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September 20, 2007 00:09 AM  BY WARMZONE
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With a name like
Warmzone, we have an unspoken obligation to live up to
the task of matching our customers to the best available
system of warmth and comfort. We strive everyday
to ensure that our products and our knowledgeable,
dedicated staff will leave memories of service that is
second to none, and products that will provide years of
enjoyment.
A brief history
of Warmzone allows consumers to understand why Warmzone
was created. Warmzone realized the growth in the radiant
heat industry was causing problems for consumer and
contractors due to the abundance of technical
information and product choices. Making the right choice for
a radiant heat system is crucial and carries serious
implications to its cost and effectiveness.
Serving as an intermediary between manufacturers,
contractors and consumers, Warmzone’s role is to
match individual needs of a project to a heating
system that makes the most sense. We strive to
match our customer’s needs with the finest
radiant heating systems available. Warmzone.com offers
non-biased, individualized solutions that factor the
installation, durability, performance and operational
investment as the key criteria for our customers.
There are several
variables that Warmzone considers when looking at a
project. Some of these variables include: square
footage, the type of floor covering, the amount of
heat needed for a given area, whether that heat will
be the supplemental or primary source, how well
insulated that environment is, and if it is a major remodel
or completely new construction.
Based on this criterion, we can then discuss the benefits of
a radiant heating system and which technology would be
most appropriate for a consumer in terms of
effectiveness, efficiency, operational costs and
overall upkeep and maintenance.
Because radiant
heat is relatively new in the United States, there is a
continuing need to educate consumers about a wide variety of
radiant solutions. In the interest of avoiding
confusion and finding the best possible application,
Warmzone has done most of the homework for our
prospective customers. Our professional consultants
learn the details regarding your heating goals and
then propose a system that can be easily installed and
will fit your budget. Warmzone continues to
strive toward being viewed as the premier radiant
provider. “We want customers to feel
confident in this market and receive honest
information and pricing regarding the best available
products,” says Brandon Weaver, Vice President
of Sales.
With so many
options in the radiant industry, Warmzone.com is helping
contractors and consumers with the pros and cons of each
system. Representatives of Warmzone suggest the
best possible system for any project. We are not
tied to any one manufacturer and will provide the very
best in pricing and information available. Warmzone
has a very direct relationship with select
manufacturers thus eliminating the ‘one size
fits all’ sales pitch normally received by
homeowners. Using various forms of technology,
Warmzone’s focus is to provide customers with
the most pertinent information in record time. We know this
is the key to establishing trust and long term
partnerships.
As heating costs
skyrocket, radiant heating continues to come to the
forefront. We at Warmzone excel in providing options
that are affordable, convenient and specifically
tailored to the needs of individual consumers.
As we match products with needs, we continually strive
to provide our customers with “warm,
pleasurable” heating experiences. After
all, feeling warm IS a wonderful thing!
We would welcome
the opportunity to serve your needs. Visit us at www.warmzone.com, or call
us directly at
1-888-488-WARM.
About Warmzone
Warmzone provides consumers with
energy-efficient, radiant heating solutions for homes
and businesses. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah,
Warmzone's electricians and radiant heat experts will help
you determine the best radiant heating solution,
ranging from electric heated floors to large
commercial snow and ice melt projects. Send us a plan or
drawings and we'll be happy to provide you with a
FREE estimate
and options for your
roof
heating and ice melting
project.
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December 26, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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If you’ve
been researching home
heating systems, chances are your head is
spinning right about now. It’s no wonder!
The number of types of radiant heaters available for
residences or businesses could make anyone dizzy in no time
at all. There’s really a lot of selection for
homeowners to choose from. Today we’ll discuss
the electric cable heating system kind of radiant
heaters. Electric cable heating systems are gaining
popularity in as radiant heaters and are ideal for
heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like
bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are
comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. On some
systems, the cable is be shipped as a large spool of
cable. These systems are oftentimes less expensive,
and give you the ability to space the cable how you want
and customize a layout that will heat every square inch of
your floor. Other systems have the cable attached to a
plastic mesh or tape to create a mat to maintain its
proper spacing.
