Heat tapes can be costly
In a previous issue of EnergyWise, an article about ice dams discussed how they form. Generally, the culprit is warm air from the house leaking into a cold attic through recessed lights and exhaust fan openings.
Some homeowners choose to deal with ice dams by using heat tapes. These plug-in heated cables can be placed in a "Z" pattern on the roof edges and gutters to melt the ice and keep the water flowing freely. They also are often used to keep pipes from freezing.
Heat tapes won't solve the ice dam problem but are more of a band aid solution. Keep in mind that these are electric and can be costly to operate depending on the length of the tape and the length of time they are in operation. If you operated a 100-foot tape for 24/7 for a month, the cost would probably be about $45 to $50. The cost over a winter can really add up.
You also need to remember to unplug them when there is no heavy snow or ice and in the spring when the ice dam problem is over.
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