Why and How to Install a WarmlyYours Snow Melting System

Hello and thank you for joining today's webinar, "Why and How to Install a WarmlyYours Snow Melting System," hosted by WarmlyYours Radiant Heating. I'm your moderator, Scott Rosenbaum, and I will take the next 20 minutes or so to discuss the benefits of installing a snow melting system and guide you through the installation process step by step. After that, we'll open the floor to any questions you may have. Before we dive into the presentation, I want to remind you that if you have any questions throughout the webinar, you can submit them at any time by clicking on the questions and answers button located in the top left corner of your screen. I will address these questions at the end of the session.

Let's begin by exploring the benefits of snow melting systems. These systems are ideal for outdoor applications such as driveways, walkways, stairs, and patios. By providing a snow-free environment, they eliminate the need for shoveling and reduce the risks associated with black ice and slipping hazards. The snow melting system not only melts the snow but also heats the water generated from the melting snow, causing it to evaporate and leaving you with a dry surface. For those who regularly shovel snow, you know that no matter how hard you push that shovel, some remnants of snow or ice will remain, creating a trip hazard. However, with electric heating cables, you can effectively melt the snow and evaporate the runoff water, resulting in a safe and dry surface.

Now, let's look at some key facts about snow melting systems. These systems are designed for outdoor installation in asphalt, where we recommend using mats. Additionally, they can be installed in concrete or mortar under pavers. The system features twin conductor cables, which come attached to mats or available as loose cable. They are offered in both 120 and 240 volts, with a 20-foot cold lead for easy power hookup. We are also introducing 208 and 277 volt cables, which will be available in October and late August, respectively. These new cables will include a 50-foot cold lead, making them easier to connect for larger commercial installations.

It's important to note that snow melting systems are not designed for outdoor comfort heating. This means you should not expect to sit outside on your patio when temperatures drop to five degrees and feel warm. The primary function of these systems is to melt snow on surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or pavers, ensuring safe walking and entry into buildings. Our automatic controllers feature a hold-on function, which allows you to adjust the hold-on time or after-run time. This feature determines how long the system continues to operate after a snow event has concluded. Without an after-run time, the system would turn off immediately after the snow stops, potentially leaving residual snow or ice on your driveway or sidewalk. The hold-on time is designed to run for a few hours afterward to completely melt the snow and evaporate the runoff water.

Another useful feature is the low temperature lockout, available on the SCE 120 control and the SCV dual controls. This feature prevents the system from activating when outdoor temperatures are extremely low. Our snow melting system operates at 50 watts per square foot, which is typically sufficient to melt snow under normal conditions. However, in extremely cold temperatures, no snow melting system, unless designed for emergency use, will have enough wattage to eliminate all snow and ice. When temperatures drop into the lower teens, it becomes increasingly difficult to melt snow and evaporate runoff water. The low temperature lockout feature helps save operational costs by preventing the system from running unnecessarily when it cannot achieve its intended purpose.

Our snow melting products include both cable and mats, with the cable option being the most economical. Cables are available in lengths ranging from 43 feet to 428 feet and feature 12 watts per linear foot, yielding 50 watts per square foot when spaced three inches apart. Cables are particularly well-suited for non-rectangular areas and stairs, where flexibility in installation is crucial. We strongly recommend using cable for stairs, as mats may not fit well in such applications. While cable installation is more labor-intensive, requiring attachment to rebar or a frame every three inches, mats are pre-attached and come in two-foot or three-foot widths, with lengths ranging from five to 50 feet. Mats are designed with three-inch cable spacing and provide 50 watts per square foot, making them faster and easier to install, especially in asphalt.

Next, let's discuss our snow melting controls. A wide range of controllability options are available, from basic timers to advanced systems. This information can be found on our website. The premium control requires an aerial sensor and can also be used with a gutter sensor for roof and gutter melting systems. The economy control includes a gutter sensor and a slab sensor, which is not pictured here, and is suitable for melting snow from driveways, although we do not recommend it for pavers. Additionally, we offer an advanced snow aerial and gutter sensor that can be paired with an aerial sensor. For those who prefer manual control, we have a manual control dial timer that allows you to turn the system on or off as needed. The SCV dual control, which is not pictured, is a standalone unit that can conveniently manage snow melting in your yard.

To quote our snow melting systems, you can easily do so through our website. Simply select "instant quote" and choose snow melting. You can name your project, such as "Joe's driveway" or "Sue's walkway," and then hit continue. Next, select the type of location for the system, whether it be a driveway, sidewalk, walkway, patio, or other area. After choosing the location, indicate your role in the project, whether you are the homeowner or a general contractor. You can provide your zip code and specify the surface type, such as asphalt, concrete, or pavers. The coverage type refers to whether you want to heat every square inch or just a portion of the area. You can enter the square footage or dimensions to receive an immediate quote.

