Frederick Jace
Snow melt systems are invaluable tools for home and business owners alike, helping to eliminate back-breaking shoveling and preventing accidents due to slipperiness during winter.
Snow melt systems typically use sensors that detect freezing temperature or moisture and quickly activate the heating cable when necessary, thus helping reduce energy usage by only running when required.
Check out this article from PlumbTech for additional in-depth information on the advantages of snow melt systems and how they function.
Cost
Electric snow melting systems consist of heating cables and a control unit connected by electrical conductors, controlled by an intelligent thermostat only to activate when necessary, thus limiting energy waste.
An electric driveway heater can be an expensive investment. Still, it will quickly pay for itself with reduced snow removal and chemical costs, enhanced lawn and landscape care, and increased property resale value.
Snow melt systems eliminate the need for salts and harsh chemicals that damage landscaping, require frequent indoor cleaning due to being tracked indoors and degrade asphalt and concrete surfaces.
Convenience
Snow melting systems provide an efficient alternative to de-icing chemicals that damage lawns, driveways and roadways. Furthermore, they help extend the life of concrete, asphalt and pavers by evenly heating them over an extended period. They also eliminate physical damage caused by snow removal equipment and salts that scratch and crack surfaces.
Electric snow melt systems consist of heating cables, a controller and an activation device (typically a pavement or roof-mounted sensor). They operate automatically by sensing precipitation and freezing temperatures to activate their system and shut it off when temperatures rise – saving energy by only activating heating cables when necessary and avoiding overheating.
Modern snow melting systems use highly sophisticated controls with temperature accuracy down to the degree and moisture sensitivities that can detect even light dustings of snowfall. You can configure your system so it runs even when you are sleeping or away, and they are compatible with WiFi, so they can even be remotely managed from a smartphone app for ultimate peace of mind.
Environment
Snow melt systems are designed to work during a snowstorm to prevent unsafe snow and ice build-up without resorting to salts or other de-icing chemicals that can harm the environment. Their minimal power usage won’t impact energy bills either.
Seasonal snow accumulation and melting provide essential freshwater resources that support ecosystems, recreation and livelihoods. But warmer temperatures have caused snowfall rates to drop more quickly, prompting researchers to warn that this could have widespread “cascading” effects across global ecosystems.
Studies on urban NPS pollution often focus on rainfall-related runoff; however, recent evidence demonstrates that winter snowmelt contributes significantly to urban environment contamination and the impairment of receiving water.
Safety
Surface snow melt systems keep buildings clear of ice and snow, eliminating slip hazards that pose risks of injury to people and infrastructure. Furthermore, these cost-effective systems offer lower installation and operational expenses than traditional hydronic heating solutions.
Moreover, snow melt systems eliminate labor costs that need to be spent shoveling and plowing parking lots and walkways.
They also help avoid slip and fall accidents that are the most frequent cause of winter injuries, which insurance companies reward with reduced rates. These systems reduce claims like, “I slipped and fell on your property”.
