Project Details
- Location: Skokie, IL (Chicagoland Area)
- Heated Space Type: Outdoor Paver Walkway / Sidewalk
- Heated Square Footage: approx 911sq. ft.
- Watts: 43,060 W
- Volts: 208 V
- Amps: 208 A
- Operating Cost (Approx. - Based on {14.44¢/kWh} in Skokie, IL):
- Per Hour (Full Operation): $6.21
- Per Day (3 hrs. Avg. Run Time): 18.63
- Per Month (15 Days/Month Avg.): $279.45
- Products Used: WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cable, Advanced Snow and Ice Melt Control
Transforming Winter Walkway Maintenance
The challenge for the Skokie, IL, homeowner was clear: maintaining safety and aesthetics on a nearly 1,000 sq. ft. paver walkway during the harsh Midwestern winter. Cold tiles and pavers can be incredibly slippery, and repeatedly shoveling and salting such a large area was not only time-consuming but also causing minor damage to the expensive paver stones. The homeowner sought a permanent, hands-off solution that would be highly reliable and preserve their outdoor investment.
The solution was a high-performance WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cable system, designed for full coverage beneath the pavers. The installation involved securely laying the robust heating cables on a bed before the pavers were set, integrating the system seamlessly into the outdoor hardscaping. The system is controlled by an Advanced Snow and Ice Melt Control unit with an aerial-mounted sensor, allowing for completely energy efficient heating. The sensor detects moisture and temperature, activating the system only when snowfall is imminent, which prevents ice formation and keeps the entire walkway clear without the homeowner lifting a finger. The outcome is a safe, clear walkway, zero manual labor, and added luxury appeal to the property, dramatically improving winter livability.
Featured Products
- WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cable (WHCA-208 Series): A robust, high-performance cable solution designed for embedding in concrete, asphalt, or under pavers. It provides consistent and powerful heat to melt snow and ice rapidly and efficiently. This system utilized several different cable lengths to achieve the required full coverage across the large walkway area.
- Advanced Snow and Ice Melt Control (SCA-DUAL): The intelligent brain of the system. This control uses moisture and temperature sensors to activate the snow melt system automatically, ensuring an energy efficient heating operation by running only when necessary to melt snow or ice.
- Large Relay Panel (RLY-12PL): Essential for high-wattage, large-scale systems like this $43,060$ W snow melt project. The relay panel safely manages the significant electrical load required by the multiple heating cables. This component acts as a switch to activate or deactivate the cables based on the commands from the control unit, ensuring the entire system runs safely and reliably.
- Snow Melt Plaque (SMP): A mandatory accessory (per NEC requirement) that is installed in a visible location near the controller or service panel. This plaque clearly identifies the presence of an electric snow and ice melting system, which is crucial for safety and for future service or maintenance work.
