F.A.Q.

How does Heater Cap work?

Heater Cap is a heating system that gently heats the ice and snow coming off of your roof. The system uses a combination of heat disbursement panels and self regulating heating cable. The heating panels melt the ice and snow while a relay of heating cables keep the water melted and flowing through the gutters and down spouts. Heater Cap is safely hardwired into a circuit breaker to be turned on and off when needed. Heater Cap can be installed on the roof, in the gutters and down spouts or on top of gutter guards. In some cases it may be applied to underground draining systems.

Why should I choose Heater Cap over other ice melting products?

Heater Cap is more effective than heat tapes and wires because it melts a larger area of ice and snow. Heater Cap is also safer because the self regulating heat cable doesn't get hot enough to start a fire, is properly grounded to avoid sparking, and is hard wired into the home. Also, Heater Cap is less visible then the zigzag configuration of heat wires and tapes, so you don't lose any curb appeal.

How much will the cost be to install Heater Cap on my home?

The expense is determined by the amount of footage. Usually the treated areas are just the walkways. The cable has to travel up roof valleys, on gutter covers (if present), in the gutters, down the down spouts, and into drain tiles if present. There is a separate expense for the electrical hook up to the circuit breaker.

Can I just have a plug-in arrangement?

Heater Cap should always be hard wired into the circuit breaker on a separate circuit in order to function properly and safely. You can purchase a plug in kit with up to 100 feet of wire for self-installation, but there is no warranty.

How does Heater Cap melt the large amounts of snow and ice coming down the roof valleys?

Roof valleys require a proactive stance. The cable and panels will be doubled up and mounted in the roof valleys (areas where two or more sections of roof join) to melt the ice and snow. Otherwise, the massive amount of ice and snow would overwhelm the system.

When should I turn Heater Cap on?

Turn on switch at circuit breaker when outside temperature falls between 30-35 Degrees.

Turn off in March / April when snow is melted and temperatures maintain above 35 Degrees.

Energizing the system at low temperatures may cause the breaker to trip. Circuit breaker may trip several times until heating cable is fully heated.

Oops! I forgot to turn it on when the weather dropped below 35 degrees, what do I do now?

Turn on the system as soon as you remember: if it's possible wait until a warmer day where the weather will be above freezing to turn the system on and leave it on for the remainder of the season.

If you already have snow accumulation on the house: turn the system on and monitor your breaker box. Depending upon the length of the wire and the temperature the breaker may trip when you turn the system on. If it trips, then turn it back on, if it trips again turn it back on, If it trips a 4th time wait 10 minutes and start again. Once you get the system started monitor the circuit box for the breaker tripping while the system reaches optimal heat.

The system may take multiple days to be able to heat optimally and catch up to the snow build up on your home.

Repeated low temperature starts will shorten the life of your Heater Cap System.

Wouldn't it save me money to turn the system on when a storm comes in and off when the snow melts each time there is a storm?

The amount of power required to heat the wire and panel from below freezing temperatures is much higher than when temperatures are above freezing. The additional amount of energy needed to turn on the system at low temperatures may cause the breaker to trip. Breaker may trip repeatedly until the cable reaches optimum temperatures.

Turning the system on multiple times in below freezing temperatures over the winter will actually end up costing you more money instead of saving it. The system may take a few days to be able to heat optimally and catch up to the snow build up on your home and you would need to constantly be on the lookout for tripped breakers.

Repeated low temperature starts will shorten the life of your Heater Cap System.

Can the wire be spliced?

We do not recommend splicing. Splicing the wire voids the warranty and creates a weakened weather barrier increasing the chances of water ruining the wire.