All posts by Proline Editor

NEWS

Radiant Floor Heating

ProLine Offers Industry-Leading Thermostats

Homeowners have many options when it comes to home heating systems. For years, the standard has been the typical forced-air systems, with furnaces, blowers, and ductwork. But times are changing, and homeowners are not only looking for optimum comfort, but top-notch efficiency. In terms of efficiency and unparalleled comfort, one heating technology rises far above any other. That technology is radiant heat.

Offering radiant floor heating installation for your customers can be a boon to your business. ProLine makes this easy. We offer a wide variety of electric floor heating systems, as well as hydronic systems. (Hydronic floor heating systems use specially treated water that is heated by a boiler and circulated through special PEX tubing that is embedded in the floor.)

ProLine radiant floor heating systems range from thin heat cable and mats to near-paper-thin heating panels, low-voltage systems, and more. If your customers are looking to install radiant heat under hardwood, laminate, tile, vinyl, or any other type of flooring, ProLine can match your customers with the ideal system that meets their heating needs and fits their budget.

Heated hardwood floor

ProLine Offers a Variety of Floor Heating Systems Including:

ProLine TileHeat: As the most popular floor heating option, this versatile system features thin heat cable (available in mats and spools) is effective for heating a wide variety of floors.

FilmHeat: This remarkable heating element is thinner than a credit card, and is regarded by flooring professionals at the best option for heating laminate and floating floors. A variation of FilmHeat can also be used to heat existing floors. The thin heating panels are stapled up between the floor joists, allowing homeowners to heat their floors without having to undergo any major remodeling.

Slab Heating: ProLine offers a rugged heat cable that is designed to withstand the stress of concrete pours. The heat cable is recommended for heating floors with concrete slabs, and is a common choice for those looking to heat basements.

Low-voltage FloorHeat: This system features thin, low-voltage polymer panels. The heating element is ideal for installation under hardwood floors.

FoilHeat: The FoilHeat floor heating system features thin heat cable that is sandwiched between two layers of specially reinforced aluminum. The FoilHeat system is designed for heating laminate and engineered wood floors, but can also be used under carpet.

Prodeso: The flexible underlayment membrane provides an innovative uncoupling and waterproofing system for heating floors and other surfaces without movement or expansion joints in the screed.

ProLine floor heating systems are among the best on the market. One reason why these systems are so efficient, and easy to use, is because of the advanced thermostats. The latest floor heating system thermostat added to ProLine’s offerings is the LED WiFi Touch thermostat.

This beautifully designed touch-screen thermostat provides easy, intuitive control. Users can also adjust and monitor their floor heating system remotely by accessing it locally through Bluetooth® or virtually anywhere else when connected to the Cloud service through WiFi. Users can also control the thermostat through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled devices. The LED WiFi thermostats also have an easy-to-follow installation wizard that guides you through the setup process.

The LED WiFi floor heating thermostat
The LED WiFi Touch thermostat for radiant floor heating systems.

The advanced thermostat transmits encrypted data securely via TLS 1.3. This is the latest encryption technology, which allows faster and more secure connections. When connected via WiFi, take advantage of the secure and comprehensive WPA3 protocol.

A variety of other thermostat options are also available to your customers. ProLine floor heating system controllers range from programmable “TOUCH” thermostats to simple control devices for those on a budget.

ProLine’s radiant heat solutions are backed by industry-leading customer support services. Each system is customized by expert system designers. ProLine’s design team members know the products and are committed to create the system that best meets the customer’s specific demands and expectations. Detailed system layouts that include all technical information needed for installation are provided to the installer / electrician. The information includes materials, system performance expectations, number of breakers, breaker sizes, and proper load calculations. This layout serves as the road map for installers which allows them to quickly and efficiently install the ProLine system.

Free installation training is also provided by ProLine. The training is available via video conference with an instructor who covers all aspects of your system’s installation. Installers interact with the instructor, and can stop to ask questions at any time. Installers also have access to ProLine’s dedicated support professionals. Radiant heat experts are available to answer questions and resolve any issues that may arise during the installation process. An online library of photos and illustrations, product documentation, and instructional videos is also available on ProLine’s website.

Contact a professional at ProLine today for more information on our many custom radiant heat solutions, at 866-676-9276.

