Snow melting mat vs. heated driveway: running cost
A snow melting mat is cheaper to run: about $10 a year versus $338 for a heated driveway at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $328 difference.
| Snow melting mat | Heated driveway | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 200 W | 24,000 W |
| Watt range | 40–1,000 W | 8,000–50,000 W |
| Typical use | 8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | 6 hours a day, 1 days a week for 3 months a year |
| Energy per year | 56 kWh | 1,878 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 3.6¢ | $4.32 |
| Cost per day | 8.2¢ | $3.70 |
| Cost per month | $2.50 | $113 |
| Cost per year | $10 | $338 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $24 | $817 |
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What drives the difference
- Snow melting mat: Portable heated mats draw about 20-35 W per square foot and run at full power while on. Defaults assume they are turned on for snow and ice events, about 2 days a week in winter.
- Heated driveway: Embedded electric snow melt systems use roughly 35-50 W per square foot. Defaults assume one 6-hour melt event per week in winter with an automatic snow sensor.
Ways to cut either cost
Runs mats only when snow or ice is actually present.
See options on AmazonTreats steps for occasional storms with no electricity.
See options on AmazonClears a driveway using under 1 kWh per storm.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a snow melting mat or a heated driveway?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a heated driveway costs about $338 a year versus $10 for a snow melting mat. That's $328 more, or 33.8× as much.
How many watts do snow melting mat and heated driveway use?
A snow melting mat typically draws 200 W (range 40–1,000 W). A heated driveway draws 24,000 W (range 8,000–50,000 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.