How much does it cost to run a heat tape?
A heat tape costs about 0.8¢ per hour, 19¢ a day, $5.91 a month and $18 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 3 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Pipe heat cable uses about 3-8 W per foot. Thermostat-controlled or self-regulating cables only draw full power in freezing weather.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft | 30 | 0.3¢ | 6.5¢ | $1.97 | $6 |
| 18 ft | 90 | 0.8¢ | 19¢ | $5.91 | $18 |
| 30 ft | 150 | 1.3¢ | 32¢ | $9.86 | $30 |
| 60 ft | 300 | 2.7¢ | 65¢ | $19.71 | $59 |
At 24 hours a day for 3 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.04 | 0.8¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| 2 hours | 0.09 | 1.6¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| 4 hours | 0.18 | 3.2¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| 8 hours | 0.36 | 6.5¢ | $1.97 | $24 |
| 12 hours | 0.54 | 9.7¢ | $2.96 | $35 |
| 24 hours | 1.08 | 19¢ | $5.91 | $71 |
Cost to run a heat tape in every state
The same heat tape costs $12 a year in North Dakota and $43 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.05 | $12 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.16 | $12 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.23 | $13 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.27 | $13 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.38 | $13 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.39 | $13 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.41 | $13 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.46 | $13 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.50 | $14 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.55 | $14 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.58 | $14 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.59 | $14 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.61 | $14 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.64 | $14 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.64 | $14 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.67 | $14 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.86 | $15 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.86 | $15 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.96 | $15 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.97 | $15 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.04 | $15 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.06 | $15 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.06 | $15 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.09 | $15 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.10 | $15 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.14 | $15 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.25 | $16 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.33 | $16 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.40 | $16 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.42 | $16 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.45 | $16 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.8¢ | $5.57 | $17 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.8¢ | $5.85 | $18 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.8¢ | $6.00 | $18 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.8¢ | $6.16 | $18 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.8¢ | $6.18 | $19 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.9¢ | $6.80 | $20 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.9¢ | $6.91 | $21 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.9¢ | $6.92 | $21 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.82 | $23 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.82 | $23 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.96 | $24 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.77 | $26 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.83 | $26 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.20 | $28 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.33 | $28 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.62 | $29 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.63 | $29 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.4¢ | $10.00 | $30 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.5¢ | $10.84 | $33 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.0¢ | $14.30 | $43 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a thermostat-controlled plug (on at 35°F, off at 45°F) so the cable is off on mild days.
- Wrap the pipe and heat tape with foam pipe insulation; it can cut the cable's heat needs by half.
- Unplug heat tape in spring and inspect it each fall; old constant-wattage tape is a fire risk.
- Use self-regulating cable instead of constant-wattage; it reduces output automatically as the pipe warms.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Turns the cable on only near freezing.
See options on AmazonReduces heat loss so the cable cycles less.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat tape | 90 | 24 hours a day for 3 months a year | $5.91 | $18 |
| Roof de-icing cable | 500 | 12 hours a day for 4 months a year | $19.71 | $79 |
| Snow melting mat | 200 | 8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $2.50 | $10 |
| Engine block heater | 750 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year | $23.47 | $70 |
| Electric blanket | 100 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.23 | $11 |
| Heated throw | 100 | 3 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.04 | $5 |
| Heated towel rack | 100 | 6 hours a day | $2.63 | $32 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heat tape per hour?
A heat tape drawing 90 watts uses 0.04 kWh per hour while running (50% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.8¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.6¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.0¢.
How much does it cost to run a heat tape per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 3 months a year), a heat tape costs about $5.91 a month while in use and $18 a year over the 3 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a heat tape use?
Most heat tapes use 20 to 300 watts, depending on the setting (6 ft 30 W, 18 ft 90 W, 30 ft 150 W, 60 ft 300 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heat tape use?
About 1.08 kWh a day and 99 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 3 months a year).
Does a heat tape use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 99 kWh a year it's a small share (0.9%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a heat tape or a roof de-icing cable?
At typical use, a heat tape costs about $18 a year versus $79 for a roof de-icing cable. So the heat tape is cheaper by about $61 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heat tape?
- Use a thermostat-controlled plug (on at 35°F, off at 45°F) so the cable is off on mild days.
- Wrap the pipe and heat tape with foam pipe insulation; it can cut the cable's heat needs by half.
- Unplug heat tape in spring and inspect it each fall; old constant-wattage tape is a fire risk.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.