Cost to run Roof Heat Cable, UPDATE
Some of you showed interest on my original thread about roof heat cables. I have some numbers for you.
I turned on my heat cable at the beginning of a new billing cycle from the power company.
I purposely left the cable turned on 24/7 during the billing cycle
The billing cycle was 28 days, the average daily temp was 44 degrees. We did have lows of single digits with snow during this time also.
I pay 5.5 cents a kwh.
The heat cable will max at 5 watts per foot and self regulate from there.
Even with warm ambient temp. the cable is still drawing a trickle of energy.
Total combined length of my system is 300 feet.
Again,was left on 24/7
last years electric use for same billing cycle=364 kwh
last months electric use=397 kwh Around $63.00 bill gas AND electric 2600 sg ft house
This billing cycle,With heat cable, 24/7,,,,
1,169 kwh of electric used. $ 176.00 bill, gas/electric combined.
Roughly $120 xtra to run the cable 24/7
1st. lesson: Do NOT run it 24/7 if not needed.
I had a choice of investing in this heat cable system
OR
set aside 30 grand for a new roof when the ice dam peels the roof off.
I chose the heat cable.
Ice dams can and do peel metal roofs off of structures also.
Well here is my experience thus far. Hope it helps some of you that were interested.
I have no regrets with choosing this option.
I turned on my heat cable at the beginning of a new billing cycle from the power company.
I purposely left the cable turned on 24/7 during the billing cycle
The billing cycle was 28 days, the average daily temp was 44 degrees. We did have lows of single digits with snow during this time also.
I pay 5.5 cents a kwh.
The heat cable will max at 5 watts per foot and self regulate from there.
Even with warm ambient temp. the cable is still drawing a trickle of energy.
Total combined length of my system is 300 feet.
Again,was left on 24/7
last years electric use for same billing cycle=364 kwh
last months electric use=397 kwh Around $63.00 bill gas AND electric 2600 sg ft house
This billing cycle,With heat cable, 24/7,,,,
1,169 kwh of electric used. $ 176.00 bill, gas/electric combined.
Roughly $120 xtra to run the cable 24/7
1st. lesson: Do NOT run it 24/7 if not needed.
I had a choice of investing in this heat cable system
OR
set aside 30 grand for a new roof when the ice dam peels the roof off.
I chose the heat cable.
Ice dams can and do peel metal roofs off of structures also.
Well here is my experience thus far. Hope it helps some of you that were interested.
I have no regrets with choosing this option.
3
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?Roughly $120 xtra to run the cable 24/7...?
That?s about what we paid extra when we had the hot tub.0 -
Thanks for the info. We are putting up heat cable this week. 0 -
Why not control the system with an ambient sensing thermostat.
Thermon.com0 -
My electric bill is already off the charts nuts to even think about installing an appliance that will increase it more!
Guess I will continue on with my long handled snow rake until my old shoulders give out one day.0 -
You can. They have moisture sensors for that purpose,but can't go on just any heat cable. An additional $400 per sensor plus labor.tcattt wrote:Why not control the system with an ambient sensing thermostat.
Thermon.com0
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