Tag Archives: Radiant floor heating

HOTNEWS

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.

Heated tire tracks in residential concrete heated driveway

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 all look for ways to ride out recessions and worrisome economic climates, but you can still enjoy some of the finer things in life by making wise investments in quality products.

Installing a Heated Tile Floor (Part II)

(NOTE: This article is intended only as a general guide for installing a heated floor. For detailed installation instructions, refer to your system’s installation manual. Warmzone also offers an abundance of radiant heat documentation, illustrations, and installation guides online for your convenience.)

If you are replacing your existing floor with a new, radiant heated tile floor, then naturally, step one is to tear out the old floor surface. (In many cases, you can actually install a heated floor over an existing tile surface, but that often presents problems with door clearances and what not, so for simplicity, we’ll stick to removing the old floor.) Once your old surface is removed, make sure you have no sharp objects protruding from the subfloor and clear the surface of all dirt and dust. Next, lay out your ComfortTile heating element.

Cutting mesh backing to make turns with CT mats

The ComfortTile heating mats feature heat cable that is pre-spaced and attached to an adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh that can be easily rolled out during installation. To make turns when laying out the floor heating mats, simply cut the mesh backing and turn the mat accordingly, (see photo). Never cut or damage the heat cable.

When installing the heat cable off the spool, the cable is secured to the floor using thin metal strips (cable straps) that are nailed or screwed to the floor. These straps have small tabs in them where the heat cable is placed. Simply bend the tab over the cable to secure it.

Thinset can be applied directly over heat cable

To install the floor sensor, cut a channel approximately 10 mm (¼-½-inch) deep and about an inch wide in the wall and about 3½ feet out into the subfloor. (This groove runs from the wall-mounted thermostat down to the heat cable in the floor.) Glue the flex pipe for the sensor into this channel and seal the end of the pipe with a piece of tape. Run the wire from the floor sensor up to the thermostat. (It is recommended to have a qualified electrician complete the floor heating system’s wiring.)

Once the cable and sensor are secured, you can install the tile. Using a large notched trowel, apply thinset directly over the heat cable. Another method is to pour a layer of self-leveling lightweight concrete over the heating mats. After that sets, simply apply the tile on the surface. This method is usually preferred among tile setters as it offers more protection for the heating cables when you are installing the tile.

We live in an age of available information for do it yourself people. Imagine the difference you can make in transforming that cold floor into one of extreme comfort. A small radiant heated floor project could be done in a day or two, but the comfort will last a lifetime.

ComfortTile floor heating systems from Warmzone are among the best in the industry and will provide you with reliable, energy-efficient, maintenance-free operation. You’ll not only increase your comfort, but the value of your home as well.

Articles

Adding Heated Tile Floors to Your Home

Installing New Heated Floors or Retrofitting Existing Floors with Radiant Heat

Ceramic tile floors are one of the most popular floor surfaces in American homes. However, one common complaint is that they are cold to walk on. Although tile is sturdy and beautiful, the “coldness factor” does carry some legitimacy. Let’s explore a way to resolve this issue and create an ideal flooring surface.

We sometimes get conditioned as we walk around the house, making mental notes that it is uncomfortable to walk into this room or that room. Before long, we find ourselves avoiding half the rooms in our home. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. A radiant heated floor can turn a room from one that you hesitate to walk in to, to one that you look forward to visiting. And these electric floor heating systems are surprisingly easy to install. After a radiant heated floor is installed it won’t take long for that conditioning to transition from an unpleasant one to one of considerable enjoyment. You won’t be avoiding the family room with the cold tile floor. Instead, you’ll be reveling in that room as your feet soak up the warmth from the heated tile floor. Heated floors are the answer to providing inviting warmth to tile floors.

Radiant heated tile floor

Installing a heated floor is not that difficult and it really beats the comfort of portable heaters or electric panel heaters. In some cases, you don’t even need to tear out the existing tile floor to install radiant heat. If you can access the floor joists from below, then you can retrofit your tile floors with luxurious radiant heat to create the beautiful, warm home you always envisioned. Warmzone offers two outstanding floor heating systems that you can retrofit your floors with, FloorHeat and RetroHeat. Call a radiant heat expert today to learn about these two systems and find out which one would be best for heating your tile floors. Of course, if you want to redo the tile floors in your home, then you can choose from a variety of other radiant floor heating systems to install with your new tile. The bottom line this: you don’t have to live with cold floors or cold feet. Radiant floor heat is an affordable option!

