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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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October 26, 2008 00:10 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Winter weather is on the way. Start thinking
about heating
system solutions for the coming winter months or
spend the season shivering and wishing
you’d planned ahead. Leaving decisions like this
to the last moment (for example, when your furnace up
and dies in the middle of a brutal
Nor’easter) causes unnecessary stress, expense,
and, most obviously, a freezing cold house.
Whether you are building a new home from the
ground up, preparing to replace your heating
systems are using electricity instead of natural gas
or heating oil. Not only does this cut down on
heating costs, but it is also more efficient and
eco-friendly as well. Radiant heating
systems are quickly replacing traditional furnaces.
Heating Systems Tip: Choosing the best
heating
systems 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 within your budget.
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December 18, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Quite simply put, radiant
heaters are the most efficient form of heat
available in today’s market.
Significantly less operating time is required to attain
and maintain the desired warmth compared to
furnaces and other, traditional methods of
heating, which keeps operational costs to a minimum.
High efficiency boilers or
electric radiant floor systems makes radiant
heat one of your most efficient ways to heat your
home. Combined with a well-insulated home these
systems can quickly warm your home and then shut
down or wait idle for long periods of time before being
called upon by the thermostat to operate.
More than ever before, homebuilders,
househunters, and home renovators alike are
looking for energy-efficient heating options for houses.
We say they need look no further than radiant
heaters for their ideal home heating solution.
Radiant Heaters Tip: It might take a
little effort, but being more environmentally
friendly doesn’t have to involve major
renovations. Many people waste a lot of energy by not
sealing cracks, doors and windows. Checking to
make sure a home’s insulation is in good
shape and replacing it if it’s not is another
good surefire way to stop, prevent, and reverse
energy waste.
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December 13, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Recently John Thiffault of Carriage Lane
Homes wasrecognized by the Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation for building homes that
maximize health and efficiency.So what is
it about Thiffault’s homes that set them apart
from other homes, and make them safer and more
efficient?Well, Radiant
Heaters are one way.
Health Benefits.
Radiant
heaters improve the air quality, which is important,
especially for anyone who suffers from either
dust allergies or asthma. The heated towel rails
provide ample heat alleviating a breeding ground for
germs to multiply not to mention the added
benefit of not having change filters or clean
heat ducts.
Health experts also claim that
radiant heaters can help in eliminating dust
mites that live in our homes, and since dust mites love
a warm moist environment, towel heaters aid in
maintaining a consistent room temperature and
keep it moisture free. Furthermore, mold and mildew are
also caused from excessive moisture especially in
bathrooms with insufficient
ventilation.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.
Efficiency. Radiant
heaters are the most efficient form of heat
available. Significantly less operating time is
required to maintain the desired warmth compared
to furnaces and other methods of heating keeping
operational costs to a minimum. High efficiency boilers
or electric radiant floor systems makes radiant
heat one of your most efficient ways to heat
your home. Coupled with a well insulated home these
systems can quickly warm your home and then shut down or
wait idle for long periods of time before being
called upon by the thermostat to operate.
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February 01, 2010 00:02 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Of Water and Wires: Hydronic Heated Driveways vs.
Electric Heated Driveways
'Ride the Current' or 'Go With the Flow'?
If
you’ve finally put down the shovel and decided to
purchase a heated
driveway system, will you be going
hydronic or electric? If you’re a newcomer to the
concept of driveway heating, hydronic and electric
are both popular, and extremely viable forms of
driveway heat, and Warmzone has the expertise, and
experience, to help determine which is best for
you. What these systems share in
common—four key components you should be familiar
with before purchasing a heated driveway system:
Of the components mentioned above, the
heating element and the control source distinguish
hydronic heated driveway systems from electric
heated driveway systems.
Hydronic Heated Driveway Systems: Going with the Flow
The heating
element for a hydronic snowmelt system, as you may have
guessed, involves water. Specifically, hydronic heated
driveways use what is known as closed-loop tubing
to heat the surface of the driveway. The tubing is
generally made of a flexible (and quite durable) polymer
or synthetic rubber to circulate a mixture of hot
water and propylene glycol (antifreeze). The fluid
is warmed to temperatures between 140 to 180
degrees F to deliver enough heat for snow melting.
A water
heater or a boiler is the chief source of heat for a
hydronic driveway heating system, which can be
powered by any energy source that satisfies the
btu requirements, including natural gas, electricity,
oil, wood, or even solar collectors. A circulating
pump and supply and return manifolds, installed in
an easily accessible location, transfer the water
between the heat source and tubing.
Electric Heated Driveway Systems: Riding the Current
Unlike
hydronic systems, electric
heated driveway systems use hot wires to
heat paved surfaces. These wires are surrounded by
layers of insulation, copper grounding braid and a
protective outer layer of PVC or polyolefin to
form a flexible cable about ⅛ to ¼ inch in
diameter. What’s great about the heat
cables is the flexibility of the application.
