Heated Driveway News

Electric snowmelt and hydronic snow melting systems both keep your driveway free of snow and ice, but which one is better? The debate over hydronic versus electric systems is ongoing and may not reveal immediate and apparent differences right away – so here is a breakdown of each type of system, to help you make a well informed purchase.

Hydronic heat is the oldest radiant heating technology, and has proven the test of time. While both electric and hydronic heat systems offer great advantages, the ease of use and flexibility of electric radiant heat makes it suitable for a larger number of applications. Ultimately, the system you choose will be based on your project parameters, size, budget, and location.

Heated Driveways are more Affordable than Ever

Driveway heating systems have always been thought of as something that only the rich can afford. Many homeowners have seen a heated driveway, but have never considered the possibility of owning one for themselves. New technologies have emerged that have lowered costs, raised efficiency, and simplified installation, making it possible for any handy "do-it-yourselfer" to install the system. Now every homeowner can enjoy the benefits of owning a heated driveway!

Older driveway heating systems take 30 percent longer to heat than current systems, which means they cost more to operate and must remain on longer to effectively remove snow. Today’s heated driveways only activate when the automatic sensor detects precipitation, and automatically shuts off when snow removal is completed. The sophistication of the new systems eliminate wasteful energy consumption. Many home owners report only a slight increase in their power bills, which is little when compared to the benefits of automated snow removal.

Some unfounded claims have been made against the use of heated driveway systems, including the argument that they contribute to global warming by heating the outside air. The new radiant systems only run long enough to complete the snow removal process and do not produce enough heat to warm the air. Driveway heating systems are actually beneficial for the environment, eliminating the need for salt and snowmelt chemicals that harm nearby vegetation, pollute streams and water tables. Radiant heated driveways also can protect and increase the lifespan of your driveway.

We are clearly into the time of year where the snow is upon us. When I was out shoveling snow off the driveway a few days ago I thought, wow, I don’t really need to be doing this. Oh sure it was great exercise, but I prefer a good runaround on a racquetball court as opposed to shoveling snow from the driveway. Why not turn your existing driveway into a heated driveway with the installation of a radiant snow melting system?

Retrofitting your driveway with radiant heat is not a major remodel project that you need to avoid. It really isn’t that difficult. Your existing asphalt driveway surface can be “grooved” and a grid of radiant heat cable can be laid out. (As a contractor, I can attest to the fact that Danfoss GX cable is by far superior to other heat cables.)

The cable can be embedded into the surface and as little as a half inch of asphalt covers the surface. You then have a radiant snow melting system. Get up in the morning and drive out to work. The bad news is that one excuse for being late has just been removed.

Radiant heated driveways are a nice way to simplify your life. Automated sensors switch on when the temperature and conditions indicate snow, turning your driveway into an energy-efficient radiant snow melting system. And you thought it was just a driveway.