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.
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.
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.
At Heatizon, we don’t believe in a one size fits all approach to snow melting. Along with our distributors, we use data from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in the design of each snow melting system we sell.
This winter has been brutal for the East Coast. With unusually cold temperatures and high amounts of snowfall, keeping roads clear and preventing structural damage from snow load has become a significant undertaking.
The population of the United States is aging. The number of individuals over 65 is on the rise, and as baby boomers begin to retire, these numbers are expected to increase dramatically. It is estimated that by 2030, this age group will make up 20% of the population.
Snow melting systems, such as heated driveways, sidewalks, and stairs, have risen in popularity in recent years. Contributing to this is a growing population of older individuals looking for greater convenience and reduced snow and ice related hazards.
As culture and healthcare evolves and retirees live independently for longer, automating snow removal can reduce the risk of slip and fall injuries. With modern technology, electric radiant heat can be activated automatically to remove snow and ice. With activation options ranging from timer switches and thermostats, to automated temperature and moisture sensors, there is a solution for any situation.
While it is easy to see the applications this may have at home, snow melting is also very useful for businesses and organizations seeking to protect their clientele and avoid costly lawsuits. Slip and fall injuries cost businesses millions each year. This risk can be reduced with a snow melting system.
Heatizon offers multiple snow melting solutions based around our Hott-Wire and Tuff Cable products. Capable of installation in new and existing surfaces, our electric snow melting systems provide peace of mind to anyone ready to retire the snow shovel.
By: Steve Smith
(Description of Heatizon Systems’ RPA Showcase Award Winning Project at the
Rothman Residence and Park City, UT)
You can count on two things when your home is located 8,500 feet or more above sea level in the Wasatch Mountains: snow and more snow.
To handle the snow loads on the roof of one 5,000-sq. ft., three-level home, electric radiant manufacturer Heatizon used a bronze mesh product called ZMesh, as well as its Tuff Cable embedded in a heat sink. The ZMesh is protected by a sandwich of ice and water shield, with composition asphalt shingle on the surface. The panel system allows for worry-free nailing. The ZMesh is energized by a step-down transformer, which produces a low voltage current that does not seek ground. The roof deicing system compromises approximately 520 sq. ft.
Meanwhile, a snow melting system using a low voltage resistance cable called Tuff Cable was embedded in the concrete in the window wells to prevent damage to the windows and interior finishes. There is approximately 400 sq. ft. of snowmelt in the window wells.
by Steve Bench
Over the years, I have had three homes all with different sized sidewalks. My first home had a 3.5 foot wide sidewalk, the second one 4 foot wide and the third, and current, home has a 6 foot wide sidewalk. City and County sidewalks extending along the frontage of home lots are generally 3 feet wide but sometimes they are 4, 5 or even 6 feet wide. In downtown shopping areas it is not unusual to find sidewalks that are as wide as 10 or 15 feet. Needless to say sidewalks come in many different widths and lengths which are designed to handle different amounts of foot traffic and bridge different points.
Since sidewalks come in many different sizes and shapes it seems that the question, “How much does it cost to install a radiant snow melt system into a sidewalk?” has many different answers. Whenever a question has many different answers the potential for any particular answer conveying meaningful information decreases dramatically. So how does one go about finding out how much a radiant snow melting system installed in his or her future sidewalk cost?
The simple answer is to contact a reputable and professional manufacturer or supplier that has been in business for several years and has more resources that just a website, telephone and smooth taking salesman. A true professional radiant snow melting company will seek answers to the following questions prior to giving you a cost estimate.
Once a radiant professional has the answers to the above questions he or she can design and price a radiant snow melting system that satisfies the needs of the project. Until a radiant professional, or a website salesman for that matter, understands the answers to all of the above questions the best you are going to get is a guess that is either in or out of the ball park.
