About ten years ago, my husband and I purchased a large, very old farm-style home.
The house was already equipped with a boiler heating system. Because we are located in the northeastern area, a boiler is the perfect heating solution for our requirements. The system is powerful enough to handle temperatures down to twenty below zero. It operates silently, safely and reliably for approximately six to eight straight months every year. With nothing more than annual maintenance from a local HVAC contractor every fall, we can expect the boiler to continue to operate for at least another twenty years. When we first moved in, the boiler was linked to very ugly and bulky radiators in each of the rooms. During a renovation project, my husband and I tore up the floors, got rid of the radiators, and had a radiant floor system installed. There are now tubes concealed beneath the floors that link to the boiler. The boiler sends hot water through these pipes which then spreads a very gentle and even heat across the floors. About two years ago, my husband and I decided to replace our dirt driveway with concrete and add a walkway to the front door. After a little bit of research, I realized that we could easily incorporate a snowmelt system. This system is very similar to the radiant flooring installed inside the house. A network of pipes are embedded into the cement and connect to the boiler. The system activates automatically in response to outdoor temperature drop and moisture and effectively melts any accumulation of snow. We no longer need to hire someone to plow the driveway or shovel. There’s no longer concern over someone slipping and falling because of ice. The driveway and walkway remain perfectly clear throughout the winter.