system thoroughly to create a detailed CAD of your system layout. You’ll know the electrical requirements, technical specifications and system performance expectations before one foot of heat cable is installed. You get all the details with minimal installation surprises to save you time, money, and in the end, the heartache of a radiant heat project gone wrong.

Heated driveway with brick pavers

It’s because of this flexibility—in the products, services and ongoing support Warmzone delivers—that gives them the edge in delivering superior radiant heat solutions for heated driveways, walkways, and roof deicing. Warmzone systems can be customized to meet the needs of virtually any area that requires snow and ice removal or ground thawing—for residential customers and contractors alike. And Warmzone’s reach extends throughout Northern America. Dennis S., a Warmzone customer in Calgary said this in regards to the performance of his electric radiant heated driveway, “This past weekend, we received over four inches of snow and temperatures of 15 degrees C – that’s like Green Bay cold.” Despite the ferociously cold temperatures, according to this happy customer, “the heated driveway did its job.” The driveway has also attracted a lot of attention. “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.”

Dennis is just one of many satisfied Warmzone customers able to realize the benefits of a radiant heated driveway. The biggest, of course, is the benefit of not having to worry about snow removal. No more back-breaking shoveling or wallet-breaking checks to the snow removal service. Because, after all, when you can operate the system for just pennies on the dollar without any effort at all, it just makes plain dollars and cents to install a radiant heated driveway. And what about those curious neighbors Dennis describes? It’s actually quite a boon to him if you think about the positive effects such talk might have on his home’s equity. In a word, radiant heat is an incredibly practical way to boost the equity in your home, while making your life easier. And the word is definitely getting around.

Ready to see how Warmzone can help you find the perfect fit in radiant heated snow melting solutions? Visit them online at www.warmzone.com or call 888.488.9276 for more information.

Testimonials

The Driveway Has Been Ice/Snow Free All Winter!

Location: Idaho

Solution: ClearZone Heated Driveway

Heated driveway during installation and after

This last summer, I installed the heating cables in my driveway.  I have a North facing home and the sloped driveway does not see the sun in the winter.  This combination creates a slippery condition all winter long.  I contracted out the concrete removal and pour.  With the help of some friends, neighbors and my wife, we were able to layout all three cables in one day.  One friend, helping install the cable, jokingly said “Your daughter won’t slip on ice now, but if she touches the ground she will get burned!”  The first snow fall this winter was the test and the heated driveway has been ice/snow free all winter!  The option to manually turn on the heat system has not been needed since the sensor works so well.  My wife and I are very pleased with the results and feel much safer walking out side during the winter now!

Thanks,

Dan S

Radiant Heat News

Quiet the Gentle Roar of Your Furnace

Radiant Floor Heating is Silent and Efficient

Forced air furnaces can be loud and inefficient and exacerbate allergies. People still use them and enjoy the heat they provide, but perhaps they don’t know there is a better way to heat your home. After reading this, you will be able to say that you now know about radiant floor heating and the silent, efficient ways it can heat your home. If you’ve ever wanted to quiet the gentle roar of your furnace, lower dust and cut energy costs; you might just find the answer to all those conundrums lies with radiant heated floors.

Dad and baby on heated floor

Radiant heated floors are efficient and affordable for all homeowners now. The heat cables generate radiant heat using minimal energy yet producing powerful heating output. The radiant heat warms objects in your room so the warmth permeates everything not just trying to force warm air over cold air. The heating cables are warmed beneath the surface of your floor using power, but are relatively sound free as they go about their heating business. People with radiant heated floors comment that they enjoy how silent the systems operates compared to a rushing, gushing furnace kicking out artificially heated air through inefficient ducts, often through poorly insulated parts of your home. Radiant floor heat offers silent, efficient, affordable heat.

Radiant Heat News

Roman Ruins Have Evidence of Heated Floors

Radiant heated floors are nothing new. There are Roman ruins that have radiant heating, proving that radiant heat stands the test of time. Newer products have such great technology that includes radiant heat cables that come with warranties that last longer and longer. Proving still that radiant heat is here to stay and will outlast the homes it heats. Radiant heated floors have long been prevalent and popular in Europe but are rapidly gaining use and popularity across the country. We’ve seen tremendous growth in radiant heated flooring.

A typical residential radiant heating system utilizes around 2,000 lineal feet of radiant heat cable. Industry sales have gone from 29.8 million lineal feet of cable in the early 90’s to more than 99 million in the late 90’s.* That is close to a 25 percent growth rate per year, which shows the gain in radiant heated flooring popularity. Some people are installing radiant heat throughout their homes; others prefer to use it in smaller areas like bathrooms or basement family rooms. Rooms with high ceilings are harder to heat so radiant floors are a good choice for these types of rooms as well. The Romans were on to something when they started using radiant heat and we still see benefits. As the technology as become perfected more and more modern day use is proving to be invaluable in home heating.

Articles

Making a Wise, Long Term Investment in Your Home

Prevent Costly Repairs – Explore the Many Options for Roof De-icing

If you’re like most folks, owning a home is the centerpiece of living the “American Dream”, but as every homeowner can attest, owning a home also means maintaining a home, which can seem like a full-time job without end. But there are smart home improvements and wise investments that not only help to reduce your maintenance chores, but can pay for themselves over the years and prevent the need for expensive repairs in the future.

Is your roof protecting your home the way it should? Investing in your roof can be one of the most important decisions you can make in safeguarding your home over the long haul. Your home’s roofing provides the front line of defense against the ravages of winter, and doing all you can to protect it and make its job a little easier makes good sense.

A mountain lodge in dire need of a roof de-icing system
A mountain lodge with a dangerously heavy slab of ice and snow weighing down the roof. Roof heating systems eliminate this type of danger and help to protect roofs.

