Tag Archives: Heated driveways

Radiant Heat News

Heated Driveways are Winning Battle Against Snow

Automatic Snow Melting – A Winning Solution

A snow shovel competing with an automatic snow melting system is like pitting a fly against a wind machine. The automatic snow melting system has proven snow melting capability on its side and the snow shovel, well, it just offers a lot of grief and aches and pains. When keeping score, the snow melting system wins every time. Snow doesn’t stand a chance against the advanced radiant heat cable technology. Snow melting systems are becoming more and more widespread because those keeping score at home can see clearly for themselves that heated driveways are winning the war on snow every time it falls from the sky.

The radiant heated driveway is a smart driveway. The snow melting cables radiate consistent warmth beneath the surface of your driveway to provide a snow-free environment every time. The snow still falls, we haven’t figured out a way around that yet, but it doesn’t stick on a warm surface. It quickly turns to water and evaporates on the next dry day with some sun. Snow doesn’t have a chance to accumulate because the minute it begins to fall the snow melting cables kick into gear thanks to the automatic sensors included in the radiant snowmelt systems. Chances are the automatic snow melting system is going to keep on winning, so you better get on the right team.

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Hydronic Heated Driveways vs. Electric Heated Driveways (Part I)

Heated Liquid or Electric Current (Of Water and Wires: Comparing the Systems)

If you’ve finally put down the shovel and decided to purchase a heated driveway system, will you be going hydronic or electric? If you’re newcomer to the concept of driveway heating, hydronic and electric are both popular, and extremely viable forms of driveway heat, and Warmzone has the expertise, and experience, to help determine which is best for you. What these systems share in common—four key components you should be familiar with before purchasing a heated driveway system:

  • Heating Element (Embedded in the driveway)
  • Snow Sensor
  • Power Controller Unit (Powers the heating elements)
  • Power Supply (Circuit breaker panel)

Of the components mentioned above, the heating element and the controller distinguish hydronic heated driveway systems from electric heated driveway systems.

Hydronic Heated Driveway Systems: Going with the Flow

The heating element for a hydronic system, as you may have guessed, involves water. Specifically, hydronic heated driveways use what is known as closed-loop tubing to heat the surface of the driveway. The tubing is generally made of a flexible (and quite durable) polymer or synthetic rubber to circulate a mixture of hot water and propylene glycol (antifreeze). The fluid is warmed to temperatures between 140 to 180 degrees F to deliver enough heat for snow melting.

A water heater or a boiler is the chief source of heat for a hydronic heated system, which can be powered by any energy source that satisfies the btu requirements, including natural gas, electricity, oil, wood, or even solar collectors. A circulating pump and supply and return manifolds, installed in an easily accessible location, transfer the water between the heat source and tubing.

Installing heating mats for electric heated driveway


Electric Heated Driveway Systems: Riding the Current

Unlike hydronic systems, electric heated driveway systems use hot wires to heat paved surfaces. These wires are surrounded by layers of insulation, copper grounding braid and a protective outer layer of PVC or polyolefin to form a flexible cable about ⅛ to ¼ inch in diameter. What’s great about the heat cable is the flexibility of the application. Cable is available on spools as well as pre-woven into mats, and can be customized (cut) to suit virtually any type of layout, including driveways, ramps, common walkways and sidewalks.

After being triggered by the snow sensor, the control unit then powers the heat cable to warm the driveway. To reduce the power demands (and operating costs), you can install cables in just the tire tracks of a driveway rather than the entire area. Warmzone offers several options and provides complete system design services to ensure that you receive the best system layout and products for your project.

Continued (Part II)

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Hydronic Heated Driveways vs. Electric Heated Driveways (Part II)

Comparing Electric Snow Melting Systems and Hydronic Systems                   (Read Part I)

Flow or current: What’s your Chi?

At this point you may have already drawn some conclusions about these systems. Here’s an “at-a-glance” comparison of both systems.

Comparison Overview: Hydronic Radiant Heat vs. Electric Radiant Heat

Hydronic Snow Melting System Electric Snow Melting System
Flexible power source options can lower operating costs. Only one power source. Circuit breakers may have to be updated to accommodate system.
Installation costs may be higher, especially if water heater or boiler is required. Easier installation. Also can be used in retrofit applications.
Higher maintenance. Propylene glycol fluid levels must be routinely checked. Low maintenance. Less moving parts and no fluid levels to check!
Requires heating of the water, resulting in a slower response time. Less warm-up time is required so the system response is faster.

