Heated surface for melting snow and ice

A method of installing an embedded heating system having a slab with grooves, channels, and/or reliefs that enable placement of a plurality of heating elements;

• an insulating material capable of filling remaining space not taken up by the plurality of heating elements within said grooves, channels, and/or reliefs;
• a thermally conductive material thinly layered over the slab and the insulating material, said thermally conductive material having an upper planar surface;
• a structural element whose lower surface approximates the upper planar surface of the thermally conductive material and whose exposed surface includes aesthetic marks and/or shapes to differentiate a look of the exposed surface from the lower surface of the structural element;
• and an electrical connector electrically connected to said plurality of heating elements, the method comprising:
• removing material from the slab to form the grooves, channels, and/or reliefs;
• applying the insulating material to an upper surface of the slab;
• placing heating elements in the grooves, channels, and/or reliefs;
• laying a durable, structural layer on top of the upper surface of the slab and the thermally conductive material;
• forming the durable, structural layer to a prescribed design;
• and
• affixing the electrical connector such that an electrical connection is established among the plurality of heating elements and external power source.

A multipurpose panel comprising:

• an upper panel comprising:
• an electric heating element that generates heat which can be used to melt snow and ice;
• a thermally conductive material that distributes the heat towards the surface and ultimately heating up the surface material;
• a surface material heated sufficiently to melt snow and or ice;
• a pneumatic, hydro-pneumatic, or hydraulic lift system to provide spacing when desired, such as installation and removal, of the upper panel;
• and
• an inlet valve, which when open, allows air to pass through an air pipe;
• a lower panel mechanically and electrically attached to the upper panel, said lower panel comprising:
• openings for cables and other utilities to pass through;
• and
• water drainage channels.