For some Mountain Communities the hydronically heated driveway is part of the requirements in their Home Owners Association requirements. This is part of the high density of the units because there is not enough room to store the snow off the roadways AND the driveways.

There are so many little details about living in the mountains that people/cultures have adapted and adopted over decades of experience. New technologies, ideas and creative solutions to challenges posed by the harsh environments and mountain weather are great to uncover. Keep your eyes and mind open and you may be surprised about what you find in these beautiful alpine and mountain settings. We will try to share some of our discoveries along the way….

Advantages and details of a hydronically heated driveway:

- No need for a snowblower, plow or even a shovel! <):-)

- The snow evaporates to a wet/dry surface-safe surface for people and vehicles. 

- No snow storage required on the side of the driveway. Snow storage is a big issue on small lots and the structure takes up most of the frontage. 

- There is a moisture and temperature sensor in the driveway so the hydronic heat only turns on when the temperatures are low enough and there is moisture on the sensor. The slab temperature is just above freezing to get the snow to melt and evaporate.

- For Mountain environments it is essential to use a glycol liquid system, designed for cold temperatures, as the heated liquid that runs through the PEX tubes in the concrete slab.

- Most of our Mountain projects use hydonically heated floor interiors so the mechanical systems are already in place.

- Running the hydronically heated slab can be cost effective compared to subcontracted plowing especially if the snow needs to be removed for lack of snow storage area on the lot.

- Depending on the fuel source it can be a green alternative to diesel/gasoline powered plow equipment. The featured project in this post uses natural gas to heat the boiler. 

- There is also the potentail to use Solar Thermal and PV panels, Especially in areas that get lots of sun (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Southern California, and even New Zealand and Italy!), to heat (or supplement) the hydronically heated driveway- how cool!