Sports Field Heating
That’s Ready When 
The Game Is.

HeatWAVE can be designed for a wide range of outdoor sports surfaces, including:

• Soccer fields
• Football fields
• Rugby fields
• Baseball and softball fields
• Training grounds
• Stadium pitches
• Multi-use athletic fields
• Natural grass fields
• Hybrid turf systems
• Compatible synthetic turf fields

Each system is engineered according to the field construction, climate, heating objective, and available electrical service.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be installed beneath natural grass fields as part of a properly designed soil and drainage assembly.

The system can help maintain root-zone temperatures, reduce frost penetration, support healthier turf, and keep the playing surface usable during colder conditions.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be designed for compatible synthetic turf systems.

The complete field assembly must be reviewed to determine the appropriate ribbon depth, spacing, heat output, drainage, insulation, and maximum allowable surface temperature.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be integrated beneath many hybrid turf systems.

Because hybrid fields combine natural grass with synthetic reinforcement, the heating design must account for the root zone, turf structure, drainage system, and the temperature limitations of all materials used in the field assembly.

A properly designed field-heating system can help:

• Prevent the ground from freezing
• Reduce frost formation
• Melt or limit snow accumulation
• Maintain a more consistent playing surface
• Improve field availability during colder months
• Protect natural turf and root systems
• Extend the playing season
• Reduce weather-related cancellations
• Support faster field recovery after winter conditions

The exact benefits depend on the field type, climate, heating output, and operating strategy.

The heating ribbons are installed beneath the playing surface in a carefully engineered layout.

When energized, the flat heating elements generate heat that moves upward through the soil, root zone, base materials, or turf system. This helps maintain the field at the temperature required for frost protection, turf conditioning, or snow melting.

The HeatWAVE system uses a wide, flat heating ribbon rather than a conventional round cable or water-filled pipe.

Its flat shape creates broader contact with the surrounding material, helping distribute heat more evenly across the field. The low-mass heating element also reaches its operating temperature quickly, allowing the system to respond faster when heating is required.

Hydronic systems circulate heated water and glycol through tubing installed beneath the field. These systems typically require boilers, pumps, manifolds, mechanical equipment, and an extensive piping network.

Because the fluid, pipework, and surrounding field structure must warm before useful heat reaches the playing surface, hydronic systems can experience significant thermal lag. They may also need to remain idling during cold weather so they are ready to respond.

HeatWAVE converts electricity directly into heat beneath the field. Its low-mass ribbons reach their operating temperature quickly, allowing the system to remain off when heating is not required and respond rapidly when conditions change.

The system also eliminates the need for boilers, circulation pumps, glycol, and many of the moving components associated with hydronic heating.

HeatWAVE is designed for rapid heat-up because the amorphous metal ribbons have very low thermal mass.

Unlike a hydronic system, it does not need to heat a large volume of fluid or wait for that fluid to circulate throughout the field before useful heat is produced.

The actual time required to warm the playing surface depends on field construction, installation depth, insulation, outdoor temperature, wind, moisture, and the desired temperature increase.

Yes. One of the key advantages of HeatWAVE is its ability to operate on demand.

The system can remain off during periods when field heating is unnecessary and activate when frost, snow, or low soil temperatures are detected. Its rapid response helps reduce the need for continuous winter operation.

Not necessarily. HeatWAVE can be controlled according to field temperature, soil conditions, weather, event schedules, or snow conditions.

A well-designed control strategy allows the system to operate only when required rather than heating the field continuously throughout the winter.

The system can help melt snow and reduce accumulation when it is designed and operated for that purpose.

Performance depends on snowfall intensity, wind, outdoor temperature, field construction, heating output, insulation, and when the system is activated.

A system that begins heating before or at the start of a snowfall will generally perform more effectively than one activated after heavy snow has accumulated.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be designed to maintain the field structure above freezing and reduce frost penetration.

For natural grass fields, the system may also be used to maintain suitable root-zone temperatures and protect the turf during cold weather.

Yes. When properly controlled, subsurface heating can help maintain more favourable root-zone temperatures, encourage turf recovery, and extend the active growing season.

The system must be carefully designed to avoid overheating or drying the root zone. Soil moisture, irrigation, drainage, and temperature control are all important parts of the overall design.

The required output depends on:

• Project location and climate
• Field type
• Field construction
• Installation depth
• Insulation
• Wind exposure
• Required surface or soil temperature
• Whether the goal is frost protection, turf conditioning, or snow melting

Each field requires a project-specific heat-loss and performance review.

Yes. HeatWAVE systems can be divided into multiple independently controlled zones.

Zoning can allow the operator to heat:

• Only the areas needed for an upcoming event
• High-use sections of the field
• Goal areas or sidelines
• Shaded or colder sections
• Individual training zones
• Separate fields or courts

This can provide greater control over energy use and field operations.

Yes. Depending on the selected control system, separate zones can be operated according to their own temperature sensors, heating schedules, or performance requirements.

This is particularly useful when different areas of the field receive different levels of sunlight, wind, drainage, or use.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be operated according to a planned event schedule.

The system may be activated in advance of a game, training session, or maintenance period and shut down when heating is no longer required.