For remodeling jobs, you won’t find a better floor heating option than ComfortTile radiant heat systems. Install the ComfortTile heat cable (or mats) over the subfloor and apply your finished surface over that and you have a room that you will look forward to visiting. Sensors in the floor will communicate with the thermostat in the wall and keep that room just the way you like it. Not only does radiant floor heat eliminate “cold feet”, but the efficient heat rises from the floor to provide comfortable warmth for the whole room. Radiant heat is truly a luxurious heat that needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

And each room can be controlled separately by its own thermostat, making radiant in-floor heating extremely energy efficient. The thermostats can also be fully programmable, so they can be programmed to warm the home just before you get up each morning and/or when you get home from work, or however you see fit. Radiant floor heating is here to stay, so don’t hesitate to learn more about your many options, and increase your comfort as well as the value of your home. Just make sure that you work with a reputable company that has truly earned the reputation of being among the best. And also, be sure to work with a provider that also includes full radiant heat system engineering and design services – like Warmzone. After all, a radiant floor heating system is only as good as its installation.

Articles

Radiant Heat Has Arrived in Earnest

Electric Radiant Heating Comes in Many Flavors

Although radiant heat has been around for many years now, new technology has paved the way for it to arrive in earnest. There’s no cleaner form of heating than radiant heat. A wire grid (heat cable) installed in the floor provides a totally clean and quiet heat that radiates upward to all those lucky enough to be in the room. There is no blower cycling on and off or the noise that goes with it. And no dust or allergens are blown around either. What there is is clean, silent, comfortable heat. Time marches on. Just as cars today are equipped with more than just an AM radio with big dials, heating systems have advanced to a point where this form of clean, quiet and efficient heat is making a move to become the standard.

Another large advantage of radiant heating is that it is easily zone able. Each room or “zone” can be controlled separately, so if you have rooms that are not used regularly you can turn the heat off or down in those rooms, adding greatly to the efficiency of these systems. This is not something at which a forced air system excels. Radiant floor heating systems typically have thermostats in every room.

ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and thermostat
ComfortTile floor heating cable in mat and on spools, shown with thermostat.

One of the great things about radiant heating is that technology has provided for its use in many different facets. Did you know that there are radiant roof heating systems that will melt the snow and ice off the roof and gutters? In addition there are driveway snow melting systems that will quietly and efficiently melt the snow and ice off your driveway. Modern technology isn’t just for iPods and iPads. These systems utilize the same type of technology, using low-voltage or line-voltage electric current that runs through heating cable and provides the desired result. These systems are also automated and programmable, and can do their duties when you aren’t even home. There are so many conveniences available to us today at which our parents and grandparents would marvel. Radiant heating is making inroads and it is easy to see why. People are discovering the comfort and efficiency of radiant heating and are adopting it with open arms.

Radiant heating systems can also be installed over existing floors as well. Just because the almost dream home you bought doesn’t have the heating system that would make it the dream home, don’t despair. Heating cable can be installed over the existing floor and a new surface poured over that, thus transforming your almost dream home in to your real dream home. RetroHeat radiant heat systems can also be installed in the floor joists under an existing floor.

With winter knocking on our doors, it’s the season for a snow melting system. Anyone with a snow melting system installed has experienced the joy of driving in to a driveway that has no snow on it when there is snow all around. One might have to try to suppress a smile when your neighbor’s are all snow bound. If you live in an area where snow is a regular concern you can appreciate the convenience of a snow melting system. Perhaps the ultimate dream is that you arrive home from work during a major snow storm and pull into your driveway where all the snow has melted away when it is piling up everywhere else. You park and walk on a sidewalk heated with a snowmelt system, you don’t worry about the ice cycles on the roof above because there aren’t any thanks to a roof snow melting system. You then walk in to the house and take your shoes off and instantly feel the comfort of a warm radiant heated floor. Life is good.

