FAQ’s
Read through some of our most frequently asked questions to see if Warm Welcome® Step Heaters are right for you! If you still have questions, please feel free to call or email us.
FAQ’S
Warm Welcome® Step Treads are comprised of a rugged non-skid surface, low voltage elements, an insulative heat directing layer, and a protective steel baseplate. The low voltage elements are sandwiched between the non-skid surface and insulative layer which cushions both the element and the tread for maximum life.
No, they are very thin and will not cause a tripping hazard if properly installed. The units are a little less than 1/4th of an inch.
Typically a contractor is required for residential installations. Any licensed electrical contractor should be able to easily install the step heaters.
All Warm Welcome® step heaters carry a 3-year warranty against manufacturer defects for the heating element and a 5-year warranty for the tread surface. We have plenty of customers who are still using their heaters even after 10 years.
We do make a 48″ heated step tread, and most of the time in residential applications 48″ is all that is necessary. We would be happy to provide solutions that cover as much of the step as possible. If you need a custom solution, call or email us, and our staff will be more than happy to discuss your situation and requirements.
While operational costs vary depending on your local power costs, the national average puts 24 hours of continuous operation for a 9″x30″ heated step tread at 20 cents, a 9″x36″ heated step tread at 24 cents, and a 24″x36″ heated landing tread at $1.30. As with anything, the cost really depends on how large of an installation you have.
Removal and reinstallation are easy on wooden steps, and fairly easy on cement or masonry. With wood, all you have to do is unscrew them and take them up. Reinstalling heaters on cement and masonry may take a little more work. Most of our customers prefer to leave them on all year. The tread surfaces are designed for long term use in heavy commercial and industrial environments. They will protect your steps and landings from wear while providing significantly improved traction throughout the non-winter months.
No, a GFI is not required. A GFI is needed when there is a risk of electrocution from harmful 110 Volt household electrical currents. We designed Warm Welcome® heaters to operate using a transformer that converts the 110 volts of a standard household outlet down to an inherently safe 24 Volt current.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to place the heaters on stairs that are painted or stained. The low-voltage heaters do not reach a temperature that damages paint or stain.
Yes, they are perfectly safe for pets. You might even catch your kitty lounging on the warmth enjoying a cat nap.
No, when you heat something you are using the same amount of electricity whether you are using high or low voltage.
Yes, Warm Welcome® step heaters are very durable, and it is fine to leave them installed all year long and turn them on only during the winter months.
We have not found any device that works as well as the human eye in determining if it is snowing or not. Many sensors are available that will turn on when the temperature drops below freezing, but that doesn’t mean it is snowing. The heaters will not be adversely affected by staying on all the time during the cold season, but that will lead to higher operating costs. Most people simply turn them on when they expect snow and turn them off when they don’t.
There are no maintenance requirements for the step heaters at all. Simply install and power up whenever cold weather delivers ice or snow to your steps.
All products are either UL Listed or UL Recognized.
Yes. When we designed this product, we did so with safety in mind. The transformers take standard electrical current used in homes and business and convert it to low voltage that is safe for outdoor applications without worry.
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