Hydronic heat, depending on the heat source, can save you on operational costs. Hydronic cables or PEX tubing can be installed under a variety of mediums, including concrete, asphalt, stone pavers, etc. Successful operation of a hydronic heating

system depends on proper tubing spacing and layout. Tubes are usually laid out in a spiral or serpentine pattern for even heat distribution, making initial installation a bit more challenging than that posed by electric heated systems.

Warmzone’s expertise with hydronic heat systems is an invaluable resource, particularly if you choose to go with a hydronic heated driveway. However, with the complexity of hydronic heat installation comes a large price tag, especially if a hot water heater or boiler is required.

Heated driveway

   Electric heated driveway system in concrete.

ClearZone electric heated driveway systems are generally more efficient than hydronic systems. Electric cables heat up instantaneously, whereas water within hydronic cables must be heated up before the snow begins to melt. Installation of electric systems is fairly simple for the “do-it-yourselfer”, and heat cable is also available pre-spaced and woven into mats, which can be easily rolled out to heat tire tracks or an entire driveway. This flexibility is invaluable in retrofit applications, where hydronic system installation is more evasive, and as you would imagine, costly.

Hydronic systems may offer a lower operating cost than electric systems because they can run using the cheapest power source, such as natural gas, coal, propane, etc. Hydronic snow melting systems are a reliable means for heating driveways and parking areas, but the “current” trend seems to be swinging to electric radiant heated driveways. The systems are easy to install, heat instantaneously and there is no maintenance or upkeep required to assure top performance. Installation options are numerous, whether you choose to heat your entire driveway, or roll out heating cable tracks to heat just where your tires hit pavement.

Warmzone’s ClearZone heating cables are built specifically for heating driveways, sidewalks and other common areas to melt snow and ice in the worst of conditions. Extremely efficient and virtually maintenance free, they have become the Warmzone customer’s method of choice for snow melting. Warmzone has a variety of products and the expertise to install or retrofit your existing driveway with a realistic electric radiant heated driveway solution that’s equally energy efficient and cost effective, so you can put down your shovel, for good!

HOTNEWS

Of Water and Wires: Hydronic Heated Driveways vs. Electric Heated Driveways

‘Ride the Current’ or ‘Go With the Flow’?

If you’ve finally put down the shovel and decided to purchase a heated driveway system, will you be going hydronic or electric? If you’re a newcomer to the concept of driveway heating, hydronic and electric are both popular, and extremely viable forms of driveway heat, and Warmzone has the expertise, and experience, to help determine which is best for you. What these systems share in common—four key components you should be familiar with before purchasing a heated driveway system:

  • The Heating Element (Embedded in the driveway)
  • Snow Sensor
  • Power Controller Unit (Powers the heating elements on and off)
  • Power Supply (Circuit breaker panel)

Of the components mentioned above, the heating element and the control source distinguish hydronic heated driveway systems from electric heated driveway systems.

Hydronic Heated Driveway Systems: Going with the Flow
The heating element for a hydronic snowmelt system, as you may have guessed, involves water. Specifically, hydronic heated driveways use what is known as closed-loop tubing to heat the surface of the driveway. The tubing is generally made of a flexible (and quite durable) polymer or synthetic rubber to circulate a mixture of hot water and propylene glycol (antifreeze). The fluid is warmed to temperatures between 140 to 180 degrees F to deliver enough heat for snow melting.

Heated driveway with brick pavers

A water heater or a boiler is the chief source of heat for a hydronic driveway heating system, which can be powered by any energy source that satisfies the btu requirements, including natural gas, electricity, oil, wood, or even solar collectors. A circulating pump and supply and return manifolds, installed in an easily accessible location, transfer the water between the heat source and tubing.

Electric Heated Driveway Systems: Riding the Current
Unlike hydronic systems, electric heated driveway systems use hot wires to heat paved surfaces. These wires are surrounded by layers of insulation, copper grounding braid and a protective outer layer of PVC or polyolefin to form a flexible cable about ⅛ to ¼ inch in diameter. What’s great about the heat cables is the flexibility of the application. Cable is available on spools as well as pre-spaced and woven into mats, and can be customized (cut) to suit virtually any type of layout, including odd-shaped driveways, common walkways and sidewalks, etc.

After being triggered by the snow sensor, the control unit then powers the heat cable to warm the driveway. To reduce the power demands (and operating costs), you can install cables in just the tire tracks of a driveway rather than the entire area. Warmzone provides complete system design services to ensure that you receive the best system layout and products for your project.