Every available cable system is equally
effective, so when determining which radiant heater
system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of
the product, along with the ease of installation. Some
cables must be embedded in a separate layer of
concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply
be installed in the thinset.
Radiant Heaters Tip: When heating smaller
areas with a radiant heater, it is next to impossible
to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable
heating system.
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December 12, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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If you’ve ever stayed in a fancy hotel
and felt the warm tile beneath your feet
you’ve probably wondered how they heat the
tile.Well, it’s actually pretty simple
using radiant
heaters. Radiant heaters are economical, and easy to
install.This is how they work.
When a radiant heat system is
switched on, energy is forced through a
conductive material to create resistance or heat.
Majority of the time an electronic line-voltage
system is used. This system uses a special
thermostat that has an integrated GFCI breaker for
safety.
Dry radiant floor systems
allow even heating throughout the entire floor.
The heat radiates from the floor and warms objects near
the floor as opposed to forced hot air that
tends to rise to the ceiling. Radiant
heaters heat while reducing dust, draft, and noise
problems associated with forced air systems.
They can be more aesthetically pleasing than
other forms of heating because there are no heat
registers or radiators to obstruct interior designs.
Manufacturers claim radiant floor heating saves
20 to 40 percent on monthly heating bills as
compared to the other heating appliances.
Mostly the radiant heat panels are attracted to the sub
floor using approximately 10 screws per panel.
Manufacturer recommendations include screwing and
fastening adhesive when installing the panel. An
electrometric bonding material is placed in the grooves
prior to tube installation. The tube is pressed into
the groove flush with the surface of the panel. Though
the installation does not take much time, you may want
to consult the professionals at warmzone.com if
you’re considering installing your own radiant
heating system.
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December 27, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Time to treat yourself! Whether you’re
building a new home, or updating your current
home, you owe it to yourself to check out the comfort
that radiant heat has to offer. Now is the
perfect time to look into your heating options.
Radiant
heaters can be used in a number of applications,
including some that might surprise
you!Among those spots that can use
radiant heaters are tiled areas, hardwood flooring,
carpeted areas, and even cement floors.
Not only is radiant heating is
one of the most comfortable ways to heat your
home, but radiant
heaters also offer a diversity of applications.
We’d be willing to bet that after that
first winter with the radiant heaters in place, you
may find yourself wondering how you ever got along
without them in the past.
What’s interesting here
is that, rather than warming the air, radiant
heaters are a type of heater that warms objects.
Radiant heat uses objects, such as the floor, to
heat a home. The air in the room is warmed when
it comes into contact with the warmed objects. Heat loss
is reduced and the radiant heat remains in the
lower part of the room, warmer near feet level
and slightly less so at head level, creating the
perfect climate for comfort.
Radiant Heaters Tip:
Are you looking for efficient,
comfortable heat for your home? We think that radiant
heating could be just the solution you’ve
been looking for.
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December 24, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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What a pain! If
you or anyone in your family has asthma or dust
allergies, you know all too well how miserable these
ailments can make a person. Many allergy and asthma
experts will advise certain changes in housekeeping
habits to help alleviate allergy- or asthma-causing
conditions in your home. In addition, you might consider
changing your heat source to radiant heaters.
At first glance, you might not think that
radiant heaters could be such a simple solution to
helping keep your home healthy. In reality, radiant
heaters improve the air quality, which is important,
especially for anyone who suffers from either dust
allergies or asthma. Not having to change air filters
or clean heating ducts should also cut down
dramatically on dust or other allergens in your
home’s air.
Eliminating dust mites that live in your home
would also go a long way towards helping keep your
home healthy. Since dust mites love a warm moist
environment, towel heaters and other radiant heater systems
aid in maintaining a consistent room temperature and
keep it moisture-free…and dust mite-free,
too. Furthermore, mold and mildew are also caused
from excessive moisture especially in bathrooms with
insufficient ventilation.
Radiant Heater Tip: By placing radiant
heaters or a radiant heat towel rack in the bathroom
you can combat the spread of germs for only pennies a
day.
