This means that you should not install more than 190 feet of heat wire on a single 15a circuit.
How much electricity do roof heat tapes use.
Use the energy wisely.
For a heat cable that is easy to install and use wrap on ice dam heat cable is a smart choice.
Perhaps we shouldn t say too many disparaging things about cheap ice dam heat tape systems.
The term heat tape refers to another product an insulated electrical wire applied to water pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting.
Length of heat cable used x wattage of heat cable x cost per kilowatt hr.
Most roof heating wire products are 110v with rated electric use of 8w per linear foot.
After all we replace a bunch of those systems every year when they fail.
Install roof heater cables when it s dry outside and it s safe to do the work from a ladder.
Take one end of the cable and begin at.
Calculate the length of heat tape and the number of roof clips and hangers needed for a heat tape installation to prevent ice dams.
The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable.
Use the included instructions download here to calculate exactly how much roof de icing cable you need to buy.
When heat cables are run in a zig zag fashion on the roof more heat cable is need to accomplish what is intended to do.
It requires no ongoing maintenance either.
When it s warm outside they draw very little electricity.
Self regulating roof heat tape systems only draw the power they need to get the job done.
For a heat cable that draws only a minimal amount of power reducing its operational cost sixtools de icing cable only uses five amps of electricity.
They re relatively inexpensive to install especially compared to the cost of cleaning up the destruction wrought by ice and water.
When heat cables are used in conjunction with thermally conductive materials greated melting capacity is achieved with less heat cable resulting in lower overall operating cost year after year.
Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves.
Installing roof heating cables.
If you don t have a gfi grounded outlet you may need to hire an electrician to put one close by.
One way to prevent ice dams is to install roof heating cables also known as deicing cables or roof heat tape.
Also keep in mind that you need to run your cable from the nearest power outlet to the roof a distance that is about 15 feet on average unless you run your waterproof extension cord right to the roof.
When it s cold they draw more.