Radiant Heat for Custom Applications

Finding a Radiant Heating Solution as Unique as You Are
As temperatures plummet and heat bills skyrocket, consumers everywhere are turning to radiant heating systems. As the most affordable and customizable option out there, radiant heating is quickly making a name for itself as a titan in the heating market.

So radiant heating is the latest and greatest, but what exactly is so great about it and what can it do for you? One word: customization.

When it comes to radiant heating, the possibilities are endless. Warmzone can design a radiant heating system completely customized for your home and lifestyle, and it’s as easy as one, two, three!

Choose
The first step of your radiant heating revolution is studying the available options and talking with a radiant heat expert to help determine the best radiant heat system for your needs.

Indoor Radiant Heating
Radiant heating can be installed under just about any surface, including tile, carpet, wood, etc. Put it in your bathroom, your kitchen, your living room—anywhere you need heat. Each room, or zone, can be controlled with its own thermostat. giving you great flexibility along with outstanding efficiency. Radiant floor heating is an affordable way to keep your house perfectly warm without racking up the electricity bill.

Outdoor Radiant Heating
You can also enjoy the benefits of radiant heating outdoors. Exterior snow melting systems keep your property safe by preventing pesky snow and ice buildup. There are several outdoor radiant heating products and options, including heated driveways, sidewalks, roof heating, pipe tracing, and portable heating mats; all of which will make your life a little easier in the harsh winter months.

Design
We realize that your radiant heating system isn’t the same as the next customer’s, so we’ll work with you to come up with a radiant heating system tailor-made to your needs.

Example of a Warmzone floor heating AutoCAD

Once we assess your project’s requirements, our team will design a custom radiant heat solution with an AutoCAD of your system, complete with all the technical specs you need so you know all the details prior to any installation taking place.

Enjoy
With radiant heating, your only job is to sit back, relax, and enjoy your custom radiant heating solution. Let your heated floors warm your home evenly and efficiently. Sit back and watch from the warmth of your living room as your radiant heated driveway does the shoveling for you. And sleep in peace knowing that your gutters and pipes are safe from nasty and potentially devastating snow and ice buildup.

Why settle for an out of the box heating solution? Let us help you customize a radiant heating system that meets your needs, fits your budget, and keeps you and your family warm and safe.

Radiant Heat News

Just Say NO to Snow with Radiant Heated Driveways

Heated Driveways Will Make You Say YES to Snow

Radiant heated driveways are an aching back’s dream come true and allow you to just say “no” to snow. Face it, each and every time a new snow storm hits you utter words that you wouldn’t say in front of your religious leaders. Each flake that lands on an unheated driveway is another thorn in your side, another creak in your back and a kink in your neck.

Heated driveway

Homeowners watch in dismay as the skies open up and dump white harmless looking bits of snow crystals on their sidewalks and driveways. Shovels and snow blowers are taxed and so are backs, necks, and arms. Many people just want a way to say “no thanks” to snowy days and back-breaking efforts to clear their property.

Heated driveways are the latest rage now and with great reason. Installing a radiant heated driveway saves time and money for every homeowner smart enough to add it to their property.  Home values raise, winter blues decrease, and screaming body parts silence in homes that offer the perk of a radiant snow melting system. Check out the many affordable snow melting options from Warmzone. You might be surprised to discover that a heated driveway system is a realistic possibility for you.

So, if you are ready to stop cursing Mother Nature, then perhaps a radiant snow melting system is for you. Winter doesn’t have to be the enemy, you could be saying YES, YES, YES to snow once you don’t have to clear it from your driveway.

Radiant Heat News

Radiant Heat – Get it, Got it, Good

Get in on Heated Driveways While the Getting is Good

Sure, you don’t want to be a sheep and just follow the crowd, twisting with the fads and turning tides of consumer whims…but some fads turn into life-long investments that can benefit you and your home value. If you ask me (and I know I’m being presumptuous to think you would since we’ve probably never met, but just hear me out) some home improvement investments can actually increase your property value. Want an example of getting while the getting is good? Take the idea of a heated driveway for starters.

