How a Snow Melt Mat Helped One Homeowner Eliminate Ice Buildup on His Porch

For Bert Tomon of Parma Heights, Ohio, the problem wasn't a long driveway or a steep slope — it was a small porch that turned into an ice rink every winter. Snow would fall, melt slightly from roof heat, then refreeze on the porch surface as a thin, invisible sheet of ice. Combined with gutter runoff, the porch became genuinely dangerous. Salt helped temporarily but damaged the surface and required constant reapplication. Bert's solution: a WarmlyYours 2' × 10' 120V snow melt mat — a $200 fix that eliminated the problem permanently. For a full breakdown of system costs, see our heated driveway cost guide.

The Installation

The mat was installed directly beneath the porch surface during a resurfacing project — a straightforward process that Bert's contractor completed in a single day. The mat connects to a standard 120V circuit and is controlled by a manual timer, which Bert sets to run during the peak winter months of January and February.

No sensor, no automation — just a simple timer that keeps the porch surface warm enough to prevent ice formation during the coldest part of the year.

Operating Cost

The 2' × 10' mat covers 20 square feet at 50W per sq ft — a total of 1,000 watts. At Ohio's average electricity rate, that's approximately $0.16/hr/hr to run. Bert typically runs the mat for about 80 hours over the course of a full winter season — a total seasonal cost of around $38.35/month equivalent, or less than $13 for the entire winter.

Small System, Big Impact

Bert's story is a good reminder that snow melting doesn't have to be a large, expensive project. A single mat covering a porch, stoop, or small walkway can eliminate a genuine safety hazard for a very modest investment. For a full breakdown of how operating costs compare across regions, see our monthly cost guide. Use our Instant Quote tool to get a fast estimate for your project, or call 800-875-5285 anytime.