In cold weather climates even the best of homes can fall victim to the persistent, destructive forces that patiently attack your roof every winter. Your roof serves as the barrier between your family and the ravages of Old Man Winter, but standing up to the determined forces of Mother Nature year after year is no easy task. For the most part, a well-constructed roof will repel the bulk of each icy annual offensive; however, after years of repeated assaults, winter may quietly string together a series of subtle victories that can eventually add up to threaten the integrity of the roof.

Water needs only to find and exploit one small weakness in your roof to inflict major damage. The water seepage from roof vulnerabilities, often caused by ice dams, can be like a Trojan Horse that infects your home and quietly wreaks havoc before you realize the extent of the damage.

Ice dams are one of the most common problems associated with roof and water damage. A ridge of ice forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining properly. The water backs up behind the dam where it freezes and melts again. The repeated process of water freezing and melting gradually wears down even some of the best constructed roofs, and eventually water exploits the smallest opportunity to seep inside and gain free reign of your home. It can inflict costly damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation that can get out of hand in a hurry. Before long, mold and mildew join in the fray. Despite the growing damage, there are usually no visible signs that the roof has been compromised.

Warmzone roof de-icing and gutter trace systems can eliminate ice dams and heavy ice buildup in gutters and downspouts. These radiant heating systems may well be your roof’s greatest ally, extending the life of your roof and preventing costly structural damages to your home.

There are several roof heating options that can be customized to meet your roofing needs as well as your budget. Warmzone deals only in top quality, proven systems at the best prices possible. Perhaps the service most appreciated by customers is Warmzone’s expert design services and radiant heat consulting. Simply call Warmzone to learn more and find out what options are available. You can also receive a free roof heating quote for your project. Call 888.488.9276 for more information.

Articles

Radiant Floor Heating in Chicago

Many homeowners in the Chicago area are installing radiant heated floors for use as their primary home heating source as well as in select rooms to supplement their existing home heating system. As many owners of radiant floor heating systems attest, nothing is finer than walking on a warm floor during a cold winter day. Radiant heated floors are also ideal for rooms where children spend a lot of time playing on the floor.

Warmzone offers a variety of electric radiant floor heating systems, as well as hydronic heated floors for homeowners in Chicago and the Midwest. And because Warmzone manufactures and carries the industry’s most trusted floor heating systems, our experts can evaluate your needs and determine the ideal system for heating your specific floor type. Our selection helps to ensure that you receive the most effective floor heating system for the unique layout and floor type of your home.

While there are some standout radiant floor heating systems, it is important to know that no single floor heating system is ideal for every type of flooring. That’s why it’s so critical to speak with a provider who can offer you a wide selection of reputable floor heating options without bias towards one system. Don’t be talked into purchasing a floor heating system simply because it’s the only system that the provider offers. Deal with an industry leader that can show you a wide selection of radiant floor heating solutions and explain the benefits and traits of each one.

Heating Tile Floors
The most proven system for heating tile floors is the ComfortTile floor heating system. ComfortTile features thin 1/8 to 3/16-inch diameter heat cable that is available on spools or pre-spaced on flexible fiberglass mesh backing with adhesive so it can be rolled out and then secured to the subfloor for easy installation. ComfortTile heat cable is also one of the most versatile floor heating systems.

ComfortTile heat cable can also be used in conjunction with the Prodeso underlayment membrane. The membrane is placed over the subfloor, and the thin heat cable is installed in the channels provided by the series of reliefs. The floor surface is then installed over the membrane and cable.

Heating Hardwood and Laminate Floors
Many homes in the Chicago area feature hardwood or laminate flooring. Warmzone offers several choices for heating hardwood and laminate, but the most popular solution is the low-voltage FloorHeat STEP system.

This unique floor heating system features a self-regulating, semi-conductive polyethylene heating element. Because the flexible heating element is so thin, it won’t affect the floor buildup, weight loads, or your choice of flooring.

Heated hardwood floor

The unique attributes of FloorHeat STEP make this versatile heating element a popular choice for heating roofs as well. RoofHeat STEP is one of the most trusted roof heating systems available. (Learn more about heating hardwood floors. and tips for Installing Heated Floors.

Heating Concrete Underfloor Slabs
The In-Slab radiant floor heating cable is designed for installation in new concrete slab applications. The heat cable is embedded at least ½-inch below the floor’s surface. In-Slab cable uses the concrete slab to efficiently store and distribute heat evenly throughout the intended area. The cable is affordable and can be installed to warm any type of flooring, including hardwood, carpet, tile, and more.

Heating Existing Floors
Warmzone also carries RetroHeat, a thin “film” heating element that can be stapled up between floor joists to heat existing floors. The paper-thin heating element can be cut on site and is then stapled up between the floor joists and common Batt insulation is then installed over the heating panel. This directs all the heat upwards to warm the existing floor.

These are just some of the choices Chicago residents have to heat their floors. Whether you’re looking to heat carpet, tile, marble, hardwood or any other type of floor, you won’t go wrong dealing with Warmzone.

In addition to Warmzone’s industry leading products, Warmzone provides unparalleled customer services, which include professional system design, free installation training courses, and personal installation support. Call a radiant heat expert today at 888.488.9276 to discuss your floor heating options.

Testimonials

Our Customer is Extremely Happy

Solution: ClearZone Snow Melting System

Warmzone did an awesome job with the installation of a heated driveway at our customers house. Nate is incredibly great to work with and we highly recommend you to all our clients. Our customer is extremely happy that he will not have to shovel his driveway this winter thanks to Warmzone.

SJM Tile and Masonry

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.