How does the deck pan heating system work?

Aluminum insulated heating pans are placed over two joist gaps (24″ or 32″), notches are made to install joist protection plates where the heating cable crosses any wood. Next, Hott-Wire MI line-voltage cable is then routed through the pan channels and covered with heavy-duty aluminum tape, which spreads heat rapidly and evenly across the full pan surface and directs it upward into the deck surface above. The deck face is installed on top — screws or nails can pass through the aluminum pan or between adjacent pans to secure the decking to the joists below.

Can the deck pan system be installed on both new and existing decks?

Yes. For new deck construction, the system is installed after all joists are in place and before the deck surface is added — the pans are positioned on the joists, Hott-Wire is routed through the channels, and the deck face is then installed over the top. For existing decks, the deck surface must be removed to expose the joists, the pan system installed, and the deck surface reinstalled. Both 12-inch and 16-inch joist spacing are compatible.

What deck construction is the deck pan heating system designed for?

The deck pan heating system is designed for wood-framed decks with joists spaced either 12 inches or 16 inches on center. The insulated aluminum pans are engineered to sit on the joists and span the gap between them, providing a continuous heated surface beneath the deck face.

What is Heatizon’s primary deck deicing system?

Heatizon’s primary deck deicing solution is the deck pan heating system — a patented, complete assembly using insulated aluminum heating pans and Hott-Wire mineral-insulated line-voltage cable, engineered for wood-framed decks with standard 12-inch or 16-inch joist spacing. The pans sit on top of the joists beneath the deck surface, Hott-Wire cable is routed through the pan channels and taped in place, and the deck face is installed directly over the pans. The system is invisible in the finished deck, activates automatically, and is custom-configured for each project. For other deck constructions where the pan system is not applicable, Heatizon also offers secondary options using ZMesh or Tuff Cable — contact a distributor to confirm the right approach.

How is a Hott-Wire system designed and sized?

All Hott-Wire systems are custom-designed to ASHRAE standards — the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ snow melting data provides region-specific watt-per-square-foot targets that account for local snowfall rates, ambient temperatures, and wind exposure. Cable spacing is calculated to meet the required watt density for the installation region. The MI variant must be ordered to exact length once the design is finalised; the self-regulating variant can be cut to length on site. Contact a Heatizon distributor to begin the design process for your project.

How is a Hott-Wire system activated?

Hott-Wire snow melting systems are activated by a relay panel or contactor panel, which allows a single activation device to control multiple heating circuits simultaneously — essential for larger commercial installations covering thousands of square feet. Smaller systems can connect the activation device directly to the heating element without a separate relay panel. Automatic snow and ice detection sensors are the recommended activation method, triggering the system when temperature drops below 38°F and moisture is detected — eliminating the need for manual switching. More advanced activation methods, WIFI, weather-predicting, and BAS/BMS integration is also available.

Can Hott-Wire be retrofitted into an existing driveway?

Yes. Hott-Wire can be retrofitted into existing concrete and asphalt surfaces using a saw-cut method — channels are cut into the existing surface, the cable is laid into the channels, and the surface is patched with a compatible overlay material. This approach delivers performance comparable to a new-pour installation without the cost and disruption of full surface removal and replacement.

How does Hott-Wire handle concrete expansion joints?

Like Tuff Cable, Hott-Wire systems use jumpers — steel and aluminum brackets covering the Hott-Wire cable — to protect the cable where it passes through concrete crack control joints and expansion joints. The jumper encases the cable so slab movement cannot apply mechanical stress to the heating element at the joint location. Proper jumper installation at every joint is essential for long-term system reliability in concrete applications.

What surfaces can Hott-Wire be installed in?

Hott-Wire can be installed in new-pour concrete, hot-pour asphalt, sand or stone dust beds under pavers, and retrofit into existing concrete or asphalt surfaces via saw cut. Its MI construction withstands the temperatures and pressures of hot-pour asphalt installation — a capability shared with Tuff Cable but not available in most competing line-voltage heating cables. Hott-Wire is suitable for driveways, walkways, parking areas, loading docks, ramps, stairs, and any other paved exterior surface requiring snow melting.

When should I choose MI Hott-Wire over self-regulating, and vice versa?

Choose MI Hott-Wire for large commercial and industrial surfaces, projects with high snow load requirements, installations in severe northern climates, and any application where maximum watt output and long-term performance are the priority. MI cable delivers consistent, precise output regardless of temperature and is the more durable long-term option. Choose self-regulating Hott-Wire for smaller or irregularly shaped areas, retrofit projects where the exact layout isn’t finalised before ordering, or applications in milder climates where the lower maximum output of self-regulating cable is sufficient. Contact a Heatizon distributor to determine the right variant for your specific project.