She said it is important that HVAC contractors work with electricians when designing and installing an electric snow-ice melt system. "Face it, electrical contractors are not heating experts," she said. "Also include manufacturer product reps in the system design. Product reps can support you with design, installation training, and whatever else you need."

Cryer also noted that electricians and contractors should be familiar with all of the local codes and know the local building inspectors, too. She noted that local codes may or may not follow national codes and that not all projects get inspected.

Once the electric snow-ice melt system has been installed, Cryer said that the selling job is not over. She noted that electrical systems are 99-100 percent efficient compared to 80-84 percent efficiency of boiler systems. Maintenance is a selling point, too.

"The only moving parts to an electrical system are the switches inside of the contractor panel," Cryer said. "In a well-designed system, the only seasonal maintenance is cleaning the surface of the sensors before the start of the season. These systems should last the life of the pavement if they are well installed."

She made a side-by-side comparison of an electric versus a hydronic system. Comparing 4.8 cents per kW/hour against 55 cents per therm (gas rate), an electrical system installed in a 70,000-square-foot facility will cost $26,531 annually in utility bills, compared to a hydronic system in the same-sized facility, which would cost $77,616 in utility bills.

Publication date: 11/13/2006