Tag Archives: Radiant heat services

NEWS

Feedback from the Field

What Separates ProLine Radiant from the Competition? Ask Our Customers:

To all potential ProLine customers,

I am a landscape designer, located on the seacoast of New Hampshire. We get plenty of snow in the winter, and I truly believe that heated driveways and walkways are the next big thing for our area, as in some of the more dense residential areas there is often no place to put the snow. However, before recommending radiant heat to my clients, I needed to try it and live with it myself.

This fall, we installed ProLine heating cables in our driveway. So far we have had two storms, one mainly snow, and the other rain and ice. The driveway performed beautifully. During the snow storm, it melted the snow effortlessly. We had forgotten to put it on automatic so it was off during the first part of the storm. After realizing this, we turned the system on, but not before a couple of inches had already fallen, but it still managed to make up for lost time.

During the ice storm, the driveway was DRY, while everything else was covered in a skin of ice. Great success! I’m not much of a snow lover, but I’m actually looking forward to the next storm!

Heated driveway with brick pavers

Although I am thus far completely sold on the product, the purpose of this letter is really to rave about ProLine’s customer service and support. These days, good customer service is rare, and great customer service is almost nonexistent. ProLine’s service is in the “great” category. For a new customer, with limited experience in outdoor heating, their technical support was crucial. Having a video web chat with Jim and looking at the schematic of the job before we began was one of the reasons for the success of the project. But the step-by-step instruction was only a part of the support that ProLine provided. Throughout the process they were always in touch. Larry, the account manager, was always there to answer questions, even when he was on vacation!

Brandon visited the site twice to answer questions and offer support, and Jim was always on the other end of the phone to talk to my electrician when it was necessary. They seemed to anticipate our needs and fulfill them before we even knew what they were ourselves.

In my years as a homeowner and landscape designer I have dealt with all sorts of people on all sorts of projects, and the service and support that we experienced from ProLine was among the best. It was a breath of fresh air, and I look forward to hopefully doing a lot of business with them in the future.

          – Wickie R., Owner of Drawing Room Ink

Radiant snow melting system heating paver driveway.
ProLine snow melting system installed to heat a paver driveway in New Hampshire.

Other Customer Comments

The first snow fall this winter was the test and the driveway has been ice/snow free all winter! The option to manually turn on the heat system has not been needed since the sensor works so well. My wife and I are very pleased with the results and feel much safer walking outside during the winter now!

          – Dan, heated driveway owner

Thanks for supplying my customer with exactly what they needed. Living in multiple locations, the automated concrete heating system you provided was the perfect match for my customers in Idaho. Being new to this type of installation, I expected things to be a little more complicated. A few phone calls after receiving the product within days made the job simple to install. I would have to say that customer service with your company was by far second to none. I look forward to doing business with you in the future and referring you on to other homeowners with snow melting needs.

          – Cody, Independent Contractor

Learn more about ProLine Radiant’s professional design/layout services and installation support, as well as ProLine’s free installation training by calling a ProLine radiant heat expert today at 866.676.9276.

Snow Melting Systems – Installation Tips

Premier Snowmelt Systems Backed by Unmatched Customer Service
Electric heated driveways continue to gain popularity among professional builders and homeowners alike as they discover the benefits of these maintenance-free snow melting systems. Featuring easy installation, reliable and energy efficient performance, electric snow melting systems offer environmentally friendly operation for clearing driveways, ramps, steps, parking lots and more of snow and ice.

ProLine Radiant’s fully automated snowmelt systems feature an advanced aerial-mount or in-ground snow sensor. When the sensor detects precipitation and the temperature is below the adjustable set point (typically set at 39°F), it sends a signal to the master controller that is usually installed on a wall in the garage. The controller then sends power to the embedded heat cable to warm the surface.

ProLine controllers for in-ground sensors are small (6×3½-inch), NEMA 1, wall-mount control panels that provide UL listed snow melting for large commercial and custom residential and applications. The controller also offers a feature allowing it to be controlled from an external signal (day/week timer, GSM-module or other signal source). The unit features a manual off/on switch (standby) so the heating system can be manually activated to melt snow or ice that occurs because of wind or shade, further enhancing safety.

For snow melting systems to perform as intended, they must be properly installed. Here are a few basic tips for the proper installation of radiant snow melting system heat cable.

Installing snow melting mats
Installing snow melting system heat cable and securing it to the remesh.

Heating Cable – General Installation Tips:

 ► Maintain proper cable spacing. (Minimum spacing is 2 inches (center-to-center) and maximum cable spacing is 4 inches, center-to-center.)
 ► Do not allow the heat cables to touch each other.
 ► Never cut the heating cable.
 ► Make sure the heating cable is not resting on the ground prior to a concrete or asphalt pour. Secure the cable to remesh that is supported by Mesh-Ups or something similar. The installed heating cable should be 2 inches from the finished surface.
 ► In concrete applications, avoid running the heat cable through expansion joints. (The joint should be tooled or cut NO deeper than 1¼-inches, and the cable must be ¾ to 1-inch below the bottom of the joint.)
 ► Do not strain the cable splice by pulling on the cable.
 ► All of the cable must be embedded, including the entire splice and 6 inches of cold lead
 ► Do not bend the cable sharply. This may cause the insulation to pull away from the cable and eventually cause the cable to fail.
 ► When installing heat cable in paver applications, make certain that there is ½-inch of compacted paver sand or stone dust on top of the heating cables or mats. (Cables must be completely encased with no air gaps.)

Contact ProLine (866.676.9276) to learn more about our products and installation support, free training, and professional design and layout services.

