We get quite a few questions about heat cable here at Snow Melt Utah, from what it even is, to whether it is dangerous, to how it works, and more. That’s why we’ve put together this FAQ page in order to answer any questions you may have in order to ensure that you’re making an informed decision for your home. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re here to help, however we can.
Heat cable is a cable that gets hot from electrical currents. There are a wide variety of heat cables that range in temperatures and purposes.
Heat tape is a type of cable that looks like electrical extension cords. It is designed to produce heat and is very flexible, making it ideal for tight contours.
Ice dams are ridges of ice that build up at the edge of your roof and prevent melting snow from draining off of it. They are formed when lower surfaces of your roof are colder than higher surfaces so that snowmelt freezes when it reaches the colder portion of your roof. This results in ice dams.
Heat tape typically burns six to nine watts of electricity per foot per hour.
Heat cables work by generating heat that forms grooves and channels on the edges of your roof, which melts snow and ice and allows it to drain off of your roof.
When heat cables are poorly manufactured or designed, yes, they can be dangerous. Most heat cable fires are a result of poor installation. Poor quality, cables overlapping, damaged cables, and cables that come in contact with insulation can all create safety hazards. Properly installed, good quality heat cables are perfectly safe.
As previously mentioned, yes, heat cables can start fires when they are not correctly installed or are of poor quality. High quality, properly installed heat cables are safe. Annual inspections will help prevent fire risks.
Both constant wattage and self-regulating heat cables serve the same purpose. Generally, constant wattage is preferred for melting snow while self-regulating is preferred for deicing and freeze protection.
Constant wattage heat cable has the same wattage throughout its length. It provides constant heat that is unaffected by surface and ambient temperatures, and needs controls or thermostats to be operated with.
Self-regulating heat cable automatically adjusts its heat output based on the weather conditions and surface temperature. It has temperature limits that it will stop at. Self-regulating heat cable is ideal for protecting surfaces from freezes and for low temperature process maintenance.
Yes. All of our heat cables are thermostat-controlled. “Self-regulating” can be a misleading term. What self-regulating means is that the cable won’t overheat itself. It doesn’t mean the cable won’t get hotter than necessary. While self-regulating heat cables have temperature limits, you need a thermostat in order to ensure it isn’t using excessive energy trying to get to its temperature limit. You only want it as hot as you need, which thermostats will ensure.
Self-regulating heat cables can be used on metal roofs. You can’t use constant wattage heat cables on metal roofs because they aren’t approved for that type of application.
You can use heat tape on PEX so long as you follow manufacturer recommendations and do not use adhesives.
No. This will cause overheating. You need to keep heat cables at least 3” apart.
It depends. The minimum and maximum cable lengths vary based on the style of heat cable, how many amps your circuit breaker is built for, and factors such as the minimum temperature, if you have a self-regulating cable.
You can calculate how much heat cable you need by measuring the length of your roof line, measuring the depth of your eave overhangs from the edge of the roof, and then multiplying your roof-line measurement by 4, if your eave overhang is 12 inches deep. If you have roof valleys, this will also factor in, as will the loop height and spacing. The professionals at Snow Melt Utah will be able to measure the exact amount of heat cable you need.