Heated driveway in concrete

Think of luxurious winter months spent inside sipping a warm drink or playing games with your kids while your poor neighbors fire up the snow blowers or crank out the shovels. These neighbors clearly didn’t get a radiant snow melting system while the getting was good. Believe it or not spring and summer are the best months to say to yourself “heated driveway…get it, got it, good.” You’ll save money and you’ll be ready super early for the next onslaught of snow, which we hope is many moons away. Still, it helps to think about a ClearZone heated driveway now when the off season has the best deals to offer. Think of it like standing in the holiday isles after the holiday. Plenty of deals to be had, plenty of ways to say get it, got it, good. Do the same for a heated driveway and you’ll be glad you got while the getting was good.

Radiant Heat News

How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck in a Pile of Snow?

Could the Woodchuck Chuck More Snow than ClearZone Heat Cable?

Sure, it will probably never happen, but it is kind of fun to think about. Picture a beefed-up, squirrely little woodchuck taking on a snow storm versus the melting power of ClearZone heat cables. His furry little arms would be fast and furious tiny windmills as they scooped at the endless mounds of snow surrounding him. All the while the ClearZone heat cable would use the smart principles of radiant heat to work far less with far better snow melting results. The poor little woodchuck would perspire, breathe heavy, and wear out faster than a hippo running a marathon. Yet the ClearZone heat cable would sit calmly beneath the surface working silently to melt the snow above.

Maybe this scenario is proof that winter has been too long for me and my mind has started to wander to far off places because of the snow blindness and cabin fever. However, crazy or not, the idea of anything or anyone or any animal (poor little woodchuck) beating out the power of an automatic snow melting system when it comes to snow removal is frivolous. The snow melting systems that utilize ClearZone heat cables allow you, the user (or the woodchuck if he gets a good job to pay for it) to enjoy winter without the hassle of constant snow removal. It would give you and that wood chucking varmint a much needed rest.

HOTNEWS

Back on Track with a Heated Driveway

Heated Driveway System in Illinois Paves the Way to Big Savings for one Warmzone Customer

When a Warmzone customer in rural Illinois found he did not have the resources to heat his entire driveway as originally planned, Sales Manager, Bryan Morris, offered a reasonable alternative. “Tire tracks were a great option in this scenario,” he explained, “because you can still get a heated portion that allows you to drive in and out, without breaking the bank. After consulting with the customer and our design team, we laid out the options (verbally and with drawings) before deciding on a more cost-effective, two-track heated driveway solution. Ultimately, heating two tire tracks (500 sq.ft.), as opposed to heating the entire 1,250 sq.ft. driveway, resulted in a $3,900 cost savings.”

Retrofitting asphalt driveway with heated tire tracks-1      Retrofitting asphalt driveway with heated tire tracks-2

Another consideration was the lack of available power. “To heat an entire driveway would have required a large number of amps from the home’s electrical power panel,” Morris stated. “Most homes only have a 200 amp panel, yet it takes approximately 180 breaker amps per 1,000 square feet to heat an entire driveway.”

The two-track radiant heated driveway system required installation of four Warmzone ClearZone snow melting mats, a 200-amp Warmzone electrical timer panel, an aerial mounted moisture/temperature snow sensor, a remote manual control unit and an NEC marker plate. Tire tracks were easily installed by rolling out the mats like sleeping bags. A protective asphalt layer was then raked over the tire track mats (photo 2) before the final surface coat was applied. “We use an asphalt machine that straddles the heating element to prevent damaging the heat cable,” offered Morris.

Asphalt driveway being retrofitted with heated tire tracks - 3      Heated asphalt driveway retrofitted with heated tire tracks.

The great news is that you don’t have to pour a new driveway to benefit from a heated driveway. Warmzone can customize your system to fit your needs and budget. “On this project,” said Morris, “the customer was paving the whole driveway anyway. Some customers pick other install methods, such as saw cutting, to achieve their goals.”

Saw cutting is cutting grooves or paths and inserting the heat cable in areas where heat is desired. With certain driveway heating systems, it is also possible to pave over the mats and create the appearance of a seamless transaction. “You can cut out the area you want to heat and then pave only that area,” Morris added. ClearZone is used under cement, asphalt and pavers on a regular basis.

Flexible options make heated driveway solutions a very popular equity booster for homeowners, and are becoming a popular home improvement option. “On average,” Morris stated, “the overall materials (cable, electrical and auto sensors) cost $6.00 per sq.ft. for 1,000 sq. ft., and the operating cost per 5-hour storm is $18.00, or $3-4 per hour depending on the state the heated driveway system is installed in and the power company’s cost per kilowatt hour.”