HOTNEWS

ComfortTile Radiant Heated Floors

Radiant Floor Heat – Give Your Bathroom Floor the “Spa” Treatment

Want the spa treatment without ever leaving home? It’s the perfect time to take the chill out of your bathroom floor with ComfortTile radiant floor heating systems. Easily installed directly under tile, natural stone other surfaces, ComfortTile radiant heat provides comfortable, even floor temperatures, in your bathroom, kitchen, or entryway. Just about anywhere there’s a tiled surface is a great place for the comfort of ComfortTile heated floor mats or cable. And with a low 3/16-inch (3 mm) profile, ComfortTile is a non-evasive project ideal for bathroom renovations.

So how do ComfortTile floor heating systems work? ComfortTile heated floor mats and cable are a form of electric radiant heat. The mats are essentially pre-spaced heat cable woven into an adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh that can be rolled out and installed under the subfloor of any tiled surface. They are connected to an electric power source and, like forced air systems, are controlled by a thermostat. Once activated, ComfortTile heated floors radiate heat from the floor and up through objects in a given room to deliver warm, even temperatures quickly and efficiently.

ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and thermostat

This efficiency isn’t limited to the time it takes to activate an electric radiant heat system. By installing electric radiant heated floors, you can watch a small investment grow substantially. Radiant heat delivers higher levels of comfort at lower temperatures than conventional forced air systems, without a reliance on natural gas. There are no vents involved, so air pollutants, as well as the costs of duct cleaning and filter changing associated with forced air systems are virtually eliminated.

The good news, of course, is that while their appeal is high, the initial cost of ComfortTile heated floor mat installation is relatively low, so they’re a great way to build equity in your home. Unlike forced air heat, radiant heat installation isn’t an “all-or-nothing” proposition for homeowners either. You have the freedom to install ComfortTile floor mats in one room, or several. The mats are pre-terminated for use with 120 and 240 volts, and are available in various lengths of 24-inch widths to accommodate any layout, making them a flexible, easy-to-install proposition for do-it-yourselfers everywhere.

Warmzone ComfortTile electronic thermostats are specifically designed to control electric radiant floor heating systems for maximum comfort while minimizing power consumption. With Warmzone ComfortTile radiant heated floors, you can heat one room, or heat them all at the same time, if you wish. The system can be coordinated with your habits, so you get heat where you are, when you need it, without being subjected to drafts, dramatic fluctuations in temperature, and large heating bills.

It’s never too late to benefit from the warmth and luxury of a ComfortTile radiant heated floor. Call Warmzone today at 888.488.9276 to find out how Warmzone can partner with you to reach your home improvement objectives.

Warming Your Hardwood Floors

Add Warmth and Luxury to your Wood Floors with FloorHeat
Considering a wall-to-wall carpet to wood floor conversion in your home? When it comes time to choose an electric radiant heat product, don’t forget to include Warmzone’s FloorHeat in your remodeling plans. This state-of-the-art radiant heat technology features an extremely low-profile heating element designed to distribute heat safely, evenly and efficiently. Because of its efficiency, affordability and ease of installation, homeowners are increasingly turning to FloorHeat for use in a wide variety of electric radiant heat applications.

Heated hardwood floor

Just how does it work? FloorHeat is a self-regulating, semi-conductive polyethylene heating element. It coordinates with a thermostat and sensors placed below the subfloor of any hardwood or laminate surface. The best part, of course, is the heat itself—FloorHeat systems radiate heat up through the floor and objects in a room to evenly warm a room, maintaining comfort at temperatures a few degrees lower that those required by a conventional forced-air system. It’s flexible enough to be installed under a variety of surfaces, in a variety of applications.

Available in 9- or 12-inch-wide rolls, FloorHeat is an ultra-thin, flexible heating element that’s very easy to install. It is a very non-evasive application that does not require elaborate duct work or vent installation, making it a safe bet for the do-it-yourselfer. And as true for every Warmzone purchase, it comes with the wisdom and experience of a knowledgeable team of radiant heat experts. They’ll be there every step of the way, from helping you choose the best system for your radiant heat needs and budget, to providing the support you’ll need to successfully install your FloorHeat in your home.

So you’ve already installed wood floors throughout your home, and you’re realizing that even with all of those nice wool throw rugs you’ve purchased, there’s a considerable difference in comfort where wool meets the floor. No need to tear up and start over. You can easily retrofit your floor with FloorHeat radiant heat. RetroHeat panels can be cut to the desired length and safely stapled in between floor joists. After stapling, simply connecting the electrical system, and install batt insulation underneath the panels to direct heat up through the floor.

