Puts forward some criticisms of the ASHRAE Handbook as a reference for snow melting systems. Presents a study with the aim of developing a universal and simple technique that does not require extensive manipulation of meteorological data. In this respect proposes a new design algorithm that requires only design air temperature, wind speed and maximum recorded daily snowfall in order to calculate the heat requirement. Classification of the snow melting performance is directly associated with the concept of the snow-free area, and a snowfall coincident air temperature is defined.

KEYWORDS: Designing, snow melting, heat load