you only use them when there is lots of snow.

[Handyman]

As long as you have a switch.
Yes they work but they don’t tend to last as long as the roof.

So yest they use energy. And depending on the size of your roof and how many strips it could be significant.
However you only use them occasionally. this year not being normal you may have used them more.

so not a large rise in energy cost.

I have seen people throw “ice melt” chemicals up there

Greg
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