As the days grow shorter, the question of whether you need a heated gutter system is asked more and more often by homeowners. Particularly by those who have memories of bad winters and are aware of the threat of polar air sweeping down from the Arctic again this year.
Gutter heaters are worth considering if you live where snow and ice can clog your rain gutter systems. Sadly, few people think they’ll ever need gutter heaters until it’s too late – then they have to deal with monster problems.
The first question to ask when considering a heated gutter system is, “Where do you live?”
Heated systems are a great option for homeowners who live in the snow belt of the United States where icicles and ice damming can occur. When deciding whether to purchase heated systems, you need to look at what your average winter will bring in regards to cold and snow, and not make a decision based on just last winter’s weather.
Think about how fast your snow melts. Does only an inch or two of snow fall and then melt quickly? Even in cold climates, snow may melt off your roof in just a few days time.
Next ask, “When was the last time my attic was checked for sufficient insulation?”
Does the amount of R-value up there meet current standards? Many homes built as recently as the 1980s may need more insulation.
One of the reasons that ice damming and icicles occur is lack of proper insulation in your attic. As heat is released through your roof, it causes snow to melt during the day and refreeze at night. Letting this cycle continue over just a few days can cause major problems.
You may think you can solve them with just heated gutter systems, but the insulation in your attic is just as important. It’ll also leave you with lower heating bills to boot!
Lastly, think about protecting the rain gutter from clogging with the help of a heated system. Adding a heating element makes cleaning out your gutters more complicated.
You can’t just scoop out all the debris that collects in your rain gutters. You’ll always have to manage around that wire. That’s why we prefer heated systems with a micro mesh guard like MasterShield, since you can keep your gutters from having anything but water enter them – all debris simply blows off your roof.
Which system do you chose?
The least expensive way to go is a very simple system where a heat cable is applied to your gutters and then is run down the downspouts of your home, preferably near an outlet.
Before a winter storm hits, you plug it in and the wire throws off heat thereby melting any snow that would accumulate around it. This is a low-voltage system and is meant to be used before snow accumulates on a heated system. This is best suited for those located in areas that do receive snow but where the winters are not generally too severe.
The second heated system is a higher voltage and can to a certain extent melt existing snow that has accumulated on the system if not turned on before a storm. These systems are installed and then must be hardwired by an electrician. They often come with sensors that will turn the heated system on and off daily depending on the outside temperature. Though expensive, this is a must for those that live in an area where snow falls heavy and often, or for those that want the convenience of a “set and forget” heated gutter system.
We don’t think a heated cover should cost an arm and a leg and its performance should be no different from a non heated guard. Working with the guidance of one of the largest heat cable suppliers, we’ve created a list of the 5 key features of a heated gutter guard.
A little extra effort in researching a heated cover can save you thousands of dollars in both the cost of the product and the cost to use its features. While heated gutter guard systems can be extremely important for you, it shouldn’t break the bank when your main goal is to stop the issues of ice dams, icicles and snow build up in the first place.
A MasterShield heated guard melts ice and eliminates ice dams.
Ice Shield can be heated with a self-regulating heat cable or a constant wattage heat cable. You can heat an area as small as above an entrance way or an entire gutter run. The heat cable prevents ice and ice dams from forming in your gutters while allowing water to flow through gutters that would normally freeze solid.
Imagine the pleasure of walking into your home even on the snowiest of days and not worrying about slipping on an ice-covered stoop. Melted snow from your roof will flow freely through your gutters and downspouts. With heated covers, you’ll never have to worry about your gutters pulling away from your home..
Ice Shield Heated Gutter Guards offer:
Best of all, you’ll have all of the benefits of a traditional MasterShield gutter guard. Our multi-patented, self-cleaning micro-mesh technology has been highly reviewed independent testing by builders and home improvement experts.
You’ll still be able to keep out leaves and other debris, and you’ll still be able to collect rainwater for your spring and summer gardening. No more gutter cleaning every spring and fall. Add in the best warranty in the business, and you’ll never worry about your gutters again in any season with our heated covers.
No, they will not. Heated systems from MasterShield can be ordered with a self-regulating heat cable. A self-regulating heat cable will adjust the amount of heat it puts out based on the temperature of the surface. This means that when it is not needed, it will not be working and won’t be using any electricity.
Because we install the heated systems ourselves, this is always done in the most unobtrusive way possible.
A professionally installed and wired heated system is 100% safe when it comes from MasterShield.
Yes, and they will actually improve the performance of your gutter guards! This is because when combined with MasterShield’s new copper technology, your heated guards will work better throughout the year. Our new copper technology weaves 99.9% pure copper wire into a 316 stainless steel filter. Combined with heated systems, you will never have to worry about your gutters again!
