Clear and Safe: Full Snow Melt Coverage for a Concrete Front Porch in Parma Heights, OH

This homeowner in Parma Heights, Ohio, sought a robust, yet simple, way to keep their 20 sq. ft. concrete front porch clear of snow and ice during the harsh Ohio winters. Shoveling a small, high-traffic area is tedious and poses a slipping hazard. By installing a high-output WarmlyYours Snow Melt PowerMat system, the customer gained an energy-efficient, automated de-icing solution. This installation significantly enhances safety, convenience, and home value, ensuring the front entrance is always accessible.

Project Details

Location: Parma Heights, OH
Heated Space Type: Outdoor Front Porch (Full Coverage)
Heated Square Footage: 20 sq. ft.
Watts, Volts, Amps: 1,000 Watts, 120 Volts, 8 Amps
Operating Cost Per Hour: $0.347/hour
- Quick Breakdown: Approx.$2.78/day (based on 8 hours of use)
- Value: Provides passive safety and eliminates labor costs for less than the price of a small coffee per hour of operation.
Products Used: WarmlyYours Snow Melt PowerMat, Small Relay Panel, Snow Melt Timer Control.

Year-Round Safety on a Concrete Porch

The owners of this Parma Heights home were keenly focused on safety and reducing winter labor on their front porch. The cold concrete surface, being the first point of entry, was a frequent and dangerous spot for ice and compacted snow. They needed a durable, invisible, and straightforward snow removal solution.

The project utilized a single Snow Melt PowerMat unit, perfectly sized to cover the 20 sq. ft. concrete slab. The mat was embedded directly into the concrete during the porch's construction, offering the fastest, most effective way to install this type of electric radiant heating. The mat delivers 50 watts per square foot, ensuring powerful and even melting capability.

Crucially, the system is controlled by the Snow Melt Timer Control (SCM-DUAL). Unlike fully automatic controls, this unit allows the homeowner to activate the system manually or set a timed operation based on weather forecasts, offering simple control and optimizing energy use. A Small Relay Panel was included to safely manage the system's 8-amp load, ensuring reliable power handling and protecting the system's longevity. This strategic installation transformed a risky winter surface into a continuously clear and safe entryway.

Featured Products

Snow Melt PowerMat The high-output electric radiant heating mat is designed for embedding in concrete, asphalt, or under pavers. The pre-spaced element (50 W/sq. ft.) ensures powerful, even melting with a durable, corrosion-resistant design, perfect for exterior concrete.

Snow Melt Timer Control (SCM-DUAL) A simple control that allows the homeowner to manually turn the system on or set a timed cycle ($\text{2-10 hours}$). This gives users precise control over operation, making it ideal for smaller projects or moderate climates.

Small Relay Panel (RLY-4PL-CC) Used to safely manage the electrical load for radiant systems. For this floor warming project, it ensures the control unit can reliably and safely operate the high-amperage heating mat.

Quotes

These quotes are linked to this showcase and include the products used in this project or recommended for a similar-sized project.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to run heated concrete on a porch in Parma Heights, OH?

The running cost is exceptionally low. This 20 sq. ft. snow melting system costs about $0.347 per hour to run when active, based on the Parma Heights electricity rate of 34.81¢/kWh. Since the homeowner controls the timing with the SCM-DUAL, they can minimize operation only to when snow is falling, keeping the overall running cost very low.

2. Can a Snow Melt PowerMat system be installed in a concrete front porch?

Absolutely. The Snow Melt PowerMat is specifically engineered to be embedded directly into poured concrete, as was done for this front porch project. This creates a highly durable and maintenance-free in-floor heating solution that lasts for decades, providing seamless snow and ice removal.

3. What kind of control is best for a small residential snow melting project?

For small residential areas like this 20 sq. ft. porch, a simple system like the Snow Melt Timer Control (SCM-DUAL) is a great choice. It allows the homeowner to manually or with a timer activate the system based on local weather reports, ensuring efficient use of the electric floor heating system and maximizing energy efficiency.

4. Is electric radiant snow melting energy efficient for a concrete surface?

Yes, electric radiant floor heating is extremely energy efficient (near 100% efficiency). For snow melting on concrete, the mat's high output (50 W/sq. ft.) ensures rapid melting, meaning the system runs for shorter periods. Using a timer control allows the homeowner to further optimize efficiency by avoiding continuous standby power consumption.