This homeowner in Doylestown, PA, wanted a permanent, maintenance-free solution for safely clearing their heavily-trafficked paver walkway during the winter months. Shoveling a 60 square-foot path was tiresome and messy, while salt was damaging to the pavers. WarmlyYours designed an effective and energy-efficient solution using our Snow Melt PowerMat system, providing automated snow and ice removal that enhances safety and preserves the beauty of their outdoor surfaces.
Project Details
- Location: Doylestown, PA
- Heated Space Type: Outdoor Walkway
- Square Footage (Heated): 60 sq. ft.
- Surface Type: Paver
- Heating System: Electric Radiant Snow Melting
- Watts: 3,000 W (3.0 kW)
- Volts/Amps: 240 V / 12.5 A (based on PowerMat specs)
- Operating Cost Per Hour: $0.50 (See Cost Highlight for breakdown)
- Products Used: Snow Melt PowerMat, Premium Control, Relay Panel
Keeping Doylestown Pavers Clear and Safe
This project addressed a significant winter challenge for a homeowner in Doylestown, PA, who was dedicated to maintaining their beautiful outdoor space. The main walkway, finished with attractive pavers, was constantly exposed to freezing rain and snow, creating a major slip-and-fall hazard. Traditional methods were simply not working: shoveling was a back-breaking task, and the corrosive nature of chemical ice melt was beginning to damage the intricate paver surface.
The homeowner turned to WarmlyYours for a high-performance, hands-free solution. We designed a custom electric radiant floor heating system centered around the Snow Melt PowerMat. This mat provides 50 watts per square foot, giving it the necessary melting power to keep the 60 sq. ft. path consistently clear. The installer embedded the mat in the mortar layer beneath the pavers—an ideal, permanent application for this type of surface.
Crucially, the system includes a Premium Snow and Ice Melting Control and an Aerial Sensor. This sophisticated setup automatically activates the radiant floor heating only when it detects both precipitation and freezing temperatures, ensuring maximum energy efficiency. The outcome is a perpetually clear, safe, and pristine paver walkway, delivering comfort and safety without manual effort or damage to the stone.
Featured Products
- Snow Melt PowerMat (WHMA-240-0230): High-output (50 W/sq. ft.), pre-wired mat for easy installation beneath pavers.
- Snow and Ice Melting Control Premium (SCP-120): Automated control for optimal energy efficient heating.
- Small Relay Panel (RLY-4PL-CC): Handles the system's high amperage load safely.
- Outdoor Snow Melting Junction Box (SM-JBOX-WM-L): Provides a large, wall-mounted, weatherproof (NEMA 4X) enclosure for safe electrical connections between the mat’s cold lead and system wiring.
- Snow Melt Aerial-Mounted Sensor (AIR-SS-2): Crucial sensor that detects both low temperature and precipitation, ensuring automatic activation.
- Snow Melt Plaque (SMP): NEC-required cast brass plaque marking the embedded floor warming system.
