In the area where the temperature is minus, the heating cable is very efficient as it will melt down the ice from the roof of the house. But for a person running roof heating cables, many questions arise based on the cost of running roof heating cable per hour and cost to run it all day and why is it important to protect the roof from ice dams. So this article will guide all the questions based on the cost to run roof heating cables, operating cost, installation cost, etc.
Cost to run roof heating cables:
- The cost of running roof heating depends on various factors such as the length of the cable, size of the roof, accessibility to that area, and power usage.
- The cost of running roof heating on average can be around $1000 or $2000.it is the cost of the entire system.
- The heating cable of 100 feet can use power upto 500 watts per hour and the cost to run roof heating cable will be between $1000 and $1390 . the below-given video also guides you through the cost of running roof heating cables:
Operating cost to run roof heating cable:
The roof is 120 feet long with 6-12 overhangs and there are no gutters deicing will need a cable of 291 feet which will consume 2.3 kWh per hour and 56 kWh per day.
In the US, on average the operating cost to run roof heating cables according to the electric price is $0.13 per kWh then it will cost $7.25 per day for continuous operation and around $217 per month.
In Massachusetts, the operating cost to run roof heating cables according to the electric cost is around $0.23 per kWh and the cost to run roof heating cable for a day is $13 and $385 per month.

The installation cost to run roof heating cable:
- It is simple to install the roof heating system by yourself. You just need a ladder that can reach the roof of your house and a ladder stabilizer to ensure not to fall and get injured.
- Most of the contractors will add 50% to 100% premium on materials but if you do the purchasing yourself you will save $100 to $300.
- The installation cost of 100 feet of heating cable is $300 to $400 and the labor cost is included and material cost is excluded.
- If the material cost is $2 per square feet that approximately it will cost $200 for installing a 100 feet cable.
- So the total installation cost to run roof heating cable after hiring the contractors will be $500 to $600.
- The installation cost of 100 feet of heating cables inside the gutters and downspouts will be $200 to 300.
It is important to remove the ice from the roof and protect it from ice dams you will read in detail next.
Why protect the roof from ice dams?
Building the ice dams on the roof will cause serious damage to the roof and interior of the home. The following are some most common problems:
- The roof of the house will leak.
- The ice dams will cause loose or damaged shingles that need to be replaced.
- The gutter will be damaged or torn off.
- The attic insulation will be wet which will require to be replaced.
- There will be mold in the attic.
- There will be stains on the ceiling and floor of the top floor of the house.
- The interior paint of the house will be chipping or peeling.
- The cost of Repairing on average will be $1500 to $2500 and more depending on the condition of the house.
The average cost of a new metal roof in the US
Low-range | $9202 |
Mid-range | $10339 |
High-range | $13131 |
The cost to run roof heating cables also varies according to the type of cable that is explained next:
Types of heating cables:
There are two main categories of heating cables:
- Constant wattage cables.
- Self-regulating heat cable.

Constant wattage cables:
The constant wattage wires are considered more fragile and do have a shorter life expectancy. Mostly the constant heating cables are chosen by the customer who is wishing to undertake the further process by themselves. also, it is installed by a professional but they are not concerned with long-term installation but more concerned with how cheaply they can purchase the heat cables.
Self-regulating heat cables:
Self-regulating heating cables are able to control the amount of power that is required all the way into the heating wire. According to the heat, it is able to regulate the power used and manage the cable’s real temperature. This is the reason the self-regulating heat cables are able to survive long when compared to the constant wattage heating cable.

Conclusion:
In order to install the heating cables if a person installs them in a zigzag way then more heat cable is required but if they are installed using conjunction with thermally conductive materials then the capacity of melting is achieved with fewer heat cables and help to lower cost to run roof heating cables.
FAQ’s
What is the amount of Electricity used by roof heat cables?
A typical heat tape uses 6-9 per foot per hour of electricity.
How long do the roof deicing cables last?
The roof deicing cables last around 3 to 5 years.
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