Winter safety with regulated heat tracing

by Jennifer Wilson | November 10, 2015 9:41 am

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By Pele Myers
Changing weather patterns have resulted in unpredictable weather from year to year. In Canada, severe snowfall and sub-zero temperatures are reminiscent of the 2013/2014 winter—one of the longest the country has experienced in recent years. For many, these extreme conditions can cause property damage and potentially endanger lives. As unusual weather seemingly becomes more prevalent, home and commercial building owners and contractors need to take protective, preventative measures to winter-proof properties and ensure they are safe for occupants.

What can be done to help ensure buildings are safe from winter’s harm? A cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to defend buildings from the damaging effects of winter is the installation of reliable, high-quality, self-regulating heating cables.

Self-regulating technology employs two parallel conductors embedded in a conductive polymer heating core. Unlike constant wattage series heaters and zone heating cables that produce the same amount of energy all the time, these systems only emit heat when and where it is needed. They do this by reacting to the ambient temperature, reducing output when it is warm and increasing it when it is cold. As a result, these cables will not overheat, thus saving energy. Self-regulating heating cables are inexpensive to install and operate, and require little to no maintenance. This reliable solution brings winter safety into every building project.

Pipes
There is nothing worse than being without water—especially in winter. Extremely low ambient temperatures can cause liquid in water pipes to freeze and swell, resulting in the bursting of the pipe. The aftermath includes costly repairs and the inconvenience of being without water. Self-regulating heating systems offer a simple solution to keep pipes from freezing. The flexible heating cable is attached to the pipe, preventing ice from forming within, and thus avoiding burst pipes and water damage. These innovative cables are easy to install and maintain. The heating cable is cut to length at the job site and attached to the pipe with glass tape. A power connection kit connects the heating cable bus wires to power in a junction box while tees and splices accommodate pipe branches to connect two or three heating cables together.

Roofs and gutters
Heavy snow can damage roofs, gutters, and downspouts, while repeated freezing and thawing can destroy roof coverings and façades of buildings. Heavy icicles can form, fall, and injure pedestrians, while standing water can leak through interior walls and damage possessions. Self-regulating heating systems can help prevent these problems by stopping the buildup of ice and snow on roofs and in gutters and downspouts. The energy-efficient system can be applied to all materials including wood, plastic, asphalt, and metal for both roofs and gutters.

A well designed heat-tracing system should include a controller measuring temperature and moisture, so the system is only on when it needs to be.

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Icy and hazardous outdoor surfaces
Icy and hazardous outdoor surfaces can be treacherous—especially for elderly or vulnerable people—and can lead to personal injury. Installing a heat-tracing system under pavement is an effective, long-term solution for keeping surfaces snow- and ice-free during winter. Suitable for ramps, driveways, and building entrances, self-regulating heating cables are robust, reliable, and employ parallel circuitry. Unlike other forms of heat-tracing, this means they can be cut to length onsite, reducing trips to the supply house, installation time, and costs. Although they are very powerful, self-regulating cables are narrow and flexible, meaning they are particularly suitable for use in complex heating areas that are irregularly shaped.

Energy-efficient solutions
Initiatives, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) aimed at reducing the emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂), have put both architects and building engineers under pressure to find opportunities to reduce energy consumption. The Global Alliance for Energy Productivity (GAEP) was launched May 13, 2015 with the goal of doubling global energy productivity by 2030 around the world. This wider focus on energy-efficiency in construction is further reflected through American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), 90.1-2013, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-rise Residential Buildings, which offers energy-efficient requirements for new buildings and their systems in addition to acting as a guide for compliance. As self-regulating heating technology only uses the energy it needs when it is required, making it a cost- and energy-efficient solution.

Additional energy savings are realized by combining self-regulating cables with thermostats or, for extra functionality, smart control units complete with proportional ambient sensing control (PASC). The latter option is well-suited for big commercial and public buildings, which often have a large amount of cabling and traditionally use more energy than residential applications.

A smart control unit with PASC measures the ambient temperature and uses the reading to identify the amount of heat that needs to be emitted, and for how long. For example, if it is –30 C (–22 F) outside, the system would be active 100 per cent of the time, but if it is only –5 C (23 F) outside, the system may only be active 20 per cent of the time.

PASC has even more of an advantage over other controls because it only activates the system at the temperature when the pipes will need protection. If, for example, the temperature drops from 5 C (41 F) to –15 C (5 F) in a short period, the control system senses there has been a steep drop in ambient temperature and instead of switching on automatically it will test the air again to ensure the temperature remains consistently low.

Once it has established this, the device estimates how long it will take for the pipes to be at risk of freezing before switching on. As a result, PASC smart control units typically use up to 80 per cent less energy than a conventional on/off control system—meaning significant cost savings, especially for owners of large commercial buildings.

Conclusion
As the weather becomes more unpredictable, building owners and design/construction professionals need to take extra precautions to protect the exterior and interior of buildings from harsh winters. Additionally, national and regional energy initiatives mean proprietors are looking for more energy-efficient ways to protect buildings.

Self-regulating cables address all of these needs. By partnering with a heat-tracing specialist early in the construction or renovation process, contractors and building owners can build winter safety into every project.

[3]Pele Myers is the North American marketing manager for Pentair’s thermal building solutions and has over 15 years of experience in the heat-tracing business. Myers can be reached via email at Pele.Myers@Pentair.com[4].

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/winter-safety-with-regulated-heat-tracing/

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