Snow Melting Install- From Start to Finish

Hello everyone and welcome to the WarmlyYours webinar, "Snow Melting Install from Start to Finish." I'm Linnae Groshi, and I manage social media communications here at WarmlyYours. I'll be your co-host today along with Scott Rosenbaum, Manager of Technical Support, as we discuss snow melting systems. We're hosting this webinar today because one of the most common questions asked is about the installation process. Our goal is to walk you through the entire installation of a snow melting system in a straightforward manner, specifically focusing on an asphalt driveway. We are here to answer any questions you may have, so if you have a question at any point during this webinar, please submit it using the Q&A function located on the left-hand side of your screen. We'll do our best to address all your questions by the end of the session. I'll be checking in with you as live questions come in, and we'll also address some questions received during registration. Right now, I’m going to hand it over to Scott for the technical side of things. Go ahead and take it away, Scott.

Thank you, Linnae. Today, we will be discussing the installation of snow melting systems, using a specific installation example to help you understand the process. So, what is snow melting? It involves an embedded heating element, specifically an electric heating cable, installed inside the driveway. This differs from hydronic systems, which use water flowing through plastic tubing. The issue with plastic tubing is that it doesn’t perform well under the high temperatures of 300-degree asphalt. Therefore, when installing in asphalt, it is best to use electric heating cable, which is designed to withstand those high temperatures. One of the main benefits of electric heat is the absence of boilers, pumps, or PEX tubing to manage, along with the elimination of valves that require servicing. This simplicity offers significant advantages.

Now, let's compare our WarmlyYours snow melting system with other snow removal methods. We all know that neighborhood kids sometimes take it upon themselves to shovel driveways, but that can be a lot of work. Additionally, snow plow trucks can create large piles of snow at the end of the driveway, which can be problematic after a winter full of snow. With electric snow melting, you avoid these issues entirely. This means you won’t strain your back from constant shoveling, nor will you need to find someone with a plow to clear your driveway. Furthermore, there’s no need for salt, which can harm plants and pose risks to pets and local wildlife. The snow melting system operates purely on electrical heat.

When should you install a snow melting system? Since it is embedded, it should be installed when you are either redoing your driveway or putting in a brand new one. In the job we’re discussing, the driveway was previously just an open area of dirt. The customer had issues with a narrow driveway that made it difficult to maneuver multiple cars in and out at once. They decided to expand the driveway to alleviate this problem. When they are ready to redo the pavement, they can remove the old surface and install more electrical heating as permitted by their electrical panel.

We actually have a customer question from Joyce, who wants to see what a dimension line drawing for this kind of system would look like. Scott, do you have that pulled up?

Yes, I believe Joyce is referring to our SmartPlan. The SmartPlan allows you to send us a drawing, like the one in the upper left corner of the slide, with dimensions included. We then take your drawing and the dimensions you provide and incorporate the product layout as shown. This plan is beneficial because it gives you a clear idea of how the product will be laid out before you attempt the installation yourself. The WarmlyYours SmartPlan includes information on the cost per hour to operate the system, the required amperage, total wattage, and the number of breakers needed for the installation.

What if someone does not have enough electricity to power the system? That’s an important consideration. The first step is to create a drawing for us, and we will inform you of the amperage required. You will then need to check your breaker box to see if there is enough space and available power. If you find that you don’t have enough power or breakers, you can run a controller that operates the system in separate zones. The plan will show the mat numbers and their respective amperages, such as 20 amps, 20 amps, 12 amps, and 8 amps. If you only have, for example, 30 amps available, you can split the system into three or four zones, ensuring that the total load of each mat is less than the capacity of the breaker.

It’s important to note that the best snow removal occurs when the entire system is activated simultaneously. If you have to divide it into multiple zones, it could take significantly longer to heat the entire area compared to turning it all on at once. That’s a great question.