It’s never too late to benefit from the warmth and luxury of a FloorHeat radiant heated floor. Call Warmzone today at 888.488.9276 to find out how Warmzone can partner with you to reach your home improvement objectives.

HOTNEWS

WARMZONE – Your Radiant Heating Solutions Begin and End Here

What can be daunting about any radiant heat home improvement project, of course, is where to start. What begins as a simple remodel becomes a full-time job, scheduling contractors, including architects, electricians, and other lay persons for the task at hand. It’s good to know that when you need a radiant heat solutions provider, Warmzone is there with the experts, and the expertise required to tackle literally all of the aspects of a radiant heat project—from the initial consultation, through planning and installation. Warmzone offers up-to-date information about the top quality radiant floor heating and snow melting solutions you’ll need to support just about any radiant heat project. They can design the best solution for you, and direct you to the radiant heat products that best match your needs. Whether you’re interested in heating your driveway, roof or flooring, Warmzone is there to help you complete the job on time, within budget, and to your satisfaction.

Snow melting heat cable laid out for asphalt heated driveway.

Vast Selection of Top Quality, State-of-the-art Radiant Heat Products
Of course, the cornerstone of any Warmzone project is its variety of top quality radiant heat products. When you choose Warmzone, you know you are getting cutting-edge radiant heat technology, backed by the best warranty coverage in the industry. ComfortTile floor heating products use state-of-the-art heat cable, which can be purchased in a spool, or pre-spaced and affixed to an adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh. Other Warmzone offerings, such as FilmHeat panels and In-Slab (SlabHeat) cable are incredibly durable and easy to install. And all of these products, and more, are backed by industry-leading manufacturer warranties.

The size of the Warmzone product portfolio is impressive. From floor heating mats, heat cable and low-voltage heating elements, there are “Best in Class” products available for almost any radiant heat project you can think of. And variety is key, because with the breadth and depth of Warmzone radiant heat product offerings comes freedom of choice. Our experts aren’t just knowledgeable about the products they sell, they understand what it means to meet your expectations and your budget. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to every radiant heat application, they’ll help you match the best product for your home at the best price. You’ll get sincere, non-biased recommendations and products that are best suited for your particular radiant heating needs.

Complete Radiant Heat Solutions

Do you have big home improvement plans but don’t know where to start? When it comes to radiant heat solutions, if you can conceive it, Warmzone can achieve it. Our professional designers evaluate your radiant heating system from top to bottom and create a detailed CAD of your system layout. You’ll know the electrical requirements, technical specifications and system performance expectations before one foot of cable is installed. We even have a master electrician on staff and available to provide technical support. Sure there’s convenience built-in to this approach—we also see it as a sure fire way to minimize any installation surprises in the short term, to save you time and money in the long term.

Consider our radiant heat specialists as part of your home improvement project team. We’re here for you from start to finish—to answer your questions, provide you with the appropriate resources, and to follow your radiant heat project through to its successful completion. Perhaps that’s why customers continue to turn to
Warmzone, not just for our sage advice but because of our willingness to go the extra mile for our customers. Whether you’re calling to get the answer to a single question, or to get a quote on a radiant heat solution for your home—Warmzone’s knowledgeable, dedicated staff of radiant heat experts is there, offering unbiased information and unwavering support in reaching your radiant heat project objectives.

ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and thermostat

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, not only the depth and breadth of product offerings will make your project easier, but the resources available to you, from start to finish will make your radiant heat project a slam-dunk! Warmzone is your complete resource for radiant heat products, services and installation support for heated floors, roof deicing and snow melting systems. With Warmzone, you’re never more than just a few clicks away from the solution to your radiant heat home improvement project needs. Our customers can visit Warmzone.com, 24/7, for downloadable versions of radiant heat installation manuals, user guides, installation diagrams and more.

When it comes to providing radiant heat snow melting and floor heating products and services, no one can match the comprehensive offerings of Warmzone. Are you gearing up for that next radiant heat project at home? Don’t wait until the chill hits, contact Warmzone at 888.488.9276 and get started!

