Heat Cables

Heat cables, heat tape, heated mesh & heated pans

There are many terms that are used interchangeably to describe heat cables. Heating cables, heat tracing cables, heat tape, roof ice cables, self-regulating cables, roof and gutter de-icing cables are just a few. Often times these types of products are the first thing that homeowner’s turn to when they are trying to prevent ice dams. While they can be effective to minimize the severity of ice dams, heat cables should be the last course of action in terms of ice dam prevention. Why? Because heat cables do NOT prevent ice dams. They simply melt small channels through ice dams as they form. Click here to review the Nine most common locations for ice dams to form on Minneapolis homes.

Heat Cable Installation

Heat cables, when installed and functioning properly, can help to minimize the likelihood water will build up behind an ice dam and cause a leak.  If you truly want to prevent ice dams in Minneapolis you need to go to the source. (Click here for more info on the causes of ice dams). What is causing them? More often than not you will find the answer will be a combination of lack of insulation, insufficient ventilation and an excessive number of warm air bypasses into the attic space. If you can address the ventilation, insulation and warm air bypasses you can greatly minimize the likelihood of ice dam formation.

We always encourage homeowners to take the necessary steps to properly deal with the sources that are contributing to ice dam formation before recommending heat cables. Whether it be the sealing of warm air leaks into your attic space, adding more insulation, or providing proper ventilation for your unconditioned spaces, there are certain things that can be done with your home to minimize the likelihood of ice dams and prevent damage to your home.

All this being said, are we saying that we would not recommend heating cables? Absolutely not! In fact, Last year alone, we installed over a mile of heat cables in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. We even sell the heat cable. Sometimes, it is far too invasive or expensive to properly air seal, ventilate and insulate the conditioned spaces of your home. Heat cables definitely provide a legitimate alternate course of action. When installed properly heat cables can prevent damage to the house caused by ice dams.

Cost of heat cables in Minneapolis: $30 to $60 per foot of eave, Installed

The cost of heat cables varies greatly from one project to the next depending on variables such as roof pitch and height, eave depth and length, cable type, gutter configuration and overall system design. A safe cost range for heat cable installation in Minneapolis is $30 to $60 per running foot of eave. This does not include the cost of having our licensed electrical hook up the cables into your home, which can range from $250 to $500 normally. We do not touch heat cable sold at big box stores such as Home Depot, Menards or Lowes because it is absolute junk. The products we install are professional grade and will last for many years, unlike the big box cables. We regularly tear out big box heat cables and replace them with quality cables because the cheap ones fail so quickly. We sell the heat cable we recommend, at great prices.

Why use The Ice Dam Company to install your heating cables?

Put quite simply, we are pros. We will assess your situation with diligence and figure out proper courses of action. We do thorough inspections of your living spaces and attics, and can determine whether not an insulation/air sealing project is a legitimate option or not. If not, we can give estimates for heating cables and install those for you. Did I mention that we are pros? Seriously, we are professional roofers. Our crews install and work with all roofing materials (cedar, asphalt, metal, slate, etc) and when they are not installing heat cables, they are installing the roofing materials. Therefore, they know how the roof is put together, the do’s and don’ts for each material and how to properly attach the heating cables without causing damage to the roof.

Below is some more information you should know prior to having heating cables installed on your house/building.

What type of heating cable does The Ice Dam Company use or recommend?

While there are a lot of different types and manufacturers out there. Kuhl most commonly installs a 120v/240v, commercial grade, self-regulating heating cable system. See below for more details, or see our  Ice Dam Heat Cable Store for products and info.

Heat Cable Specifications

Voltage (depending on cable length) 120v, 240v
Watts 10-12 per lineal ft. when wet/cold (increased output)
Heat Output (approximate) 50-70°F
Heat Cable Warranty (Manufacturer’s) 3 Years
Approximate Size of Heat Cable 1/4″H x 5/8″W
Minimum Bend Radius 1-1/8″


Quick Pros and Cons list for heating cables:


  • When an insulation/air sealing project just isn’t practical or possible, heating cables provide another means to help avoid damage from ice dams.
  • When installed correctly, heat cables can be very effective at providing a direct path for ice and snow melt off of the roof and not damage the home.
  • Heat Cables can keep your gutters and down spouts from collecting and freezing with ice and snow melt.


  • Heat Cables are not entirely aesthetically pleasing.
  • They cost money to operate.
  • High upfront materials and install cost (for good heat cables).
  • They are a band-aid solution, and are only recommended as a last resort.
  • Heat cables only work when properly monitored and/or plugged in.

Quick Fact or Fiction section that might be good

Fact OR Fiction #1:

If I have heating cables, the eaves of my house will be completely clear of ice and snow.


Heating cables often to not clear the entire eave. They are usually installed in tracing patterns along the eaves and in the gutters and downspouts. The heating cable is not meant to clear the entire eave of ice and snow. The purpose of heating cables is to provide and maintain a direct path to the ground for melted snow and ice on your roof. More than likely, you will still see some ice build up and some icicle formation.

Fact OR Fiction #2:

The heating cables that I can purchase at Home Depot, Menards, or another big box store are just as good as the commercial grade heating cables.


There are many different types of heating cables, roof melting systems, and heat tape that homeowners can purchase for their roofs. These different products also range widely in price. At Home Depot, you can purchase a 50′ heating cable for $49.99. That’s $1 per foot uninstalled, approximately. If you purchase a self regulating, commercial grade, 240v heating cable, installed from a local contractor, this can be close to $12 per foot. So which is better? Unfortunately, it greatly depends. Some of the newer commercial grade cables (if installed correctly) have longer warranties, run more efficiently,

It is important to know that there are several different kinds and manufacturers of heating cables. There are benefits and downfalls to each type. Some are constant wattage, while others are self-regulating. Some have good mounting brackets/clips/plates, while others rely on flimsy clips that fall out easily. Some are meant to be permanent installations while others are meant to be removed annually or periodically. Some last 5-10 years, while other only last a couple years. It is helpful to ask questions, do your research, and get multiple estimates for the cables.

Fact OR Fiction #3:

I will notice an increase in my electrical bill when my heating cables are left running all winter.


Depending on the kind of heating cables installed and the number of feet of heat cables installed, you will definitely notice an increase in your energy consumption.

Fact OR Fiction #4:

Heat cables prevent ice dams.


Heating cables do not prevent ice dams. They merely melt small channels along the roof in an effort to provide a path for melted ice and water to run off of the roof. Often installed in a tracing pattern along the eave of a roof, it is often common to see ice and snow build up between the traces and above the heating cables. It is also not uncommon to still see significant icicle formation along the eaves, even if heat cables are installed.

Fact OR Fiction #5:

If I have completely air sealed all of the attic by passes, insulated properly, and provided sufficient ventilation to my attic space, I should not get ice dams.


This is partially true. If properly insulated, air sealed, and ventilated, the potential for ice dams is very low. However, there are still some situations, where ice dams will form, regardless of the insulation, air sealing and ventilation. These types of ice dams are caused primarily by the individual homeowner use of the building and by the sun. As a homeowner, you can control how you use your space. Don’t put a heater in the attic. However, in terms of the sun’s influence, there is little you can do to prevent melting of snow and ice from the sun. Large umbrellas maybe?

Ice Dam Removal, Ice Dam Prevention



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