Snow Melting Heated Walkways & Sidewalks

Snow Melting for Heated Walkways & Paths in Toronto

Our systems at Heavenly Heat, including efficient heating cables and mats, seamlessly integrate into your existing driveway or paths. Forget the constant shoveling on a snow day; our electric systems offer a practical, long-lasting solution to managing snowfall, ensuring every step on your property is secure and ice-free. Call us for a quote or for example plans for setting up snow melting system for your walkways or paths.

What Is a Heated Walkway Snow Melt System?

When snow falls on a warm surface it melts instantly without building up. This is how the snow melting system works. The system has heating elements that are embedded in your walkways and paths. The heating elements increase the temperature of the surface so that when snow falls it melts.

Like all other outdoor surfaces, the installation of our snow melting system on your pathways can bring great benefits. Our systems are available in both cables and heating mats. They can be installed directly in asphalt, concrete or in mortar beneath the pavers. Our cables guarantee your paths and walkways remain snow and ice-free throughout the winter season.

How Do Heated Side Walks Work?

Snow melts instantly when it falls on an already warmed car. This is the idea behind snow melting systems. Many property owners turn to heated sidewalks to avoid the tedious task of shoveling the sidewalk in freezing temperatures. Heated sidewalks work by keeping the pavement warm. Whenever snow falls on the warm pavement, it melts instantly, preventing snow from piling up. Even if a heated sidewalk may not entirely melt all the snow during a major snow event, it makes it much easier to shovel the snow, and in time, the snow melts on its own. During mild snow events, the snow melting system keeps the sidewalk dry and clear.

The Heavenly Heat electric heated walkway system connects to automated control. Upon detecting moisture beyond the melting point, the control will click, and the sidewalk will warm up. To maintain an ice and snow-free surface, we design the snow melting system to click on early. A heated sidewalk may seem intricate, but it is much better than dealing with an unexpected snowstorm.

Heated Sidewalk Installation Process

We install Heavenly Heat snow melting systems under asphalt, pavers, and concrete. After installation, we wire the system to an automated control making your heated sidewalk click on automatically. By keeping your sidewalks and walkways free of ice, you’ll enjoy a safer and more accessible outdoor space.

Since we embed the snow melting system within the sidewalk’s surface, the best time to install the system is during the first-time creation of a sidewalk or walkways. You can also place the snow melting system while re-doing or expanding a sidewalk. It is easy to embed the cables in concrete, asphalt, fine gravel, or sand during construction. We often undertake the installations from late spring to late fall. During this period, the ground temperatures are above freezing point.

It’s important to have the cables fully embedded because the snow melting systems may reach 464 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. The material in which you embed the cable plays a crucial role in preventing the cable from burning out by distributing the heat. The minimum cable coverage should be 2” while the maximum coverage should be 4”. Minimizing the height above the heating cables helps to prevent ramp up time.

Efficient Ice Melting System for Sidewalks

At Heavenly Heat, we understand the importance of safety and accessibility during the harsh winter months. Our heated walkway path and driveway heating solutions are designed to melt snow and prevent ice accumulation, ensuring a secure and accessible outdoor space. The installation of a snow melting heated mat or stair mat means that snowfall no longer poses a risk of slips or falls. These systems, including efficient heating cables and elements, integrate seamlessly with your existing driveway or walkways.

The beauty of our snow melting systems lies in their ability to automatically activate on a snow day. The heating elements in the mats connect beneath the surface, creating a warm panel that effectively melts snow and ice as soon as they touch the ground. This means less reliance on constant shoveling and a safer environment for everyone, especially during unexpected snowfall. With our innovative solutions, you can significantly reduce the hazards of winter weather in Toronto and make walkways snow free.

Types of Heated Walkway Mats

Heated walkway mats provide a great solution to the harsh winter chill. Heavenly Heat snow melting mats are easy to install because they roll out perfectly and save time during installation. Our heated walkway mats are available in different lengths and widths. The mats’ width ranges between 2 and 3 feet while their length ranges between 5″ and 60″. The snow melting mats are efficient; they achieve effective ice and snow removal in any climate. The snow melting mats have a heat output of up to 50 watts per square foot.

Snow Melting Mats for Concrete/ Asphalt

Some Heavenly Heat snow melting mats and cables are easy to install directly on the existing asphalt or concrete surface. We can install the mats on the earth’s surface before a new pour or place them before an additional 2” pour. We recommend hand-rolling the surface for asphalt installation. It’s advisable not to use equipment that is over one ton during installation.

Heated Walkway Mats for Under Pavers

Heated walkway mats for under pavers are both stylish and functional. You should use snow melting cables or mats on the earth’s surface during paver installation and then place a layer of fine gravel or sand. The layer of sand or fine gravel should be at least 1”. After placing the mats and the gravel, we then lay the pavers.