HOTNEWS

Add Radiant Heat to Existing Floors

How and Why RetroHeat Works for You

The heat of July is fully upon us. It’s getting harder to imagine a time when the air conditioner was turned off and the heat was on full, but it wasn’t too long ago, and now it’s not too far in the future. It’s time to think about how you’re going to heat your home this coming winter, and a RetroHeat floor heating system from Warmzone is one of the best radiant floor heating options available.

RetroHeat is a cost-effective, easy-to-install product that is a great project for you to manage on your own. If you have clear open access to the floor joists of the room you would like to heat, then installing radiant heat is a snap. If you would love to add underfloor heating to a room but don’t want to destroy your beautiful home to do so, RetroHeat is the clear solution. A roll of RetroHeat paneling can add heat to a room that didn’t have it before, without ripping existing floor structures. Simply staple the heating panel between the floor joists, followed by a layer of insulation and ka-pow! You’ve got yourself a radiant heated floor.

RetroHeat installed to heat existing tile floor
The RetroHeat floor heating system features a thin, film heating element that can be stapled up between floor joists to heat the existing floor above.

Any type of floor can benefit from RetroHeat’s floor warming system. The carpet in your living room, the hardwood on your walkways, the tile in your kitchen; all of these are capable of being made more cozy with the RetroHeat floor heating system. A simple-to-understand heating thermostat gives you complete control over temperature and time release.

If a RetroHeat project seems like the right fit, the unbiased experts at Warmzone are the most knowledgeable to work with, and they’ll help you design the system that will work best for you. Radiant floor heat is a great solution if you would rather not spend money on a new circulating air system. RetroHeat floor heating systems warm the ground beneath your feet rather than the air above your head.

RetroHeat’s benefits aren’t only cost and ease of installation. The heating panels are energy efficient, thin and lightweight. No energy is wasted in heating air and then blowing it through the house; instead, the energy is directly transferred to your floors. Because of their unique installation, no floor buildup is necessary.

Stapling up RetroHeat floor heating element

Maybe there’s a room in your house that has always seemed colder than the others, or a late addition that didn’t get the same insulation as the rest of your house. Or maybe you want to warm your cold tile so that you can walk barefoot through your house in the winter. Whatever the issue, RetroHeat is an excellent floor heating solution.

Questions? Call a radiant heat professional at 888.488.9276.

Heating Professionals Seek Out Warmzone

More than a luxury, electric radiant heating systems are increasingly becoming part of the menu of products and services offered by hydronic and HVAC professionals. In 2010, hydronic and HVAC professionals were Warmzone’s top customers. The good news—whether you’re incorporating electric radiant heat into a new residential construction project, or embarking on a home improvement project, your chances of finding a Warmzone partner are just a phone call away.

Why are HVAC and hydronic professionals partnering with Warmzone? Warmzone is committed to the success of commercial contractors and customers, and strives to offer the best radiant products, plus professionals who can help with all of the aspects of a project to make the sale and installation run as smoothly as possible. And just like the professionals, as a Warmzone customer you also have access to radiant heat designers, master electricians and hydronic specialists with the in-house expertise necessary to plan and execute just about any radiant heat project within your scope and budget. These heat experts have the most industry experience and the ability to provide non-biased radiant heat information based on your needs.

The comfort, convenience and the technology behind radiant heat systems have helped to create the perception of luxury and exclusivity. Why not put this perception to good use for your next home improvement project by investing in electric radiant heat? It’s a unique selling point, an impressive comfort and convenience feature, and a potential equity booster for homeowners. More than a little luxury, radiant heat is becoming a homeowner’s necessity in today’s economy. You’ll be surprised (and pleased) to discover how efficient, from an operational standpoint, and how truly affordable these systems really are. For a small initial investment, the cost and convenience of electric radiant heat can really pay off in the long term.

Electric radiant heat is becoming a mainstay in world of hydronic and HVAC technology because it provides a safer, cleaner, greener alternative to traditional systems. It derives its power from electricity rather than costly fossil fuels. With the help of sensors and a zone-specific thermostat, radiant heat enables homeowners to selectively heat rooms quickly, where it’s needed most, and realize an energy savings in rooms where it isn’t. Unlike forced air systems, radiant heat radiates up through the floor and objects to warm a room. It’s quick, efficient and instantaneous. There’s no hot air or air ducts involved, so there’s no blowing allergens and other contaminates to compromise air quality, making radiant heat a safer choice for home environments.

