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Heat Tape Calculator

Calculate your needed length of heat cable, clips & accessories 

Calculator Explainer Video

Watch a video outlining how to use this calculator:

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What do I Need?

An explanation of how to select your heat tape & installation accessories.

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Complete Measuring Guide

To view a detailed guide on how to measure for your heat tape installation, click below:

View Measuring Guide

Quick Measuring Directions:

  1. Measure the depth of the eave (B)
  2. Measure the linear feet of roof eave (C) that you want to protect
  3. Note any valleys in the roof (D) that exist where the heat cable will be installed
  4. Measure extra gutter footage required to get to downspout (F)
  5. Measure the vertical linear length of all included downspouts (G)
  6. Measure the distance to power, in case 10-foot cord won’t reach (Advanced Option)

Heat Tape Pro Manual

Comprehensive installation instructions and product details (PDF)

View Manual

Identify Your Roof Type

Unsure about what kind of a roof you have? Identify it here:

Identify Your Roof Type

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Trace Height Basics

A typical heat tape installation on a shingled roof consists of a zig-zag pattern, affixed using clips at the top and bottom, spaced 24 inches apart. Minimum Trace Height defines the calculated minimum height of the zig-zag to assure proper coverage and it is based on your eave depth. Trace heights are as low as 18-inches and can be over 4-feet.

Oftentimes (like when you are dealing with shingles, shakes or tiles), the actual mounting location of the clip will be higher than this line. For example: a Grip Clip will affix to the bottom of the single that sits above the trace height, holding the heat tape in a manner that covers the area.

Calculating Heat Tape Trace Height

Large Job Options

If your heat cable project requires more than 150 feet, you have two simple options: Use a pair of our plug-in ready HeatTapePRO cables or, hardwire a single 240 volt cable from a spool. It’s important to note that a typical,standard residential outlet/circuit can only support a single 150′ cable at a time.

Option 1:

heat tape installation 2 cables

Two Plug-in Cables

Requires Two Outlets on Different Circuits

It’s often possible to use two standard, plug-in ready HeatTapePRO cables to addess larger areas. You will need to plug the cable into separate outlets on different circuits. Remember, all HeatTapePRO cables have a 10-foot length of power cord not included in it’s stated length.

To use two plug-in cables, divide your planned layout into two sections, and calculate the length needed for each.

Option 2:

heat tape installation 240v cable

A Single 240 Volt Cable

Hardwired: Requires a Junction Box

You can install a lot of our 6 watt, 240 volt heat cable on a 240 volt circuit. Although our plug-in cable has a top length of 150-foot, installing spooled cable is identical to pre-assembled cables with the exception of connections and terminations. You must terminate the end of your cable with either our traditional End Seal Kit, or our popular GlowCap End Seal Kit. You will also need to connect your heat cable to a junction box fed by 240 volts using our Hardwire Connection Kit. Connection kits take about 10 minutes to execute.