The heat cable you use on your roof which usually comes with clips to attach it to the shingles is rounded to expose more of its surface area to the surroundings.
How long does roof heat tape last.
Of course they all do the same thing.
That doesn t mean they won t keep the ice from forming they will it means they will last longer and are more efficient than some brands.
Big box heat tape is disposable plain and simple.
There are different brands of heat tape for gutters.
12 jan 14 2018 heat tape as any electrical device will last reliably until the operational half life of the element is reached and that will depend on factor of use hours and condition and quality of the heat tape.
Heat tape for wrapping around pipes is flat and it must be installed with one of its surfaces completely in contact with the pipe to do its job.
This is a kit based around the popular and reliable speedtrace family of self regulating heating cables these cables are professional grade durable products and with good treatment we ve known them to last a decade or more in use.
They will last a season or two and cost an arm and a leg to operate during that time.
While this is not a lot of.
Some i have used lasted 5 years and other have lasted 20 or more.
Some are just better made than others.
Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves.
The term heat tape refers to another product an insulated electrical wire applied to water pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting.
It depends on what s in your area and to a certain extent how much you want to pay for them.
Roof heat tape quality operating cost paying less will cost you more.
At fairbanks electrical prices that length of tape costs roughly 20 to run for four months.
The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable.