Heated Driveway News

Safety and Convenience of Driveway Snow Melting Systems

So were you one of the fortunate ones who benefited from a heated driveway this winter? Did you tap dance on your clear driveway as your neighbors shoveled theirs? Did you rev your car’s engine excessively as you idled in your driveway, trying to draw a little extra attention? It’s okay. Heated driveways are a modern convenience worthy of being doted over and appreciated, and by golly, you deserve to have a little “convenience” in your life, right?

Radiant snowmelt systems have taken on many forms in recent years. The most popular use is for driveway snow melting. These fully automated systems make leaving or arriving home on a snowy day no problem, unlike the days of previous winters. You don’t have to flip a switch and you don’t have to maintain any equipment. Simply enjoy the convenience and added safety provided by your new driveway snow melting system. It’s no surprise that electric snowmelt systems have become increasingly popular.

Snow melting systems come in many flavors and can be installed in several different applications. They can even melt the snow off your walk way and steps to your house, as well as the gutters around your roof or under your roof’s shingles. Roof heating helps to protect your home by preventing gutter damage due to ice buildup, not to mention the added safety as a result of eliminating icicles and falling ice.

Why not take advantage of these conveniences that modern technology has brought us? The time will probably come when these conveniences will become standard in most homes in certain areas of the country, as well they should be.

Snow Melting Systems More Affordable in Off Season

The Easter Bunny has hopped back home with tired little paws and weary bouncing bones. Some parts of the country welcomed him with sunny skies and tulips, while others tested his snow hopping prowess and delivered a hefty springtime storm. It reminds us all that snow is a constant for much of the year. But it is hopefully on the way out, and spring will soon be taking its place. So as a friendly reminder, we should let you know that spring and summer months are the best time to invest in a snow melting system. Easter candy is now marked down after the hustle of the holiday has waned and the same is true of heated driveways. The prices you’ll find now are more affordable and competitive than ever as the winter season winds down. Deals are there for the taking, so take advantage and install a heated driveway this spring to ready yourself for next year’s inevitable snow fall.

Heated driveways are becoming more and more popular as home builders want a few extra affordable luxuries. Snow melt systems are also a first on the home improvement list for many existing homeowners too. A radiant heated driveway can be installed under most existing driveways or sidewalks. These systems are easy to customize and install to your required specifications. If you have ever considered the convenience and affordable luxury of a heated driveway, now is the time, when the deals are as fresh as the springtime air.

The only way to stay Snow-Free and Sane this Winter is with Radiant Heat

Twice this month I’ve been confronted with the conundrum of getting up tumultuous and very steep driveways in a blizzard. Fortunately for me, both of these driveways were radiant heated driveways—an absolute must for both of these snowy neighborhoods.

Driving around those neighborhoods was an eye opener about just how crucial heated driveway systems are for those living in elevated areas. As I cruised around the neighborhoods, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the people attempting to shovel mountains of snow off their driveways. Watching their feeble attempts and then looking at the next-door neighbor’s radiant heated driveway that was clear as summertime made me realize that the only way to survive the harsh winter months is with a radiant heated driveway.

Heated driveway systems are becoming increasingly popular with consumers everywhere. They’re easy and affordable to install, and because they’re so outstandingly effective, it’s no wonder why everyone is jumping on the heated driveway bandwagon. The best part about heated driveways? They’re absolutely maintenance free. Instead of busting their backs and blistering their fingers, radiant heated driveway owners are letting their heated driveway systems do all the work for them while they watch the snow melt right before their eyes in the comfort of their own homes.

If you live in a snowy area, don’t let yourself get trapped by a mountain of snow on your driveway. Install a heated driveway system and let radiant heat do all the work for you. There’s really no other way to survive the winter, and with their affordability and efficiency, why wouldn’t you get one?

Choosing Eco-friendly Snow and Ice Removal

Now that Earth Day has come and gone, many of us are resolved to find new, meaningful ways to contribute to our environment, including driveway heating . Not only do radiant heated driveways take the shovel, and the responsibility of snow removal out of your hands; they are darn good for the environment.

Electric heated driveways are unobtrusive snow removal systems and virtually maintenance free. Embedded within concrete, asphalt, or placed beneath paver stones, radiant heated cables comprising these systems are activated by a snow sensor when conditions warrant, providing a clean, silent, efficient, eco-friendly alternative to traditional snow and ice removal methods.

Unlike driveway heating, using harsh snowmelt chemicals can really take a toll on your driveway and the surrounding landscape, killing grass and other foliage. Salt and chemicals also tend to find their way into unsuspecting dog paws, and greedily gnaw through our leather boots and shoes. With the spring thaw, most of these chemicals also make their way into our groundwater system, contaminating our drinking supply.

Snow blowers are just as destructive. They scrape asphalt, tear up yards and spew smoke from incredibly loud gasoline-powered engines. Unlike eco-friendly electric heated driveways, which draw on a renewable energy source, these fossil fuel burning machines emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere as you work. They also make enough noise to wake the dead, as I’ve discovered with my neighbor, who is both a proud snow blower owner and early riser!

While more traditional methods of snow removal can damage your driveway, your yard, and the environment, installing an electric heated driveway will boost your property value without destroying your investment. Yet the biggest incentive (for me, at least) is the time and effort I’ll save with a fully automated snow removal system. I’d rather start my day relaxing with a nice cup of joe, watching the snow fall while my neighbors are outside pushing snow around!

When it comes down to choosing the right snow removal solution, you might not associate environmentalism with a radiant heated driveway. But considering just how *cost and energy efficient heated driveways are, living a greener life has never been easier.

*The cost for a 500-square-foot heated driveway to operate continuously for 5 hours is approximately $7.50.

Radiant Heated Driveways - The Driveway of the Future

When shopping for a home, how many of us have thought of looking for a house with a radiant heated driveway installed? Okay, it might not be the first thing you think of when organizing your criteria for a new home, but maybe it should make the list somewhere. Heated driveways are a convenience that won’t go unnoticed for sure. Imagine getting up in the morning and seeing all the new fallen snow and then seeing your driveway totally clear of snow and ice.

Radiant driveway snow melting systems generally use a form of electric radiant heat. They utilize an electric heat cable that is laid in the asphalt or concrete, under the finish surface. Sensors installed near the surface detect when the snowmelt system is needed and current is applied to the heat cable to warm the driveway and melt the snow. How much easier could it get than that? It’s a modern convenience that is a sign of the times. And because these systems run on electricity, they are environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for corrosive salt and harmful snowmelt chemicals, which can damage nearby plants and grass.

Heated driveways will only get more popular as more people become aware of their affordability and reliable performance. No more concerns about whether snow and ice will prevent you from getting up your driveway when you get home. Just don’t forget you loaned your snow blower to your neighbor. He’s probably not going to remind you, especially after he notices your snow-free, heated driveway.

After designing and planning is finished, the next step is gathering proper tools.

This blog the second of a series of blogs designed for do-it-yourselfers. This series features step-by-step instructions for building your own heated driveway or patio using brick pavers. The process for building a non-heated driveway is the same (just omit install of heating cables).