Cable is available on spools as well as pre-spaced and
woven into mats, and can be customized (cut) to
suit virtually any type of layout, including
odd-shaped driveways, common walkways and sidewalks,
etc.
After being
triggered by the snow
sensor, the control
unit then powers the heat cable to warm the
driveway. To reduce the power demands (and operating
costs), you can install cables in just the tire
tracks of a driveway rather than the entire area.
Warmzone provides complete system
design services to ensure that you receive
the best system layout and products
for your project.
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Do You Have Warm Air, but Cold Toes?
Heating
from the Ground Up, Just Makes Sense
If
you’re like most folks, the first thing
you reach for as you get out of bed in the
winter are your slippers. Then you check the
thermostat to see if the room is really as
cold as it feels. The problem isn’t in
your furnace, and it isn’t your circulation;
it’s your floors. The simple fact is
heat rises.
Heated
floors, however, allow heat to start where
it’s most needed and then radiate up through
the room. With radiant heated floors, the
first thing to get warm are those cold toes,
followed by the rest of the room. If you have
small children or pets, they spend a lot more
time close to the floor than you do. They’ll
feel the difference of a heated floor right away.
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Radiant floor heating cable, pre-spaced
and woven into an
easy-to-install mat.
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The other
thing you’ll notice or won’t notice
with radiant
heated floor systems, is the constant
white noise of the furnace. A heated floor
silently goes about it’s job of heating the
room without a lot of noisy commotion from
burners lighting up and fans blasting autumn dust
throughout the house.
Do
yourself and your toes a favor and look into how
easy and affordable it can be to install
heated floors this year. You’ll love the way
you feel, and you’ll love not having to
hunt around for your slippers.
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Radiant Heat for Custom Applications
Finding a
Radiant Heating Solution as Unique as You Are
As
temperatures plummet and heat bills skyrocket, consumers
everywhere are turning to radiant heating systems.
As the most affordable and customizable option out
there, radiant heating is quickly making a name
for itself as a titan in the heating market.
So
radiant heating
is the latest and greatest, but what exactly
is so great about it and what can it do for you? One
word: customization.
When it comes
to radiant heating, the possibilities are endless.
Warmzone can design
a radiant heating system completely
customized for your home and lifestyle, and it's as
easy as one, two, three!
Choose
The first
step of your radiant heating revolution is choosing the
type of radiant heat you want.
Indoor Radiant Heating
Radiant heating can be installed under just
about any surface, including tile, carpet,
wood, etc. Put it in your bathroom, your kitchen,
your living room—anywhere you need heat. Each
room, or zone, can be controlled with its own thermostat.
giving you great flexibility along with
outstanding efficiency. Radiant
floor heating is an affordable way to keep
your house perfectly warm without racking up the
electricity bill.
Outdoor Radiant Heating
You can also
enjoy the benefits of radiant heating outdoors. Exterior
snow melting systems keep your property safe by
preventing pesky snow and ice buildup. There
are several outdoor radiant
heating products and options, including
heated driveways, sidewalks, roof heating, pipe tracing,
and portable
heating mats; all of which will make your
life a little easier in the harsh winter months.
Design
We realize
that your radiant heating system isn't the same as the
next customer's, so we'll work with you to come up
with a radiant heating system tailor-made to your
needs.
Once we assess your project's requirements,
our team will design a custom CAD drawing of your radiant heating
system telling you exactly what you get, where
you'll get it, and how much it will cost you.
Enjoy
With radiant
heating, your only job is to sit back, relax, and enjoy
your custom radiant heating solution. Let your heated
floors warm your home evenly and efficiently.
Sit back and watch from the warmth of your living room
as your radiant heated driveway does the shoveling
for you. And sleep in peace knowing that your
gutters and pipes are safe from nasty and
potentially devastating snow and ice buildup.
Why settle
for an out of the box heating solution? Let us help you
customize a radiant heating system that meets your
needs, fits your budget, and keeps you and your
family warm and safe.
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January 13, 2010 00:01 AM  BY AMY MORBY
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Why Settle When
you can Customize?
Finding a Radiant Heating Solution as Unique as You Are
As temperatures
plummet and heat bills skyrocket, consumers everywhere
are turning to radiant heating systems. As the most
affordable and customizable option out there, radiant
heating is quickly making a name for itself as a titan
in the heating market.
So
radiant heat
is the latest and greatest, but what exactly is
so great about it and what can it do for you? One
word: customization.
When it comes to
radiant heating, the possibilities are endless. No
matter what you want or where you want it, Warmzone can design
a radiant heating system completely customized
for your lifestyle, and it’s as easy as 1,2,3.
