Tag Archives: Baseboard heating vs. Radiant heat

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Record Setting Storm Batters Baltimore

On January 22-23, Baltimore experienced the largest snowstorm on record. Snow totals reached 22-35 inches west, north, and northwest of the Beltway, and 18-24 inches inside the Beltway. Eleven eastern states declared a state of emergency in preparation of the impending blizzard, which affected approximately 103 million people and canceled more than 13,000 flights. Needless to say, the storm incapacitated much of the city, leaving commuters stranded and residents trapped. Even with Baltimore’s significant fleet of snowplows and snow removal vehicles, the city couldn’t keep up with massive storm.

Homeowners were essentially trapped in their neighborhoods and were hard pressed to comply with Baltimore County’s snow removal ordinances. According to Baltimore County Code of Ordinances “Roads, Bridges and Sidewalks, 18-3-107 Removal of Snow and Ice.”, sidewalks MUST be shoveled within 24 hours after a snow storm.

The morning after a massive winter storm.
The colossal storm of 2016 incapacitated several cities throughout the eastern United States.

Given the property owners’ responsibility for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice, Baltimore residents have been busy these past few winters. The recent record-setting winters have made it difficult for city snow plow drivers as well as homeowners to keep up with the demands of snow removal.

The storm of January of 2016 proved to be Baltimore’s fourth largest snowstorm in history, dumping 22.4 inches of snow on the city. And the storm left a wide path of icy destruction across several states. Much of the Eastern Seaboard experienced record breaking snowfall during the storm, as well as for the winter of 2015-2016. And weather experts expect more of the same for the next several upcoming winters.

Even seasoned Baltimore residents are taking winter preparation a little more seriously after the trend of “monster” storms blanketing the area in recent years. In addition to having a few extra supplies on hand, some Maryland residents are turning to automated radiant heat systems to deal with the white deluge.

Warmzone radiant snow melting systems are energy efficient and maintenance free. Not only do these systems eliminate the need for manual snow removal, but they have proven valuable to businesses by keeping entrances and parking areas safe and inviting for customers.

Electric snow melting systems are fully automated, so they operate only when needed. The systems include an advanced snow sensor that detects temperature and precipitation. When temperatures are below a set point (typically 39° Fahrenheit) it sends power to the embedded heat cable, warming the area and preventing snow accumulation.

As an industry leader, Warmzone snow melting systems feature trusted heat cable that is available off the spool or pre-spaced in mats that can be rolled out for easy installation. The heating mats are laid out and secured, and then the medium (concrete, pavers, or asphalt) is applied directly over the cable.

The proven ClearZone electric snowmelt system is commonly installed in both commercial and residential applications. From large heated driveways and parking areas to custom sized walkways, ramps and loading docks, ClearZone systems are versatile and can be easily customized.

Warmzone’s fully automated system includes the industry leading heat cable, activation device (snow sensor), contactor panel, and marker plate (as required by the NEC). These snowmelt systems are also maintenance free and relatively easy to install.

In addition to providing the highest quality radiant heating products, Warmzone also offers unmatched customer services. Each system is professionally designed, so you’ll know the exact layout and proper materials, load calculations, breaker sizes, number of breakers, and system performance expectations before any heat cable is installed.

Warmzone also includes valuable installation support services at no extra cost. The expert staff is available during your installation if you need. Should your installer have any questions during the installation, he/she can speak with one of our installation experts to resolve any issues. Free installation training is also available. When it comes to customer service, you’ll find that Warmzone is second to none.

Contact Warmzone today and learn more about the radiant heating options that are available. In addition to offering heated driveways and snow melting systems, Warmzone also offers premier roof deicing and floor heating systems. Call 888.488.9276 to learn more.

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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.