There must have been plenty of people in Buffalo last month who were bent over their shovels, dreaming of a driveway or sidewalk that could magically melt away that record-breaking seven feet of snow.

Such seemingly magical pavements do exist -- for those willing to pay the price. Snowmelt systems, which can be installed in sidewalks, steps and driveways, are increasingly popular in very high-end neighborhoods. However, even those who install the systems say they don't make sense for everyone in the snow belt.

Ed Bishop, president and founder of Enhanced Living, installs residential snowmelt systems in the Troy, New York, area. He says homeowners need to weigh both the cost of installation and operational expenses before having such a system installed.

The principle behind snowmelt systems is simple. An anti-freeze solution is typically run through plastic tubing which is embedded in concrete or below asphalt or paving stones. The anti-freeze solution is heated by a boiler, heat pump or other heat source and keeps pavement warm enough to melt away snow and ice. No more shovels.

Bishop says the snowmelt systems can be added to an existing home, but that means ripping up pavement. He says most of his jobs are in new construction, where installation is much easier.

The other benefit of installing the snowmelt system from the start is that energy needs can be taken into account as the home's heating system is designed. Bishop says that in big jobs, a separate boiler might be needed to handle the snowmelt demands. For smaller jobs, builders can integrate the snowmelt system into the home heating system by installing a larger boiler from the start.

What will it all cost? Bishop estimates that if you would like to have a snowmelt system installed in a set of steps and in a sidewalk that measures about four feet wide by 20 feet long, you can expect to pay around $5,000 to $8,000. In addition, Bishop says "operational expenses are on the high side." He says it can take up to five times the amount of energy per square foot to melt snow that it takes to heat your home on a cold day. That's a lot of BTUs.

If you want to try to limit those energy bills, you can opt to control the system manually. However, Bishop says, "those who have tried it manually, if they don't do it on time, it would take forever" to melt that snow. So, he advises customers to go with an automated system that uses sensors in the slab to detect humidity and temperature.

If you're not discouraged by the cost, Bishop says the systems are "very, very effective." When asked if they could handle a snowfall like the one in Buffalo, Bishop responded, "I would say, yes, as long as you've got the head start on it and you're warming that slab and you keep that slab warm during that period, it's certainly going to work."

Bishop says the snowmelt systems are not only an incredible convenience, they also provide a "much cleaner environment." There are no more worries about dragging salt from your shoes and boots onto your expensive floors and carpets.

"Business is very good," says Bishop, but most of his work is on homes in the $500,000 plus range. Even in that range, Bishop says he probably shouldn't "talk myself out of a sale, but I try to talk people out of doing the whole driveway." When you consider the up-front cost plus the operational expense, he "would rather see people spend their money elsewhere" and hire a snowplow service when they need it. However, "when it comes to doing the sidewalk or steps, it's ideal."

A number of companies make the systems. To learn more you can contact manufacturers such as Stadler-Viega, Heatway and Infloor.

Carol Ochs is a Washington-based reporter who covers new home trends.

Published: January 15, 2002

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