Warmzone Blog

Wintertime ice storms can do a lot of damage both in the short- and long-term. You know about the problems of slick and icy sidewalks and driveways, downed power lines, and dangerous icy roads. One thing many homeowners forget about is that ice storms or wet winter weather and cold temperatures can do a real number on gutters and roofs, too.

A great solution to this are outdoor heating systems that can help prevent the ice from building up and destroying gutters and roofs on your home. There are numerous systems available to prevent roof and gutter damage; one such system is WarmZone’s RoofHeat system. When mounted to your roof eaves and/or valleys, the RoofHeat system is designed to eliminate ice and snow in those areas keeping your home or business perimeter safer and reducing the risk of winter roof damage.

The outdoor heating system RoofHeat receives its heat from one of two sources. A “cut to length” commercial grade, self regulating heat cable can be inserted into custom channels or ⅜ inch radiant PEX tubing from an existing hydronic system. These panels are attached to the roof eaves and valleys to prevent ice and snow build up in those areas.

This revolutionary patent pending outdoor heating system gives you the option to insert a self-regulating heat cable or PEX tubing from your radiant heating system into a custom aluminum panel which is designed for maximum heat transfer.

Outdoor Heating Systems Tip: The RoofHeat system is available in a wide variety of panel colors and textures to complement your roof.

Ever make a list of pros and cons to help you decide on an issue?  If you are weighing the pros and cons of the different types of driveways, including how they rate for ease of snow removal, you may find yourself very quickly wanting a heated driveway. For example, if you’d really like a driveway made from paver blocks, which are beautiful, you may find yourself surprised at how difficult they are to shovel in the winter. Therefore, instead of forgoing the driveway you really want, you could install a heated driveway system that would automatically melt the snow for you.

Maybe you didn’t realize this, but concrete driveways and asphalt driveways are both suitable for the installation of such heated driveway systems. If you are attracted to a different type of driveway, such as pavers, or cobblestone, you’ll have to weigh its pros and cons (as compared to concrete or asphalt) before deciding.

It’s true, of course, that a heated driveway system is not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about surefire hits for birthday gifts, but it’s the kind of luxurious yet affordable gift that you’ll all enjoy for years to come. Before another snowstorm hits your area, why not treat your family to a fun, unusual, and very cozy surprise gift of a heated driveway?

Heated Driveway Tip: With  heated driveway systems, not only do you get the driveway you really want, but you’ll have more free time, and less back aches from shoveling snow this winter.

It’ll open a new world of possibilities to you.  If you entertain at your home often, consider installing an outdoor heating system. Maybe if you live in a snowy climate, being able to entertain outdoors year-round has been just a dream, but thanks to an outdoor heating system that dream can become a reality.

Whether it’s winter or fall, or even a chilly spring, an outdoor heating system enables you to have a comfortable, heated entertaining space year-round.  An outdoor heating system works similarly to how indoor radiant heat works. Radiant heat warms the floor and any object in contact with the floor to distribute an even, no-draft heat.

Outdoor settings like patios or pathways leading to a hot tub can now benefit from using a traditional hydronic radiant heating system or even more intriguing is the emerging trend of embedding electric heating cables to provide that desired surface temperature. Raising the surface above 38 degrees with an outdoor heating system will conveniently remove any snow or ice and allow you to use your outdoor living areas more often, not to mention safely and comfortably.

Outdoor Heating System Tip: Most capable do-it-yourselfers will have no problem laying out the cable for the outdoor heating systems and preparing them for a certified electrician to do the final connections.

Squirrels and bears aren’t the only ones who make preparations for wintertime. Just like clockwork, in the days after Halloween, just about every house on the block is busy with winter preparations: covering the AC units, buying ice-melt, or buying a new snow shovel. I think about all those folks, busy as bees, and bet that if they had known about the new outdoor heating system available that can automatically melt snow and ice from sidewalks and driveways, there would’ve been a lot more time spent enjoying football games or family time.

Once upon a time, outdoor snow melting systems in concrete, asphalt and under pavers was thought to be a luxury most people couldn’t afford. Now, heating driveways, walkways or even parking areas is becoming common for many residences and businesses. If you live in a cold region that requires snow removal you should consider a automated snow melting system before you begin construction to assure yourself the best design and performance.

Not only is an outdoor heating system convenient, but it’s inexpensive as well. By the time I account for the ice melt I won’t buy, the time I won’t spend, and the money saved on trips to the chiropractor after shoveling snow, I should have the outdoor heating system paid off in a winter or two.

Outdoor Heating System Tip: Adding a heated driveway to your home or business will add safety and value to your property.

Here we are in mid-January and it seems like springtime is miles off. But just because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean you can’t protect your garden or lawn. In the colder months, heating systems are the best option to melt the ice and to protect your landscaping. Heating systems like heated driveways do more than just melt snow and ice from driveways and sidewalks. They also help preserve your landscaping while avoiding the use of harmful salt and chemicals.

You don’t have to look hard to see that the potential damage done to lawns and landscaping by salt spread over asphalt and sidewalks to melt the ice is notable. The sodium chloride burns the plants and gets absorbed by the plants’ root systems. This just means you’ll have damage to repair in the springtime — so easily avoided with the use of heating systems.

The solution isn’t to use alternate “ice-melt” products, which don’t work as effectively as outdoor heating systems. You see, these systems don’t use any harmful chemicals, and they melt the ice so effectively that you don’t have to do any of the work.

Heating Systems Tip: These heating systems may be state-of-the-art technology but easy to install for any contractor or do-it-yourself expert.

Of the many outdoor heating systems available, heated driveways are quickly becoming the most popular. The best heated driveway systems are radiant heating systems, similar to indoor floor heating systems.

To get you caught up on the concept of outdoor heating systems, there are generally primarily two methods for heating: electric and hydronic. Electric systems use a line-voltage cable, while hydronic systems generate hot water, then pump it through plastic PEX tubing. The heating elements are embedded in the surface and use resistant heating to heat the surrounding area. Most heated driveway systems incorporate an automatic sensor that detects inclement weather to activate the system.

Electric outdoor heating systems tend to be more efficient, require less maintenance, and heat surfaces quicker. Hydronic systems are usually slightly more expensive to purchase and install, but the operational costs can be lower depending on the local fuel rates. Both systems have their advantages, however, the electric systems are gaining a lot of interest due to their price, ease of installation, and threatening future of the cost of fuel.

Some of the obvious benefits are, of course, not having to shovel your driveway again, avoiding injury due to slippery surfaces, and having the confidence that your driveway will be cleared when you need to use it.

Outdoor Heating Systems Tip: A host of additional and notable benefits from installation of an outdoor heating system include adding value to your home, preserving the life of your driveway, and avoiding damage to bordering landscape with harmful salts and chemicals.