While the initial cost of installing a radiant heated driveway system may seem a bit daunting, the benefits of driveway heating are well worth the initial investment, the most obvious being convenience. Heated driveways don’t require shoveling, harmful salt and chemical applications or expensive snow removal services. Instead, driveway heating systems provide a safe, thorough snow removal solution with curb appeal, solving snow  removal challenges posed by problematic driveways, steps, and other heavy traffic areas.

Heated driveway systems are fully automated, so they will automatically turn on or off when needed. “If it snows at 3 a.m.,” Morris smiled, “our customer will wake up to a clear driveway. He now has a reliable, efficient snow removal solution.”

Project Spotlight – Colorado Homeowners Install Solar Powered Radiant Floor Heating System

When two Colorado homeowners decided to build a new home from the ground up, they had two main objectives in mind. They wanted a home just for them and they wanted to be as eco-friendly as possible. One of the components they chose in their new construction was to install radiant floor heating through the 1600 square feet downstairs and 900 square feet upstairs.

After doing some research and finding Warmzone online they were pleased with the many options available for various applications and the customer support offered during the entire process.

These Rocky Mountain homeowners had several great reasons for wanting to go the radiant heat route. A major consideration was allergies and how forced air systems exacerbate this condition. Cost was another concern, as was the noise of a running furnace and the desire for a comfortable, even-air temperature throughout the home. Many customers are finding their way to radiant floor heating for some of the same well thought-out reasons.

Installing radiant floor heating cable

In order to accommodate the necessary electricity needs for a radiant floor, they installed 28 solar panels to meet the demand of the electric heat. This means they are using electricity solely produced by them, helping to keep costs down and mother earth smiling.

This project called for ComfortTile heat cables and a low-voltage floor heating system laid under a variety of flooring throughout the home. The Colorado couple chose tile, wood laminate, and carpet in various parts of the home. The radiant flooring systems were chosen because of their particular capabilities and installed throughout different zones. Warmzone provided the design layouts and helped walk them through the entire process.

When asked about the benefits of using radiant floor heating, the homeowner produced a long list, including evenly spread heat through the whole house, toasty floors, noiseless heating system with easy-to-program thermostats, lack of dust, and no need to wear shoes indoors anymore.

Solar panels installed to power radiant floor heating system

Asked if they would recommend radiant floor heating to others Jane responded, “Definitely! Check out the different flooring options and applications and determine where you want the zoned heating.” Warmzone provides customers with a variety of options and helps you select the best solution for your home and budget.  Warmzone prices, product offerings and professional design services are among the best in the industry.

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Outdoor Radiant Heating Systems

Following the trends of the indoor heating market, where radiant heating systems have been used for decades, the great outdoors is warming up, too. Radiant heat warms the floor and any object in contact with the floor to distribute an even, no-draft heat. Outdoor settings like patios or pathways leading to a hot tub can now benefit from using a traditional hydronic radiant heating system or even more intriguing is the emerging trend of embedding electric heating cables to provide that desired surface temperature. Raising the surface above 38 degrees will conveniently remove any snow or ice and allow you to use your outdoor living areas more often.

Outdoor heating systems (snow melting systems) are more suited towards new construction since these electric heating cables are actually embedded in the concrete or placed in a sand bed directly under brick pavers. Ambitious do-it-yourselfers will have no problem laying out the cable and preparing them for a certified electrician to do the final hook-up. Outdoor heating systems have always been efficient in delivering heat; the problem has been shutting them off when the job of removing snow from a driveway or outdoor patio is complete.

Recent designs in aerial sensors and surface mounted sensors make these outdoor heating systems cost effective to operate. Automated sensors detect the combination of precipitation and cold temperatures and activate the outdoor heating systems during inclement weather conditions and then automatically turn off a few hours after the storm. Manual operation of these outdoor heating systems can also be used to spot heat your driveway or patio if additional heat is required.

Obviously, an outdoor heating system is not for everyone. Those who live in warm climates year round will not be well served. However, think of those residents in New York, Illinois and even Colorado and Utah with long steep driveways or exposed sidewalks. Even businesses are adopting outdoor heating systems to curb their liability to slips and falls. Sidewalks, entryways and even loading docks are benefiting from embedded heating systems as an effective way to remove pesky ice and snow hazards.

HOTNEWS

Snow and Ice Removal Made Easy

It’s that time of year to dig out the coats, snow boots and Halloween costumes again. But there is still time to decide how you want to spend your time this winter season. Are you going to be laboring with your snow shovel to keep your walks and driveways clear, or are you going to relax and let a heated driveway do all the work?