If you prefer, you can draw a room or upload a floor plan, in which case you will need to provide an email address if you are not already logged into your WarmlyYours online account. Our engineering team will work on a quote for you and send it back within one to two business days. The system will suggest a snow melt mat, which offers cut-and-turn installation for maximum flexibility and ease of installation. The quote will include the price, coverage details, warranty information, wattage per square foot, and the voltage of the system.

At this point, you can select your type of control. The missing value snow melt control, a dual voltage unit, features a cone that acts as a snow melt sensor and dampness sensor. It typically activates when temperatures drop below a preset level, usually around 38 degrees, and when rain or snow is detected. You can also choose from various snow and ice melting controls, including economy, advanced, and premium options. We recommend the premium control, especially for asphalt surfaces, as it includes an over-temperature sensor that prevents overheating and ensures efficient operation.

Next, you will need to choose your accessories. A snow melt plaque is provided, as required by the National Electric Code, to inform individuals that snow melting cables are installed beneath the surface. After selecting your accessories, you can review any applicable discounts and then add the items to your cart.

Now, let's take a look at our installation video, which effectively addresses the major points involved in installing a snow melt system in a concrete slab. In this video, we work on a concrete installation job with radiant snow melt heating cables. Joining me is Tom Fitzgerald from Able Concrete. We will discuss important considerations for planning your concrete installation and demonstrate the process of pouring concrete and managing the associated electrical work.

During the installation, we will remove the existing patio, install a radiant heat system to melt snow, and create a new decorative concrete patio, which will also support a hot tub. As we progress, we will lay down insulation and reinforcement metal to prepare for the wiring. Tom and I are examining the heating wire and the mesh to which it is attached. To ensure proper installation, we will adjust our concrete mix to use a smaller aggregate, allowing it to flow through the mesh effectively.

Before proceeding with the electric mats, it is crucial to test them. A mega ohm meter should be used to check the mats for connectivity. This test ensures that there is no connection between the cores and the ground, confirming the integrity of the mats. It is important to maintain proper spacing between the electric cables to prevent overheating, and we will ensure that they are kept at three-inch intervals.

As we move to the electrical control room, we will discuss the circuit breaker box, which sends power to the system. The controller operates on a 120-volt line, while the heating mats receive a 240-volt supply. This setup allows for efficient operation of the snow melting system.

As we conclude the installation, we will see the finished product, showcasing the newly poured and stamped concrete. If you have any further questions about heating your patio or driveway, please visit WarmlyYours.com for more information.

Thank you for watching our installation video. If you have any questions or would like more information about our products, please contact your account manager. If you are unsure of who your account manager is, you can find out by checking your online account or by calling us at 800-875-5285 for assistance. For on-site installation support, our tech support team is available 24/7 at the same number.

Now, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. We appreciate your participation and feedback. We often receive questions about electricity usage for heating driveways. To calculate the electricity required, multiply the square footage by 50 watts per square foot. For larger areas, divide the total wattage by 240 to determine the necessary amperage.

We also received a question from Bill about using our system with pavers. Yes, it is compatible, and we have an installation manual that outlines the process. Typically, a base of four to eight inches of crushed rock or gravel is recommended, followed by the installation of cables in mortar or sand. The mortar bed under pavers should be about one to one and a half inches thick for optimal heat transfer.

Another common inquiry is regarding the installation of snow melting systems in stairs. We recommend using heating cables rather than mats for this application due to the flexibility required. Additionally, the system is not designed to heat the riser of each stair, so it's best to avoid large overhangs to ensure effective melting.

We also clarify that electricians are responsible for supplying junction boxes, and chicken wire should not be used to secure the cables. Instead, we suggest using six or ten-gauge wire for reinforcement. Lastly, while 240-volt cables can operate on 208 volts, this will reduce their output to about 87%, which may still yield satisfactory results.

I would like to announce our next webinar, scheduled for Thursday, August 27th, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. This session will cover the benefits of a roof and gutter de-icing system and the installation process for our Ice Shield product. To register, please visit warmlyours.com/webinar/roof-and-gutter.

You can also find previous webinars by visiting our webpage and selecting "more" to access our video collection, which includes training and installation videos. Thank you for your attention today. We sincerely appreciate your time and look forward to connecting with you soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 800-875-5285 or info@warmlyours.com. Until then, stay warm and stay radiant.