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WHMA-240-0250-4 Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Electric-resistance heating cables and systems have no polarity. This includes all current WarmlyYours heating elements.

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Yes. The manufacturer's splice that connects the heating element to the cold lead should be entirely embedded in a noncombustible material (like asphalt, concrete, or mortar) within the outdoor surface that is being heated. 

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GFEP is the National Electric Code (NEC) required protection for fixed outdoor deicing and snow-melting equipment, which may be accomplished by using circuit breakers equipped with ground-fault equipment protection (GFEP) of 30 mA. It is important to understand that this required equipment protection is NOT the same as a 5 mA GFCI used for personal protection.

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To ensure optimal performance, snow melting heating elements should be installed so that they are consistently 2"-3" from the finished surface. For installations using pavers, the maximum thickness for pavers installed over heating elements is 2.5". 

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If a cable is damaged during installation, recheck the system for continuity and confirm the integrity of the insulation with a megohmmeter, or "megger" tester, referring to the installation and testing instructions. If the cable fails any of these tests, take the following actions: clear a 3 foot square working area around the damaged section of cable, and record the cable part number from the UL tag and the location where you purchased the product. Call WarmlyYours with the above information. WarmlyYours will provide further assistance and supply a splice kit suitable for repairing the particular cable.

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Yes, as long as the paver isn't resting on exposed cable. The cable has to be embedded according to the installation cross section drawing.

Cover to an uncompacted depth of 1.5” (38mm), leveled to grade. A compactor that's applicable to the thickness and application can be used to compact the sand. The paver installer(s) must take care not to walk on the hot-cold factory splice and to avoid damaging the Heating Cables with shovels or rakes. At no time shall the compactor directly contact the wire.

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Yes, WarmlyYours Snow Melting Heating System can be installed with quartzite stones. Start with 4” to 8” (102mm to 203mm) of crushed rock aggregate base. Rebar or wire mesh should be staked on top of this base and then heating cables or mats will be tied to this mesh with plastic zip ties. Heating system needs to be covered with 1” to 1.5” (51mm to 76mm) of finished mortar or sand. Stone Pavers will be installed on top but must NOT be any thicker than 2.5” (63.5mm). See cross-section in the documents section and in the manual.

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No, a sensor is not required with the snow melt system. However, certain automatic controllers require a temperature/moisture sensor to sense atmospheric conditions and may also require an in-slab, high temperature limit sensor to be installed (notably, asphalt installations).

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Yes. The NEC requires 2“ minimum of non-combustible material below, and 1.5“ minimum of non-combustible material above the heating cable.

The drawback is whether or not the pervious concrete will fail under load, thereby damaging the heating cable and voiding warranty. The cable should be attached to rebar in this case to insure the strongest support.

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Reflective insulation is not effective with conductive heating, which is how embedded floor heating and snow-melting systems transfer heat. To be effective, the reflective insulation surface needs to face an air space (air gap), which allows the reflected heat to be redirected.

An effective solution considers the insulating material's R-Value. This is the rating of a material's insulating properties. The "R" stands for "resistance" and refers to the material's resistance to heat flow, or temperature conduction.

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A heated driveway can add meaningful resale value, particularly in snow-belt markets where buyers understand and appreciate the benefit. While there is no universal appraisal standard for heated driveways, real estate professionals in high-snowfall regions commonly report a 2–5% premium for homes with snow melting systems — especially when the system covers the full driveway and includes automatic controls.

Beyond the dollar value, a heated driveway is a strong differentiator in a competitive market. Buyers who have experienced the convenience firsthand — or who dread the prospect of shoveling — will often prioritize a home with a heated driveway over a comparable home without one.

The value impact is strongest in markets with 20+ annual snow events, where the system provides clear, recurring benefit every winter.

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The payback period for a heated driveway typically ranges from 5 to 12 years, depending on three key factors: your local climate (how many snow events per season), what you currently spend on snow removal, and the size and coverage type of your system.