1. Choose
The first step of
your radiant heating revolution is choosing the type of
radiant heat you want.
There’s no
limit to what radiant heating can do. Whether you’re
looking to warm up your home or prevent snow and ice
buildup on your property, there’s a radiant
heating option that’s sure to fit your needs.
Indoor Radiant Heating
Turn any room into a cozy paradise with radiant
floor heating. Radiant heating can go under
virtually any surface, including tile, carpet, wood, etc.
Put it in your bathroom, your kitchen, your living
room—anywhere you need heat. Each room, or
zone, can be controlled with its own thermostat.
Given the flexibility and outstanding effectiveness of
radiant
heated floors, it is the most affordable way
to keep your house perfectly warm without racking up the
electricity bill.
Outdoor Radiant Heating
You can also enjoy the benefits of radiant heating
outdoors. Radiant
snow melting systems keep your property safe
by preventing snow and ice buildup. You can choose one or
all of the following options to make your life a
little easier in the harsh winter months:
2. Design
Once you decide
which radiant heating options are right for you, the
Warmzone team will help you design a customized plan of
action. We realize that your radiant heating system
isn’t the same as the next customer’s,
so we work diligently with you to come up with a radiant
heating system tailor made to your needs.
Once
we assess your project’s requirements, our team
will design a custom
CAD drawing of your radiant heating system
telling you exactly what you get, where you’ll get
it, and how much it will cost you. We’ll keep
you involved in every step of the process to make sure
that your custom radiant heating system exceeds your
expectations.
When we’ve
got your customized radiant heating system designed,
we’ll make sure you have everything you need
for a quick and easy installation. If you’re
not comfortable doing it yourself, we’ve got a list
of contractors ready to bring your radiant heating
plans to fruition.
3. Enjoy
Because we help
you with the planning and design process, you’re only
job is to sit back, relax, and enjoy your custom
radiant heating solution. Let your heated
floors warm your home evenly and efficiently. Sit
back and watch from the warmth of your living room as
your radiant heated driveway does the shoveling for you. And
sleep in peace knowing that your gutters and pipes are
safe from nasty and potentially devastating snow and
ice buildup.
Why settle for an
out of the box heating solution? Let us help you
customize a radiant heating system that meets your needs,
fits your budget, and keeps you and your family warm
and safe.
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November 03, 2008 00:11 AM  BY RILEY PETERSON
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Danfoss offers a
myriad of cables for all kinds of projects, but figuring
out the differences can be pretty tricky. I won’t go
into technical details here, rather go over some basic
differences that will help you choose which cable to
use for which project.
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Danfoss LX Cable
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Interior Cable, best for
tile, marble, and slate flooring |
A thin 3/16-inch diameter
electric radiant heating cable made
specifically for tile installations. Because of the
thinness of the cable, it can go directly
into the tile thin-set (thin-set must not
be more than ¼” thick or else it will
crack the tile). |
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Danfoss TX Cable
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Interior Cable, tile, marble,
hardwood, slate |
A thicker ¼-inch
diameter radiant heating cable, made to be installed
directly into concrete slab. The thickness of the
cable makes it more durable to withstand
heavier concrete pours. |
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Danfoss GX Cable
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Outdoor Cable, concrete,
asphalt, brick pavers |
A thick ¼-inch diameter
radiant heating cable, made for use in
outdoor driveway, walkway, and sidewalk snow
melting. Heavy cable built to withstand
concrete pours and hot asphalt. |
All of the
Danfoss products give you the option of choosing between
individual cable in lengths (it comes on a roll) or in
woven mats, which has the cable rows pre-spaced and
makes installation much quicker and easier. The only
difficulty with the radiant mats is that it works best
with rectangular areas; however, the mat can be cut to
accommodate corners and custom layouts. (Just don't
cut the heat cable!) If you have a
complicated, odd shaped area to heat, you may
be better off with installing the individual
heating cable.
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August 07, 2007 00:08 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Upon hearing the words,
“What can Brown do for You? ®”
an immediate vision comes to mind of a large, brown
delivery truck with the name UPS emblazoned on
each side. United Parcel Service has done an
incredible job to bring their name to the forefront in
the package-delivery market. The same might
be said regarding “The Golden Arches
®,” McDonald’s famous advertising
ploy. Most highly-successful businesses are
easily recognized by a catchy slogan or an
eye-catching symbol.
We at Warmzone want to be
known in the radiant heat arena as the company
that will do everything possible to “just
make sense” of what might be a confusing array of
possibilities for consumers who are seeking
information on alternative heating sources.
Why are such vast
numbers seeking an alternative radiant heating source
?
