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For sure it would be very expensive.I have a 200 ft steep drive way have a $1200 Arins snow blower and use an average of 360 Lbs of the cheapest rock salt each winter.Salt does no harm to black top and melted snow runs down hill quickly.
Heated drive ways are mostly done by using hot water and pex tubing underneath the driveway. It is its own system and you manually turn it on when you know a snow is coming. It does not run continuosly. Its a great thing to have, especially as we all age.
I would imagine it needs to be electric, as hot water would freeze unless you circulate it constantly all winter.
The installer would use antifreeze in the system instead of water.
There are two types of heated driveway -- electric and hydroponic.
A few years ago I visited Wilson Castle outside of Dorset, VT. The tour guide pointed out a very long, sloped and winding driveway (which was easily 1/2 mile or longer) across the way. He told us that the owners had a heated driveway driveway installed rather than deal with plowing and sanding. I thought this sounded great but couldn't see the sense in doing it here -- until this winter!
Heated drive ways are mostly done by using hot water and pex tubing underneath the driveway. It is its own system and you manually turn it on when you know a snow is coming. It does not run continuosly. Its a great thing to have, especially as we all age.
These systems have built in sensors to automatically start up. Sort of like the rain sensor for in ground sprinkling systems.
I only 3 people who have them installed and none had the sensors. It was turned on by a light switch which started the pump.
Up north most have automatic sensors. What's the point in having the system if you're away and snow falls? You want the system up and running to melt the snow before it can accumulate.
If someone is dropping that much money for the heated driveway, go all the way and get the sensor. There can be a manual on/off to shut down in the milder weather.
I haven't gone out and done this (yet) but it is a serious consideration. Last month's northern plow/sanding was $400.
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I'm doing this when I do my driveway over. I'll save a bunch though because I'm supplying the labor!
I'm going to use the automated system with the sensor. it needs to detect moisture as well as temperature before it will turn on. Good stuff.
The only person I ever heard of who had this was Bill Gates. I'm impressed that it's affordable for the average homeowner. As OP asked, does anyone know the approximate cost per foot or however they figured out the cost?
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