Automatically controlled ice and snow melting system including a two-wire remote control

An ice and snow melting system, comprising:

• at least one sensor, each said sensor being configured for sensing at least one of temperature and moisture associated with an ambient environment;
• a heater for melting the ice and snow;
• an automatic controller connected to each of said heater and said at least one sensor, said controller selectively controlling operation of said heater, said controller including a remote control interface;
• and
• a remote control connected to said remote control interface via only two conductors, said remote control independently controlling operation of said heater through said connection with said remote control interface, said remote control being configured to receive a signal from and transmit a signal to said controller over at least one of said two conductors, said received signal being indicative of a status indicator associated with at least one of said heater and said controller, said transmitted signal being used by said controller for said controlled operation of said heater.