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November 06, 2008 00:11 AM  BY WARMZONE
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There has been
much debate over low voltage radiant systems versus line
voltage radiant systems as radiant heat gains popularity in
North America. The aim of this article is to dispel
some of the myths surrounding the different kinds of
systems.
Myth 1: Low voltage radiant systems are safer than
line voltage.
Low voltage is
low, so it makes sense that it’s safer, right? While
this makes perfect sense initially, we have to take a
closer look to find out the real answer. If your
definition of safe is the chances of being hurt by
voltage during installation, low voltage will give you a bit
of a shock, but won’t cause lasting damage. The
real question we should be asking is how durable is
the cable against damage and how well is the cable
insulated. Both line and low voltage snow melting systems
are embedded in 4 inches of concrete, asphalt, or
under pavers. When installed properly the embedded
systems are not exposed and harmful. Some low voltage
heating wires are NOT designed for embedment. These have
only a thin layer of plastic and a heating element
that is THHN/THWN wire. This wire is intended for
interior use NOT in concrete, asphalt, or under
pavers. Low voltage wires do not have ground fault
protection, so electrical leakage can go undetected.
In contrast, line
voltage obviously has higher voltage, which is why line
voltage cables are built to withstand wear and tear, and are
much more difficult to damage. If you do manage to
damage a line voltage cable, don’t worry! Line
voltage systems are equipped with ground fault
protection (GFEP) breakers with a 30 milliamp trip. Which
means the system will automatically shut off when it
has reached beyond allowable leakage levels. What does
this mean? Well for one you don’t need to worry
about bodily harm, but you also don’t need to worry
about potential fire hazard from a damaged cable. The
bottom line: both line voltage and low voltage systems
are safe to use.
Myth 2: Low voltage radiant systems cost less to
run than a line voltage system.
It is true that
low voltage radiant systems consume a lower amount of
power, but this doesn’t mean it is less costly to
run. Low voltage systems can actually be more
expensive to operate because these systems generally
produce 20 watts/sq ft (which is below ASHRAE standards). By
producing less heat per square foot, it takes longer to heat
the same area, thus increasing the cost and the time
it takes to melt. Because of the decreased heat
output, during heavier snow falls low voltage systems
struggle to keep up with the snowfall, and have to remain on
much longer. For this reason, ASHRAE has set forth
watt standards for snow melting.
Line voltage
systems are designed specifically for the environment in
which they will be operating. These systems are made to
produce the necessary watts (that meet ASHRAE
standards) to melt snow in the most efficient time
possible.
Some low voltage systems
on the market have some distinct advantages over line
voltage. Zmesh is low voltage, but does not rely on heat
cables to generate heat. Instead it is constructed of
a unique thin mesh that requires no embedding in
thinset and can be installed directly under carpet
pad, hardwood and even for use on your roof for snow and ice
melting. The biggest advantage of Zmesh is that you can
hammer nails into it without worry of damage!
Myth 3: Low voltage systems are easier to repair.
Both line voltage
and low voltage cables are easy to repair. Simply
remove the bad section of cable, add in a splice kit, cover
it back over with whatever surface it’s in, and
the system should operate as normal. You do not have
to replace the entire cable or rip out the entire
surface, only the area that is damaged. The location of the
break can be identified by using devices such as the
DEVItrace from Danfoss or a TDR, which uses radio
frequencies and a “wand” to locate the damaged
section of cable.
Myth 4: Low Voltage systems are more efficient.
Low voltage
systems are NOT more efficient. Since these systems have a
much lower output of heat per square foot; they take much
longer to melt snow, especially during heavy snow
storms and probably will not be able to keep up with
the demand. Further increasing their inefficiencies, low
voltage systems must have the electricity pass through a
transformer and very thick power leads (2 gauge),
which causes voltage to drop as it travels distance
before reaching the heating element. Line voltage cables
have the energy to go directly into heating, without the
loss of power. Overall, both line and low voltage
systems are more efficient than hydronic snow melting.
Myth 5: Low voltage systems offer a better warranty.
Some low voltage
warranties are very deceiving. They boast of a 25 year
warranty period, but when examined closer it is found that
the 25 year warranty only covers the heating wire. As
discussed earlier these heating wires are actually
THHN or THWN, which can be purchased relatively
cheaply at any hardware store.
Warmzone’s
line voltage cable manufacturer’s warranty (Danfoss)
covers up five times the cost of the original system
which is intended to cover the cost and time involved
in making repairs, not just the actual heating element
itself.
Myth 6: Both systems provide sufficient heat.
Low voltage
systems in most snow melting applications do not meet the
ASHRAE standards. The minimum watts per square foot ASHRAE
requires in North America is 32 watts per square foot.
Popular low voltage systems on average are designed to
produce approximately 20 watts per square foot and
with extremely tight spacing will max out at 30, still below
the standards ASHRAE has set forth.
Line voltage
systems are designed specifically for the environment in
which they will be operating. These systems are made to
produce the necessary watts (that meet ASHRAE
standards) to melt snow in the most efficient time
possible.
Myth 7: Both systems are UL Approved.
Most low voltage
snow melting systems are not UL listed. Warmzone’s
line voltage systems are UL tested and approved.
SYSTEM WEAKNESSES
- THHN/THWN wire was not designed for concrete
embedding. The outer jacket is soft and easily
cut which will shorten its life.
- Low heat output – Does not satisfy
ASHRAE requirements.
- Bulky and costly controls (transformer and
control box are 100 lbs per 200 square foot
zone).
- Warranty - only covers THHN/THWN wire. Control
box is 1 year, transformer is 5 years.
- Slow to install - the transformer and control
box are complicated and time consuming to
install.
- Noise – transformers emit noise and
location of them must be considered.
- Price – low-voltage systems are
typically double the price of a comparable line
–voltage system.
As radiant
heating systems have gained popularity, a lot of
fly-by-night manufacturers are trying to cash in on
the recent boom. This sparked ASHRAE to come out with
standards for radiant snow melting systems to prevent
abuse from manufacturers. Most low voltage radiant snow
melting systems don’t meet the ASHRAE standards
for quality and efficiency. Unfortunately, not all
consumers are aware of standards in the radiant
industry and purchase faulty products unwittingly and end up
with negativity towards radiant heating in general.
Rest assured there are plenty of efficient radiant
systems that will run smoothly for decades without
needing any maintenance. Make sure to do thorough research
before purchasing any products, which means checking
for proper safety certifications and standards, and
you won't regret it.
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December 29, 2008 00:12 AM  BY ROBERT COHEN
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The Mystery
Warranty
How much
do you really know about the warranties offered
by manufacturers? Sure it may say “25 Year
Warranty” on the package, but what exactly does that
mean? Most manufacturers of radiant heating systems
offer a warranty, but a 25 year warranty isn’t
always better than a 10 year warranty and this is why:
I chose the
Danfoss GX electric radiant heat cables to build an asphalt
heated driveway at my residence. The heat of the asphalt
combined with heavy weight, caused me to wonder how
the GX cables were going to hold up, and what would
happen if a problem occurred. I was pleased to
discover that Danfoss products have a 10 year warranty, that
covers up to 5 times the cost of original
installation. Why is this exciting? Because the
failure of a radiant heating system isn’t like a
vacuum cleaner breaking down, you can’t throw
it in your car and bring it back to the store for a
refund. Fixing a severed cable requires tearing up the
surface of the driveway – or in the case of indoor
radiant heating, tearing up your brand new tiles or
wood flooring. The process of tearing up a floor or
driveway is time consuming and costly, not to mention
annoying. Many manufacturers will replace the bad product,
but you still have to pay out of your own pocket to
tear up the floor and hire someone to fix the problem.
Danfoss is so
sure that you won’t have any problems, their warranty
is the best offered by radiant heat manufacturers. Not
only do you get brand new Danfoss product, but they
will cover the cost of floor removal, and
reinstallation (up to 5 times the cost of the original
installation). So when you install your radiant floor
or driveway, you can rest easy knowing that unexpected
problems are already covered.
