Driveway snow melt

[GerryB]

Anyone done this? I have only done small mats. His driveway is at least 100ft and uphill. He plans to rip up the driveway to do it. I told him I don't know if there are companies that specialize and do the whole thing or if you need an electrician. I wouldn't want to do a job like that and then have a problem with it. I would say you're talking at least $10,000 or more. Also what would be the electric draw on those? I know the smaller one don't draw much but like I said about 100 feet by 10feet is 1000 sq feet.

 

[USMC1302]

At first glance, I'd think an in-slab radiant heat system with glycol would be the way to go

 

[luckylerado]

At first glance, I'd think an in-slab radiant heat system with glycol would be the way to go

:thumbsup:

No Question the better way

 

[Sierrasparky]

At first glance, I'd think an in-slab radiant heat system with glycol would be the way to go

Either way sounds like a fortune to install and run.
If you have Natural Gas the hydronic system may be the way to go.

 

[gadfly56]

Either way sounds like a fortune to install and run.
If you have Natural Gas the hydronic system may be the way to go.

Bill Gates could afford an electric system for his driveway, but mere mortals would be better off with a gas-fired solution. A four- or five-zone system should do the trick. PEX tubing is compatible with a glycol or glycerin based system.

 

[ActionDave]

At some point in time the concrete will crack and the wires will break and all the money spent on the electric heat will have been wasted.

If gas not an option for heat use electricity to heat the water.

 

[GoldDigger]

At some point in time the concrete will crack and the wires will break and all the money spent on the electric heat will have been wasted.

If gas not an option for heat use electricity to heat the water.

But, as Eichler found out building hydronic heated slab-on-grade houses in California, you need to be careful what you choose for tubing when burying in concrete.

 

[mwm1752]

There may be cost from the local juristiction for heating the outdoors -- hydronic is the way to go -- call the building dept to aviod issues

 

[Sierrasparky]

There may be cost from the local juristiction for heating the outdoors -- hydronic is the way to go -- call the building dept to aviod issues

And what might you be referring to.