Heating up the Car Wash: Amazon’s Innovative Approach to Snow Removal

The Challenge

For a warehouse and distribution center in Ohio, Amazon needed a weather management solution that would keep their truck washing area clear of snow and ice during the harsh winter months. While weather in Ohio was relatively temperate during the spring and summer months, Amazon needed to maintain their operational efficiency throughout the colder months as well. In doing so, they would need to prevent snow and ice buildup from occurring at their station in order to maintain their high standards of cleanliness and efficiency. While they had previously relied on traditional methods of snow removal, such as shoveling, plowing, and salting, they had found that these snow management methods were time-consuming and costly, and more often than not, resulted in downtime for the facility. Amazon realized that they needed a preventative and convenient snow reduction strategy that would be more cost-effective and efficient in the long run.

The Solution

After researching different snow melting options, Amazon decided to install Electric Snow Melting Mats from Warmup in their 1,000 square foot truck washing area. To encompass the entire truck washing station, they determined that eight units of WSMM-480V/6000W would be the perfect amount to install. It was decided that the Snow Melting Mats would be the best choice, since the heating cables come pre-spaced within the mesh, making it easy to roll out and cover in large, regularly shaped areas such as this one. Each mat was spaced six inches apart to ensure that the appropriate heat output would be achieved to effectively reduce and prevent snow and ice buildup.

In order to monitor the heating system for the truck washing station, a Commbox-600 Snow Melting Controller was also installed. The Commbox comes with built-in relay contractors and GFEP protection, allowing it to switch up to four times the supplied voltage. This means that it can be used to create up to four zones yet power them one at a time, reducing the amount of amperage needed to run the system. This makes it ideal for projects 1,000 sqft or more, as it provides vast yet energy-efficient control of the heating system. Amazon's Snow Melt Mats and Commbox Controller were also paired with a temperature and moisture sensor that would automatically turn on the mats, ensuring that the area remained clear and safe for truck washing. The sensor operates by only activating after detecting moisture and a drop past the programmed temperature threshold.

The Result

After installing the Electric Snow Melting Mats from Warmup in their truck washing area, Amazon noticed a significant improvement in the efficiency and safety of their operations during the winter months. The outdoor heating system kept the area free of snow and ice by successfully melting any existing precipitation or preventing it from occurring at all. They no longer had to rely on traditional snow removal methods, which were time-consuming and often resulted in downtime for the facility.

The Snow Melting System worked seamlessly, keeping the truck washing area clear of snow and ice at all times, ensuring not only operational efficiency but also reduced risk of weather-related injury to staff. The temperature sensor also proved to be a valuable feature, as it ensured that the mats were only turned on when needed, saving energy and reducing operating costs.

Overall, the Electric Snow Melting Mats from Warmup proved to be a cost-effective and efficient solution for Amazon's winter maintenance needs. The system eliminated the need for traditional snow removal methods, improved the safety and efficiency of the facility, and reduced downtime and operating costs. Amazon was highly satisfied with the results and plans to continue using the snow melting mats in their truck washing area for years to come.