New Snow Removal Innovations

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

14 Dec 2006 05:49 PM

As I mentioned in my previous blog in a few hours the remnants of our last snowfall should be history. Hooray! Don't get me wrong I love the look of a fresh blanket of snow. It's gorgeous---for the first few minutes. I agree nothing is more beautiful the way the full moon glistens off a lawn of new fallen snow---in a photograph. And, yes, you just can't beat 12-inches of perfect snowball packing snow---if you're a kid and you're getting a snow-day. However, if you're a homeowner, nothing spells hours of backbreaking work more clearly than a few inches of fresh S-N-O-W.

When the white stuff starts falling from the sky most of us reach for our shovels or rev up or snow blowers, but these days there are a host of new technologies that are helping homeowners battle the chore of snow removal, without enduring the back-breaking pain that goes with it.

The following are some of the latest snow melting innovations on the market:

· Electric Snow Melting Systems. You may have a similar system installed in your own driveway or envy someone who does-either way the system is set up by burying cables underground, which heat surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways. They must be laid before concrete is poured and could require upgrading the electric service panel. Installation and maintenance costs are a consideration, but it may be worth it if you truly dread tackling a snow-covered driveway at 5 a.m.

· Electric Heat-Conducting Rubber Mats. This is a less expensive method and the easy- to-install rubber mats last for several years.

· Hydronic Systems. This snow-melting system uses flexible pipes buried under concrete to circulate heated fluid that warms the surface. They too must be laid before concrete is poured. It is possible to tie them into your existing heating system in an effort to cut down on maintenance costs.

· Infrared Systems. Infrared systems use quartz lamps on poles and are targeted to warm up specific surfaces. These systems are ideal for remote walkways and are great because they require little time to warm-up. They are easier to install than hydronic systems, but they consume more energy, which makes them more expensive to operate.

Related Articles:

New Snow Removal Innovations

Snowed In and Housebound---Five Ways To Pass The Time

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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