As the days grow shorter, the question of whether you need a heated gutter system is asked more and more often by homeowners. Particularly by those who have memories of bad winters and are aware of the threat of polar air sweeping down from the Arctic again this year.
Gutter heaters are worth considering if you live where snow and ice can clog your rain gutter systems. Sadly, few people think they’ll ever need gutter heaters until it’s too late – then they have to deal with monster problems.
The first question to ask when considering a heated gutter system is, “Where do you live?”
Heated systems are a great option for homeowners who live in the snow belt of the United States where icicles and ice damming can occur. When deciding whether to purchase heated systems, you need to look at what your average winter will bring in regards to cold and snow, and not make a decision based on just last winter’s weather.
Think about how fast your snow melts. Does only an inch or two of snow fall and then melt quickly? Even in cold climates, snow may melt off your roof in just a few days time.
Next ask, “When was the last time my attic was checked for sufficient insulation?”
Does the amount of R-value up there meet current standards? Many homes built as recently as the 1980s may need more insulation.
One of the reasons that ice damming and icicles occur is lack of proper insulation in your attic. As heat is released through your roof, it causes snow to melt during the day and refreeze at night. Letting this cycle continue over just a few days can cause major problems.
You may think you can solve them with just heated gutter systems, but the insulation in your attic is just as important. It’ll also leave you with lower heating bills to boot!
Lastly, think about protecting the rain gutter from clogging with the help of a heated system. Adding a heating element makes cleaning out your gutters more complicated.
You can’t just scoop out all the debris that collects in your rain gutters. You’ll always have to manage around that wire. That’s why we prefer heated systems with a micro mesh guard like MasterShield, since you can keep your gutters from having anything but water enter them – all debris simply blows off your roof.
Which system do you chose?
The least expensive way to go is a very simple system where a heat cable is applied to your gutters and then is run down the downspouts of your home, preferably near an outlet.
Before a winter storm hits, you plug it in and the wire throws off heat thereby melting any snow that would accumulate around it. This is a low-voltage system and is meant to be used before snow accumulates on a heated system. This is best suited for those located in areas that do receive snow but where the winters are not generally too severe.
The second heated system is a higher voltage and can to a certain extent melt existing snow that has accumulated on the system if not turned on before a storm. These systems are installed and then must be hardwired by an electrician. They often come with sensors that will turn the heated system on and off daily depending on the outside temperature. Though expensive, this is a must for those that live in an area where snow falls heavy and often, or for those that want the convenience of a “set and forget” heated gutter system.
We don’t think a heated cover should cost an arm and a leg and its performance should be no different from a non heated guard. Working with the guidance of one of the largest heat cable suppliers, we’ve created a list of the 5 key features of a heated gutter guard.
A little extra effort in researching a heated cover can save you thousands of dollars in both the cost of the product and the cost to use its features. While heated gutter guard systems can be extremely important for you, it shouldn’t break the bank when your main goal is to stop the issues of ice dams, icicles and snow build up in the first place.
A MasterShield heated guard melts ice and eliminates ice dams.
Ice Shield can be heated with a self-regulating heat cable or a constant wattage heat cable. You can heat an area as small as above an entrance way or an entire gutter run. The heat cable prevents ice and ice dams from forming in your gutters while allowing water to flow through gutters that would normally freeze solid.
Imagine the pleasure of walking into your home even on the snowiest of days and not worrying about slipping on an ice-covered stoop. Melted snow from your roof will flow freely through your gutters and downspouts. With heated covers, you’ll never have to worry about your gutters pulling away from your home..
Ice Shield Heated Gutter Guards offer:
Best of all, you’ll have all of the benefits of a traditional MasterShield gutter guard. Our multi-patented, self-cleaning micro-mesh technology has been highly reviewed independent testing by builders and home improvement experts.
You’ll still be able to keep out leaves and other debris, and you’ll still be able to collect rainwater for your spring and summer gardening. No more gutter cleaning every spring and fall. Add in the best warranty in the business, and you’ll never worry about your gutters again in any season with our heated covers.
No, they will not. Heated systems from MasterShield can be ordered with a self-regulating heat cable. A self-regulating heat cable will adjust the amount of heat it puts out based on the temperature of the surface. This means that when it is not needed, it will not be working and won’t be using any electricity.
Because we install the heated systems ourselves, this is always done in the most unobtrusive way possible.
A professionally installed and wired heated system is 100% safe when it comes from MasterShield.
Yes, and they will actually improve the performance of your gutter guards! This is because when combined with MasterShield’s new copper technology, your heated guards will work better throughout the year. Our new copper technology weaves 99.9% pure copper wire into a 316 stainless steel filter. Combined with heated systems, you will never have to worry about your gutters again!
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