A driveway heating system may seem like a luxury you can’t afford, but Warmzone is making it easier than ever. Whether you want to heat an existing driveway or create a stylish new brick paver driveway, Warmzone offers the industry leading ClearZone snow melting cable to keep your driveway free of snow all winter long.

Radiant snow melting mats and cable

The ClearZone cables are ideal for melting snow in just about any outdoor area, including the growing trend for building outdoor living spaces for recreational and entertainment purposes. Past newsletters have highlighted outdoor living space projects, such as outdoor parlors, each of them using the ClearZone cables to ensure the ultimate in comfort, longevity and ease of use. An outdoor space is a great way to add value and comfort to your home, while still staying within your means.

ClearZone cables are made specifically to withstand the harshest construction applications and extreme weather conditions. Durable ClearZone snow melting cables can be embedded in concrete and asphalt, as well as under brick pavers.

Using concrete saw cutting technology, existing driveways, walkways, ramps and commercial areas can be easily retrofitted with a CZ snow melting system. Advancements in electric radiant snow melting systems have made these systems more energy efficient than ever (99 percent of power consumed goes to snow melting).

A ClearZone snow melting system is available in two different forms: cable on spools and pre-spaced in mats. The cable gives you added freedom when dealing with projects that involve odd shapes, or when installing a system into an existing concrete slab. The ClearZone snow melting mats are ideal for new projects because installation is quick and easy. Simply unroll the mat and continue standard install for concrete, asphalt and brick pavers.

Many snow melting systems on the market cannot withstand the harsh temperatures of new asphalt, and low-voltage systems do not pass the ASHRAE standard for snow melting systems. Warmzone offers the most comprehensive warranty on the market – 10 years and up to five times the cost of the original installation to repair any problems that may occur. Warmzone is a trusted manufacturer and provider of radiant heat solutions and has a worldwide reputation for making top quality radiant products.

Installing a snow melting system eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and snow removal devices, and will increase the life span of your driveway and the value of your home. Whether you’re looking to install a heated driveway or create a new, warm outdoor space, Warmzone can help you plan a system that keeps within your budget and provides a lifetime of benefits.

For more information about ClearZone heat cable and snow melting systems, visit www.warmzone.com, or call 888-488-9276 today.

Project Spotlight – Heated Driveway in Pennsylvania

is newsletter is all about getting ready for winter snow storms with outdoor snow melting systems, so it seems fitting for our Project Highlight to feature a residential heated driveway installed by one of our longtime customers and veteran contractor, Nathan Moyer, from Accent Radiant Heating. This heated driveway turned out so beautifully, we’ve even featured photos from the project on our website.

The Riley family home is located in Milford, Pennsylvania, in a rural neighborhood that receives icy precipitation all winter long. The 1300-square foot driveway required constant maintenance, which became a problem for the Riley’s, of whom suffer from back problems. The house sits on the top of a small hill, making their driveway incline at an approximate slope of 15 degrees. The incline and size of the driveway, combined with the physical challenges of shoveling the snow, made installation of a snowmelt system a necessity.

Snow melting heat cable laid out for asphalt heated driveway.

Prior to winter, the Riley’s gave Accent Radiant Heating a call to explore their options for snow removal systems. Because their existing driveway was built of asphalt, Nathan recommended laying the heating cables on top of the old asphalt. The ClearZone snow melting system was recommended because of its’ unique ability to withstand the high temperatures of the new asphalt.

Using the ClearZone mats snow melting system (with the cable rows pre-spaced and woven into a flexible mat), laying the cables for the driveway was simply a matter of unrolling and connecting four rows of CZ mats. Nathan installed the entire 1300 square feet of radiant cables in about three hours.

After the cables were installed, the new layer of asphalt was shoveled over the cables, using the standard steps for laying asphalt. The installation and wiring of the heating cables to the automatic sensor and control units took Nathan approximately five hours to complete.

Retrofitting asphalt driveway with radiant heat

The end result was a beautiful new asphalt driveway and automated snow melting system that added only one day of work to a standard asphalt driveway repave.

If you are in the Pennsylvania area and are looking for indoor and/or outdoor radiant heat systems, Accent Radiant Heating offers expertise and outstanding service. Contact Nathan Moyer at 267-312-5099 for more information.

If you are out of this area and are interested in learning more about a snowmelt system, contact a Warmzone representative today or call toll free at (888) 488-WARM (9276).

Our knowledgeable staff of radiant heat experts will help you with all your questions and put you in contact with a qualified installer in your area.