Here's a general framework:

  • Light snow climates (10–15 events/year, e.g. Denver, Kansas City): 8–12 year payback
  • Moderate snow climates (15–25 events/year, e.g. Chicago, Minneapolis): 5–8 year payback
  • Heavy snow climates (25+ events/year, e.g. Buffalo, Burlington VT): 4–6 year payback

These estimates assume you're replacing professional plowing ($300–$900/season) and salting ($50–$150/season), and factor in typical operating costs of $100–$300/season. Homeowners who currently pay for plowing see the fastest payback.

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A heated driveway typically costs between $0.12 and $0.60 per hour to operate, depending on the size of the system and your local electricity rate. A 200 sq. ft. tire-track system runs at the lower end, while a full-coverage 1,000 sq. ft. driveway runs at the higher end. Most systems only activate when snow or freezing conditions are detected, so they don't run continuously. Over a full winter season, operating costs are typically $100–$300 — far less than the cost of annual salt, shoveling services, or driveway repairs from salt damage.

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To calculate the system's approximate operating costs, multiply the total kilowatts of the system by your local electricity rate. Let's use the example of a 350 sq. ft. concrete patio (residential application), with 240 VAC, at the U.S. national average rate of $0.17 per kWh.

Total Watts: multiply area in sq. ft. × 50 Watts
350 × 50 = 17,500 Total Watts

Kilowatts: (the unit by which we purchase electricity) divide Total Watts by 1,000
17,500 Watts ÷ 1,000 = 17.5 kW

Cost per Hour: multiply kW by your local kWh rate
17.5 kW × $0.17/kWh = $2.98 per hour of operation

Hours of Operation: using a typical 6-hour snowfall as an example
$2.98 × 6 hours = $17.85 for that storm

All of this will vary based on your local electricity rate and "after-run time." After-run time is the period the system remains on after snow stops falling to fully dry the slab and prevent refreezing — typically 1–3 additional hours. Rates vary widely by state; check your utility bill for your actual kWh rate. Use our Operating Cost Calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your zip code.

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It depends on what you're comparing it to. In light-snow climates (fewer than 10 significant snow events per year), the financial payback period is longer — typically 10–15 years — because you're replacing less snow removal spending. However, the non-financial benefits remain the same regardless of snowfall: no shoveling, no ice hazards, no salt damage to your driveway surface.

For homeowners in light-snow climates, the strongest case for a heated driveway is often ice prevention rather than snow removal. Even a light dusting followed by a temperature drop can create dangerous black ice on a driveway — and a snow melting system eliminates that risk automatically. If you have elderly family members, mobility challenges, or a sloped driveway, the safety benefit alone may justify the investment regardless of snowfall frequency.

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For driveways with a grade (slope) of 5% or more, WarmlyYours recommends full-coverage snow melting rather than tire-track heating. Here's why grade matters:

  • 0–4% grade (nearly flat): Tire-track heating is a cost-effective option. The unheated areas between tracks are a minor inconvenience.
  • 5–8% grade (moderate slope): Full coverage is strongly recommended. Unheated areas between tire tracks become primary slip hazards for pedestrians stepping out of vehicles.
  • 8%+ grade (steep): Full coverage is essential. Gravity significantly increases the risk of vehicle sliding and pedestrian falls on any unheated surface.

On a slope, a vehicle that makes it up a heated tire track can still slide sideways if the surrounding surface is icy. Full coverage eliminates the entire hazard — not just the vehicle path. The additional material cost is approximately 35% more than tire-track heating, but it is the only option that truly eliminates the risk on a steep grade.

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The best pet-safe deicers for driveways are magnesium chloride and urea-based products. Magnesium chloride is gentler on paws than rock salt or calcium chloride, works down to about -13°F (-25°C), and is less harmful to vegetation. Sand and kitty litter are also completely pet-safe traction options, though they don't melt ice. Always rinse pets' paws after walks on treated surfaces. For a truly pet-safe solution, a heated driveway eliminates the need for any chemical deicers entirely.

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The fastest way to melt ice on a driveway without salt is to use a rubbing alcohol spray (mix 2 parts 70% isopropyl alcohol with 1 part warm water in a spray bottle) or a calcium chloride-based deicer. Both work rapidly at low temperatures. For thick ice, break it up with a metal ice scraper first, then apply the deicer. A heated driveway system is the only permanent solution — it prevents ice from forming in the first place.

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