How much does it cost to run a snow melting mat?
A snow melting mat costs about 3.6¢ per hour, 8.2¢ a day, $2.50 a month and $10 a year at typical use (8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stair mat | 50 | 0.9¢ | 2.1¢ | $0.63 | $3 |
| Walkway mat (2x5 ft) | 200 | 3.6¢ | 8.2¢ | $2.50 | $10 |
| Tire track mats (pair) | 900 | 16¢ | 37¢ | $11.26 | $45 |
At 8 hours a day, 2 days a week 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 | 0.06 | 1.0¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| 2 hours | 0.11 | 2.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| 4 hours | 0.23 | 4.1¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| 8 hours | 0.46 | 8.2¢ | $2.50 | $30 |
| 12 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 24 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
Cost to run a snow melting mat in every state
The same snow melting mat costs $7 a year in North Dakota and $24 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¢ | 2.5¢ | $1.71 | $7 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 2.5¢ | $1.76 | $7 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 2.6¢ | $1.79 | $7 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 2.6¢ | $1.81 | $7 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.85 | $7 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.86 | $7 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.87 | $7 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.89 | $8 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.91 | $8 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.93 | $8 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.94 | $8 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.94 | $8 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.95 | $8 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.96 | $8 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.97 | $8 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.98 | $8 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.0¢ | $2.06 | $8 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.0¢ | $2.06 | $8 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.0¢ | $2.10 | $8 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.0¢ | $2.10 | $8 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.13 | $9 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.14 | $9 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.14 | $9 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.15 | $9 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.16 | $9 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.18 | $9 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.22 | $9 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.26 | $9 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 3.3¢ | $2.29 | $9 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 3.3¢ | $2.29 | $9 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 3.3¢ | $2.31 | $9 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 3.4¢ | $2.36 | $9 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 3.6¢ | $2.48 | $10 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 3.6¢ | $2.54 | $10 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 3.7¢ | $2.61 | $10 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 3.8¢ | $2.61 | $10 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 4.1¢ | $2.88 | $12 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 4.2¢ | $2.93 | $12 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 4.2¢ | $2.93 | $12 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 4.8¢ | $3.31 | $13 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 4.8¢ | $3.31 | $13 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 4.8¢ | $3.37 | $13 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 5.3¢ | $3.71 | $15 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 5.4¢ | $3.74 | $15 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 5.6¢ | $3.89 | $16 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 5.7¢ | $3.95 | $16 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 5.9¢ | $4.07 | $16 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 5.9¢ | $4.08 | $16 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 6.1¢ | $4.23 | $17 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 6.6¢ | $4.59 | $18 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 8.7¢ | $6.05 | $24 |
How to cut the cost
- Turn mats on 2-4 hours before expected snowfall and off once the storm passes, rather than leaving them on all winter.
- Use a snow-sensing or temperature controller that runs mats only below 38°F with moisture present.
- Buy mats only for the critical path (steps, a single walkway); a full driveway set costs far more to run.
- Connect several mats with the manufacturer's power units instead of extension cords to reduce losses and trips.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Runs mats only when snow or ice is actually present.
See options on AmazonTreats steps for occasional storms with no 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
| Under-desk heater | 170 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $4.52 | $23 |
| Heat lamp | 250 | 30 minutes a day | $0.68 | $8 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a snow melting mat per hour?
A snow melting mat drawing 200 watts uses 0.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 3.6¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 2.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 8.7¢.
How much does it cost to run a snow melting mat per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year), a snow melting mat costs about $2.50 a month while in use and $10 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 snow melting mat use?
Most snow melting mats use 40 to 1,000 watts, depending on the setting (stair mat 50 W, walkway mat (2x5 ft) 200 W, tire track mats (pair) 900 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a snow melting mat use?
About 0.46 kWh a day and 56 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year).
Does a snow melting mat use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 56 kWh a year it's a small share (0.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a snow melting mat or a heated driveway?
At typical use, a snow melting mat costs about $10 a year versus $338 for a heated driveway. So the snow melting mat is cheaper by about $328 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a snow melting mat?
- Turn mats on 2-4 hours before expected snowfall and off once the storm passes, rather than leaving them on all winter.
- Use a snow-sensing or temperature controller that runs mats only below 38°F with moisture present.
- Buy mats only for the critical path (steps, a single walkway); a full driveway set costs far more to run.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.