The snow melting system and thermal heating system is one of the most advanced solutions for protecting various surfaces against snow and ice formation. This system uses heating cables and smart controllers to automatically keep surfaces warm.
| Ambient Temperature | Gutter Power | Downpipe Power |
|---|---|---|
| Above -5°C | 20 W/m | 20 W/m |
| -5°C to -20°C | 20–40 W/m | 20–40 W/m |
| -20°C to -30°C | 40–60 W/m |
In high‑precipitation regions, in addition to gutter heaters, heating the roof edges up to about 500 millimeters is also necessary.
Roof heaters and gutter heaters are among the most critical components of a snow melting system. Snow accumulation on roofs and ice formation in gutters can cause serious and costly damage to a building—damage that often exceeds the cost of installing a heating system.
For roof and gutter heaters, UV‑resistant heating cables are recommended:
Underfloor heating systems are designed to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on outdoor surfaces. By creating a safe and ice‑free surface, they minimize the risk of slipping and accidents. These systems are widely used in areas such as parking ramps, stairs, walkways, terraces, and building entrances.
For this application, durable heating cables suitable for installation in concrete, asphalt, or beneath paving stones are typically used. Cables such as VC20, VCD25, and TuffTec are suitable options for floor snow‑melting systems due to their high mechanical strength and stable performance in harsh environmental conditions.
| Ambient Temperature | Power Requirement |
|---|---|
| Above -5°C | 200 W/m² |
| -5°C to -20°C | 300 W/m² |
| -20°C to -30°C | 400 W/m² |
| Below -30°C | 500 W/m² |
A stair heater prevents slipperiness and the risk of falls during the winter season. For suspended stairs (without direct contact with the ground), the power output should be considered approximately 20% higher than standard values.
Suitable cables for stair heaters:
VCD25 (single cold lead, 25 W/m) — suitable for installation at the bottom of the stair
VC20 (dual cold lead, 20 W/m)
The heart of an ice and snow melting system is the smart controllers equipped with temperature and moisture sensors. These controllers activate the system only when snowfall or icing conditions are detected, minimizing energy consumption.
In most European regions, the system operates only about 30 to 100 hours per year. At temperatures below −10°C, when the probability of snowfall is low, the system remains in standby mode.
The snow and ice melting heater system offers significant advantages over traditional methods:
By correctly selecting floor heaters, stair heaters, roof heaters, and gutter heaters appropriate for the region’s climate, an efficient, safe, and economical ice melting system can be designed and implemented.
| TuffTec 30 | VCD25 | VC20 | Heat Output per square meter of heated area | |||
| Spacing | Cable Length | Spacing | Cable Length | Spacing | Cable Length | |
| cm | m | cm | m | cm | m | W/m2 |
| 12 | 8.3 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 12.5 | 250 |
| 10 | 10 | 8.3 | 12 | 6.7 | 15.0 | 300 |
| 8.6 | 11.7 | 7.1 | 14 | 5.7 | 17.5 | 350 |
| 7.5 | 13.3 | 6.3 | 16 | 5 | 20.0 | 400 |
| 6.7 | 15 | 5.6 | 18 | * | * | 450 |
| 6 | 16.7 | 5 | 20 | * | * | 500 |
| 5 | 20 | * | * | * | * | 600 |
