Snowmelt system

A Snowmelt system prevents the build-up of snow and ice on walkways, patios and roadways, or more economically, only a portion of the area such as a pair of 2-foot (0.61 m)-wide tire tracks on a driveway or a 3-foot (0.91 m) center portion of a sidewalk, etc. They function even during a storm thus improve safety and eliminate winter maintenance labor including shoveling or plowing snow and spreading de-icing salt or traction grit (sand). A snowmelt system may extend the life of the concrete, asphalt or under pavers by eliminating the use salts or other de-icing chemicals, and physical damage from winter service vehicles.

Systems are available in two broad types based on heat source: electric resistance heat and heat from a combustion or geothermal source delivered hydronically (in a fluid). Arguably, electric snowmelt systems requires less maintenance than hydronic snowmelt systems because there are minimal moving parts and no corroding agents. However electric snowmelt systems tend to be much more expensive to operate.

Most new snowmelt systems operate in conjunction with an automatic activation device that will turn on the system on when it senses precipitation and freezing temperatures and turn off the system when temperatures are above freezing. These types of devices ensure the system is only active during useful periods and reduces wasteful energy consumption. A high limit thermostat further increases efficiency when installed in conjunction with the automatic snow melt controller to temporarily disable the system once the slab has reached a sufficient snow melting temperature. Some building codes require the high limit thermostat to prevent energy waste. Though their total environmental impact depends on their energy source. Current systems are more cost effective in the long run than continual salt dumping and removal, and reduce waste by extending the life of the concrete.

Operating costs vary by region, energy source (electric, gas, propane, etc.) used and costs associated. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has standards intended to achieve satisfactory results and to minimize energy consumption from over sizing or over designing a system. Systems are typically designed to produce 70-170 BTU/sqft using ASHRAE guidelines by region. The time to melt snow from a surface varies by storm and how many BTUs the system is designed to produce.

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Wikipedia