Why Automated Controls Are Essential
An outdoor heating system is only as good as its control system. In the early days of heated driveways, systems relied on manual wall switches. If a homeowner forgot to turn the switch off after a storm, the system would run continuously for days, wasting hundreds of dollars in electricity.
Today, WarmWay installs fully automated sensor controllers that eliminate human error and optimize energy consumption.
How Dual-Condition Sensing Operates
Our commercial-grade sensors require two simultaneous environmental triggers before activating power:
- 1. Temperature Threshold: The sensor detects that ambient outdoor temperature has dropped below a set threshold (typically 3°C or 37°F). Cold temperatures alone will not trigger the system if the air is dry.
- 2. Moisture Detection: Falling snow, sleet, or freezing rain bridges two heated electrical contact rings on the sensor face, signaling active precipitation.
Only when both cold temperature AND active moisture are detected does the controller energize the contactor panel and start heating the surface.
The Role of the Hold-On Timer
When precipitation stops, the air may still be sub-zero. If the system shut off immediately, remaining meltwater on the stone would instantly freeze into a sheet of ice. Modern controllers feature an adjustable hold-on timer (typically set between 30 and 90 minutes) that keeps the surface warm until all meltwater has evaporated or drained off completely.
Have Specific Questions About Your Property?
Every installation requires reviewing electrical capacity, drainage slope, and surface material. Our technical team is available to review your property layout across the Greater Toronto Area.
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