Heavenly Heat heated walkway mats are ideal because of their energy efficiency, functionality, safety and health, and installation ease. Our snow melting mats provide an effective method of preventing snow and ice build-up in your home during winter. The mats also come in handy in commercial establishments and industrial facilities. The leading benefit of the mats is that they are easy to install.

When to Install a Snow Melting System in a Walkway

Considering the snow melting system has to be embedded in the surface (about 2 to 3 inches beneath the surface), the ideal time for you to install the snow melting system is when you are creating your walkways and paths or when redoing or expanding them. The best times to undertake this project is from late spring to late fall. This is for the simple fact that the ground temperatures have to be above freezing point when working with concrete.

With the proper installation of our snow melting system, you will be guaranteed of having a clean path regardless of how severe the winter weather gets. The best thing is that since the snow melting system is electric, it can be expanded in the future to cover more square footage of the paths or walkways.

Our snow melting heating elements are about ¼ inches thick. The best thing about this thinness is that they will have minimal impact on the overall depth of your path or walkway. What’s more, you can install the system with concrete and on a range of surfaces such as asphalt and pavers. Every surface type needs a different cross section with suggested depths.

It is always a good idea to monitor the system over the course of the first snowfalls. Doing so will help determine if you need to adjust the controls for better results.

Maintenance and Care for Your Heated Walkway and Path

Aftercare and maintenance of your heated walkway or driveway system in Toronto’s fluctuating climate is straightforward, thanks to the ultimate solution of Heavenly Heat’s products. Maintaining your Heavenly Heat snow melting system in Toronto’s ever-changing climate is straightforward. For optimal performance, regularly inspect and clean the surface of your heated walkway path and driveway heating elements.

Ensure the heating cable and mats, including snow melting mats, stair mats, and walkway mats, are free of debris to facilitate efficient snow melting. In the event of heavy snowfall, while the system significantly reduces the need for constant shoveling, it’s advisable to clear excess snow to prevent overload. For heated driveways and paths, watch for any signs of wear in the heating element, especially in high-traffic tire tracks areas.

If you have a hydronic system, monitor the fluid levels and check for any leaks. Remember, the effectiveness of your snow melting system, whether it’s an electric or hydronic setup, hinges on proper care. This not only ensures a safe, ice-free surface during a snow day but also extends the life of your system.

What is the Cost of a Walkway Snow Melt System?

The cost of the Heavenly Heat walkway snowmelt system varies depending on the size of your project, which determines how many snow-melting mats you require.

Cost of Snow Melting Heated Mats

Snow melting mats are more costly than snow melting cables. Mats are mainly suited for regularly shaped areas like walkways and driveways. Despite their slightly higher cost, most people go for the snow melting mats because loose cable requires more time to install. Our snow melting mats are available in 120 or 240 voltages.

All our snow-melting systems at Heavenly Heat are approved for use in the United States and Canada. For the best performance, you should have a qualified expert install all Heavenly Heat snow-melting materials. We are always available to provide sales and technical support to our clients online or on the phone.

Even if you incur the initial cost of installing a walkway snowmelt system, you will make great savings in the long term. You will no longer incur costs in snow and ice removal. You won’t have to worry about waking to a snowy outdoor. Instead of spending time clearing the snow, you will have time to focus on what you love.

Cost of Snow Melting Cables

Snow melting cables are the ideal solution mainly for unevenly shaped areas. Heavenly Heat snow melting cables come in different sizes and voltages. The voltages of our snow melting cables for residential use range between 120 and 240. Cables with a voltage of 208 and 277 are ideal for commercial projects. The cables are cheaper than the snow melting mats but require more installation time. You can increase or decrease the watts per square ft. by altering the cable spacing.

Energy Consumption and Efficiency in Toronto’s Climate

In Toronto, where snowfall is frequent and heavy, the energy efficiency of a heated driveway system or walkway mat is crucial. Electric systems are preferred due to their lower energy consumption compared to hydronic systems. An average heated driveway or walkway can consume between 12-28 kilowatts per hundred square feet per hour, depending on snowfall intensity and system design. However, this consumption is offset by the reduced need for constant shoveling and the absence of de-icing chemicals.

Tips for Optimizing Energy Use

Optimizing energy use in heated driveways and paths involves several strategies. Firstly, system installation should be done by professionals to ensure optimal layout and coverage. Secondly, using sensors and timers can significantly reduce energy consumption by activating the heating system only when necessary. Additionally, focusing on critical areas like tire tracks or stair mats can provide efficient snow melting while consuming less energy. Lastly, regular maintenance of the system, including checking for any issues in heating cables or mats, ensures efficient operation and longer life.

Controller Cost

Heavenly Heat provides a variety of outside controls designed to suit varying project sizes. The cost of an outdoor control varies depending on its size and type. We have the perfect outdoor control system for you, whether you seek to heat your home, business, or even a school. All of our snowmelt products are cost-effective and efficient. Contact us today for a free quote.