Let's take a more in-depth look at why you should install a driveway heating system. There are of course obvious benefits such as, not having to shovel your driveway again, preventing anyone from slipping on icy surfaces, and no longer getting stuck in your driveway because of snow buildup etc.. However, these are not the only benefits of installing a heated driveway. Other benefits include increasing the value of your home, prolonging the life of your driveway, and not harming the environment with harmful chemicals and salts which are the other means of preventing slipping etc.

Heated driveways are designed mainly to melt snow, and when it comes to snow melting systems you will find that most are composed of three main items: the heating element, the controller, and the activation device. So, let's take a closer look at these components and what they mean to your comfort. The heating element depends on the system type you choose, but heating elements can usually be installed in almost any medium. The controller is either a wall-mounted control box (for electric systems), or a boiler (for hydronic systems). Regardless of the system type you use, it will have manual and automatic activation devices.

Okay, now that we understand what a heated driveway means, and what a system consists of, and you have decided you want a heated driveway, how do you know what is the best type of heating system to use? The best driveway heating systems are radiant heating systems, which are very similar to indoor floor heating systems. Like floor heating radiant systems, when it comes to heated driveways there are both electric and hydronic systems. These radiant heating systems can be used to heat outdoor surfaces other than the driveway as well, so for those who hate shoveling walkways, this is a viable option for sidewalks, patios, etc. as well.

So, how do these systems heat your driveway? Well, the electric systems use an electric cable as its heating element, and the hydronic systems pump hot water through plastic tubing as its. The heating elements are compacted in the surface and use resistant heating to heat the surrounding surface. Most systems use automatic sensors to turn on the systems when it begins to snow, which is great because it means even if you are at work or out of town, you will come home to a snow free driveway.

For heated driveways electric systems are the better choice. They tend to be more efficient, require less maintenance, and heat surfaces quicker. Hydronic systems are usually slightly more expensive to purchase and install, but the operational costs associated are usually lower. However, there are drawbacks. For one, unless you're heating extremely large areas, the advantages of electric systems tend to out weight those of hydronic systems. For another, if for any reason the water in the tubing freezes and brakes the tubing, the cost to repair can be expensive, though this scenario is rare.

Heated driveways are nice, and it is even nicer that they are fairly easy to install; almost any experienced "do-it-yourselfer", contractor, or electricians could install such a system. So, check your area for professionals, but don't be fooled by someone claiming that these systems are super complicated and you should pay large sums of money to ensure it is properly installed.