NEWS

The Ultimate Partner

ProLine Offers Wholesale Pricing and Unmatched Customer Services

Running a profitable business is about providing valuable services (and products) that help customers find convenient, helpful ways to improve their life or business. One way for construction professionals to do this is to ensure the upcoming winter season doesn’t catch them off guard. For business owners, winter snow and ice can lead to hazardous conditions that create liability issues and slow the flow of customers. With ProLine wholesale radiant heating products, winter can remain productive and profitable for everyone.

ProLine can help you offer residential and commercial customers innovative solutions to keep their businesses safe and clear this winter. The demand for radiant heat installation increases as the temperature decreases, making it the perfect choice for construction professionals to add to their repertoire.

A good place to start is with radiant heated driveways. Heating driveways is a popular choice for homeowners, and eases the pain and hassle of manual snow removal. ProLine’s versatile electric radiant heat cable can be used under almost any medium, including asphalt, concrete, and pavers. Electric radiant heating cable is rugged and reliable, delivering years of peak performance. The cable is available in individual lengths, as well as pre-spaced in mats that can be rolled out for easy installation.

Cambridge paver heated driveway.
A radiant snow melting system installed for a long heated paver driveway.

Snow melting systems can be customized for virtually any application. Radiant heat is ideal for installation in residential driveways or large commercial applications. Radiant heat can be installed to heat driveways, ramps, parking areas, sidewalks, and even steps. Heated steps are particularly important to keep clear of snow and ice during the winter months. Needless to say, providing safe access to one’s business or home is vital. Keeping steps, walkways, and parking areas clear with Proline radiant heat cable is the surest way to keep customers and employees safe throughout the winter season.

Radiant heating systems can be easily customized to meet one’s budget and snow melting needs. If heating an entire area doesn’t meet your customers’ needs, ProLine’s customer service experts can design a custom solution that best suits their needs. For driveways, check out these great options:

Heat a center strip: Customers who may not want to heat an entire area can simply heat the center strip.  Instead of heating the entire surface area, some homeowners opt to heat an 8-10 feet wide strip. This option is perfect for specific areas that see higher amounts of traffic and makes sense for a lot of homeowners.

Heat two tire tracks: Customers often use theProLine heating mats to heat two 24-inch-wide tire tracks. The heating cable is pre-spaced in the mats, which are conveniently laid out, making installation quick and easy. Heating only two tire tracks also requires less power than a system heating the entire driveway, making this an excellent solution for homeowners on a tight budget.  

Specific areas: Use ProLine’s state-of-the-art mats or cable to heat troublesome areas anywhere around a business or a home. Heat cable can be installed in just about any area. Heating steps, heavily shaded areas, or driveway inclines can be the ideal solution for many.

Heated paver steps
A heated walkway and steps leading to the front door of a residence.

Roof de-icing is another solution to help customers prevent any costly repairs associated with water damage from a leaking roof. ProLine can help prevent heavy ice and snow from destroying roofs and causing property damage. Snow and ice buildup can create ice dams along roof edges. Ice dams prevent roof drainage and cause seepage that can lead to mold and mildew inside. One solution is to install heating cable.

Self-regulating heat cable features an irradiated conductive core with a rugged outer jacket to protect it from water and alkaline damage. The self-regulating heat cable is easily placed along roof edges, eaves, or trouble spots to provide channels for the runoff, and prevent ice dams from forming.

Freezing temperatures can also lead to broken pipes and expensive water damage that can take months to repair. Using pipe trace cable from ProLine can prevent these hazards. Pipe trace cable is the most effective option for any outdoor pipes. Commercial and industrial customers benefit from installing heat trace cable.

While ProLine’s variety of products ensures peak performance, what really sets ProLine apart is its comprehensive customer support services. ProLine is unlike other wholesalers on the market. These services allow contractors to focus on their business. No more worrying about hunting down products you need or wondering if they will get delivered on time. ProLine has resources and vast warehouse facilities that manufacture and house their products. We know that your time is especially valuable in the winter season and work hard to ensure our supply meets demand without frustrating delays.

