How do heated gutters work?

Hi Mark,

I've had them in the past and for us, they worked if we turned them on as soon as the snow started falling. However, if the snow was built up, they would just create an air pocket which didn't help at all. Ours were an older style so they may be better now, but I'll look to see if that is still true with the newer ones. Wishing you the bestl.

Hi Mark,

It seems to be a world of controversy on this subject, it looks on based in where you live and how you expect them to function.

https://www.leaffilter.com/blog/home-exteriors/roofing-gutters/issue-gutter-heaters/

How cold does it get in the winter where you live?

Yep, I know about the lake effect. I got caught in a storm once on I-90.

With winter temps this low, I would say that the heated gutters wouldn't work consistently enough to count on them alone to keep clear for the season. I don't know about specific brands enough to compare, but I would question whether the components would be robust enough not to freeze and crack in the cold.

As Linda mentioned, the weight and volume of snow build up alone would be one reason why they would fail to work.