Heated Driveway News

Heated Driveways Ease the Pain of Snow Filled Mornings

Remember when that snow was falling and you were cursing the drive to work? The cold weather isn’t far away at all now. It doesn’t have to be that bad; at least not in your own front yard. Driveway heating is the new convenience that before long is going to be a standard in many areas. Driveway heating, often referred to as an electric heated driveway or a snow melting system is just that. It melts the snow off your driveway so you don’t have to.

Radiant snowmelt systems consist of a grid of heat cable installed under the surface of your driveway. The finish concrete or asphalt is then laid directly over the heat cable. A sensor installed along with the wiring will detect when temperatures and conditions are right for snow and will trigger the snowmelt system's control unit which will then in turn send current to the heat cable, warming the driveway surface. This will melt the snow and leave you free to spend your time doing other things. It couldn’t be any easier than that. You don’t even have to be awake. You don’t even have to be around. It’s the modern convenience that is just too convenient.

These systems are virtually maintenance free. Once installed you are free to sit and watch the snow melt from your driveway as your neighbors shovel snow from their driveways.

Class is in Session: Three Lessons you Should Learn About Heated Driveway Systems

Fall has finally arrived, and all the kids are heading back to school to hit the books and improve their academic prowess. It may not be fun, but kids know they have to get smart to get ahead. Just like their kids, however, adults across America are getting smart, too, but instead of reading, writing, and arithmetic, adults are studying up on the awesome benefits of radiant heated driveways.

Heated driveways are the most important subject in this year’s home improvement curriculum. Thousands of Americans have studied up and are already experiencing the benefits, and with a little diligence and dedication to safety and peace of mind, you can, too. Here are the first three lessons to help you educate yourself on the benefits of heated driveways systems.

Lesson #1: Safety
Safety should be every family’s top priority, and nothing jeopardizes a family’s safety like an icy, snowy driveway. And shoveling snow is just about as dangerous. Back pain, blisters, broken bones—all maladies that can easily be avoided this winter with a radiant heated driveway.

Lesson #2: Efficiency
My personal favorite benefit of heated driveways—ease, convenience, and automation. That’s right, heated driveway systems are fully automated. These babies turn on automatically at the slightest hint of a snow storm, meaning the driveway is snow free before you even wake up with absolutely no effort from you. Instead of shoveling, you can now sleep in an extra hour and eat a good breakfast to help give you that extra boost for classes later in the day.

Lesson 3: Affordability
School is expensive—books, tuition, fees—they’re enough to kill you. With the money you save with your radiant heated driveway, however, you’ll be able to fund your education and have a little extra left over for that midnight Beto’s run to fuel your study marathon. Heated driveways can heat a 300 square foot area for just under $0.50 an hour. What’s more, heated driveway systems only turn on when you need them and turn off when you don’t, meaning you don’t waste energy and rack up your electric bill.

And thus concludes our first lessons on radiant heated driveways. However, your education doesn’t stop there. Call Warmzone today to learn more about what radiant heated driveways can do for you. It requires a lot less work than school, and the benefits are probably cooler, too, so don’t wait around. Finish your radiant heated driveway education today. Class adjourned.

Install Driveway Heating in the Summer

True, it may sound crazy to the sun lovers soaking in the warm rays of the lazy days of summer but it may not be crazy to start thinking about the cold coming months. In fact, we may do well to avoid focus on those harsh temperatures looming altogether. Sadly, pushing those thoughts away won’t make Mother Nature any more soft when it comes to passing the buck to Jack Frost and letting winter rage.

To soften the blow, why not think warm while it’s still warm outside. Now is the perfect time to install a radiant driveway heating system . A driveway snowmelt system is going to be more affordable in the off months, plus it will definitely be easier to install a snow melting system when there isn’t actually any snow to contend with.

Summer is the smart time to think about warmth and to prepare yourself and your home for the inevitable blowing flurries and the pelting ice. The onslaught of winter will be made so much easier to tolerate if your home is set to combat the snow with a heated driveway. You can think warm now, with the sun blazing on your bare shoulders and you can think warm in the months to come as the snow hits your heated driveway and melts into manageable warm drops of water.

Help Mother Nature out in her Plights Against Ice Melter and install a Radiant Heated Driveway Today.

It’s summer time, and we are all a little more aware of the environment as we engage in our summer outdoor activities. Nature has been pretty good to us this summer, and I think it’s high time we paid her back this winter. How you ask? By installing a radiant heated driveway. Yes, an unlikely answer, but it’s true! Radiant heated driveways eliminate the need for nasty ice melter that sucks the life out of the surrounding environment.

