In the cold, Ohio winter, it’s astounding how quickly your driveway fills up with snow. Shoveling it is a pain in the neck. Leaving it can cause cracks and other damage as the snow melts. What can you do? You can invest in a snow melt system to clear the snow away automatically. Here are some of the benefits of snow melt systems, and how they work.
Types of Snow Melt Systems
There are two types of snow melt system. The first is electrical. It works similarly to a radiant floor heating system in your home. Electrical cables are installed underneath your driveway, along with sensors that detect snow buildup, based on temperature and other factors. The cables begin to heat up automatically, melting the snow and clearing your driveway.
The other type is a hydronic system. This functions similarly to geothermal heating. It’s a similar setup, only instead of electrical cables, tubes are installed underneath your driveway, if not actually embedded into the concrete. Hot water circulates through the tubes, which serves to melt the snow without using as much energy as the electrical system.
Benefits of a Snow Melt System
There are a number of ways in which a snow melt system can help you, besides just the increased convenience. For one thing, it reduces the damage to your driveway. Cracks occur because large amounts of snow melt all at once. By melting it gradually, as it forms, it saves wear and tear, helping your driveway last much longer. Your home is also safer with this system in place. Getting rid of the ice will provide surer footing, keeping people from slipping and falling and hurting themselves.
Finally, a snow melt system increases your property value. Potential buyers will recognize the benefits we’ve discussed, along with the fact that they won’t have to shovel snow in winter anymore, and be willing to pay more for a home with a radiant snow melt system installed.
To learn more about snow melt systems, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’re Lorain’s trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area