In the heart of Merrill, Wisconsin, winter isn’t just a season—it’s a physical obstacle. For this homeowner, managing a 100-foot-long driveway meant hours of back-breaking labor or expensive plowing services every time a lake-effect storm rolled through. They needed a way to ensure safe, 24/7 vehicle access without the "normal" winter routine of ice-chipping and salt damage. WarmlyYours delivered a high-efficiency radiant solution through a targeted asphalt retrofit, turning a daunting frozen stretch into a clear, maintenance-free path.
Project Details
- Location: Merrill, Wisconsin
- Heated Space Type: Residential Driveway (Asphalt Retrofit)
- Flooring / Surface Type: New Asphalt Overlay
- Coverage Type: Targeted Traction Paths
- Total Heated Square Footage: 450 sq. ft.
- System Type: Electric Snow Melting
- Voltage: 240V
- Wattage: 20,001 W
- Amps: 84 A
- Operating Cost:
- Per Hour: ~$2.70
- Per Use Event (8 hrs): ~$21.60
- Estimated Monthly Usage: ~$216.00 (Based on 10 snow events)
- WarmlyYours Products Used: Snow Melt Mats, SCP-120 Premium Control, Aerial Sensor, Relay Panel
- Installer: In The Lite Electric LLC
Precision Engineering for Heavy Snowfall
Many homeowners accept the grueling chore of shoveling a long driveway as an unavoidable part of Northern life. However, constant manual labor and the use of corrosive deicing salts eventually take a toll on both the body and the driveway’s surface. This project highlights the power of an asphalt retrofit, where a high-performance in-floor heating system is integrated into the driveway to eliminate the need for mechanical clearing.
The challenge was clear: how do you heat a 100-foot-long span efficiently without skyrocketing utility costs? The solution was a targeted asphalt retrofit layout. By focusing the radiant snow melting system on the primary traction paths where vehicle tires travel, the homeowner reduced the total heated area while maintaining 100% functionality. This "smart coverage" approach provides a clear, high-traction path for vehicles to navigate the 100-foot distance safely, even in the middle of a Wisconsin blizzard.
Expertly installed by In The Lite Electric LLC, the system features six 50-foot Snow Melt Mats. In this asphalt retrofit application, the durable, high-output mats were positioned perfectly before the final asphalt layer was applied, ensuring maximum heat transfer to the surface. Managed by an automated SCP-120 Premium Control, the system triggers the electric floor heating technology only when moisture and freezing temperatures are detected, protecting the new surface from the freeze-thaw cycles that cause cracks and potholes.
Featured Products
- Snow Melt Mats: Specifically designed for the high-temperature environment of an asphalt retrofit, these mats provide a consistent 50W/sq. ft. output to burn through deep snow and thick ice rapidly.
- SCP-120 Premium Control: This is the "brain" of the system. It monitors weather conditions to prevent energy waste, ensuring the system only runs when it is actually snowing.
- AIR-SS Aerial Sensor: By detecting falling snow and ambient temperature, this sensor triggers the system automatically, providing true hands-free winter maintenance.
- Snow Melt Plaque (SMP): A durable brass marker embedded in the asphalt to meet NEC 426.13 requirements, signaling the presence of the radiant floor heating system to future contractors.
