This homeowner in Lake Zurich, Illinois, faced the persistent challenge of heavy snowfall rendering their large patio unusable and requiring strenuous, repeated manual clearing. The elegant, modern solution was the seamless integration of a WarmlyYours Snow Melt PowerMat system into their new concrete patio installation. This radiant heating system provides automatic, hands-free snow removal, significantly enhancing the usability and safety of their outdoor living space, adding substantial value to the home, and eliminating the back-breaking work of winter maintenance.
Project Details
- Location: Lake Zurich, Illinois
- Heated Space Type: Outdoor Patio (Snow Melting)
- Heated Square Footage: 259 sq. ft. (Full Coverage)
- System: Snow Melt Mat (PowerMat)
- Voltage: 240V
- Wattage: 11,509 W (11.51 kW)
- Amps: 47 A
- Flooring/Surface: Concrete (new pour)
- Operating Cost Per Hour: $1.91 (while actively melting snow)
- Per Event (e.g., 4-hour snow event): ≈ $7.64
- Per Month (Estimate, highly variable): ≈ $30–$100+ (depends entirely on winter weather)
A Permanent Solution for Illinois Winters
Located in the heavy snow belt of Lake Zurich, IL, the homeowner sought a permanent and reliable solution to keep their large patio clear without resorting to constant shoveling or using corrosive, damaging ice-melting chemicals.3 The construction of a new concrete patio presented the ideal opportunity for a substantial upgrade by integrating the snow-melting mats directly into the slab.
The system utilized multiple WarmlyYours Snow Melt PowerMats to cover the full 259 sq. ft. area. These durable, robust mats were simply rolled out and secured directly to the wire mesh or rebar before the concrete was poured, ensuring the heating cables were perfectly positioned within the slab for maximum efficiency. The installation was straightforward, requiring only the standard electrical connections to be run to the control unit.
The entire system is managed by the Value Snow Melt Control unit, which is key to its energy efficiency. This intelligent, automated controller activates the mats only when it detects both cold temperatures and precipitation, providing hands-free snow removal exactly when needed. The result is a perpetually clear and safe patio, regardless of the severity of the Illinois winter.4 This upgrade not only adds a high-end luxury feature to the home but also dramatically increases the accessibility and safety of the outdoor space.
Featured Products
Snow Melt PowerMat (240V): These robust, electric
radiant heating mats are specifically designed for embedment in concrete
and asphalt for large-area snow melting. The durable heating cable is
pre-attached to a rollable mesh, greatly simplifying and speeding up the
installation process. Multiple sizes (including 2x50', 2x30', 2x20',
2x15') were used to ensure optimal coverage for the 259 sq. ft. patio.
Value Snow Melt Control (SCV-120): This is the brain of
the snow-melting system. It features an aerial-mounted sensor that
automatically detects both moisture and air temperature. This
intelligence ensures the system only activates when necessary—when it's
cold enough and snowing—maximizing energy efficiency and providing a truly hands-free snow removal experience.
Medium Relay Panel (RLY-8PL): Given the large size and high amperage (47A) of this installation, a relay panel was required to safely manage and distribute the electrical power to the multiple heating mats. It acts as a critical electrical interface between the heating mats and the primary snow melt controller.
