How much does it cost to run a roof de-icing cable?
A roof de-icing cable costs about 5.4¢ per hour, 65¢ a day, $19.71 a month and $79 a year at typical use (12 hours a day for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 ft | 200 | 2.2¢ | 26¢ | $7.89 | $32 |
| 100 ft | 500 | 5.4¢ | 65¢ | $19.71 | $79 |
| 200 ft | 1,000 | 11¢ | $1.30 | $39.43 | $158 |
At 12 hours a day for 4 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 | 0.30 | 5.4¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| 2 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 4 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 8 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
| 12 hours | 3.60 | 65¢ | $19.71 | $237 |
| 24 hours | 7.20 | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
Cost to run a roof de-icing cable in every state
The same roof de-icing cable costs $54 a year in North Dakota and $191 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¢ | 3.7¢ | $13.50 | $54 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.8¢ | $13.86 | $55 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.9¢ | $14.09 | $56 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.9¢ | $14.23 | $57 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 4.0¢ | $14.60 | $58 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 4.0¢ | $14.64 | $59 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 4.0¢ | $14.72 | $59 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 4.1¢ | $14.86 | $59 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 4.1¢ | $15.01 | $60 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 4.2¢ | $15.17 | $61 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 4.2¢ | $15.25 | $61 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 4.2¢ | $15.29 | $61 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 4.2¢ | $15.35 | $61 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 4.2¢ | $15.47 | $62 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 4.2¢ | $15.48 | $62 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 4.3¢ | $15.56 | $62 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 4.4¢ | $16.18 | $65 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 4.4¢ | $16.18 | $65 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 4.5¢ | $16.53 | $66 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 4.5¢ | $16.57 | $66 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 4.6¢ | $16.79 | $67 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 4.6¢ | $16.86 | $67 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 4.6¢ | $16.87 | $67 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 4.6¢ | $16.96 | $68 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 4.7¢ | $16.98 | $68 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 4.7¢ | $17.14 | $69 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.8¢ | $17.49 | $70 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.9¢ | $17.77 | $71 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.9¢ | $18.01 | $72 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.9¢ | $18.06 | $72 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 5.0¢ | $18.17 | $73 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 5.1¢ | $18.56 | $74 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 5.3¢ | $19.49 | $78 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 5.5¢ | $20.00 | $80 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 5.6¢ | $20.53 | $82 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 5.6¢ | $20.59 | $82 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 6.2¢ | $22.68 | $91 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 6.3¢ | $23.04 | $92 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 6.3¢ | $23.07 | $92 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 7.1¢ | $26.06 | $104 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 7.1¢ | $26.08 | $104 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 7.3¢ | $26.52 | $106 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 8.0¢ | $29.22 | $117 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 8.1¢ | $29.42 | $118 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 8.4¢ | $30.67 | $123 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 8.5¢ | $31.11 | $124 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 8.8¢ | $32.07 | $128 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 8.8¢ | $32.12 | $128 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 9.1¢ | $33.34 | $133 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 9.9¢ | $36.15 | $145 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 13¢ | $47.68 | $191 |
How to cut the cost
- Plug the cable into a thermostatic outlet that only turns on between about 15-38°F, when ice dams actually form.
- Turn it on only during and after snow on the roof instead of all winter; this can cut use by 70% or more.
- Fix the cause: add attic insulation and air-seal the ceiling so heat does not melt roof snow in the first place.
- Run cable only along eaves and downspouts where ice dams form, not the whole roof.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Prevents the cable running in weather where it does nothing useful.
See options on AmazonRemoves snow at the eaves so ice dams cannot form, without electricity.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof de-icing cable | 500 | 12 hours a day for 4 months a year | $19.71 | $79 |
| Heat tape | 90 | 24 hours a day for 3 months a year | $5.91 | $18 |
| Snow melting mat | 200 | 8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $2.50 | $10 |
| Heated driveway | 24,000 | 6 hours a day, 1 days a week for 3 months a year | $113 | $338 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
| Small space heater | 400 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.25 | $46 |
| Engine block heater | 750 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year | $23.47 | $70 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a roof de-icing cable per hour?
A roof de-icing cable drawing 500 watts uses 0.30 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 5.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.7¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 13¢.
How much does it cost to run a roof de-icing cable per month?
At typical use (12 hours a day for 4 months a year), a roof de-icing cable costs about $19.71 a month while in use and $79 a year over the 4 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 roof de-icing cable use?
Most roof de-icing cables use 100 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (40 ft 200 W, 100 ft 500 W, 200 ft 1,000 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a roof de-icing cable use?
About 3.60 kWh a day and 438 kWh a year at typical use (12 hours a day for 4 months a year).
Does a roof de-icing cable use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 438 kWh a year is about 4% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a roof de-icing cable or a heat tape?
At typical use, a roof de-icing cable costs about $79 a year versus $18 for a heat tape. 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 roof de-icing cable?
- Plug the cable into a thermostatic outlet that only turns on between about 15-38°F, when ice dams actually form.
- Turn it on only during and after snow on the roof instead of all winter; this can cut use by 70% or more.
- Fix the cause: add attic insulation and air-seal the ceiling so heat does not melt roof snow in the first place.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.