Warmzone has many products to fill many heating needs. Call an expert today at 888.488.9276 for help designing a floor heating or snow melting system, to buy products, or just to learn more about radiant heat.

HOTNEWS

The Latest Trends in Home Improvement

Radiant Heated Floors – Home Remodeling Trends You can Really Warm up to

CBS Moneywatch.com recently identified twelve trends in home remodeling for 2011. The hottest projects—bathrooms, must-do remodeling and warmer interior design projects made the top three, with green living coming in at number nine. With growing concerns over rising fuel prices and carbon footprints, it’s not surprising that more and more homeowners are investing in their homes to cut fuel consumption. Installing Warmzone radiant heated floors is a great way to keep up with remodeling trends and recoup on home improvement costs.

How does radiant heat work? Heated floors radiate heat from the floor up to keep you warm and comfortable when cold weather sets in. Two types of systems—electric heat cable and hydronic (water-based) tubing systems—when installed in the subfloor of your home act as heating elements to warm the surface above. These heating cables/tubing coordinate with a thermostat and sensors, as do traditional forced air systems, to provide heat to your home.

Radiant heated tile floor

Warmzone radiant heat is green heat. Powered by electricity, electric radiant heat cables can heat a surface in 30 to 60 minutes. Unlike forced air systems, they are room specific. With the help of sensors and a programmable thermostat you can heat one room, or heat them all quickly and efficiently, saving money on your monthly gas bill. And unlike forced air systems, they do not belch out the dust and dirt that compromises air quality in your home.

A radiant heated floor installation equals cheap equity. Heated floors give your home an impressive level of comfort and customization with minimal investment. Not sure you want to install heated floors throughout you home just yet? Warmzone offers a variety of heat cable products that can be easily installed under the subfloor of any room in your home, whether it be bathroom tile, wood or even carpet.

If, as CBS Moneywatch.com suggests, the over-arching remodeling trend for 2011 is to tackle small projects while you wait to do the really big remodeling project that’s on your list, why not start by installing heated floors in your home?  Unlike other “one-size-fits-all” radiant heat providers, Warmzone offers an array of radiant floor heating solutions designed to better match your individual project, and your budget. The good news—many of these floor heating products can be installed by do-it-yourself homeowners.

Heated Driveways and Roof Deicing

The Hottest New Trends in Home Remodeling
Among the hottest types of projects listed in the 2011 CBS Moneywatch.com twelve trends in home remodeling are the “must do” and green remodeling projects. If you are finally replacing your roof or pouring a new driveway, consider incorporating a snow melting system into your project list. Radiant heat is green heating technology that actually enhances the life of your roof or driveway without impacting your overall fuel consumption.

Warmzone roof deicing systems are designed to prevent the buildup of snow, ice and large icicles around roof eaves, drains and valleys, preventing damage to your roof and the potential for injury from falling icicles. And you have several roof heating options to choose from.

How it works
Warmzone RoofHeat heating element is polypropylene fused during fabrication to achieve water proofing and protection from UV rays, alkaline or salt damage. Lightweight, flexible and easy to install, these panels can be placed under new or existing asphalt, shake or tile shingles, making roof heating a low-cost, viable home remodeling project.

Installing a heated driveway is another way to add safety, convenience and efficiency to your household while building equity. Warmzone cable is available in pre-configured mats, making easy to roll out under newly poured driveways or pavers. The cable generates heat with the help of an automatic sensor that detects inclement weather and activates the system. It immediately detects changes in temperature and moisture associated with snow and similar weather conditions to warm up your driveway so it’s clear before your boots (or tires) ever see the pavement.

Asphalt driveway with heated tire tracks

Whether you choose an electric snow melting system for your roof or your driveway, you’ll also have the peace of mind that comes with green living. Protecting your roof from inclement weather and damage keeps heat in, so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, saving you in fossil fuel costs. A Warmzone radiant heated driveway system also saves your driveway from damage caused by harsh snow melting chemicals or the scraping of snow removal equipment, plus the energy you expend clearing them, whether you’re pushing a gas-burning snow blower, or shoveling.

Snow and ice melt systems provided by Warmzone deliver first class performance, efficiency, ease of installation and energy conservation. Partnering with Warmzone to complete your home improvement project means you’ll get the valuable input from radiant heat professionals needed to find a perfect solution for your heating requirements that’s within your budget, so you can save some green!

