The thought of shoveling snow on a daily basis is enough to spoil the mood of many homeowners. Such homeowners can take comfort in the knowledge that some permanent solutions, such as heating mats and in-built heating systems, have been developed to address this problem. Read on and learn some of the factors that will impact the cost of installing a heated driveway on your property.
The Size of Your Driveway
The size of your driveway or the portion of the driveway that you want to be heated will play a role in the cost of installing the system. Wider and longer heated driveways generally cost more to install since more materials and labor is required. Conversely, smaller heated driveways may be more affordable to install. The specific size of the heated driveway that you want to install will therefore impact the overall cost.
Retrofit or New Installation?
The estimated cost you are given will also depend on whether the contractor is going to first remove the old driveway before installing the heated driveway or it is a fresh installation. Demolishing an existing driveway in order to replace it with a new one can inflate the cost of the project since the demolition is almost a project on its own. People who want to remove an existing driveway in order to install a heated one are therefore likely to pay nearly double the money spent by another person who is laying the driveway for the first time.
The Heat Source
Heated driveways can use electric power or hot water to prevent snow from accumulating on the driveway surface. The upfront cost of these two heating systems varies widely. The hot water system is more expensive to buy and install when compared to opting for electrical heating elements. However, the hydrological system is less costly long-term since it doesn’t consume as much energy as the heating elements.
Your Preferred Control System
You also need to think about whether to install a system that is controlled manually or one that is automatic. Either option has its pros and cons. For example, the manual control system is more affordable, but it is tedious since someone must turn it on and off at the appropriate time. The automated system is convenient and user-friendly, but it costs more to buy, install and maintain. Weigh your options and select the control system that fits within your budget and it will address your other needs.
Will It Be Independent?
It is possible to integrate the heated driveway system into the existing heating system of your home. You can also decide to separate the heated driveway system from the heating system of your home. Either choice has cost implications. It may be more costly to install an independent driveway heating system since more materials, such as electrical wiring, will be needed to set up that independent system. However, you should discuss your specific case with the chosen contractor so that you can be advised about the most cost-effective option.
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