RetroRoof De-icing System Estimate Guide
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RetroRoof De-icing Panels Data Sheet
It Works Perfectly!
Dear Warmzone,
Location: Pennsylvania
Solution: ClearZone Heated Driveway
We have had your Warmzone snow melting system in our driveway for three years. It works completely as advertised.
Because of the steepness of my driveway, it has certainly been a game changer for us. We have no problems getting in or out. The system works perfectly. Feel free to use my recommendation anytime and I am available to answer anyone’s questions.
Robert W.
Self-Regulating Roof Deicing Systems
The Industry’s Most Trusted Roof Heating Solutions
It’s that time of year again. Ice and snow are causing hazardous conditions everywhere, including our homes and businesses. One area of your home you may forget about this winter is your roof. As important as it is, the roof is often an overlooked area during the winter, and not maintaining it can lead to costly repairs. From broken gutters and downspouts to water damage from leaks that can cause mold and mildew, a damaged roof can make your winter season frustrating, cold, and expensive.
An efficient roof deicing system is a great long-term investment in maintenance and safety for any home or business owner, especially when coupled with industry leading customer service and professional system design services provided by Warmzone. Warmzone offers state-of-the-art roof heating systems, including industry leading RoofHeat trace cable and low-voltage RoofHeat STEP to meet the needs of any project.
Warmzone’s roof deicing systems are easy to use and easy to install. These systems have three components: A heating element, a power unit, and an activation device.
RoofHeat self-regulating heat trace cable is an affordable, easy-to-use roof deicing option that is typically installed in gutters, downspouts, or along the roof eaves to help prevent ice dams and icicles from forming. Installation is simple. Determine the length of cable needed and then install it in the gutters and downspouts, and/or attach to the shingles with roof clips.
The self-regulating cable features an irradiated conductive core that increases the heat output as the outside temperature falls and decreases the heat output as the temperature rises. This unique construction makes it durable, safe, and extremely energy efficient.
RoofHeat STEP heating elements feature thin polymer that can be rolled out and cut on site, and even stapled or nailed through when installed under the roof shingles. Each power unit for the low-voltage heating element is connected to control specific areas of your deicing system and monitor the heating elements’ output. These units step down high voltage to low voltage (60 V or less) to safely and efficiently melt snow and ice.
The final component of the low-voltage system is the activation device. While several activation device options are available, Warmzone recommends its state-of-the-art RoofHeat STEP Touch Thermostat. The Touch thermostat works by using a remote sensor to determine temperature to activate the system when it is needed. This activation device is low-profile and features an auto-dimming LED display that interfaces with the outdoor sensor. The user-friendly controller makes operation of your system a cinch. Like the RoofHeat trace cable, the RoofHeat STEP heating element is also self-regulating. This function allows the system to operate safely and at peak performance.
With superior performance and state-of-the-art components, an advanced roof deicing system from Warmzone offers many benefits for your home or business. The first and most obvious is that maintaining your roof prevents costly water or structural damage to your home or business. Heavy snow and ice dams can build in chronic trouble spots on your roof; such as a north-facing valley or roof edge, and block the water from draining properly. This can lead to a compromised roof that leaks, causing damage from your ceiling to your floor, and may lead to mold and mildew growth inside the home.
Maintaining your roof also increases the safety of your home and business. With a RoofHeat system there will be no more worrying about heavy icicles falling and injuring people or creating extra ice on the sidewalk that may lead to falls and severe injuries. Another great benefit of a roof deicing system is the maintenance-free nature of the system. Once installed, the systems don’t require any regular maintenance, so aside from the operation costs, there are no other yearly expenses associated with having a system.
When it comes to operating costs, Warmzone’s self-regulating systems operate extremely efficiently, resulting in low operation cost. While utility prices may vary depending on your location, on average a 300 square foot roof costs around $.35 an hour to operate, making them affordable for any consumer. The automated operation of Warmzone’s RoofHeat STEP and RoofHeat trace cable systems also allows for minimum operation time, decreasing your operating costs. In fact, Warmzone’s heat trace cable system can run up to 30 percent less than other radiant deicing systems, making it a safe, efficient, low-cost choice.