NEWS

Setting the New Gold Standard

ProLine Radiant Offers Professional Builders Industry Leading Services

What does it take to become a trusted radiant heat solutions provider for construction professionals? ProLine has become a favorite among builders not only because of the vast selection of top quality products, but because of superior customer services and top manufacturer warranties. Construction professionals have come to know that ProLine is a trusted partner that provides expert installation support well after the purchase.

As the wholesale radiant heat frontrunner, ProLine offers the latest most proven and advanced radiant snow melting solutions, at truly competitive prices. In fact, ProLine is setting the new gold standard when it comes to both top products and unmatched customer services. With a dedicated in-house staff of radiant heat experts on hand to design your custom system and provide personal installation support, ProLine makes the process of purchasing and installing a radiant heat system as seamless as possible.

Heated tire tracks in driveway

ProLine design experts carefully evaluate each project and then provide recommendations and options. In addition to your snowmelt needs, ProLine also designs systems around specific budgets.

ProLine Radiant also holds its products to ASHREA industry standards, creating a solid foundation for great radiant heat solutions. Adhering to these standards is all about designing a system that is tailored to the specific conditions of the region. This means designing the system and using the ideal components in relation to the regional climate, average snowfall, temperatures, and other factors. ProLine Radiant designs custom systems in accordance with these standards for businesses and homeowners throughout Northern America.

ProLine further differentiates itself with its dynamic product offering, outstanding pricing, and additional customer services. From free training to personal, expert installation support, ProLine radiant heat experts are available every step of the way to assist customers through the installation process. And ProLine snow melting systems are easy to customize, and a wide range of options are available to meet performance and budget needs. Some of the most common snow melting system layouts include:

  • Heat two 24-inch wide tire tracks
  • Heat the most trafficked area (i.e., a strip down the middle of the driveway)
  • Heat the entire driveway or walkways

Regardless of your snow melting needs, you’ll find that ProLine is easy to work with and will find the best solution for your specific project. ProLine’s rapid growth is no doubt due to its commitment to provide the best prices and service in the industry. Professional builders are bound to find ProLine Radiant to be a breath of fresh air when it comes to purchasing, designing and installing proven, industry leading radiant heat solutions.

For more information, contact ProLine Radiant today at 866.676.9276.

Installing Electric Radiant Snowmelt Systems

Proper Installation is Essential for Top Performance

With the winter of 2014-15 projected to bring record snowfall to most of the country, it’s no surprise that businesses and homeowners throughout Northern America are searching for long term snow melting solutions. Consequently, professional builders are finding ProLine Radiant to be the ideal provider for complete radiant heat solutions, ranging from heated driveways and roof deicing systems to a wide variety of floor heating systems.

Although ProLine offers the industry’s most trusted and proven products, ProLine Radiant’s National Sales Manager, Larry Steveson, cautions that installing industry leading products is not enough to ensure optimum results.

“We take pride in offering the industry’s latest and most proven products,” Steveson said, “but the success of any radiant heat system is dependent on having it designed and installed properly.” With this in mind, ProLine Radiant emphasizes its free installation training courses and dedicated staff of radiant heat experts who are on hand to provide personal installation support.

Installing snow melting mats

“We don’t just provide the materials,” Steveson continued, “we partner with our customers to give them the support needed to ensure proper installation and that their customers are happy.” Services like these are what distinguishes ProLine from other wholesale providers.

Basic Installation Tips

Check Supply Voltage – Upon receipt of your materials, check that the supply voltage matches the voltage required for your specific snowmelt product.

Cable Care – Always take care after laying out the heat cable that the heating elements are not damaged by using sharp tools, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes or heavy machinery.

Measure Cable Resistance – Measure, verify and record the resistance of the heating element during the installation process. Check the cable:

  1.  Out of the box.
  2.  After laying it out.
  3.  After the surface material has been applied.

Never cut the Heat Cable – Do not cut or damage the heating element. Heat cable is resistance cable, so when it is shortened it increases the wattage per foot of the cable. Altering the cable in any way not only can cause the heat cable to fail due to over-heating, but void the warranty.

Laying out and Securing the Heating Mats – Unroll the heating mat over the area you want to heat. Fasten the heating mat to the mesh reinforcement using tie-wraps, zip ties or cable strapping. Do not cause the heating cable of the mat to be compressed or strained.

Maintain Cable Spacing – Never allow the heating elements to be less than 2 inches apart. They should never cross, overlap or touch each other.

Embed the Cable – Whether you’re installing in concrete, asphalt or pavers, embed the cable completely under the surface. If it is too close to the surface or uncovered, it can malfunction.

Embed the Power Lead – The power lead/heating cable splice and at least 6 inches of the power lead must also be embedded in the paved surface. Run the remaining power lead through a conduit.

Making Turns with Mats – Heating mats can be altered to accommodate drains, obstructions or bends in the layout. Cut the tape backing to make turns or alter the spacing of the heating cables in mats. NEVER cut the heating cable.

Ground Sensor Placement – The sensor must be placed between the heating cables within the heated area at least 3.3 feet (1 m) from the edge of the area. A minimum distance of 0.41 inches (1 cm) should be maintained between the sensor tube and the heating cable.

Aerial Snow Sensor Placement – Aerial sensors should not be placed under eaves but where there is direct exposure to the open sky.  Avoid areas that will have delayed or false readings.

ProLine Radiant works tirelessly to research, test and develop the absolute best products possible to ensure that your business succeeds. Call today at 866.676.9276 to learn more about our products and services, or email us to receive a free quote.