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December 13, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Have you ever gone on a ski vacation for the
weekend and stayed at a little ski
lodge?A lot of the times, they’ll have a
huge fireplace in the main room with smaller
bedrooms up in the loft area or
second-story.But the problem is that when
you’re in the main room with the roaring
fire, you’re often overwhelmed by the heat
and retreat to the bedroom, where it’s far
chillier.You see, many vacation or
weekend homes weren’t built with air conditioning
ducts with which to deliver the heat to the different
rooms of the house. However, there is a solution
to adding heating to homes that have not been
built for traditional forced air systems: radiant
heaters.
As opposed to warm air systems
(such as a forced air unit heaters), radiant
heaters deliver the source of heat to the floor
level, not the ceiling. Radiant
heaters or radiant energy is the oldest form of
heating used to provide comfort and is the basis
for all heating systems.
Additionally, radiant
heaters also offer more comfort than forced air
heating by heating the atmosphere from the
ground up. Since heat rises, the heat will be
more evenly distributed, providing a much more
comfortable atmosphere.
Radiant Heaters Tip: Radiant energy is
totally pure radiation and is absorbed by an object
without physical contact with the heat source or by
heating the surrounding air, as is the case with
convective, forced air systems.
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December 21, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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In today’s volatile and topsy-turvy
housing market, it’s not a bad idea to
add value to your home in new and innovative
ways.Don’t just think about renovating a
bathroom, consider using radiant
heaters to warm towel racks in the bathroom, or a
heated floor.Can you think of anything
cozier on a chilly winter morning than toasty
toes when you step out of the shower?
Not only is radiant heating is
one of the most comfortable ways to heat your
home, but radiant heaters also offer a surprisingly wide
diversity of applications. Radiant
heaters can be used in a number of applications,
including in tiled areas, hardwood flooring,
carpeted areas, cement floors, basements, and
garages.
Radiant
heaters are a type of heater that warms objects
instead of air. Radiant heat uses objects, such
as the floor, to heat a home. The air in the
room is warmed when it comes into contact with the
warmed objects. Heat loss is reduced and the
radiant heat remains in the lower part of the
room, warmer near feet level and slightly less so at
head level, creating the perfect climate for
comfort.
Radiant Heaters Tip:
The variety of high efficiency boilers or
electric radiant floor systems makes radiant
heat one of your most efficient ways to heat your home.
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November 20, 2007 00:11 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Heating systems
for homes and businesses are faced with an increasing
number of options to consider for their primary and
secondary heating. While fire places and coal burning
stoves become less popular, other alternative heating
methods are quickly becoming more common. Traditional
furnaces as a primary heating system are now being
challenged from radiant baseboards, radiant floor
heating systems and even radiant ceiling heaters. Many
of these new heating systems are using electricity
instead of natural gas or heating oil.
Space heaters are
also becoming a less expensive option to upgrading a
poorly insulated home or to add supplemental heat to cold
areas. Thermostone heaters and
heated
towel warmers
from
Climastar
mount to a wall and are a couple of heating
systems that have been commonly used in Europe for decades
are now gaining acceptance in the United States. Many
interior designers are adopting these electric heating
systems as fashionable accessories to bathrooms,
basements and home offices.
A common
challenge to traditional heating systems is the inability to
zone your home for specific areas of the home without
heating the entire home. Electric radiant heating
systems can be easily designed to be independently
controlled by zone which enables a home owner to increase
the temperature for defined areas of the home during
occupancy and conversely allows a particular zone to
remain off during down times. This strategy not only
saves the home owner money, it gives you complete
control to efficiently warm you most used living spaces
without comprising cost.
Choosing the best
heating system for a new home or to add supplemental
heat to a cold spot in your home now takes a little
homework. The radiant consultants and designers at
Warmzone have been trained in all of the latest
heating systems to properly assess your project and
prescribe a system that will add value to your home
inside of your budget. Contact us by phone or email to
learn more about your home heating goals and we will
sell you a heating system that works for you.
About Warmzone
Warmzone provides consumers with
energy-efficient, radiant heating solutions for homes
and businesses. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah,
Warmzone's electricians and radiant heat experts will help
you determine the best radiant heating solution,
ranging from electric heated floors to large
commercial snow and ice melt projects. Send us a plan or
drawings and we'll be happy to provide you with a
FREE estimate
and options for your
roof
heating and ice melting
project.
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