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Distributor Spotlight – Warmquest

As we at Heatizon Systems celebrate our 20th anniversary, we recognize that we would not be where we are now without our wonderful distributors. As part of commemorating this milestone, we would like to feature and highlight each of our distributors over the year.

This month, we sat down with Shawn Wright, Sales Manager at Warmquest, to talk about our oldest and largest distributor.

Located just outside of Salt Lake City, UT, Warmquest began selling, installing and servicing Heatizon products in 1998. In the past 18 years, Warmquest has worked with clients across North America to provide Heatizon products for projects large and small.

Installing Radiant Heat in the Winter

By now most of North America has had its first cold snap. If this has convinced you to upgrade your home or business with radiant heat, then there are a few things to know first.

1. Heated Floors Can Be Installed Anytime
Heated floors and other indoor systems can be installed in any weather. December bringing you cold tile and cold feet? Add some heated floors and enjoy warm feet all winter long.

2. Heated Driveways and Snow Melting Systems Can Be Installed all Winter Long
If the first snow storm had you slipping and sliding, you can heat your driveway even if winter has arrived. So break out the snow shovel for the last time and get ready to retrofit heating cables!

3. Roof Deicing Systems Might Have to Wait till Spring
If you are still without snow, now is the time to get a roof deicing system installed. NOAA has put together this handy map showing when you can expect snowfall. If you are currently enjoying a blanket of the white stuff, then a Heatizon under roof deicing system will have to wait for a dry spell. The heating element must be installed on a dry surface, also pulling your roof covering and climbing around on a roof in the snow and ice is dangerous.

However, if you are struggling with ice dams or other problems and can’t wait for spring to add radiant heat to your roof, our self regulating GutterMelt cable can be installed in the snow.

While these points give a general idea of what can and can’t be installed in winter weather, it is important to consult the installation manual for more detailed information, including the minimum installation temperature for the product you select.

Ice Dams: Where Do They Come From?

Ice dams have recieved a lot of media coverage in the past year. After a record breaking winter descended on the East Coast, homeowners and businesses were plagued by ice dams, snow loads, and in some cases roof collapse.

Radiant Heat Experts Continue to Innovate

Radiant heating has been in use for millennia and is constantly evolving. Early evidence indicates that floors heated by channeling smoke from fires through trenches under the stone floor were built in Asia as early as 5,000 BC. More notably, the Greeks and Romans used hypocaust systems to heat buildings with hot air channeled beneath the floor and in the walls.

The Benefits of a Custom Radiant Heat Solution

As radiant heating has grown in popularity, the number of products to choose from has ballooned. Whether your goal is snow melting, roof deicing, or the comfort of heated floors and spaces, there are a staggering amount of products available.

Once you decide on an electric system, additional choices present themselves. Will the system be low or line voltage? Will you use mesh, mats, or free-flowing cable? How will the system be activated?

Heatizon products are sold by a select group of distributors. These trusted companies are experienced professionals and know how best to accomplish snow melting, roof deicing, floor and space heating efficiently and effectively. Our distributors are experienced in developing systems to meet specific project needs.

Heatizon offers floor warming mats, and other products that are great fits for simple DIY projects. But these one size fits all options miss out on the benefits of a tailor-made solution using our ZMesh, Tuff Cable and other premier products. Here’s a look at some of these benefits.

Installing Hott-Wire in New Pour Asphalt

heated asphalt driveway — Project located in Saint John’s, Newfoundland

One of the many selling points of Heatizon’s Hott-Wire MI cable is that it can be installed in hot asphalt with minimal accommodations. This durable cable is capable of withstanding the heat as well as pressure from the tools and equipment used.

Heating Things Up For 20 Years

Heatizon, pronounced “Heat Is On” began manufacturing its unique line of low voltage radiant heating products nearly 20 years ago in 1996. In the years since then we have added a whole range of products for snow melting, floor and space heating, and roof deicing. From our industrial grade GutterMelt Self-Regulating cable to our DIY Heatwave floor warming mats, Heatizon has a system for any radiant heating project.

Mineral Insulated Cable: A History

Heatizon’s Hott-Wire MI cable traces its origins back to 1896 when the first patent for Mineral Insulated Cable was issued. The cable was used on ships and other projects in the years leading up to World War Two when it was used in military equipment. MI cable is very durable and used frequently in powering and controlling critical equipment including nuclear reactors, fire alarms, and emergency systems. The 1930s saw the use of MI cable in Heat Tracing with cable designed specifically for this use entering production in the 1950s.

ZMesh: 9″ or 12″?

Our ZMesh product is a unique bronze mesh which can be used for floor warming, space heating, and roof deicing. Its unique construction allows it to be installed beneath non-conductive roof coverings like asphalt shingles, providing deicing without compromising the look of your roof. ZMesh is also perfect for floor installation beneath hardwood, carpet, and other flooring materials as it can be nailed or stapled through.

Tips for Installing Fixed Length Systems

When installing radiant heat for snow melting or floor warming, one factor that significantly impacts the process is whether the cable is fixed length or cut to fit in the field. Many of our products consist of a heating element and a cold lead. This cold lead does not heat up, and is used to connect the heating element to power. In our fixed length cables these cold leads come pre-attached from the factory and the heating element cannot be cut or adjusted; the cold leads can be cut to fit the circumstances.

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