One of the biggest benefits of a RoofHeat deicing system is the versatility. You can install each system on its own, or if you have a tricky area that needs special consideration, you can use both RoofHeat trace cable and RoofHeat STEP elements. When purchasing a top-of-the-line system from Warmzone, you also receive industry leading customer service to help you pick the RoofHeat products that best fit the needs of your project. Warmzone has design specialists to help you every step of the way, assuring your system is perfect for your home or business, as well as free installation training and support.
Still have questions about RoofHeat systems? Contact a Warmzone customer service specialist at 888.488.9276, or check out warmzone.com’s roof deicing pages for information on products and installation today!
Warmzone to Attend the 2019 Deseret News Home Show
Salt Lake City, Utah (PR WEB) October 10, 2019 – Warmzone, a leading radiant heat provider offering one of the industry’s largest selections of interior and exterior radiant heat solutions will be attending the Deseret News Home Show, October 11-13, 2019 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. The show, one of the largest of its kind in Utah, features a wide variety of exhibitors, as well as special show features, including celebrities and speakers, with design and kitchen stage schedules.
Warmzone will be presenting its industry leading snow melting, floor heating and roof deicing systems (booth #1235), as well as its line of home amenities. Popular home amenities include Warmzone’s ClearMirror series of fog-free bathroom and vanity mirrors with LED lights, FeelsWarm® countertop heaters and a variety of electric panel and baseboard heaters.
The Deseret News Home Show is one of the largest of its kind in Utah, and features a wide variety of exhibitors and special show features, including celebrities and informative presentations. The design and kitchen stage schedules are available at https://deseretnewshomeshow.com/.
Visit us online at www.warmzone.com.
Heated Driveway During Snowstorm
Warmzone Countertop Heaters with FeelsWarm® Technology
Warmzone Countertop Heaters with FeelsWarm Technology – Installation Guide
Download the Countertop Heaters Installation Manual (PDF)
April HotNews Newsletter – When to Install Radiant Heat
The Ideal Time to Install Radiant Heat
Even though spring is just rubbing its eyes and beginning to stir, this is actually a great time to prepare for the next winter by installing a radiant heat system. Early bird discounts may apply to self-regulating roof deicing systems as well as ClearZone snow melting systems.
Installing a heated driveway or snow melting system in early spring puts you at a distinct advantage versus installing one later in the year. During the summer “construction season”, contractors are often unable to complete all of their projects. So, when fall comes, builders compete to purchase the necessary products to complete as many projects as possible – and the availability of dependable contractors may be limited. However, finding a contractor before the fall rush allows you to take your time interviewing and selecting the professional you deem best for your project.
In terms of finding the best installer for your radiant heat system, Warmzone also keeps track of experienced installers who have installed radiant heat systems successfully. And keep in mind, radiant heat applications are extremely flexible and adaptable, offering homeowners many options to achieve their goals, so don’t be fooled by expensive quotes with limited options.
Whether you’re pouring new concrete or repairing existing pavement, radiant heat installation is an excellent home investment that not only preserves and protects your property, but also helps to prevent slip and fall accidents, as well as injuries from shoveling. Snow melting systems can also save you the time, and eliminates the added expense of hiring a snow removal professional to plow your driveway. With radiant heated driveways and walkways, you get fully automated snow removal, and the opportunity to experience dry pavement all year round. And the fully automated systems operate silently on renewable energy.
In addition to providing industry leading snow melting, roof deicing and floor heating solutions, Warmzone’s customer services are unmatched. Each and every radiant heat solution you purchase from Warmzone comes with a professional consultation, including an AutoCAD system design, so you’ll know the proper layout and materials, proper load calculations, breaker sizes, number of breakers, and performance expectations for your project prior to installation.
Free installation training courses are also provided by Warmzone. These services are second to none in the industry, and are included for each Warmzone customer. For more information about radiant heat systems, contact a friendly expert today at 888.488.9276.
Pre-Installation Checklist
Radiant Heat Experts Offer Key Advise and Tips on What NOT to do When Installing Radiant Heat
Radiant heat systems work. It’s a proven technology that produces impressive results. But like most technology related products, if a radiant heat system isn’t installed correctly, the results can be equally disappointing. Installing a radiant heat system is not difficult, but it does need to be done properly. You can buy the best snow melting system components on the market, but unless they’re installed correctly, you won’t see the results you’re expecting.