You may not realize it, but the ice melter you use all winter long is detrimental to the environment. Chloride-based ice melters release salts as they form brine solutions, and many plants are sensitive to these salts. When you shovel your snow, the salt from your driveway or stairs comes into direct contact with surrounding vegetation, resulting in slow growth, deformities, and/or susceptibility to disease. Additionally, salt can seep into the soil surrounding your driveway, which can draw moisture away from plant roots.

Dual track driveway heating system being installed.

And if you’re not so into saving the environment, you’ll be interested to know that salt from ice melter can also corrode your driveway and stairs. Now that’s an expensive repair you definitely don’t need in the thick of winter.

Luckily for Mother Nature and you, radiant heated driveways are the greenest snow melting option out there. Heated driveway systems use radiant heat cables underneath your driveway to melt snow quickly and efficiently with absolutely no need for ice melter. In addition, heated driveways are fully automated, meaning you can be green this winter without any effort whatsoever.

So what are you waiting for? Plan ahead this summer so you can ditch the ice melter once and for all. Install a radiant heated driveway and give Mother Nature a little something back for all the good times she gave you this summer.

Harnessing the power of a radiant heated driveway no matter the shape, size, or material.

So you’ve heard about radiant heated driveways. You’ve seen the miraculous results and the happy customers, but is it really possible for your driveway? Yes, yes, and yes again. Radiant heated driveway systems are for everyone, and Warmzone can hook you up with the automated convenience of a radiant heated driveway no matter what type of driveway you have.

Warmzone heated driveway systems can be installed in virtually any type of driveway: concrete, asphalt, brick—whatever. Additionally, your driveway doesn’t even have to be brand new to install a heated driveway. That’s right, you can also retrofit your existing driveway for the luxury of a clear driveway all winter long without the shovel.

Whether you’re installing in concrete, asphalt, or brick, your radiant heated driveway comes equipped with ClearZone radiant heat cables—the most durable and versatile snow melting cable out there. ClearZone cable offers unparalleled flexibility when it comes to installation. It can be installed in any size or shape of driveway and can even withstand the heat of asphalt.

Installation is easy for all applications. In concrete driveways, ClearZone radiant heat cable is secured to remesh and spaced out 3-6 inches apart. In asphalt, heating cable is laid out on the base surface and the asphalt is simply shoved on top. And for brick driveways, all you have to do is lay out the cable and install the brick as normal over the cables.

The coolest part about ClearZone heating cable is that it isn’t limited to new driveways like other snow melting systems out there, so there is hope for your existing driveway! Installers can simply cut grooves into the existing concrete to place the radiant heating cables, or repave asphalt over the newly laid cables, and voila! You’ve got the power of radiant heat at your fingertips.

There’s a radiant heated driveway system for any type of driveway out there. Call Warmzone for a free estimate today so you can fit your unique driveway to match your unique needs.

Celebrities Get it Right with Driveway Snowmelt Systems

In America, celebrities are the know-all end-all of everything. They tell you how to dress, what to eat, how to vote, and—most importantly—how to stay safe this winter with a radiant heated driveway. Yeah, that’s right—celebrities know what’s up when it comes to radiant heat. They know that the leanest, greenest, most affordable way to stay sane this winter is a radiant heated driveway from Warmzone.

Here are five celebs that are down with heated driveways:

Bill Gates: The Microsoft darling is the spokesperson for all technological phenoms, including radiant heating. Every floor in his tech mansion is heated—including the driveway and sidewalks.

Rod Blagojevich: The former governor of Illinois turned reality star installed a heated driveway at the governor’s mansion. If Blagojevich has one, then enough said.

Prince Bandar: Who? He’s a Saudi Arabian prince, and while you may not know him off the top of your head, he’s still a celeb who uses heated driveways to keep his stables warm. Yes, heated stables. Radiant heat can do anything.

Tim Blixseth: One of the richest men in America and a failed Hollywood songwriter knows that radiant heating is the only way to stay sane in the winter. Not only is his driveway heated, but every single floor in his Montana mansion is heated as well.

Tony Danza: Easily the most convincing celeb of the bunch shows winter who’s the boss with his radiant heated driveway at his ski house.

Ok, I’m sure there’s a slew of celebrities with heated driveways out there, and while these five may not be the most well known, they still have pretty amazing MTV Cribs-worthy pads. But the best part of it all is—you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy the luxury of a heated driveway. In fact, radiant heated driveways are one of the most affordable and “green” options out there. The celebrities will really love you for that one.

So there you have it—get the celebrity lifestyle for the average American price with a radiant heated driveway.