How does someone obtain a SmartPlan? Simply send us your drawing, and we will create the plan for you promptly, allowing you to understand what your installation will require. If you want to heat your entire driveway, keep in mind that a large driveway could demand hundreds of amps. The coverage area, referred to as full coverage, may allow for one or two additional mats, which will increase the amperage required. You can choose to do full coverage, tire tracks, or a hybrid of both. For instance, you might opt for full coverage in front of your garage and tire tracks extending to the sidewalk or road. If power is limited, it’s advisable to stick with tire tracks.

However, if you are using pavers, we do not recommend the tire track method. If you want to know why, feel free to reach out to us for an explanation. When implementing tire tracks, you can use them with asphalt or concrete. To ensure proper placement, measure the distance between the front and back wheels of your vehicle and match that measurement to the center of the tire track mats, which are two feet wide. This provides ample leeway for your vehicle to access the street.

Let’s take a look at a cross-section of asphalt. The base typically consists of gravel, which can range from four to twelve inches or more, depending on the project requirements. Your contractor will advise on the necessary thickness. Above the gravel, there will be a base coat of asphalt, followed by the snow melting mat, which is 5/16 of an inch thick, and finally, a finished layer of asphalt. If your asphalt contractor suggests a single pour of three inches, that won’t work. You need a base coat, followed by the heating cables, and then a top coat.

We received a question asking if snow melting systems can work under concrete and pavers. Yes, they can be used in those applications, but not in gravel driveways. The system can be installed between asphalt and concrete. If you are using pavers for a driveway, it is essential to implement full coverage rather than just tire tracks.

One of the first steps in the installation process is to have your contractor excavate and compact the ground. Before doing this, it is crucial to contact your local utility company to mark the locations of any buried cables, such as electric, gas, or TV lines. You want to avoid cutting through these lines during excavation, which could lead to serious issues. Once the area is marked, the contractor can proceed with clearing any necessary trees and excavating the site, ensuring the soil is packed down to prepare for gravel.

Compacted gravel is vital for drainage and serves to solidify the base for the asphalt. Depending on your project, you may need four to eight inches, or even more, to achieve the correct height. When constructing layers, ensure that they are even with any adjoining asphalt. While we recommend at least four to eight inches of gravel, your local contractor will provide guidance on the required thickness.

Next, you will need to prepare for the junction box, which should be installed near where the product is placed. It is essential to indicate the junction box's location when submitting your plan so we can design the layout accordingly. The cold leads, which connect the junction box to the heating mats, come in lengths of either 20 feet or 50 feet. They are not designed to extend from the heating mats all the way back to the house, but rather to connect the driveway to the junction box.

The junction box must be waterproof. Once the gravel is in place and compacted, the base coat of asphalt will be applied. Remember, asphalt is very hot, so if you are doing this yourself, ensure you have appropriate footwear. Time is of the essence; once the asphalt arrives, you need to work quickly to install the system. The base coat will provide the necessary strength and surface for the heating cables.

After the base coat is installed, it is crucial to roll out the heating cables to ensure they fit within the designated area. Once confirmed, the cables should be rolled back up to prepare for the top coat of asphalt. Testing the heating mats and cables on the day of installation is essential. Each cable and mat is tested with an ohmmeter and a mega ohmmeter before leaving the factory. If any issues arise during transport, you want to identify them before the installation crew arrives.

You will need a digital ohmmeter for testing; avoid using analog meters with needles, as they are not suitable for this application. Documenting the ohm readings in your installation manual will help maintain your 10-year warranty and provide a record of a successful installation.

There are two methods for laying out the snow melting mats. You can either pour asphalt over the exposed part of the mat or stake it into the base coat if it is still soft. When staking, ensure you only go through the black plastic mesh and not the heating cable itself. It is critical to keep the cables taut as you work, as failing to do so may result in running out of cable at the end of the run.

