Snowmelt System With Pool Heater
Driveway, radiators, floor and pool heating
HEATED DRIVEWAYS
Hydronic heated driveways melt the snow as it falls automatically stopping when dry…
CERTIFIED DESIGNS
BCIN certified mechanical designs, heat loss calculations and loop layout drawings…
Full project management
Let us carry the burden.
We can take a lead role in your project to coordinate with all involved trades. Plumbers, HVAC professionals, electricians, concrete contractors, landscapers each play a critical role in the setup of a hydronic system. Real estate in most mechanical rooms comes at a premium. Everyone needs their dedicated and common areas. Trades have to be coordinated in line with the progress of the project. We will liaise with all trades to coordinate progress of your project. An efficient and fully functional system, is the direct result of a well managed project from an experienced team. We ensure there are no surprises, blame games or wasting of your time and energy.
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Projects
A picture is worth more than a thousand words
Vaughan Heated Driveway
A very happy owner
Snowmelt System in Vaughan
Heated garage and driveway
Full House Radiant and Air Handlers
With custom made Rhella stainless steel headers
We are not happy until you are!
We are blessed to be able to do what we love for a living. Hydronics is our passion.
The Highest Standards
We aim for perfection in all our designs and installations using hardware from Canadian manufacturers whenever possible. In all our designs we maximize energy savings and comfort, never compromising quality just to win a contract. We offer an unparalleled 2 year comprehensive warranty on all our installations. We guarantee our work will meet code requirements, be without defects and perform flawlessly.
Competent, Certified and Insured
We are certified by the Canadian Hydronics Council to design and install hydronic systems. Our Gas and HVAC Technician partners are fully licensed and insured. We all learned the hard way and remember the lessons learned. We don't solve problems, we preempt them.
Up to any challenge
No project is too small or too large. We can help you build your dream home on time and budget. We prefer to avoid creating problems instead wasting time solving them.
Maximum value
You will not be disappointed with the value and quality we deliver. Our hydronic heating and snowmelt systems are guaranteed to add value to any property.
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SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do you need to give me a quote?
- The location and size of the areas to be heated
- The location of the boiler(s) and the distance from the heated areas
- Heat loss calculations if available
- Architectural drawings if available
- Landscape drawings if available
- Photos of the area and garage
What can you heat with a boiler?
- Radiant heated floors and driveways
- Hydronic air handlers and space heaters
- Steel and cast iron radiators and towel warmers
- Baseboard heaters
- Potable water
What services do you offer?
- BCIN stamped radiant heating designs, heat loss calculations, system audits
- Radiant floor and driveway heating system service and installation
- Concrete forming and pours
- Self leveling concrete over-pours
- Landscaping
- Gas lines and venting installations
How much does a heated driveway cost?
The price of a snow melt install depends on the size of the area, the brand and model of the boiler used and the distance from the boiler to the snow melt manifolds. Like with many things the more you buy the cheaper you get as systems get scaled up the $/ ft² goes down. To properly quote a system we need to know the answers to the above variables as they greatly affect the installation costs. Please fill out our Quote Request form and you will get a quick and detailed free quote.
How much does a heated driveway cost?
The price of a snow melt install depends on the size of the area, the brand and model of the boiler used and the distance from the boiler to the snow melt manifolds. Like with many things the more you buy the cheaper you get as systems get scaled up the $/ ft² goes down. To properly quote a system we need to know the answers to the above variables as they greatly affect the installation costs. Please fill out our Quote Request form and you will get a quick and detailed free quote.
How much does it cost to heat my driveway?
The cost of running a snow melt system depends on a number of variables. These are:
- The cost of a unit of energy used (Natural Gas $/m³, Electricity $/kwh, Propane $/L)
- The size of the snow melt area
- The temperature of the air
- The humidity of the air
- Wind speed
- Thickness of the underlying insulation
- The diameter of the tubing in the ground
- The rate of snow fall
- The duration of the snow fall
- The BTU/ft² per hour we are able to deliver to the ground
- The thickness and material of the slab above the tubing
- The drainage of the heated area
All the above variables will dictate how long your snow melt system is operating and and therefore consuming energy.
That being said lets look at a 1,000 ft² driveway in the GTA that is well insulated with R10 closed cell insulation from below on a well drained driveway using 3/4″ tubing.
Boiler used: High efficiency modulating boiler 199,000 BTU/hr. 96% peak efficiency
Design glycol temperature: 150°F
ΔT of glycol: 25°F
Boiler efficiency at 125°F return glycol temperature: ~89%
Energy input: 199,000 BTU/hr
Energy output at design conditions: 177,110 BTU/hr
Edge and bottom loss 20% at the slab: 20% = 35,422 BTU/hr
Delivered to the slab: 141,688 BTU/hr
Energy usage: 199,000 BTU/hr
Estimated annual hours of operation: 120 hours (historical weather data)
Gas consumption: 199,000 x 120 = 23,880,000 BTU/yr
Fuel: Natural gas
Fuel energy content: 36,000 BTU/m³
Annual Natural Gas consumption: 23,880,000 / 36,000 = 663.33 m³/yr
Fuel: Natural gas
That means that every operating hour the system will consume about $3.31 CAD
How we work
If you don’t mess up, there is nothing to fix.