Request a FREE quote or call 888.488.9276 today.

Articles

Green Heating for Your Home

Everyone seems to be seeing green nowadays. Words like “energy efficient, green construction” and “biodegradable” are used on a daily basis, and most of us believe that buying products with these labels means we are doing our part to save the environment. Auto makers jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon, advertising vehicles that are gas-friendly to gas-free, which basically means 30 MPG and can run on mostly renewable E85 ethanol. What mostly renewable means, you’ll have to ask General Motors and Ford. Taking into account that Europe is considering implementing a 60 MPG minimum on cars, these early “gas friendly” cars look not-so-friendly.

One possible way to be more green or to incorporate green construction into an existing home, is investing in products that run on renewable energy such as electricity rather than fossil fuels. It’s true that most of the world’s electricity is produced using coal, nuclear, and natural gas. While this may not seem like a better alternative, consider the totally renewable energy sources of electricity such as solar, hydro and wind. As fossil fuels become scarcer, these renewable energy sources will be the forefront in energy production.

So where can you start? Most homes in America are heated using gas, and most of us can’t ignore the rising costs. Lowering the thermostat to barely tolerable temperatures may be your solution, but if you have children who are blissfully ignorant about the cost of heating, they have probably been tempted once or twice to warm things up when you weren’t looking. An alternative heating to gas that is hugely popular in Europe, and one that your children are guaranteed to love, is radiant heat.

Oddly enough, radiant heat is actually the oldest form of heating homes, originating all the way back to the Romans. Yeah, they were pretty smart. When most of us think of radiant heat, we think of hydronic technology. For those of you who are still in the dark, a hydronic system heats the floor of a home through a heated water loop or underground piping.  Drawbacks to these types of systems are a significant rise in the height of the floor, high cost, and difficulty to install.

An even better form of radiant heating runs on electricity. There is no magic behind it, just a wire or cable that is easily installed beneath hardwood, tile, cement and even carpet. Some systems don’t raise the floor at all, while others result in less than a half an inch of floor buildup, and much of the system can be installed by any ambitious do-it-yourselfer. The best part? It is energy efficient, consuming only 12 watts per square foot (many systems are even less), and you are able to heat your home comfortably at lower temperatures because the electric radiant heat warms all the objects it comes in contact with.

Allergy sufferers will be pleased to know that because electric radiant heating does not use forced air to heat, it won’t stir up dust, pollens, and other allergens in the air. Forced air heating systems also dry out your skin significantly, not to mention they take a fair amount of time to warm up your home. With radiant heated floors, your home heats up almost instantly, evenly and much more comfortably.

Something not easily digested is that America consumes 43 percent of the world’s motor gasoline, 25 percent of its crude petroleum, 25 percent of its natural gas, and 23 percent of its hard coal. Investing in energy efficient products that run on electricity, like electric radiant heat, just might cut down these numbers and make your home a green home. Not to mention make you feel a little better, make your home warmer, and your wallet just might be a little thicker.

Articles

Ancient Radiant Heating

The “Ancient” Art of Sustainable Living

As a current or future radiant heat consumer, you might fancy yourself to be part of a growing trend towards sustainable home heating. What you may not know is that although it is considered an emerging, “modern” trend among residential homeowners, radiant heat technology is actually thousands of years old.

Ancient Roman ruins reveal floor heating technology
Ruins of a Roman underfloor heating system. (Photo courtesy of Silvermel.)

The history of underfloor heating began in 10,000 BC with the Chinese, who used the word “kang”(original meaning, “to dry”) to describe what became known as a heated bed. Inhabitants drafted smoke from fires through stone covered trenches in the floors of their subterranean dwellings. The hot smoke heated the floor stones, radiating into their living spaces. Evidence of heated floors based on this principle were found in 5,000 B.C. in China and Korea.

