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Comparison
of Aqua-Therma Radiant Panels .
to . Electric-Resistance
Heat Mats
. . . Snow Melting (on side-walks, etc.): . | Product Features | Aqua-Therma Radiant Panel system | Common electric resistance heat mats | | Mats are very rugged. | YES . There is no risk of functional damage
to mats from heavy impacts on mats (even hitting with a hammer), rolling hand trucks (or other heavy items) over the mats.
The polyethylene plastic tubing (protruding from the mat edge) is practically indestructible under normal use. | MAYBE . Electric rubber mats are inherently more fragile due to the embedded
resistance wires. The electric resistance wires embedded in the mats could be damaged with large/sharp
impacts or perhaps rolling of heavy items (e.g. hand trucks) over the mats. Once damaged, the expensive
mat must be replaced. | | Heat mats are water-proof. | YES . These
panels may be fully-immersed in water for extended time periods. | YES | | Temperature control. | YES . Temperature of water flowing through heat panels is fully (digitally)
adjustable from ambient water temperature to 150 degrees F. The top cement fiber-board layer of the mat
provides significant “thermal mass” to stabilize mat temperature and distribute the heat over the entire top surface
of the mat. User may choose a temperature just high enough to prevent snow accumulation or ice formation
on the mat (most energy efficient), or else turn up the water temperature to more quickly melt accumulated snow, especially
during heavy snow-fall. | MAYBE . Most mats have a fixed temperature setting.
A temperature controller can be added to some mat systems. |
. . Gardening - Seed Germination: . | Product
Features | Aqua-Therma Radiant Panel system | Common electric resistance
heat mats | | Insulation may be packed around the seed germination trays, on top of the Radiant Panels. | YES . Insulation is even encouraged, as it provides better heat retention, reducing energy usage. | NO, not usually. . Sometimes,
covering the electric mats may cause over-heating and fire risk. | | Heat mats are water-proof. | YES . These panels may be fully-immersed in water for extended time periods. | MAYBE . These electric resistance wires are usually embedded in silicone rubber, but any failure of the rubber or wire insulation
could expose electrical wires, potentially creating a fire hazard or electrical shock hazard. | | Temperature control. | YES . Temperature of water flowing
through heat mat panels is fully (digitally) adjustable from ambient water temperature to 150 degrees F. The
top cement fiber-board layer of the mat provides significant “thermal mass” to stabilize mat temperature so that
it is always at a comfortable temperature. This feature provides complete control over your seed germination
and small plant-growing projects. Inexpensive fiberglass insulation batting may be layered over the heat
mat and seedling for additional heat retention. | MAYBE . Many mats have a fixed temperature setting.
A temperature controller can be added to some mat systems. |
. . Gardening – Soil-Warming: Use
this system for direct radiant soil-warming system for raised garden beds, green houses, etc. Heating of the soil extends the growing season during colder weather, reduces the possi- bility of frost damage due to unpredictable weather and promotes more vigorous growth of plants. . | Product
Features | Aqua-Therma w/ bare tubing heat system | Common electric resistance
heat cables | | Heat tubing is very rugged and inexpensive. | YES . Tubing can be laid into the
soil at quite low cost. It is essentially impervious to degradation over long time periods.
It is very rugged and quite difficult to damage. Even if damaged, it can be easily repaired or spliced
back together. Because of the low cost, tubing can be laid in multiple soil beds in anticipation of possible
future use. | NO . Electric resistance cables are rather expensive per unit length. They cannot be cut to desired length.
If they are damaged, they cannot be spliced back together without voiding any warranty. Because
of the relatively high cost, it is cost prohibitive for the cables to be laid into multiple soil beds in anticipation of possible
future use. | | Temperature control. | YES . Temperature of flowing water is fully (digitally) adjustable from ambient water temperature to 150 degrees F.
This feature provides complete control over your soil temperature. If desired, the temperature sensor
can also be place directly in the soil. | MAYBE . Many electric resistance heat cables have
a fixed temperature setting. A temperature controller can be added to some mat systems. | | Tubing can be laid out in any desired pattern or dimensions | YES . Tubing can be cut to any length and formed in any pattern. | NO . Cables cannot be cut to length.
This limits the pattern and dimensions of the layout. |
. . Heat Mats for Livestock: . | Product Features | Aqua-Therma Radiant
Panel system | Common electric resistance heat mats | | Provides comfortable
radiant heat. | YES | YES | | Heat mats may be
covered with any bedding material without safety risk (straw, wood shavings, blankets, etc.) | YES . Bedding
material is even encouraged, as it insulates the top of the panel and reduces energy usage. | NO, not usually. . Sometimes may cause over-heating and fire risk. | | All electrical components
are located well-away from the livestock. | YES . This is inherently safe, as the livestock are not able to chew (or
otherwise damage) any electrical components. | NO . The heat mats are embedded with a thin wire (that heats-up when
power is applied). This wire, and the power-entry cable, can be damaged with excessively-rough handling. | | Heat mats can be
easily fastened to a wall or vertical pen panel to provide a “heated wall surface” | YES . Metal mount brackets can be used. Attachment holes may be drilled around the entire perimeter of the
panel. | MAYBE . Some mats may be rigid enough to fasten to wall. Others may have
mounting grommets. | | Heat mats are water-proof. | YES . These panels may be fully-immersed in water for extended time periods. | MAYBE . These electric resistance wires are usually embedded in silicone rubber, but any failure of the rubber or wire insulation
could expose electrical wires, potentially creating a fire hazard or electrical shock hazard. | | Complete temperature control. | YES . Temperature
of water flowing through heat panels is fully (digitally) adjustable from ambient water temperature to 150 degrees F, although
the recommend temperature for animals is approximately 100 degrees F. The top cement fiber-board layer
of the mat provides significant “thermal mass” to stabilize mat temperature so that it is always at a comfortable
temperature. | MAYBE . Some mats have a fixed temperature setting around 100 degrees F.
A temperature controller can be added to some mat systems. |
. . Manufacturing Projects: . Radiant heat application for manufacturing projects – This
system can be used (for example) to apply continuous regu- lated heat for curing of adhesives, drying paint on parts, etc…. instead of
heating the entire work shop. The generated heat
can be contained and concentrated by enclosing the Radiant Panels (and the products being heated) within box constructed of Styrofoam insulation boards or placing layer of fiberglass insulation
batting over the entire assembly.
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