![]() It is hot, hot, hot, 100% of the time when plugged in. Constant-wattage cable gets its name from the fact that–unlike self-regulating cable–it does not automatically adjust its energy consumption with changes in outdoor temperatures. They can be inefficient, short-lived, ineffective and even pose a fire hazard in some situations.īut to be clear, all of these issues relate to installations involving a low-quality class of cables known as ‘Constant-Wattage’, which are usually bought on Amazon or at big-box retailers and installed by less-than-professional hands. Heat cables are a controversial topic in the field of ice dam prevention for good reason. They are a great solution when you use the right cable and a bad solution if you don’t. Over the past 30 years, I’ve been asked countless times if heat cables are a good solution or a bad solution for ice dams. This is the second in a three-part series. It does not fix the underlying issue of poor ventilation and insulation, and treating it as a long-term solution may end up costing you more money over an extended period.įor more information on heating cables and their use, or if you have any questions, make sure to contact our experts at Kovar Contracting directly.This is a guest blog post by Steve Kuhl of Radiant Solutions Company. Finally, the cables have a certain shelf life (usually 3-5 years at peak performance). Secondly, installing a heat tracing cable is not the most elegant solution and depending on the area that needs it, may be an “eyesore”. For one thing, it will increase your electricity bill in the winter (although the amount will depend on the severity of the winter) so make sure to ask us about a Duty Cycle timer for your cable. However, installing a heat tracing cable also has its downsides. Make sure to be aware of those before you have a heat tracing cable installed in your home, and also make sure to weigh alternative options before settling on one.Īs mentioned before, heating cables are a great solution when improving the ventilation or when adding insulation is not a viable solution to your ice damming problems. Our trained and experienced staff will always be happy and willing to help you get the most out of your heating wires.īenefits and Disadvantages Of Heating CablesĪs with all solutions in your home, heating cables come with an array of benefits and disadvantages. If you have any questions or want to get more information on how to properly maintain your heating cables and expand their lifespan, don’t hesitate to ask your experts at Kovar Contracting. You can either unplug the cable or simply interrupt the power supply with a “Duty-cycle Timer”. Ex: If the temperatures outside are -10 Celsius and there is no snow or ice on the roof, the cables will be running for nothing. Optionally, Kovar will install a “Duty-Cycle Timer” to ensure that the cable does not run at all times. ![]() When your heating cables are thermostatically controlled, make sure that they are not running unless they have to – and that they run at the proper temperature (for example, don’t let them run unless there is actually snow that needs to melt). At Kovar Contracting, we offer a 1-year workmanship warranty on all our heat trace cables. One way is correct installation so that you don’t lose heat around flanges, valves, or other items. Of course, there are also certain ways to prolong the peak performance timespan of your heat tracing cable system. Most heat tracing cable systems will last around 3-5 years until their performance starts to decline. ![]() As with any electrical system, heat trace cables have a certain shelf life that depends on usage and maintenance.
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