Heat tape vs. roof de-icing cable: running cost
A heat tape is cheaper to run: about $18 a year versus $79 for a roof de-icing cable at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $61 difference.
| Heat tape | Roof de-icing cable | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 90 W | 500 W |
| Watt range | 20–300 W | 100–1,500 W |
| Typical use | 24 hours a day for 3 months a year | 12 hours a day for 4 months a year |
| Energy per year | 99 kWh | 438 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.8¢ | 5.4¢ |
| Cost per day | 19¢ | 65¢ |
| Cost per month | $5.91 | $19.71 |
| Cost per year | $18 | $79 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $43 | $191 |
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What drives the difference
- Heat tape: Pipe heat cable uses about 3-8 W per foot. Thermostat-controlled or self-regulating cables only draw full power in freezing weather.
- Roof de-icing cable: Roof and gutter de-icing cables draw about 5 W per foot. Many people leave them on all winter, which makes them a surprisingly large load.
Ways to cut either cost
Turns the cable on only near freezing.
See options on AmazonReduces heat loss so the cable cycles less.
See options on AmazonPrevents the cable running in weather where it does nothing useful.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a heat tape or a roof de-icing cable?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a roof de-icing cable costs about $79 a year versus $18 for a heat tape. That's $61 more, or 4.4× as much.
How many watts do heat tape and roof de-icing cable use?
A heat tape typically draws 90 W (range 20–300 W). A roof de-icing cable draws 500 W (range 100–1,500 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.