Heated Driveways Take the Shovel out of Your Hands so you Don’t Overdue it

Did you know there are great risks associated with snow shoveling and your health that could simply be avoided by installing a heated driveway? Winter conditions along with plummeting temperatures have long been associated with an increase in heart attacks over the winter months. And your snow shovel is the culprit.

Back strain, muscle soreness, high risk of heart attack are the obvious culprits, especially with those of us who are over 40. If you aren’t prone to exercising on a regular basis, the sudden exertion of energy required to shovel your driveway could kill you. Did you know that deaths from heart attacks have actually been shown to triple during the winter months due to snow shoveling?

Radiant heated driveways could save your life. Unlike shoveling, these fully automated, low-maintenance systems that require little effort to operate. Sensors controlled by a wall-mounted box respond to moisture and temperature changes below 38 degrees, activating the system in inclement weather. You can also take advantage of a manual timer feature to preheat your heated driveway before that big storm rolls in, keeping the snow and ice at bay.

If you’re worried about cost, radiant heated driveways are relatively inexpensive when you consider the benefits over time. Choose driveway heating and you’ll avoid damage to your driveway from harsh chemicals and snow shovels, save time shoveling, and save money if you hire out a snow removal service. The good news—you don’t need to pour a new driveway to get heat. Existing driveways can be easily retrofitted with a radiant system.

In the end, shoveling might seem economical. Why take a chance with your health to save a few bucks when you can install a radiant heated driveway and enjoy the time savings, equity boost, convenience and safety these systems offer?

Heated Driveways take the Shovel out of your Hands so you don’t Overdue it

Did you know there are great risks associated with snow shoveling and your health that could simply be avoided by installing a heated driveway? Winter conditions along with plummeting temperatures have long been associated with an increase in heart attacks over the winter months. And your snow shovel is the culprit.

Back strain, muscle soreness, high risk of heart attack are the obvious culprits, especially with those of us who are over 40. If you aren’t prone to exercising on a regular basis, the sudden exertion of energy required to shovel your driveway could have serious health ramifications. Did you know that deaths from heart attacks have actually been shown to triple during the winter months due to snow shoveling?

Radiant heated driveways can make your life a whole lot easier; heck, maybe even save your life! Unlike shoveling, these fully automated, low-maintenance systems require little effort to operate. Sensors controlled by a wall-mounted box respond to moisture and temperature changes below 38 degrees, activating the system in inclement weather. You can also take advantage of a manual timer feature to preheat your heated driveway before that big storm rolls in, keeping the snow and ice at bay.

If you’re worried about cost, radiant heated driveways are relatively inexpensive when you consider the benefits over time. Choose driveway heating and you’ll avoid damage to your driveway from harsh chemicals and snow shovels, save time shoveling, and save money if you hire out a snow removal service. The good news—you don’t need to pour a new driveway to get heat. Many existing driveways can be retrofitted with a radiant system.

In the end, shoveling might seem economical. Why take a chance with your health to save a few bucks when you can install a radiant heated driveway and enjoy the time savings, equity boost, convenience and safety these systems offer?

Prudent Thinking, Prudent Spending (Part II) 

Heated driveways are highly effective, yet low maintenance, low impact systems. Once you install a heated driveway, you’ll find that it practically becomes invisible in its operation. The snow sensor signals the control unit when the temperatures and precipitation levels warrant its use, activating the system only when it is needed. Basically speaking, you can install a heated driveway and forget about it year round. (Of course, you'll be reminded that it's there every time you look outside on a snowy day and see your nice, clear driveway.) Many people install heated driveways in second homes where it is not possible to remove snow after each storm. Having a heated driveway provides the peace of mind that you’ll never be blocked when entering your property or have to dig yourself out when exiting.

Having a heated driveway is safer for your health and easier on your driveway and can extend the driveway's life span. The health benefits of a radiant heated driveway are obvious, as the need to perform back-breaking work each time a storm hits is eliminated. The convenient electric radiant heat goes to work for you under your pavement. No more shovels, no more digging out, no more sore necks, backs, or wrists.

Generations moving into their golden years no longer have to worry about moving into a condo where the joys of a garage and a yard are left in suburbia. Having a snowmelt system installed means even if your bones and aching back no longer wish to haul out the snow shovel, you can still live where the snow falls and not worry about manually removing the snow from your driveways and sidewalks.

Another benefit of a heated driveway is that without shovels or snow plows constantly scraping the surface of your driveway, the lifetime of your driveway increases. Driveway heating systems also eliminate the need for salt or ice melt which can corrode and damage the driveway as well as harm nearby plants and grass.