Questar Gas Company, included
the following message with January’s fuel
bill mailing: “As you have seen,
natural gas bills this winter are significantly higher
than last year. Even with all the news about
higher natural gas prices, reality doesn’t
set in until your bill is opened.” Unless
customers have been oblivious to drastic increases
in fuel costs over the past two months, this was
somewhat of an understatement. More than just
reality has set in upon consumers! Caught
somewhere in the middle of paying a huge fuel bill
and taking a sick child to see a doctor, people
are taking a stand against such increases.
President Bush has encouraged
our nation to look for alternative sources as we
have become “addicted to oil.” In
his state of the union address on January 31, 2006 he
announced the Advanced Energy Initiative, a 22%
increase in clean-energy research at the
Department of Energy, “to push for breakthroughs
in two vital areas. To change how we power our
homes and offices, we will invest more in
zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and
wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear
energy.” Quoting once more from the
Questar message: “As you can see, prices on the
open market are volatile and have increased to
record highs this year both nationally and locally.”
Volatile, skyrocketing,
record high fuel costs provide reasons aplenty for
so many people to turn to Warmzone.com for
guidance in finding the best-possible radiant heat
system for their needs. Consumers are
finding themselves backed into a corner and are
looking for an efficient, comfortable alternative.
That just makes sense!
With our commitment to
researching the best options for radiant heat and
assessing each job individually, our research and
design team is prepared to design each project with the
ideal system to meet the needs of our customers at the
best available prices.
Warmzone is a different kind
of company. Unlike a manufacturer, we do not
favor one system over another. We
acknowledge the fact that there are dozens of brands
and types of radiant systems that offer unique
qualities, but no one system is the answer for
every project. We take great interest in
your project goals, requirements and budget and then
provide you with a quote for the best system
available to complete your project. We may
suggest using an electric, hydronic or a combination of
these technologies. There are clear
advantages and disadvantages to each system and
technology. We will explain why we prefer one
system over another for your particular
project. At Warmzone.com, you can expect
simple, honest explanations for our suggestions to you.
Customer service is at the
top of our priority list. As with
“Brown” or the “Golden
Arches,” we would be nothing without you,
the consumer. We are committed to helping
people install the latest in innovative radiant heat
systems by providing:
1. High quality materials
2. Installation packages that simplify the
work.
3. Design assistance
4. Installation advice and support.
5. The latest ideas in energy efficiency and
alternative energy. We are not satisfied
until you are satisfied. That, of course,
makes perfect sense!
Radiant heat systems are
constantly evolving – which can be a
challenge when it comes to deciding which is the
best system for your project. You can be assured
that Warmzone will consider every system and then
offer you the best technology for your project.
Most of the systems we design
and sell can easily be installed by any plumbing
and heating professional or general
contractor. But if you cannot find either
professional in your area, our products can be
installed by any reasonably-competent
handyman. Custom design and engineering packages
are also available to assure that you are getting
off on the right foot with your heating
investment. These plans take the guess work out of the
installation and become a road map for your system
for future reference or to pass on to the next
home owner.
We welcome your inquiries and
are prepared to help you with your radiant heat
decisions. Warmzone is the only
company matching individual heating projects to
solutions that make sense among the wide variety
of available choices. We’re not
“brown,” nor are we “gold,”
but we are leading out to assure customers make
the right choice in the ever-increasing radiant
heating market.
Visit us online at www.warmzone.com or
speak with one of our representatives by calling
us directly at 1.888.488.WARM
©
2006 Warmzone Media. “What Can Brown Do for
You?” is a registered trademark of United
Parcel Service of America, Inc. “The Golden
Arches” is a registered trademark of
McDonald's Corporation. Additional copyrights and
trademarks are held by their respective owners.
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December 15, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Yes, it might take a little effort, but being
more environmentally friendly doesn’t
have to involve major renovations. Many people waste a
lot of energy by not sealing cracks, doors and windows.
Checking to make sure a home’s insulation
is in good shape and replacing it if it’s
not is another good surefire way to stop, prevent, and
reverse energy waste.
Quite simply put, radiant
heaters are the most efficient form of heat
available in today’s market.
Significantly less operating time is required to attain
and maintain the desired warmth compared to
furnaces and other, traditional methods of
heating, which keeps operational costs to a minimum.
High efficiency boilers or
electric radiant floor systems makes radiant
heat one of your most efficient ways to heat your
home. Combined with a well-insulated home these
systems can quickly warm your home and then shut
down or wait idle for long periods of time before being
called upon by the thermostat to operate. Don’t
waste expensive heating fuel another day.
Radiant Heaters Tip: More than ever before,
homebuilders, househunters, and home renovators alike are
looking for energy-efficient heating options for
houses. We say they need look no further than radiant
heaters for their ideal home heating solution.
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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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