How do you use roof coils to melt the snow?

Question

I bought a house with roof coils, but unplugged it during the summer/fall. How do you use it and when do you know when to turn on/off? Thank you.

Answer 1

2 ways you can use it plug it in your self when there is snow or ice on your roof to melt it off and prevent ice damns or put a thermostat on this it will turn on and off automatically

Answer 2

Most coils operate by just plugging them in, but some will be connected to a switch or thermostat.
As for when to use them, they are intended to prevent ice build up when temperatures are causing snow to melt and refreeze repeatedly - so if the temp is hovering around 0 celcius, that's the time.

Some houses have peculiarities of design which make them prone to ice build-up; however, in the vast majority of houses, heating coils have very limited benefit. If ice is accumulating at the eaves of the house (ice damming), it more likely indicates that you have insufficient insulation or ventilation in your attic space (or a combination of both). Operating the heating coils would just be fighting a symptom, and not solving the problem.

Answer 3

They are most useful in the Spring when thawing starts.
Otherwise, ice builds up at roof edges when snow melts.
They prevent melted snow from re-freezing overnight.
Without them, ice-dams prevent run-off & water leaks inside.

Answer 4

I had them for a couple years then i threw them out. THEY DONT WORK!