Recently named “Vendor of the Year” by the National Association of Custom Home Builders, Warmzone is a proven and trusted industry-leading provider of radiant heated driveways, heated floors and roof deicing systems. The company achieved its position by not only offering superior products, but by including the industry’s most comprehensive customer support services, including free installation training, technical support, and system design. These unparalleled services distinguish Warmzone from the competition, and have set the gold standard for all radiant heat providers.
“Our products not only work, but they’re among the industry’s best,” stated Bryan Morris, Director of National Sales for Warmzone. “But unless installers follow a few simple guidelines and install these systems correctly, the quality of the materials will make little difference.”
Some of the most common installation mistakes include:
- IMPROPER CABLE SPACING. Too often, installers neglect to follow the cable spacing rules: Keep the cable at a minimum spacing of 2 inches and a maximum of 4 inches (center-to-center). Make sure the cable in adjacent mats is at least 2 inches apart.
- IMPROPER CABLE DEPTH. In concrete applications, many times installers allow the heat cable to rest on the dirt prior to the concrete pour. (Invest in Mesh-Ups. These plastic support ‘chairs’ are extremely affordable, and they can make all the difference in the world between a successful and an unsuccessful installation.) Mesh-Ups elevate the re-mesh (and heat cable) so that it is not resting on the ground when the concrete is poured. It’s a simple, affordable solution to prevent poor snow melting system performance, not to mention unhappy customers.
- NEGLECTED WARRANTY CARD. Too many installers forget to fill out the warranty card and mail it to the manufacturer. Don’t let this happen.
- FORGETTING TO TEST THE CABLE. Too many installers forget to test the cable during all phases of the installation. Start by testing the cable out of the box and then throughout the installation.
- COMPROMISED HEAT CABLE. Maintain the cable integrity by never cutting the cable, and take extreme caution when using shovels and rakes during concrete pours.
One way to limit mistakes during an installation is not only to avoid the above errors, but to follow the handy checklist below, put together by Warmzone’s experienced support staff:
PRE-INSTALLATION CHECKLIST
Before buying and installing a radiant heat system, review the checklist below.
- Verify the correct voltage of your home or business (220/240 or 110/120).
- Verify the available amperage. Don’t guess or assume. You’ll need to be certain, so we recommend having an electrician come to your location to measure the amperage.
- Do your homework before hiring an electrician. Let’s face it, not everyone is competent or ethical. Preferably, find one who has been in business for several years. Ask around and talk with those who have personal experience with electricians.
- Keep in mind that the National Electric Code (NEC) requires that the system has 30mA GFEP (30mA trip protection).
- Make sure the installer has completed Warmzone’s free installation training course.
After installing your radiant heat system, fill out and mail your warranty card.
Perhaps the most overlooked tip – and one that can eliminate installation mistakes and unhappy customers – is to take advantage of the free training! Call 801.948.7577 or 888.488.9276 to sign up or learn more.
Part II: Stories from the Support Desk
Learn From Your Mistakes
Installation Support Experts Reveal Some Unfortunate Installer Mistakes
While most mistakes can be remedied, it is – of course – much easier to simply do the job right the first time. Here are some stories of past installation blunders that could have easily been avoided:
Installation #1: DON’T CUT THE CORD!
“Instead of starting the cable installation as close as possible to the electrical source, one installer began running the cable from the terminated end. After laying out the cable, he discovered that he had about 60 extra feet of heat cable – including the splice to the cold lead. He cut the excess cable and then ran the heat cable (from the terminated end) directly into the ETO2 control unit!
Needless to say, this presented a significant fire hazard, not to mention that the entire system was now inoperable. This disaster could have been easily prevented with a few minutes of consulting with one of our support staff, or by completing one of our installation training courses.”
Installation #2: SPACED OUT
“Many installation problems are a result of improper spacing of the heat cable. And while mats come with the cable pre-spaced, the adjacent mats still must be spaced no less than 2 inches apart. The photo below shows how one installer laid out the cable and then applied the concrete pour. Instead of cutting the white binding tape to make turns with the mats, the cable was simply ‘serpentined’ all across the driveway; overlapping and bunching up and so on.
