This project in Elmhurst, IL, was a proactive solution for an outdoor area, addressing the year-round challenge of ice and snow on a homeowner’s new concrete walkway. Instead of resorting to harsh salts or back-breaking shoveling, the client chose an electric radiant floor heating system for automatic and effortless snow removal. The WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cable provides highly efficient, full coverage, in-floor heating that significantly enhances the home's safety and value while offering unparalleled convenience during the harsh Illinois winters.
Project Details
- Location: Elmhurst, IL
- Heated Space Type: Walkway (Outdoor Concrete)
- Square Footage (Heated): 139 sq. ft. (Full Coverage)
- Watts: 6,509 W
- Volts: 240 V
- Amps: 27 A
- Operating Cost Per Hour:$0.95 (Quick breakdown: $7.60/day [8 operating hours] rightarrow less than $228/month [assuming 30 operating days]
- Products Used: WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cable (240V), Outdoor Snow Melting Junction Box (In-Ground)
- Installation Surface: Concrete (new pour)
- Cable Spacing: 3.0 inches
When planning a new concrete walkway installation, the homeowner in Elmhurst, IL, was determined to eliminate the constant chore and safety risk associated with snow and ice removal. The typical solution of shoveling or chemical de-icers was undesirable, leading them to pursue a permanent, automated solution.
The decision was made to embed the WarmlyYours Snow Melt Cable directly into the new concrete pour. This process was straightforward for the installer—laying the heating cable in the specified 3.0-inch spacing before the concrete was poured. This seamless integration ensures the system is completely hidden, protecting the cable while providing powerful, full coverage. The result is an automatic snow-free walkway. The system activates when it detects snowfall and freezing temperatures, ensuring the path is clear and safe for family and guests, adding a significant luxury and practical upgrade to the home’s exterior.
Featured Products
- Snow Melt Cable: A durable, high-performance heating cable designed for embedding in concrete, asphalt, or mortar. It provides the radiant floor heating necessary to melt snow and ice automatically. The 240V system ensures high wattage output for fast, efficient snow removal on outdoor surfaces like this concrete walkway.
- Outdoor Snow Melting Junction Box (In-Ground): A specially designed, weather-tight enclosure that protects the electrical connections between the heating cable and the power supply, ensuring reliable operation in harsh weather conditions.
- SCA-Dual: The Snow Melt Contactor Panel with Dual Sensor is a crucial component for automated snow melting systems. It manages the high electrical load of the system and includes two independent sensors (usually a moisture and temperature sensor) to accurately detect conditions and activate the system only when needed, maximizing energy efficiency.
- AIR-SS: The Aerial Sensor is an outdoor temperature and moisture sensor designed to be mounted above the ground. It monitors the ambient air temperature and detects precipitation (snow or rain) to signal the control panel when melting is required, ensuring the system runs automatically and only during snow events.
- RLY-4PL-CC: The 4 Pole Contactor with Control Circuit is a heavy-duty electrical switch used to handle the high current draw of the snow melting cables. The "4 Pole" means it can switch four separate electrical circuits simultaneously, and the "Control Circuit" allows a low-voltage thermostat or control panel to safely manage the high-voltage heating system.
- SMP: The Snow Melt Mat is an alternative to snow melt cable. It is a pre-spaced, flexible mat of heating cable, designed for quick, easy installation, particularly in large, rectangular areas like driveways or large walkways. It ensures uniform heat coverage and reduces installation time compared to laying individual cables.