Automatic weather and temperature controls can also work alongside the event schedule

A sports field HeatWAVE system may use:

• Soil-temperature sensors
• Surface-temperature sensors
• Air-temperature sensors
• Moisture or snow sensors
• Programmable controllers
• Multi-zone control panels
• Contactors or relays
• Remote monitoring systems
• Building-management-system integration

The control package is selected according to the size and complexity of the project.

Yes. Remote control and monitoring options may be included in the system design.

Depending on the selected controls, facility managers may be able to review temperatures, active zones, operating status, alarms, and system performance from a computer, tablet, or mobile device.

Yes. The control system may be designed to communicate with a building-management or facility-management platform.

Available integration options depend on the control equipment, communication protocol, and project requirements.

HeatWAVE sports field systems can be designed for several electrical services, including:

• 208V
• 240V
• 347V
• 600V

Other configurations may be available depending on the project. The selected voltage will depend on the field size, available electrical service, circuit design, and local electrical requirements.

Large sports fields can require substantial electrical capacity.

The total demand depends on the heated area, system output, zoning strategy, and whether all zones must operate simultaneously. In some projects, load sequencing or zone rotation can be used to reduce peak electrical demand.

A project-specific electrical review is required.

Yes. Depending on the heating objective, the field may be divided into groups that operate at different times.

Load sequencing can help manage peak demand and reduce the amount of electrical capacity required at one time. The strategy must still provide enough heating time for each zone to meet the field-performance requirements.

Insulation is strongly recommended where the field construction allows it.

Insulation reduces downward heat loss, directs more energy toward the playing surface, improves response time, and can lower operating costs.

The insulation type and location must be coordinated with structural, drainage, soil, and turf requirements.

The heating layout must be coordinated with the field drainage system.

Ribbons should be positioned so they do not interfere with drainage pipes, collection channels, irrigation lines, or other underground services. A properly designed system should work as part of the overall field assembly without restricting drainage.

Yes. The heating layout can be designed around irrigation lines, sprinkler heads, valves, drains, and other underground components.

All underground services should be shown on the field plans before the heating layout is prepared.

Installation depth depends on the type of field and its construction.

Natural grass, hybrid turf, and synthetic turf fields may each require a different ribbon depth. The ribbons must be close enough to transfer heat efficiently while remaining protected from maintenance equipment, aeration, anchoring, and field loads.

The approved TruHeat layout and installation details should always be followed.

Yes. HeatWAVE can be designed to provide full-field coverage.

It can also be designed for partial coverage when only certain sections require heating, such as goal areas, sidelines, player benches, run-off zones, or high-use sections.

No. The heating ribbons must never cross, overlap, touch one another, or be installed closer than the specified minimum spacing.

Improper spacing can create excessive heat concentration and damage the system.

The heating ribbons must not be cut or shortened unless the specific system has been designed for an approved field-termination process.

Ribbon lengths, circuits, spacing, and electrical connections must follow the engineered system design.

The ribbons must be secured and protected throughout the installation process.

Construction traffic, excavation, grading, compaction, drainage work, turf installation, and field equipment must be carefully coordinated to avoid damaging the system.

Electrical testing should be completed at multiple stages before the heating system is permanently covered.

Testing should be completed before installation, during field construction, and after the final playing surface has been installed.

Testing may include:

• Heating-element resistance measurements
• Insulation-resistance testing
• Continuity testing
• Grounding and shielding verification
• Sensor testing
• Control-panel testing
• Zone-by-zone commissioning

All results should be recorded and retained with the project documentation.

Work should stop immediately if a ribbon, protective jacket, lead cable, or connection is damaged.

The affected area should not be covered or energized. TruHeat should be contacted to determine whether an approved repair can be completed or whether the section must be replaced.

The embedded heating ribbons contain no moving parts and generally require minimal maintenance.

The sensors, control panels, contactors, protective devices, electrical connections, and remote monitoring equipment should be inspected periodically to verify proper operation.

No. HeatWAVE is an electric system and does not require glycol, boilers, circulation pumps, water treatment, or fluid-pressure maintenance.

This reduces the number of mechanical components that require ongoing inspection and servicing.

The installation should be completed by qualified contractors working from the approved design and TruHeat installation requirements.

All electrical wiring, control panels, circuits, protective devices, and final commissioning must be completed by qualified electrical professionals in accordance with applicable codes.

Yes. TruHeat can review field drawings and provide:

• Heating-ribbon layouts
• System output recommendations
• Electrical circuit requirements
• Heating-zone design
• Control-system guidance
• Installation details
• Coordination with drainage and irrigation systems

Early coordination with the field designer, electrical engineer, civil engineer, turf consultant, and installation team is strongly recommended.

TruHeat may require:

• Project location
• Field dimensions
• Type of sport
• Natural, hybrid, or synthetic surface
• Complete field-construction details
• Soil and base-layer information
• Insulation details
• Drainage and irrigation plans
• Available electrical service
• Desired heating objective
• Required field temperature
• Event and operating schedules

Complete project information allows the system to be designed more accurately.

The Amorphous HeatWAVE system is backed by a 15-year limited warranty when it is designed, installed, tested, and documented in accordance with TruHeat requirements.

Refer to the official warranty documentation for complete terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Send TruHeat the field drawings, construction details, project location, available voltage, electrical capacity, heating objectives, and desired operating strategy.

The TruHeat team can then recommend the appropriate output, ribbon layout, zoning plan, electrical configuration, and control system.