If you are environmentally conscientious, installing a heated driveway can help save the planet. Yes, it’s true, there is one more way to love Mother Earth. Using an intelligent snow sensor allows the driveway heating system to operate only when needed, thereby sparing unnecessary energy usage. Having an electric heated driveway also allows you to avoid harsh chemicals or products used to melt snow, scrape ice, or keep driveways clear.

After putting prudent thought behind prudent spending a good place to start when considering whether or not to install a heated driveway system is by locating a trusted product backed up with customer satisfaction. Warmzone's renowned ClearZone radiant heat cable is known as the premier snow and ice melt radiant heat product. Using ClearZone cable for your driveway heating projects gives you unmatched durability. This cable can be safely installed in new concrete pours and under harsh, high temperature new asphalt construction projects. The heat cable is easy to install, and once activated offers a fast response time compared to other radiant snow melt systems on the market. With the companion use of the high-performance snow sensor the system is fully automated and essentially maintenance free.

For those lucky few living in Florida, we gaze enviably on your sunny winters. However with the popularity of electric heated driveways throughout the country, homeowners are discovering the convenience and long term benefits of having a dependable snow melt system, making winter a bit more bearable for the rest of us.

Prudent Thinking, Prudent Spending

How many of us plow out of the other side of winter saying to ourselves, “I think I’ll move to Florida?” After the back breaking, agonizing work of shoveling snow and clearing driveways and countless sidewalks, the Sunshine State with its charming flower, the Orange Blossom, seems like a blissful way to survive next year’s snowy months. Sadly, most of us don’t have the luxury of picking up our lives and shifting to greener, sunnier pastures where orange blossoms, well, blossom. Winter is almost behind us this year and the memory of that hard work is still fresh in our minds. Right now is the most prudent time to start thinking about installing a heated driveway snow melting system.

As the final signs of winter move behind us for another year, many products go on sale in the hope of clearing shelves for brighter, cheerier summer products. Snow shovels and sleds are the clearance “item of the week” for many hardware stores as they hope to make room for plastic swimming pools and sand toys. The same can be said for radiant heated driveways. Installing a heated driveway during the off season can always save you money. It’s like rushing out to buy Christmas lights for your house, the day AFTER Christmas. There is always a good deal to be found.

What type of driveway heating is right for you? The answer is, “it depends.” The bottom line is that installing radiant heated driveways is easier than ever and very affordable, making it a prudent way to spend in this tight economy. Heated driveways can be installed in new construction or under existing driveways and sidewalks, so maybe you won’t have to move to Florida after all. Consider the following:

There are two types of radiant heat for your driveway, electronic and hydronic. Both systems require heating elements be installed beneath the surface of your driveway. Electric driveway heating systems utilize durable long-line heating cables while hydronic systems generate heated water which is pumped through plastic tubing. Electric driveway heating systems are generally cheaper and easier to install than hydronic systems. Electric heating is ideal for home use, while hydronic is better suited for larger heating projects in excess of 4000 square feet.

Heated driveway systems are highly customizable and can be installed in any phase and configuration of home construction. It doesn’t matter if you plan on concrete, asphalt, or brick, a heated driveway system uses radiant heat to warm the surface you choose. As a plus, if you live in an existing dwelling where the driveways and sidewalks are already in place, radiant heated driveways can easily be installed. Using concrete saw-cut technology, appropriately measured grooves are cut into the concrete (or asphalt). Once the grooves have been cut, radiant heating cable is laid into the grooves, sealed using an epoxy topcoat and driveway heating becomes a reality. Weather is rarely a factor for installation, so there are few limitations on the timing of placing a driveway snow melting system. A side note to be aware of is that it is recommended that all electrical connections to the master control box be handled by a qualified electrician.

The cost to install a heated driveway is minimal compared to the long term benefits. Electric snow melting systems have three basic components: the heating element, the controller, and the snow sensor. Thanks to DMC-100 master control unit, which was recently developed for use by Warmzone, the snowmelt system features fully automated operation and manual override capability, as well as energy-efficient driveway heating. An outdoor snow sensor is connected to the master control unit and is programmed to automatically activate the radiant driveway heating cable when the sensor plate detects precipitation and temperatures are below 38 degrees Fahrenheit. With this smart technology you never have to worry about running the system needlessly, thereby eliminating energy waste and saving you from high operational costs.

A home that boasts the convenience of a heated driveway system has added property value. While the initial monetary outlay exists to install a snow melting system, installing radiant driveway heat ends up being a smart investment in the long run as you reap the property value benefits and the added convenience of never buying and replacing snow shovels, blowers, ice melt, ice picks, salt and other harsh chemicals.

(Continued. See Part II )