In This Article
Ken Haas had a problem that thousands of homeowners face every winter: a sloped brick-paver driveway that became treacherous the moment temperatures dropped. Shoveling helped, but the slope meant that even a thin layer of ice made the surface genuinely dangerous. Ken's solution was a WarmlyYours snow melting mat system — installed in under three hours and effective from the very first snowfall. For a full breakdown of system costs, see our heated driveway cost guide.
The System
Ken installed six 2' × 50' mats and two 2' × 10' mats beneath his brick-paver driveway, covering a total of 640 square feet. The mats were laid in mortar beneath the pavers during a resurfacing project — a process his contractor completed in a single morning. By afternoon, the pavers were back in place and the system was ready to connect.
The entire installation took less than three hours from start to finish.
Operating Cost
At 50 watts per square foot, Ken's 640 sq ft system draws 32,000 watts (32 kW) when running at full capacity. Here's how that translates to real operating costs:
| Run Time | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | CA$5.60/hr |
| 4 hours (moderate storm) | CA$22.40/day |
| 6 hours (typical storm) | CA$33.60/day |
For a full breakdown of how operating costs vary by region and season, see our monthly operating cost guide.
First Storm Results
Ken reported that the system performed exactly as expected during the first snowfall of the season. With temperatures in the high 20s°F, snow melted on contact with the heated paver surface — no accumulation, no ice, no shoveling required. The sloped driveway that had been a winter hazard for years was completely clear.
Sloped Driveways Need Full Coverage
For driveways with a grade of 5% or more, WarmlyYours recommends full coverage rather than tire tracks. On a slope, even a small amount of ice between the tire tracks creates a sliding hazard. Automatic sensor controls are also strongly recommended — they activate the system before ice can form, which is critical on a slope where ice removal after the fact is much harder.
Get Started
Use our Instant Quote tool to get a fast estimate for your driveway project. Every quote includes a free SmartPlan™ — a custom installation and electrical plan from our engineering team. Call 800-875-5285 anytime for 24/7 support.
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If anyone has any questions for me, they can contact me at Kenneth_Haas @ yahoo.com