The Greeks and Romans finessed the process in 500 B.C. with the hypocaust. Literally translated, hypocaust means “heat from below,” from the Greek word hypo meaning below or underneath, and kaiein, to burn or light a fire. This system was more efficient and less evasive than that of its Asian predecessor. It used pillars to raise the floors, creating a space underneath to circulate hot air. Spaces were left inside of the walls so that hot air and smoke from the furnace would pass through enclosed areas underneath the floor and out of flues in the roof, radiating heat through the walls along the way. While the hypocaust was a marked advancement in under floor heating, the process of heating itself was labor-intensive and high in fuel costs, making it a luxury for those living in villas, and at the public baths.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that standards were developed for underfloor heating systems. Five years later, radiant heat became a traditional system in residential buildings in some European and Nordic countries, and began to find its way into non-residential applications. These modern underfloor heating systems use either electric resistance elements (electric) or heated fluid flowing in pipes (hydronic) to heat floors. Both can be cast in concrete, placed under the floor covering, or attached directly to the wood sub floor. Either type can be installed as an alternative to forced air to improve home air quality and reduce heating costs associated with fossil fuels, or as a localized system for thermal comfort.

Electric radiant heat marks a growing trend in residential heating. Electric radiant under floor heating systems are less evasive and less costly to install than hydronic systems, which require skilled designers and tradesmen familiar with boilers, circulators, controls, fluid pressures and temperature for proper installation. Electric radiant heat systems are more efficient than hydronic systems. Powered by electricity, radiant heat cables can heat a surface in 30 to 60 seconds, unlike hydronic systems, which may take anywhere from 4-7 hours to heat a surface—a considerable difference in performance. Because there is a boiler involved, hydronic systems may be fueled by natural gas, oil, coal or wood, making them less environmentally friendly and more costly to operate.

Whether you choose electric or hydronic floor heating, Warmzone has the experience and expertise to install a radiant heat system that’s right for your home and your budget. Whichever you choose, you’ll have the comfort of knowing you’ve done your part to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your home’s air quality and maintain a warm, comfortable environment for your family. Be sure to visit www.warmzone.com for more information on how Warmzone can customize a sustainable home heating solution just for you.

HOTNEWS

Premium Home Amenities – Hot on Any Occasion

Add a little comfort and convenience to your life with radiant floor heating. ComfortTile radiant floor heating systems also offer several benefits.

ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and thermostat
ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and programmable thermostat.

Allergy sufferers will appreciate the ComfortTile radiant floor heating system because it does not require forced air, which spreads dust, pollen and other particles into the air. A radiant heated room warms almost instantly, beginning at the floor and rising upwards.

Radiant heated bathroom floors are particularly popular among home owners. Placing CT heating cable beneath the flooring results in comfort that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. Typically, consumers who have installed a floor heating system claim that they will never go without radiant heated floors again. Most home owners discover the comfort and economic benefits of radiant heat after installing a system in the bathroom, and soon afterwards want the same comfort throughout their homes.

These are just two of the many products offered by Warmzone that are centered around making your home as luxurious as an expensive resort. Pamper yourself with the comfort and convenience of a heated bidet and warm radiant floor!

Project Spotlight
You probably know how outdoor radiant heating cable is installed before pouring the concrete, but what happens when you want to install it in existing cement? That was the problem Warmzone needed to solve for Lockheed Martin, an advanced technology company with a facility located in Denver, Colorado.

Lockheed Martin has a 5500 square-foot ramp accessing a rooftop parking garage. The concrete ramp proved difficult to plow in the winter, and costs to maintain the structure had grown increasingly expensive. During the day, some snow would melt, but the water would re-freeze at night, creating stress on the concrete and making it difficult for employees to access the parking lot in the morning.

Warmzone’s ClearZone snow melting system proved to be the perfect solution, and installers from Silver Leaf Home Improvements in Montrose, Colorado were up for the job!

The solution was simple. Using concrete saw-cut technology, grooves were cut into the ramp from edge to edge at 4-inch spacing. The ClearZone 480 volt, three-phase radiant heat cable was then laid into the grooves and sealed into the ramp using an epoxy topcoat. Before the epoxy cured, Silver Leaf applied a sand broadcast on the surface to create added traction and safety to the ramp.

The end result was a radiant heated ramp with an automatic sensor to activate the system during bad weather – good news for employees of Lockheed Martin! Not only does the ramp require less maintenance with the new radiant heat system, the lifespan of the ramp has also been extended! Plow systems, snow melting chemicals and expanding ice weaken and crack cement, significantly shortening its lifespan.

Lockheed Martin was thrilled with the results and the outstanding installation work performed by Silver Leaf Home Improvements.