ProLine’s comprehensive customer service starts with system design professionals. They know the products inside and out and work hard to meet every customer’s needs and expectations. Once the design professional has all the information, they can start on a custom-designed system. Every system comes with a detailed layout of the system, as well as all technical information needed for installation. The information includes materials, system performance expectations, number of breakers, breaker sizes, and proper load calculations. This layout allows installers to quickly and efficiently install any system.

Installation training is also free with ProLine. The training is provided via video conference with an instructor who will cover all aspects of installation and spend time with you to answer any questions. After installation training, installers have access to ProLine’s dedicated support professionals. They are available to help answer questions or help resolve any problems that may arise during the process of installation. An online library of photos and illustrations, product documentation, and instructional videos is also available anytime. No matter what your needs are, ProLine is there from start to finish. That why ProLine is a favorite among building professionals.

If you have questions, call and speak to a professional at ProLine today at 866-676-9276.

NEWS

The Many Custom Applications of Radiant Heat

As radiant heated driveways gain traction across the country, home and business owners are also installing radiant heat in a wide variety of other snow melting applications. The systems are easy to customize, and can be designed and installed for just about any need your customer may have.

Although installing radiant heat in driveways is the most popular residential application, the features of these snow melting systems have made them popular for a dynamic range of other snow melting solutions. Electric radiant heat systems utilize heat cable, which is available in individual lengths off the spool or pre-spaced in mats. The mats are conveniently rolled out across the area to be heated and secured, making installation quick and easy. But given the design flexibility of heat cable installations, systems can be installed to meet virtually any customer needs.

In addition to heated driveway installations, other radiant heat applications include heating outdoor areas for pets or livestock, accessibility ramps, loading docks, outdoor steps, sidewalks, patios, and more. Some ProLine snow melting system installations include heated airport aprons, public transportation areas, large commercial parking ramps and structures, and more. The options for customers are limited only by one’s imagination.

Heated ramp
A radiant heated accessibility ramp.

While the range of applications is unlimited, there are also many options when it comes heating a driveway. ProLine system designers work with their customers to determine the best system for their needs. Heated driveways can be customized to accommodate situations with limited power, customers on a limited budget, or those with special layout needs. Fortunately, driveway heating systems can be tailored to best meet the specific needs of each customer. Some layout options include heating only an 8-foot-wide strip in the middle of the driveway, heating two 24-inch-wide tire tracks, or only heating special areas, such as an incline. Customers have many options when it comes to installing a radiant heat.

Given the benefits of radiant snow melting systems, it’s no wonder that they are increasing in popularity. In addition to being fully automated, the systems are also maintenance free and extremely efficient. In fact, there is virtually no wasted energy associated with a properly installed heated driveway. The systems also eliminate the need for harmful snow melting chemicals or salt.

Heated sidewalk and porch
A residence with a heated driveway, sidewalk, and porch.

Automated snow melting systems consist of three main components: the heat cable, a snow sensor (activation device), and controller/contactor panel. Depending on the system, and the customer’s preference, the snow sensor can be either a pavement-mounted device, or an aerial-mounted unit. (Most driveway heating systems utilize the aerial-mount sensor.) This advanced activation device detects temperature and precipitation. When precipitation is detected, and the temperature is below the adjustable setpoint (typically set at 38- or 39-degrees Fahrenheit), the sensor will send a signal to the system controller. Power is then sent to the embedded heat cable, warming the driveway to prevent the buildup of snow.

A safety feature, called the “afterrun” function allows the snow melting system to remain on for a short time after the storm. This allows the heated concrete, asphalt, or pavers to dry. Eliminating any surface water prevents thin sheets of “invisible” ice from forming. The systems also include a manual override function, so the systems can be activated to deal with snowdrifts, or to heat areas where runoff from other areas has created patches of ice.

Radiant heat is also used for roof and gutter de-icing. Keeping roof eaves and gutters clear of snow and ice enhances pedestrian traffic below. When roof ice begins to melt, sometimes large slabs of ice can tumble to the sidewalk below and strike those walking along the sidewalk. Water that trickles down from icicles to the sidewalk can refreeze, creating patches of “black” ice, which can result in slip-and-fall accidents. Needless to say, this scenario is a nightmare for business owners.

ProLine also offers interior radiant heat. A variety of floor heating systems is available, with each providing advantages for heating specific types of flooring. A wide range of technologies is available.

