Answering Common Questions About Heated Driveways

Hey, everybody. Welcome to our webinar today. My name is Julia Billen. I am the CEO, President, and owner of WarmlyYours. That's a lot of titles. Title, title, title. I need to retire, I think. I think you've accumulated enough titles. This is the lovely Scott next to me. He's in charge of everything technical. We keep it brief for you. Yeah, because I'm simple that way. Hi, everybody. Cool. And we're going to be answering common questions about heated driveways and our snow melting systems. We get a lot of inquiries through YouTube, social media, and customers just calling in, wanting to know more about heated driveways. So ask your questions. We've got some in advance, and you have an expert here, so we'll make sure that everything gets answered before we end today.

All right, so let's talk about heated driveways in general: what they are, why we do this, and how we do it. Heated driveways are great because they save you a lot of time and effort. The idea here is that it saves you time shoveling. These systems need to be embedded, which is a key point. A lot of people think you can just roll this out onto an existing driveway, walkway, or porch, but they really need to be embedded. This installation happens at the time you're doing a major revision to your driveway system. When you're doing your driveway, you have to think about removing the old driveway and then putting the new layers in too. It's best to install it at this point because you don't want to miss your chance to get this great feature.

We'll also be discussing different ways you can configure your snow melting system, such as full coverage versus just tire tracks. Let's introduce the product line first, so you know what the physical element is that will be put into the driveway, walkway, or any outdoor surface. Right now, we really should have done this on St. Patrick's Day because of these beautiful green cables and mats. They are lovely. The cables and mats contain the same heating cable; however, on the mats, they're already pre-attached at the right spacing to provide effective melting. The cable is a little less expensive but is more labor-intensive to install under your walkway or driveway. Later, I know you have some preferences regarding when and how these two options are used, and we'll discuss that further in the presentation.

It's also important to know that you have a heating element, but you also need a way to control that heat. There are a variety of controls available, depending on how simple or complex you want the control system to be. Let's go through these six different models, and you can give us a brief overview of each, including when you think each one is best for certain applications.

If we take a look at the controllers, the top models are the most automatic, while the bottom ones are the least automatic. The premium controller is particularly good for asphalt because it has an over-temperature sensor that goes into the asphalt to prevent overheating and melting. The advanced controller uses the same type of sensors as the premium but lacks the over-temperature sensor, making it suitable for pavers and concrete. If you have a large area to heat but lack sufficient power, the power modulator allows you to break the space into zones, heating one section while turning off another, which helps prevent circuit breakers from tripping and is more energy-efficient.

Then we have the economy, timer, and value controllers. The economy controller uses a slab sensor and is ideal for those looking to manage both snow melting and roof and gutter heating simultaneously, as it can handle two separate zones. If you're someone who is home all the time and can anticipate when snow is coming, the timer control allows you to set it for however many hours you want. If it hasn't melted after that time, you can reset the timer. This is particularly useful for those who work from home or are retired. The value control combines both a control and a sensor into one unit. If you have a small installation under 16 amps, this controller can sense snow and temperature, turning the mats on and off without needing additional electrical components.

With the heating element, you have two options: cable or cable on mesh, which helps with spacing. However, for the controls, you need to put more thought into how you'll be using the system. It's essential to discuss options with your customer to find the best fit for their lifestyle and the complexity they desire. Some decisions are application-specific; for example, if you're working with asphalt, you might prefer the premium controller, while for pavers or concrete, the advanced controller may be more suitable.

Now, let's address some frequently asked questions. One of the most common inquiries we receive is about the costs associated with purchasing and operating these systems. Many people initially think that leaving the system on all winter will lead to high electrical usage. However, it's important to understand that you shouldn't put a snow melting system on a simple switch. If you turn it on and forget to turn it off, it will run all winter, which can be quite expensive. Automatic controls ensure that the system only activates when the temperature drops below a certain level and moisture is present.

Typically, an aerial sensor will detect both water falling and the ambient air temperature. For instance, if it's raining or snowing but the temperature is above 40 degrees, the system won't activate because it knows the snow will melt on its own. However, when the temperature drops below 38 degrees, the system will kick in to start melting the snow. Even with an automatic system, there is still a manual switch that allows you to turn the system on or off at your discretion.

The system's runtime is crucial; it keeps the system running after the snow stops to ensure complete melting. Generally, you can set the runtime anywhere from four to ten hours, depending on your specific situation. This is important because if you only melt the snow into water, it can refreeze or not melt completely. The system will continue to run for the necessary hours to ensure everything is clear.

Another common question revolves around ice buildup. The hold-on feature helps mitigate this issue. As snow melts, the system remains active to facilitate evaporation, preventing ice buildup. Ice can be more dangerous than snow, so it's essential to understand that the system not only melts snow but also keeps the area dry.

We also received a question from Claudette regarding the minimum degree of roll-off necessary to ensure no standing water after melting. Most paving companies recommend a 2% drop, which is about a quarter inch per foot. This slight crown directs water away from the house, ensuring proper drainage.

In extreme conditions, such as those we often experience in Illinois, our snow melting systems can melt about one to two inches of snow per hour. However, certain conditions can diminish the system's effectiveness. Typically, snow falls in the 20 to 32-degree range, but if a cold snap follows a snowfall, temperatures can plunge into the single digits, making it harder for the system to melt the snow.

Many people wonder why they shouldn't just shovel snow instead. Shoveling can be a temporary solution, especially if snow continues to fall. Additionally, snow removal poses health and safety risks, including overexertion and slipping.

We also received a question from Charles about the effectiveness of concrete versus asphalt. Both materials are good conductors, but concrete is denser and may heat slightly better. However, the differences are minimal, and asphalt tends to absorb radiant heat from the sun more effectively.

Another common inquiry is about using salt for snow removal. While salt is inexpensive and readily available, it can harm plants and pets and damage vehicles. Salt can lead to dead foliage and is not environmentally friendly, making it a less desirable option compared to heated driveways.

Now, let's discuss the top applications for our products, including asphalt, pavers, and concrete, and how they are installed. Starting with asphalt, the preferred product for installation is the roll cable on mesh. When working with asphalt, it's essential to perform a two-step pour to mitigate damage to the heating element. The first layer can be applied using a machine, but the second layer must be done by hand to avoid damaging the heating system.

In terms of installation, the compacted gravel layer is crucial for determining the height of the driveway. You want to ensure that the compacted gravel is high enough to allow for proper drainage. The base coat of asphalt should be poured quickly after the gravel is laid to prevent cooling.

When discussing concrete installations, it's important to note that the heating element should be embedded two to three inches beneath the surface. If using mats, they have openings that allow concrete to flow through, ensuring proper coverage.

For pavers, full coverage is recommended to avoid rutting, which can occur if only certain areas are heated. The ideal installation involves using a mortar layer to enhance heat transfer, but sand can also be used if mortar is not feasible.

Finally, we often receive questions about the costs associated with these systems. The average cost for a tire track installation is around $2,000, while full coverage can be approximately $3,000. The operating costs are generally manageable, especially when compared to the expense of redoing a driveway.

In conclusion, we encourage you to reach out with any questions you may have. We have a dedicated technical support team available to assist you. Our next webinar will focus on roof and gutter de-icing, so be sure to join us for that discussion. Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you again soon. Stay warm and be radiant!