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November 29, 2008 00:11 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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With the current housing market being so
unpredictable, we’re seeing an increasing
number of homeowners are opting to stay put in their
homes, rather than buy a new home. They find
that one way to make their current home a better
fit for them is to remodel the kitchen or
bathroom, or upgrade the home’s heating systems.
While there isn’t a single heating
system out there that is an ideal fit for every
project, there is an ideal system for every
project. Warmzone.com can provide you with the
heating
systems you desire, as well as consult with you on
which systems would be the best fit for your
project.
Hydronic under floor heating
systems are some of the most popular forms of
radiant heat. In the most recent hydronic
heating systems, PEX radiant tubing has been
installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum Concrete or
“Gypcrete.” This method of heating
system installation works very well in most
applications, but there have been developments
in the installation process of hydronic under
floor heating that make it easier to install for certain
situations. This new development is known as a
low-mass or modular board underlayment system.
Rather than embedding the hot water tubing in
concrete, the PEX tubing is laid in the grooves of
pre-cut wood panels. This new method is ideal
for remodeling and most new construction
projects.
Heating System Tip: The hydronic
under-floor heating
system was first used by the Romans; there have
obviously been significant developments since
that time.
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December 22, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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The number of types of radiant
heaters available for residences or businesses is
awfully mind-boggling. 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 will be shipped to you 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 nearly impossible to beat the
simplicity and price of an electric cable
heating system.
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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 20, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Not traditionally
used in heating homes, flat panel radiant
heaters are used to heat objects via radiant heat
transfer. These radiant heaters have traditionally
been used in a variety of industries and applications,
such as space heating, drying, curing, and water
evaporation. More recently, these heating systems are also
gaining popularity in home heating applications as well.
Radiant
heaters use different types of emitter surfaces. Choices
include: quartz, high-temperature glass, stainless
steel, and ceramic tiles. These are all materials that
are easily and efficiently used in home applications
such as flooring, countertops, and towel racks. Because
these items are easily turned into emitter surfaces for
radiant heat, they can easily and beautifully be
incorporated into home heating applications such as
heated floors, walls, and towel racks.
To find out about radiant heaters for your home,
check with the folks at warmzone.com. They have a
complete product catalog of radiant heating solutions
that can accommodate almost any application or budget.
Radiant Heaters Tip: radiant heaters a great way
to efficiently heat a home, while maximizing your
home’s beauty, but they are very cost effective
and easy to install.
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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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December 28, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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If you are looking to warm your floors with radiant
heaters and are trying to research what kind of
radiant heaters to install you might find
yourself scratching your head at this point.
There are dozens of products available to purchase, and
there are even more companies telling you that
their product is the best.
So which product is the best?
Should you install a hydronic heating system
that pumps hot water through your floors, an electric
cable heating system, or a low-voltage screen
system? The answer lies in the type of project
you are doing. Not every system is ideal for every
project, but there is an ideal system for every project.
Hydronic Heating Systems
Hydronic floor heating is the
oldest and most popular type of radiant floor
heating. These systems are comprised of a boiler or hot
water heater, pumps, manifolds, PEX tubing,
thermostat, and either gypcrete (a concrete-like
material) or wood panels. Hydronic heating is the most
complex of all radiant heat systems. These systems
require trained professionals to design and
perform the installation. Your best economies of
scale are achieved for hydronic systems in large areas
or entire homes because of their expensive
components and operational costs.
Hydronic systems can be installed under any
type of flooring. Most hydronic systems require hot
water tubing to be installed in a 2-4″
bed of light concrete and are best installed during
the initial construction because of its weight load
demands and adjustments to floor height. Recent
low-mass products have been developed to avoid
these challenges by fitting the tubing into pre-cut
wood panels, making hydronic systems more convenient and
possible for most major remodeling projects.
If you want to heat smaller areas
like a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor
heating system may not be the best value for
your project. The complexity and cost of installing the
system, along with the long-term maintenance and
up-keep required, is not worth the small amount
you will save in operational costs.
Electric Cable Heating
Electric cable heating
systems, often called line- or high-voltage
systems, are gaining popularity 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 will be
shipped to you 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 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. Most cable
systems can only be installed under tile. However, on
others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete,
any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete. When
heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat
the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating
system.
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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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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
embedment. 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 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 19, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Hydronic under floor heating are the most
popular form of radiant heaters. This is mainly
because these radiant
heaters have been around the longest. This form of
heating was first used by the Romans, but there
have been significant developments since. In the
most recent hydronic systems, PEX radiant tubing has
been installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum
Concrete or “Gypcrete.” This
method works very well in most applications, but there
have been developments in the installation
process of hydronic under floor radiant
heaters that make it easier to install for certain
situations. This new development is known as a
low-mass or modular board underlayment system.
Rather than embedding the hot water tubing in concrete,
the PEX tubing is laid in the grooves of pre-cut
wood panels. This new method is ideal for
remodeling and most new construction projects.
If you’d like to know more about both types of
hydronic heating systems, contact the expert staff at
warmzone.com. They can help
match your individual project with the best system at the
best price. There isn’t a single system out
there that is an ideal fit for every project, but
there is an ideal system for every project. Also,
because of the relationship that warmzone.com has with the
manufacturers, they can guarantee the lowest price on
the highest quality systems available.
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