Electric Driveway Heat Systems Vs Hydronic Driveway Heat Systems

If you have the choice between an electric or hydronic driveway heating system, you may not know which one to pick. There are pros and cons to both and it is important that you understand them to make the best decision for your new driveway heating system.

What Is Electric Driveway Heat System?

An electric system uses electric heating cables that are placed underneath your driveway. These cables heat up and transfer heat across the driveway. An electric system is a simple and easy system that does not contain a bunch of moving and rotating parts. Many homeowners choose this system because of its simplicity and ease of installation.

This system is heated up through cables or wires that exchange the heat. The heat is created through some type of electrical current that moves through the cables. As the electric moves through the cable, it heats up and then disperses the heat evenly across your driveway.

One of the reasons homeowners choose this system is because it is inexpensive to install and it does last for a considerable amount of time. In addition, this system does not use a lot of electricity. While you may want to have an electric system, you should only choose one if the area you need to heat is not large.

One of the things you do need to consider before you choose electric driveway heating is that the wires can burnout over time and need to be replaced.

Electric Driveway Heat Systems Pros & Cons

Pros:

There are a number of reasons why you should an electric system to heat your driveway. In fact, this is one of the most popular systems and for good reason to. Some of the pros include:

• Easy and inexpensive to install
• Energy efficient
• Can be installed under existing driveways
• Decreased chance of breaking
• No fuel needed to run the system
• Can be used in various settings to provide heat (i.e. sidewalks, stairs, etc.)

Cons:

As with anything, there are always some cons to the option you choose. An electric system does have some disadvantages and those include:

• Not a do-it-yourself project
• Large systems can be harder to power
• Cables in the system cannot be cut or modified

What Is Hydronic Driveway Heat System?

A hydronic driveway heating system differs from the electrical system in that is uses heated water pumped through tubing to heat the driveway.  Once the system is installed, a boiler will act as the warmer and heat up the water in the system. The temperature of the water is pre-determined and input, so the boiler knows how hot the water needs to be. The heated water reaches anywhere between 140 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the water is warmed, a pump will move the water through a set of tubing that will then warm your driveway evenly. The tubes sit underneath the concrete or asphalt surface of your driveway.

Your new hydronic driveway heating system will keep your paved driveway warm. If you keep the system turned on even once the snow has melted, any new snow will automatically melt and drain to the run off on your street.

Hydronic systems are usually much more expensive than an electric system, but they are much more durable and efficient. You will find that you do not need to use as much energy as you do with a traditional system and the snow melts quickly.

Hydronic Driveway Heat Systems Pros And Cons

Pros:

There are several pros to choosing a hydronic heating system for your driveway and many homeowners do choose this option because it is easy to maintain and is well recommended. Some of the pros of the hydronic system include:

• Can heat large areas of space efficiently
• Can be used with existing boilers within the home
• Tubing is durable and allows for even distribution of the heat
• Melts snow quickly
• Can be used for residential, commercial, and industrial applications

Cons:

Just as there are cons with the electric system, the hydronic system has some cons associated with is as well. Some of those disadvantages include:

• System cannot be installed with an existing cement driveway (The driveway would need to be removed, the system installed, and the driveway the replaced.)
• Tubing can corrode over time and may need to be replaced
• If tubing does break, it can cause the system to be inefficient
• Can be difficult to install, even for professionals

Which Option Is Best For Your Home

The best driveway heating option for your home will depend on your needs and the amount of space that you need to cover. If you do not need to cover a lot of space, then the electric system may be the better option; however, if you are building your home and the driveway is not yet installed, you may want to go with the hydronic option.

Heavenly Heat Inc. is committed to providing you with the information you need to make the best decision for your home. Our driveway heating systems are designed to provide you with the heat needed to melt snow from your driveway. Unfortunately, as with anything, there are some driveway heating myths that circulate around and they then lead to misinformation about what it is and what it does. Today, we are going to debunk these myths for you and provide you with the information you need to make an educated and informed decision about warmth for your driveway.

Myth 1: The System Is Hard To Operate

Many people think that driveway heating systems are hard to operate. This is just a myth. In fact, the system itself is very easy to operate and only requires the flip of a switch in most cases. Once your system has been installed, there will be a main box, usually in the garage, where you can turn the system on and off.

Also, you can opt in for an automatic system, which does not need to be turned on, as the sensors will activate the system when snow falls.

Myth 2: The System Can Only Be Used On The Driveway.

One of the best things about a heated driveway is that it clears the snow away and makes it safe for you to walk. This is not limited to the driveway though. In fact, you can have a heating system installed under your sidewalk, stairs, and deck.

Myth 3: You Will Spend More Money On Electric With One Installed.

This is a big myth. Many people assume that you will spend more on electric simply because the system will run all of the time. The system does not run, unless it either senses snow or you turn it on. The way the system is constructed, it does not need to run a long time to melt the snow, so you will not even notice an increase in your electric bills.

Myth 4: Your Vehicle’s Tires Will Melt.

This is a myth that is commonly passed around, but it is not true. Your tires will not melt and your driveway will not be too hot to walk on. The way your driveway heating system is designed, it does not heat up to the point of being hot to the touch. In fact, you will not even notice much of a difference even if you walked barefoot on the driveway.

Myth 5: The System Cannot Be Installed If You Already Have A Driveway.

This myth can be confusing for most people. Your system should not simply be placed under your current driveway because it will not be as effective. The way this situation is handled is by digging up your driveway, laying down the system, and repaving.

If you are ready to ditch the shovel and relax while snow melts from your driveway, contact Heavenly Heat Inc. today. We offer some of the best driveway heating systems throughout all of Canada.