01
Gathering information
We need the following information conveyed to us to begin the process if applicable:
- Architectural drawings
- Landscape drawings
- Heat loss calculations
- Loop layouts
- Areas to be heated (floors, driveways, garages, pools)
- Sizes of those areas
- System’s location (mech. room or garage)
- Pictures of the areas and location(s)
- Number of heating zones per floor
- Fuel availability (natural gas, propane, electricity, wood)
- Address and contact information
02
Design
Once we have all the information we will design your system. For more complex hydronic systems we will create a mechanical design, if there is a need we also can provide heat loss calculations based on floor heating as the primary source of the home as well as loop layouts for those floors needed to obtain a building permit.
03
On-site meetings
Once a contract is signed we will arrange for an on-site meeting for any other trades that we will coordinate the process with. We will lay out amongst us where the plumber put their drains and pipes, the HVAC guys put their AC, HRV, gas manifold and ductwork, the electricians put their electrical panels, the landscapers and concrete guys to go over a driveway’s preparation. This prevents us getting in each other’s way and a lot of frustration.
04
Installation
Our work can has several phases for a full house floor heating system install. During construction we coordinate our scheduling between the trades if so desired. We never hold up construction this way, having ample forewarning when it is our turn to do a particular stage of the installation. Once a system is completed and commissioned we always help the homeowner understand the system and make sure they can fully control it. The more is learned, the less need for a call for help in case a power or gas outage interrupts the system or something similar.
Another difficult connection made easy by a pair of @sharkbiteplumbing 45 elbows. I love them to make the transition between copper and large diameter PEX tubing. The best part is that it can be released if needed. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
To close the year taking advantage of today`s good weather the last 2,000 sq` of snowmelt rough-in for the Brampton job was a installed. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
The homeowner had enough. 4 years of constantly sticking and finally failing @wilousallc circulators had to go. They didn`t even have check valves in them. WTF? This is just the latest in my ongoing frustration with the brand. I apologize to anyone I made the mistake of installing these for. Instead of standing by their products they are known to run away from them. How they are still in business is a mystery to me. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Transformed and enhanced. Added a garage heater, upsized the boiler, piped it right for a change. Added a water filter and a magnetic dirt filter, done it all in copper. Bye bye Innisfil. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Avoid making your air handler suck. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
A follow up post. Replaced that rotten coupling with the optional 1/2" x 1" stainless steel adapter from @rhella.ca A brass one would work also IF you can find any. How do you like my cringy rhymes? If you do just click the like. (button) #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
The bladder burst on a year old tank. Thanks to the @sharkbiteplumbing ball valve nothing had to be cut. In and out in 30 minutes. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Got the boiler up and running heating the floor. One more visit to connect and fire up all air handlers. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Never use dielectric unions, galvanized or regular steel on stainless steel. Ever. Learned it the hard way. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
A year ago I added a @rhella magnetic separator to this system because the water was full of rust. Even though it is only on a branch and not on the main trunk I figured eventually all water will pass through it. The price difference between a 2" magnetic filter and this 3/4" one is a lot. I was stunned to see how well the water cleaned up. Rust is the enemy of pumps and heat exchangers. Not that these @wilogroup pumps needed any enemies to die from. The only thing that sucks more than Wilo`s pumps are their tech support. Once the heating season is over we will scrap the rest unless they expire before April. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
All morning and noon was spent on service calls. Dead pumps low glycol, frozen condensate hoses, electrical issues. Every year like clock work at first snow fall all hell breaks loose. Still made it to Innisfil to do a little work on this project. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
There have been a few subtle changes since yesterday morning. Work ongoing. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Another hydronic disaster. Undersized boiler, missing air separator, undersized piping executed all in tasteful PEX delivered as a monthly rental at an atrocious price. Rehabilitation is under way. Stay tuned. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Might save the boiler. If that condensation drain freezes the water backs into the boiler and shuts it down. The forming ice then can crack the heat exchanger. Even if the garage is heated if you need to drain outside a $50 investment and a little extra work can prevent a voided warranty. Just make sure the temperature sensor thingy is on the outside end of the wire. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
Those of you who know what this is I bet you wish you didn`t. #torontocustomhome #heating #hydronics #hvaccontractor #radiantheat #manifolds #torontocontractor #drivewayheating #turbomax #radiantfloorheating #snowmelt #infloorheating #heatingsystem #hydronicheating #torontorenovation #torontoconstruction #electricboilers #heateddriveways #snowmeltsystem #mechanicalcontractors #ntiboilers #construction
GTAHeat.ca
Call us for a quote today. We promise a quick turnaround for your project. No job too small or too big. We will be happy to provide any number of references from any of our past clients.