Again, this could have been avoided by making a simple call to Warmzone, viewing one of our installation videos online, or completing an installation training course. Instead, the concrete had to be dug up and the system replaced. Don’t have time to take the 45-minute installation training course? Think again.”
“Mistakes like these shouldn’t happen,” Morris emphasized. “Installers can complete a simple installation training course prior to installing the system, and they can always call a member of our support staff if they have any questions during the installation. If they do either of these things, then they’re likely to save themselves a lot of stress.”
Don’t Forget:
Test the heat cable during the installation and record the readings in the fields provided on the warranty card. After installing your radiant heat system, complete and mail your warranty card.
Double check your cable spacing. (Minimum spacing of 2 inches and a maximum spacing of 4 inches.)
Perhaps the tip that can most effectively eliminate installation mistakes and unhappy customers is this: Take advantage of the free training!
Installation Tips – Installing a Snow Melting System in Asphalt
Installation Tips for Installing Snow Melting Heat Cable in Asphalt (Quick Reference Guide – Article 1 in a Series of 3)
Remember to check the element resistance and the insulation resistance of the heating cable/mat at the recommended intervals:
- In the box: Write the values on the warranty card.
- After being laid out: Write the values on the warranty card.
- After being covered: Write the values on the warranty card.
- Record your readings in the installation manual.
- When laying out the cable, DO NOT allow heating cables to touch, cross, overlap or get bunched up. Minimum allowable spacing is 2 inches.
- Do NOT place asphalt that is higher in temperature than the cable’s maximum rated temperature on the heating cables.
- Heating cables should be securely fastened so they do not move or shift during the embedment process.
- Do NOT use a track application machine on the asphalt. Rubber tire applicators are okay as long as the asphalt temperature is below the maximum rated temperature for the heating cables.
- The operating weight of the asphalt roller should not exceed 1,000 pounds. (The heat cable is designed to handle 8.9kN before the insulation is damaged, which will cause the cable to fail.) NOTE: A walk-behind roller imparts a force of between 5-18 kN.
- Use a small power roller to compact asphalt over cable on sand, concrete, or ½-inch aggregate. A smaller roller will take more time, but decreases the chance of damaging the heating cable.
- A roller with 30 kN or less is allowable when heating cable is in concrete and the concrete is then covered is asphalt.
- When compacting/rolling on a grade, do not stop the roller. Stopping and resuming the roller may stretch and break the heat cable.
- Do NOT dump large quantities of asphalt on small sections of the heating cables. Doing this may cause damage to the cable because of excessive, focused heat. Ideally, the asphalt should be applied by hand.
- Do NOT cut or alter the heating cable. Mat tape may be cut, but the heating cable must never be cut.
- Embed all of the heating cable and the splice in the asphalt. Allow asphalt to cool to a temperature of approx 212°F (100°C) before applying directly over the cable and splice.
- Manually lay the asphalt and spread the material evenly around and over the heating cables.
- Heating cables are normally covered by 2-inches of asphalt. Leave a buffer of 4 to 6 inches of unheated asphalt around the edge of the heated area. This allows for adjustment of paving surface edges without damaging the heating cable.
- Handle heating cables carefully – use extreme care with tools such as shovels, rakes and wheel barrels to avoid damaging the cables.
- Verify cable integrity by checking resistance often during installation.
- It is important that the snow melting system be wired by a licensed, qualified electrician and in accordance with local laws, codes, regulations, and NEC guidelines.
- Ground sensors/cups should not be exposed to temperatures above 80°C (176°F).
- A perimeter of a maximum of 12 inches of asphalt should exist around the embedded cables. This allows for adjustment of the paving surface edge without damaging the heating cable.
* This list is intended as a general quick reference guide. It is NOT a substitution for proper training and following the installation manual. Always read and follow the installation manual. Web-based training is available on request.
For more information about installing heated driveways and snow melting systems, visit Warmzone’s Installation Overviews web page. Warmzone also provides a host of radiant heat installation videos online as well. Call us today for more information at 888.488.9276.