Electric Vs. Boiler Snow Melting System

If you are looking for a system that will prevent or remove ice, mud, and snow build-up on your property, then you can opt for boiler or electric snow melting system. However, choosing the best method will depend on your preference. If you are going to benefit for this system for years to come, you will certainly want to invest in the most worthwhile one.

Here are some factors where the two system types differ:

INSTALLATION

A boiler-based system is generally more difficult to install whereas the electric-based system is a breeze to install. You just need to place a few finely laced cables and cover them accordingly. The boiler system is similar in that it uses pipes or tubes to heat your property’s surface, but it differs in that you need a room for the boiler and pumps that power it. It needs a devoted boiler to generate hot water that from there creates a hot glycol concoction. This alone can be a deal-breaker for many since they may not have space for the boiler system or they may simply not have the time to commit to the installation.

MAINTENANCE

While an electric snow melting system requires no real maintenance and just an annual checkup, the boiler system is another story. It requires regular testing and replacing of the glycol it uses, and you will need to look to a relevant company just to ensure that the boiler, pumps, and other parts are all still safe and working well.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A boiler-based system is typically less efficient at keeping energy usage and costs down since it usually needs to be running throughout the winter whether there is snow to melt or not. This is because the freezing temperatures of the glycol will otherwise cause the heat exchanger to break when it meets with the hot water. On the other hand, the infrastructure of a boiler room is of no concern if you have an electric system. This system instead relies on a sensor that picks up on precipitation and freezing temperatures and only turns on when you logically need it to.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The glycol that a boiler system contains is actually hazardous to the environment, so you will need to dispose of it very carefully to avoid environmental harm. The energy that a boiler wastes by being active when it is not required is also wasteful and not necessarily good for the environment. The majority of boilers are actually below 90% as far as their energy efficiency. Furthermore, a boiler will generate nitrogen-based oxides as well as carbon dioxide; fortunately these kind of atmospheric pollutants are not an issue when you are using an electric system.

Both electric and boiler-based systems are great for disposing of all of that troublesome winter precipitation, but the electric snow melting system is clearly superior in many ways. The electric system is more streamlined, less costly to run, and is more advantageous to the surrounding environment. If an electric snow melting system sounds like it might be the right choice for you, contact Heavenly Heat for further details!