Is a Heated Driveway Right for Your Home?
What Is a Heated Driveway?
There are two different heated driveway products: portable heated driveway mats and fully built-in heated driveway systems.
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How Do Heated Driveways Work?
Built-in snow-melting systems can either run with circulating heated water or low-voltage electric radiant heat technology.
They can either work manually or automated.
Heating mats are alternatives to hydronic and radiant heat systems and run on electricity.
Here are more specifics.
The water in heated driveway systems mixes with an anti-freeze (glycol) to melt the ice and snow.
The grid of wires is installed beneath your driveway and heats it up to combat snow and ice.
Snow does not accumulate with these systems.
Automated heated driveway systems have sensors that keep track of temperatures and detect moisture levels.
A moisture-resistant power cord plugs into a regular outdoor outlet.
However, for convenience, you may want an electrician to hook the mats up to your electrical panel.
The mat targets the ice and snow in an area of your driveway.
Mats are portable and can be driven over without causing damage.
Regions with lower electricity rates would benefit from an electric system.
Heated Driveway Installation
Not every driveway can become a heated driveway.
Before deciding to install one, you should know whattypes of drivewaysare compatible with heated driveway systems.
Concrete driveways and asphalt driveways are typically both suitable for the installation of snow-melting systems.
Companiesspecializing in heated driveways can retrofit an existing driveway with the tubing or wires required for a snow-melting system.
Is a Heated Driveway Worth It?
A built-in heated driveway is costly to install and run.
However, it is cheaper and easier to start a heated driveway from scratch with new construction.
If you need a new driveway soon it would be the perfect time to install a built-in heated driveway.
The options, however, are not limited to new driveway construction.
Like all mechanical systems, a heated driveway can wear out over time.
If properly maintained, a built-in system could last up to two decades.
Insulation is highly recommended but not required.
Insulation will help push the heat up towards the surface of the driveway for faster melting times.
4, 2020, pp.
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Snow Melting-Heated Exterior Surfaces.Heatizon Sytems.
Ice Melting Stair Mat.HeatTrak.
How Much Does a Heated Driveway Cost?HomeAdvisor.
Snow Melting Systems.Comfort Radiant-Danfoss.
