Heated Driveways in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a beautiful state with beautiful weather — that is, until it comes to clearing snow and ice-covered driveways and walkways.

It’s a chore that nobody looks forward to. Fortunately, there’s a solution:

If you install a heated driveway, New Hampshire winters won’t stand a chance on your driveway.

New Hampshire’s Winter Climate

New Hampshire winters are long, snowy, and cold — with the Northern areas of the state experiencing some of the harshest conditions during the season, including temperatures that often drop below 0ºF. 

With this climate, it’s common to experience ice storms during the winter, especially when it rains, and blizzards, at least once every winter.

Challenges of Living in New Hampshire 

The climate and weather, however, can pose a number of challenges in New Hampshire, especially the harsh winters. 

The heavy snow and icy roads create dangerous driving conditions — even in driveways — and homeowners must spend time and money removing snow and ice.

Frost heave is another potential issue, which is when the ground expands and shifts upward and outward because of the ice in the soil. If the driveway rises too much, it can create large cracks and breaks.

The Solution to New Hampshire’s Weather

One of the best methods to combat the problem of New Hampshire’s winter climate, especially in terms of walkway and driveway safety, is to install a heated driveway.

Here’s why:

Benefits of Installing a Heated Driveway in New Hampshire

There is no shortage of benefits to a heated driveway. Here are some of the benefits that all New Hampshire residents can appreciate:

No More Shoveling or Snowblowers

The amount of snow New Hampshire gets makes shoveling a necessary task. But it is a tedious, time-consuming task that leaves homeowners numb from the cold and sore from all the repetitive work. 

Although a snowblower can make the process faster, you still have to go out there and manually push the blower. Not to mention, both shoveling and snow blowers put you in danger of slipping on the slick ground, which can result in an injury.

No Need for Deicing Chemicals

Deicing salt and chemicals have been used for many years, but as people become more environmentally conscious, they are reluctant to continue relying on them. Plus, these chemicals can cause your driveway to degrade, fade, and crack. But by installing heated driveways, you eliminate the need for these chemicals entirely.

Time and Cost Savings

While the initial setup of a heated driveway can set you back a couple thousands of dollars, the long-term servings make it worthwhile. Not only do you not have to spend time clearing away snow or paying someone to do it for you, but you’re also protecting your driveway from winter-time damage – which means eliminating costly springtime repairs.

Extend the Life of Your Driveway

Driveways that endure harsh winters already have problems with longevity. By using a heated driveway system, you can help maintain a consistent driveway temperature, which can greatly reduce the number of cracks and potholes. 

Low Maintenance 

An electric heated driveway requires minimal maintenance; once it’s installed and set up, there is nothing else to do. You’ll enjoy snow and ice-free winters for years to come without ever having to worry about maintenance or repairs.

Automation and Smart Controls

Our heated driveway systems at Warmup offer automation capabilities and smart control, which help you automatically turn the system on and off when it reaches a specific temperature.

This eliminates guesswork and ensures your driveway is always ready for the weather.

Heated Driveway Options

There are three main options for heated driveway systems that you can pick from, including: electric cables, electric mats, and water-based (hydronic) heating — all of which have advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before selecting your heated driveway system:

Electric Heated Driveways

An electric driveway consists of electrical heating cables that cover the entire driveway or are laid in a tire track pattern under the driveway material. Once connected, they rely on electricity that radiates heat upwards, heating the driveway and preventing snow from collecting and ice from forming.

Pros:

• Electric heated driveway cables are easier and cheaper to install than hydronic systems, and they also require virtually no maintenance when they’re installed properly.
• They are also faster to heat up and quicker to cool down—and have automatic activation.

Cons:

• In terms of negatives, electric driveways typically have higher operating costs and are inefficient for large driveways.

Hydronic Heated Driveways

Hydronic systems are similar to their electrical counterparts, but instead of cables, they use small, flexible tubing connected to a boiler. The boiler heats up a mixture of water and antifreeze that then travels through the tubing to heat up the driveway.

Pros:

• Hydronic heated driveways have lower operating costs, are excellent for large driveways, and have automatic activation.

Cons:

• They tend to be more expensive than electric driveways, difficult to install, and require regular maintenance. 
• In addition, they typically require repairs that can be difficult to fix and provide uneven heating.
• They also require space for a boiler and heater.

Electric Heated Driveway Mats

Electric heating mats, which are embedded within the driveway surface, can be placed in specific areas of the driveway to increase heat in locations. While on, the mat creates heat and helps create the driveway of snow. 

Pros:

• Electric heated driveway mats are effective and more affordable than the previous two options while also being much easier to install.

Cons:

• However, they offer limited surface coverage and can, sometimes, be easily damaged.

The Cost of a Heated Driveway for New Hampshire Homes

The cost of heated driveways varies depending on several factors, including:

• Your geographical location
• The type of system you choose
• The amount of coverage you choose
• The cost of utilities
• The type of controller you choose
• The cost of hired labor, including a licensed electrician
• When you install the heated driveway

However, keep in mind that these are just some factors to consider. 

Running Costs of Heated Driveway

You also have to consider the running costs of a heated driveway, which is dependent on the size and type of the system. To get a better understanding of how much it costs to run your heated driveway, check out our heated driveway cost calculator.

Best Time to Install a Heated Driveway

It’s important to choose the right time to install a heated driveway, especially in New Hampshire.

This is especially true because of the process it takes to pour asphalt and concrete, which needs drying and curing. Rain could also deter that process and, in fact, could ruin the entire pour.

This is why Summer is the best time to install a heated driveway. You just want to be sure to give the driveway as much time as possible to set properly before the Winter weather sets in.

Heated Driveways With Warmup

Warmup is a leading electric heated flooring manufacturer offering high-quality driveway heating systems. We offer two options for heated driveways in New Hampshire: cable systems and mat systems.

Snow Melting Mats

The Snow Melting Mats are a great option for creating tracks or covering a walkway. They come in widths of 2ft and 3ft, though you can also use them in a full-coverage application. Unlike other mat systems that go on top of the driveway, these are installed underneath the surface, about 1.5” to 3” below the surface.

Snow Melting Cables

The Snow Melting Cables are another option. They allow for a more custom pattern and can be laid As tracks or full coverage as well. Both options work well with concrete, asphalt, and paver driveways.

Controller

However, with both options, you should consider pairing it with the SNOPRO-100 WIFI controller, which connects to the Warmup Snow Melting application and allows you to monitor the possibility of snow and ice within two hours for your set location using weather sensing technology built into the system. This means the controller will activate the system two hours before the snow or ice arrives.

Get Your New Hampshire Heated Driveway From Warmup

If you live in New Hampshire, you likely are a fan of winter weather. But that doesn’t typically include shoveling snow off your driveway.

A heated driveway can eliminate that task, giving you more time to do things you enjoy while protecting your driveway from damage and keeping you and your family safe from slippery surfaces.
Contact us to learn more about our snow-melting systems and find the best option for your driveway and budget.