As you progress across the driveway, it is important to avoid using paving machines during this step. Instead, you will use a low boy to drop asphalt every few feet as you roll out the mats. Hand spreading the asphalt is necessary, and care should be taken to protect the heating cables from sharp edges.

As you continue, you should see the green section of the heating cable being installed, along with the power supply cable, which is black. The gray piece you see is the factory splice connecting the power supply to the heating cable. It is crucial not to walk on or bend the splice, and it must be at least four inches outside of the conduit, as required by the National Electric Code.

Additionally, when installing an asphalt system, it is important to place a sensor between the heating cables, not on them, to monitor the temperature of the driveway. The sensor should be installed in its own conduit, separate from the heating cables.

As we move forward, you can see the final surfacing being applied, with asphalt being dumped onto the cables. It is essential to work quickly, as the asphalt cools over time. The use of a propane tank to keep the asphalt hot is common practice during this phase.

The junction box must be weatherproof and accessible, whether it is elevated or buried in the ground. It is where the wires from the house will connect with those coming from the heating mats. Your electrician will provide the necessary wiring between the junction box and your home.

Now, let’s discuss the available controls for these systems. There are multiple controllers, but we will start with those that are not suitable for asphalt, as they lack sensors for the slab. The manual melting system and the value melting system are not recommended for asphalt. However, the economy melting system is suitable because it includes a slab sensor. The advanced melting system is also not recommended for asphalt due to the absence of a slab sensor, while the premium and power modulator melting systems are both appropriate for asphalt installations.

The premium melting system operates as an all-or-nothing solution, turning everything on and off simultaneously. If your project requires more amps than available, this system will not work. For zoning, the power modulator system is necessary, allowing you to turn one section on and off without exceeding the available amperage.

For the project we are showcasing, we utilized the power modulator system, which allowed us to divide the installation into multiple zones while incorporating a sensor for the asphalt.

Now, let’s take a look at the finished driveway. Once the system is installed, all that remains is to add snow. Initially, the system may not perform perfectly as it adjusts to the average setup. The sensor located near the junction box is crucial, as it should be positioned as close to the melting area as possible.

The aerial sensor plays a vital role, informing the controller when to activate based on snowfall and temperature. It will also signal the controller to continue running the system after snow has stopped falling, ensuring that the melted snow evaporates and leaves a dry surface behind.

We received a question from Kathy about the cost of installing a snow melt system. While I cannot provide specific installation costs due to regional variations, I can share the product costs. For this project, we used four 240-volt mats, totaling 67.5 amps and 15,015 watts. The power modulator control system cost $1,400, and the snow ice aerial sensor was $265.

According to the National Electric Code, it is essential to install a snow melt plaque, which alerts anyone working on the driveway to the presence of electric cables. The operational cost for this system is approximately $1.27 per hour, based on a national average of 8 cents per kilowatt-hour.

If anyone has further questions, please feel free to submit them through the panel on the left side of your screen. While you do that, I want to share our current promotion: we are offering 15% off all sizes and voltages of our snow melting systems and cables. This is a great opportunity to reduce project costs, but the promotion won’t last forever. You can find more information on our homepage at warmlyyours.com.

For any additional inquiries about our products and services, including our 24/7 installation support, you can reach us via email at info@warmlyyours.com or by calling 1-800-875-5285. Our website also features a chat icon for direct communication with a representative.

After this webinar, there will be a survey to gather your feedback, which is invaluable for improving our presentations. Completing the survey will grant you a coupon code for $50 off your next WarmlyYours purchase. A link to the survey will be included in the follow-up email for those with pop-up blockers.

Don’t forget to join us for our next webinar, introducing our new product line, the Marquee LED Mirrors, on Thursday, May 11th, at 2:00 PM Central Time. The registration link will also be provided in the follow-up email.

Thank you all for joining us today as we walked through the entire installation process. A special thanks to Scott for clarifying many questions. Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to stay updated on our products and webinars. Have a great weekend, and stay warm and radiant!