For more information about wholesale snow melting, roof de-icing, and floor heating products check out ProLine’s website, or call a friendly professional today at 866-676-9276.

NEWS

Expanding my Business

Backed by Professionals

Being in the construction business, I’ve learned that in my line of work, it’s either feast or famine. Sometimes I can barely keep up with demand. Other times, well . . . let’s just say that when business is slow, the more extensive my honey-do list at home is. Funny how it always balances out that way.

A few years ago, when I first read something ProLine Radiant had published about contractors adding revenue by offering radiant heat installations, I barely skimmed over the content. But knowing how temperamental the building industry is, I figured, what the heck, it wouldn’t hurt to learn a little more about this. I revisited the website and read more. It all sounded so easy – almost too easy.

Certainly, I loved the idea of “beefing up my bottom line”, but I was skeptical about taking on a service that I knew so little about. But I persevered. When a customer asked about adding a heated driveway to his dream home, I nervously blurted, “Sure, I can do that.” But later that night I didn’t get much sleep. I didn’t know all the details about a installing a radiant heated driveway. Would it be a hassle? Would it really be worth my time?

I contacted ProLine and quickly began feeling better about my decision to take on the project. ProLine isn’t your typical wholesale provider. While they only provide the materials through a local electrical wholesaler, I was thrilled with the pricing; and their customer service blew me away. I didn’t just receive discounted driveway heating components, I received system design and support services that were second to none. I’d read about their “industry-leading” customer services, but let’s face it, everybody brags about their service, but few actually provide the service they brag about.

Technical support image
ProLine radiant heat professionals are on hand to assist contractors during the installation process.

Despite being a wholesale provider, ProLine reached out to me and provided FREE installation training. I was able to take the training at home, on my computer via video conference. My instructor was nothing short of outstanding. He took time going over every aspect of my custom installation and answered all my questions. After I completed the training, he gave me his number and insisted that I call if I encountered any unforeseen issues during the installation, or had any other concerns. He was absolutely genuine, and I felt like I had an expert insider whom I could contact at any moment if I had any questions. Having access to that expertise gave me a great deal of confidence to move forward with the installation.

Another service that ProLine offered was their system design. ProLine created a detailed design and layout of the system. This AutoCAD® not only showed the exact layout of the heat cable and other system components, but it contained all the electrical information for my electrician. It was a foolproof document that laid everything out for me. It not only showed the layout of the system, but included information such as the materials, proper load calculations, breaker sizes, number of breakers, etc. ProLine took care of all the legwork behind the installation. Much to my relief, I didn’t have to be a radiant heat expert. I had access to the best experts in the industry. It felt like the whole installation was a team effort, and ProLine took care of all the heated driveway details, which freed me up to focus on the things that I do best.

I’d read about the benefits that contractors could enjoy by adding radiant heat installation to their services, but I honestly didn’t think it would be this easy. For years I avoided “the hassle” of adding radiant heat installations to my list of services. Heck, years ago I even turned down a job because I felt unqualified, and a bit intimidated, to install a heated floor. Oh, if only I’d known.

Now I know that installing a radiant heat system can still be intimidating for first time installers, but I discovered that it all depends on who is providing you with that system. I suppose one could run down to Home Depot and grab some heat cable, and then offer customers a radiant heat installation, but I’m in business for the long haul, so I want to do things right. I’m going to stick with experts who I know have my back. I like knowing that there’s a deep well of expertise that I can draw from if I need. Sure, I love the discount pricing, but most important to me is being able to tap into ProLine’s experience. I have a team of radiant heat professionals that I can rely on. Ultimately, this benefits my customers and my business. I get the jobs done quickly, and I get them done right. As any other professional in my line of work will attest, there is no better way to ensure a successful future than by amassing a growing list of satisfied customers.

Working with ProLine has proven to be a smart business decision for me. I like telling customers, “Sure, I can do that,” rather than turning down work. I may not get as many days off as I used to, but that’s okay. The chores at home can wait. Plus, I always have retirement that I can look forward to.

For more information about wholesale floor heating, snow melting, and roof de-icing products check out ProLine’s website. If you’re ready to explore the options and learn how you can expand your business, contact a ProLine professional today at 866-676-9276.