FAQ

Heat-Line products are available through some large plumbing distributors and tradespeople. You are also welcome to order from Heat-Line direct. For a list of distributors and tradespeople in your area please contact Heat-Line directly.

Heat-Line accepts Visa, MasterCard and cheque. All orders must be paid for prior to shipping or pick up.

Heat-Line stocks many common length products and has efficient manufacturing processes. Most orders can ship within 3 days however time of year, product requested and quantities can change lead times. Its always best to call and ask for current lead times.

Heat-Line sources out the best shipping rates with Purolator, FedEx and LTL truck companies. All shipping is at the cost of the purchaser as Heat-Line’s customer base varies across North America. A shipping quote can be provided prior to or at time of order.

Heat-Line is strictly a manufacturer of freeze protection products; we do not have installers on staff. We encourage installations be performed by qualified personnel such as local plumber, electrician or contractor.

Heat-Line products are self-regulating heating cable systems which deliver as much power as required at any time to maintain the water from freezing. Depending on the product selected and application variables, Heat-Line products can use as little as 0.5 watt per foot or as much as 9 watts per foot in severe temperatures.

Heating cable systems manufactured by Heat-Line are available directly through Heat-Line and or any of our Heat-Line product distributors. For a list of Heat-Line product distributors in Canada and the United States please contact Heat-Line directly on our toll free number at (800) 584-4944.

A common misconception is that a 240V electrical appliance consumes less energy than a 120V electrical appliance. Power consumption is measured in watts, not voltage. Whether you are consuming 500W at 120V or 500W at 240V you are still consuming 500W of energy.

Heat-Line provides proper and easy to follow installation instructions with all of our products, and offers market leading technical support. As a result, most Heat-Line systems can be installed by homeowners; however, Heat-Line commonly recommends that a qualified tradesperson complete the installation process.

All Heat-Line brand systems employ Heat-Line’s advanced self-regulating heating cable technology which operates to deliver energy and heat output to areas of the pipe that are cold and reduces energy and heat output to areas which are warm. While the overall amount of energy consumed depends on multiple factors you can be assured that you are installing the most energy efficient heating cable system available. If you would like to reduce your energy consumption further you can investigate the addition of a thermostat, timer, and or other control device.

Heat-Line brand heating cable systems are safe for use with all metallic and non-metallic pipes. The advance self-regulating technology employed in Heat-Line products renders them safe for use with plastic pipes even when dry as it can never overheat and damage the pipe.

A thermostat is not included with Heat-Line products as they are not required for proper and safe operation; however, a thermostat can be purchased as an additional accessory. Depending on system applications, or where automatic operation is preferred, a thermostat can be used to switch the system on and off to help conserve power or to duty cycle the system. When combined with insulation thermostats can substantially increase energy efficiency.

Insulation is highly recommended when using Heat-Line systems, especially if the installation is above ground in ambient outdoor air. Insulation helps reduce the overall heat loss and therefore reduce the amount of energy the heating cable must consume. If the pipe is already buried, there is no need to dig up and expose the pipe to apply insulation.

Heat-Line recommends to use insulation that is best suited to the environment in which it is going to be installed. A common type of insulation employed with most Heat-Line heating cable systems is closed cell polyethylene insulation sleeves.

No. Self-regulating heating cable systems increase heat output with cold but more importantly, decrease heat output with warmth. As a result, Heat-Line brand products are very energy efficient to operate, but do not completely shut off as they can only idle their output to a minimum amount. To completely shut off the system it must be unplugged or installed with a thermostat. Heat-Line brand systems should be unplugged or shut off when not required (summer months) and tested each year before use.

All Heat-Line GFC model products including are designed to turn back on as soon as the power to the unit is supplied. Once re-energized the heating cable system has the ability to increase its output to immediately begin to defrost any section of the pipe that has or was close to freezing during the power outage. In many instances defrosting the pipe can take as little as an hour or less.

The indication light located on the GFCI device included with all GFC model Heat-Line systems verifies that power is provided to the GFCI device and that the GFCI is allowing power to pass through to the heating cable device.