Heated gutters cost around $981 on average, depending on the square footage of your home. Most spend between $466 and $1,502.
If you spend most winters dreading the next snowstorm, you already know that preventing ice dams from forming on your gutters is an uphill battle. Installing an insulated and heated cord through your gutters—known as a heated gutter system—can aid in the fight against damaging ice formation and improve attic ventilation. The cost of heated gutter systems ranges from $13 to $26 per linear foot, including professional installation and materials—but not including the cost of new gutters themselves.
The cost of heating cable installation either on your roof or your gutters depends on where you live. The severity of the weather, the slope of your roof, and of course, the size of your home will affect the price. You may also find higher prices in areas where heated gutters are less common and therefore more of a niche installation.
When checking out the numbers below, keep in mind that the average home has between 150 and 200 square feet of gutters that require heating.
Let's look at the cost in five major U.S. cities:
| Location | Heated Gutters Cost |
|---|---|
| Boston | $1,416–$5,664 |
| Cleveland | $1,590–$6,360 |
| Phoenix | $1,180–$4,720 |
| Denver | $1,243–$4,974 |
| Miami | $1,194–$4,776 |
The term heated gutters either refers to the process of adding heating cable—AKA de-icing tape or heat tape—or a more thorough design to protect your gutters from ice buildup. For example, some gutter experts may include installing new gutters and gutter guards in addition to the tape itself. Let's look at a few common scenarios.
Heat tape ranges in price from $1 to $6 per linear foot. Basic heated gutter kits at a hardware store may fall at the lower end of this range. The kit may include the three-pronged plug, shingle clips, and instructions for use.
The price will also vary based on whether you choose self-regulating heat tape or manual tape controlled by a thermostat. The more intuitive and complex the setup, the higher the cost per foot.
You will find more complex heated gutter designs that combine heat tape with guards that lay over the top of your gutter opening. Combined with the heated wire, the guard acts as an additional surface to melt ice and snow. Gutter guards cost anywhere from $2 to $10 per linear foot for materials alone.
In addition to materials, a local gutter specialist will charge between $12 and $20 per linear foot to install a heated gutter system. The price will vary based on the size and accessibility of your roof as well as which type of tape you choose.
If it's time to replace your gutters entirely, opting for heated gutters could help you avoid issues with ice in the future. In addition to the cost and materials above, new gutter installation will cost between $4 and $30 per linear foot, depending on materials, style, accessibility to your roof, and the labor rates for a particular company.
“If your gutters are 15+ years old, we recommend replacing them at the same time. Otherwise, you would have to pay for the heated gutter system all over again when it comes time for gutter replacement," said Jose Figueroa, gutter expert at Artisan Quality Roofing.
Let's add up all these numbers and estimate what a common bill from a gutter contractor might look like. While most professionals charge per foot, others may break down the labor per hour or offer a flat fee for the whole project.
You'll pay an average of about $750 for 150 feet of heat tape—the average length of the gutters for a standard home.
Labor costs for a 150-linear-foot stretch of heat tape installation will cost about $2,700. If gutter experts charge by the hour, expect a price around $75 an hour.
Add about $1,300 on average for the cost of gutter guards, including parts and professional installation. And if you're starting from scratch and installing brand-new gutters, the average cost for a standard home is $2,200.
If you encounter a harsh winter with frequent snow and ice, your heated gutters will run quite often. Assume that the tape will add between $40 and $70 a month to your electric bill during the winter.
The moment you get into "climbing on the roof" or "tinkering with electricity" territory, we recommend leaving the project to a gutter installation professional. That being said, heat tape does come built to withstand the elements and comes with a three-pronged, grounded plug. So, it is safe to install on your own when you follow instructions closely and are comfortable accessing your roof.
In addition to the average of $750 for materials, you only need to include the cost of the ladder and pliers.
However, if you do not have access to a GFCI outlet near the exterior of your home, professional installation costs an average of $250.
While the DIY path may look like the most obvious way to save money on heated gutters, it's important to look at the big picture. Heated gutters are not a magic answer to ice dams, especially if they are not installed correctly. And if the installation is not on point, you could end up needing major roof repairs, which cost between $400 and $2,000.
For this reason, we recommend hiring a professional for long-term cost savings.
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Heated gutters are one line of defense against ice dams. The heavy block of ice forms when warm air escapes from your attic and meets the cold snow on your roof, turning snowmelt into ice. A heated gutter system should pair with proper attic ventilation and the correct gutter design for your home.
Heated gutters are significantly easier to maintain than standard gutters. While you will have to check to make sure they’re functioning properly and aren’t accumulating leaves and other tree debris, you will never have to worry about ice dams, icicle formation, or related gutter damage and repairs, which can get expensive. Heated gutters will require an upfront investment, but it might very well be worth it for the time and potential money you’ll save down the road on gutter maintenance.
Roof heating cables designed to reduce the risk of ice forming in and on your gutters usually last for between three and five years before needing to be replaced. The lifespan of your equipment can vary, depending on the quality, whether or not they’re installed properly, and the climate and amount of snow and ice you get in your area.
If you do end up with frozen gutters, it's important to thaw them correctly. Thawing your gutters slowly is far safer than trying to break apart the ice. Once you get through the ice, bring in a gutter professional to check out the effectiveness of your heated system.
Timing out your heated gutter system is one of the smart ways to winterize your home against damaging weather. If you install heated gutters connected to a thermostat, you can leave the system plugged in, and it will regular itself. If not, flip on the heated system at least two hours before the expected snowfall and leave them on until most of the snow and ice melt from your roof.
