Common Questions

How soon will they ship?
Most orders ship within 5 to 7 business days.

Is shipping free?
Yes. Shipping is free on every order in the US, any size and any quantity.

Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes. Order 4 or 5 mats and save 5%, or 6 or more and save 10% on every mat. All the pet mats in your cart count, so you can mix sizes.

What do I need to plug them in?
Just a standard 120V outdoor outlet, ideally GFCI protected. Every mat comes with its GFCI power unit: it is included with the narrow and standard mats (6 ft cord) and built into the large mats.

How warm do the mats get?
About 40 degrees F above the surrounding temperature, spread evenly across the whole mat. Warm and comfortable, not hot.

Which animals are they for?
Small and medium pets and small livestock, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, lambs and goat kids, can safely walk and lie on the mats. Large or heavy animals are not recommended, as their weight can damage the heating elements inside the mat.

Can I use a mat inside a dog house, kennel or pen?
No. Use the mats outside only, and never place them inside a pet house or any other enclosure.

Can I put a blanket, straw or bedding on top?
No. Never cover the mats. Anything laid on top can trap the heat and damage the heating element.

How much do they cost to run?
Very little. Watts are about amps x 120, so a 20 x 30 in mat (1.3 amps) uses about 156 watts, roughly 2 to 3 cents an hour at typical electricity rates. See the Amps tab for every size.

Can I leave them out all winter?
Yes. The mats are made to stay out and switched on all season. At the end of winter, clean them, let them dry and store them rolled up or flat in a cool, dry place.

How do I clean them?
Use a scrub brush and mild dish detergent, hose them off and let them air dry.

Can I connect several mats together?
Each mat comes with its own power unit, so it works on its own. Narrow and standard mats can also be connected together, up to 13 amps per power unit. See how to connect mats.

How many mats can go on one circuit?
No more than 13 amps on any one circuit. Add up the amps of your mats (see the Amps tab). The order summary on this page also tells you how many circuits to plan.

Can a mat be cut to size?
No. Cutting or altering a mat damages the heating element. Choose the closest size instead.

Are they safe?
Yes, when used as directed. The mats are waterproof, and every power unit has a GFCI that switches the mat off if it detects a fault. Plug into a properly grounded outlet and follow the warnings on this page.

What is the warranty?
Every mat comes with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty from the date of shipment.

Real Reviews From Real Customers

Easy to use and quick to install
Heating covers are the best. They melt the snow away and keep our customers safe. They are super easy to install. From out of the box we just unrolled the mat, plugged it into our outside outlet and it started melting the snow right away. Tom W.

Why did we not use these long ago
We have been shoveling snow for years. Finally we reached a point where it was simply too much work. We looked online and found ALCO and ordered the mats. They arrived quickly and we installed them on the walkway and the porch. Now when we see some is on the way we just plug it in and let it run. Its really nice that we don't have to worry about clearing snow from our steps and walking path any longer. Mark B.

A clear path to my hot tub
Connecting the heating mats together in a series has worked wonderfully. It is keeping the ice and the snow off of my wood deck near my hot tub. No more snow walking paths in bare feet or salt stains on the wood. Lisa R.

ALCO gave me a custom solution
I'm not very technical and even though is a plug and play type of product I was not sure what I needed. I used the custom fill out form and a ALCO rep contacted me straight away. They provided me with a custom quote for exactly what I needed and that's what I ordered and that's what I received. They are excellent at helping you decide what is needed. - Sandra G.

Reduced our liability
We have a business to run and we can't worry about shoveling snow. It only takes a little bit of snow to have a slip and fall accident. We searched out a solution and ALCO seemed to have what we needed. Since we have installed them they are keeping the snow and ice away from our entrance. This reduces our liability and saves on labor costs.  Jackie M.

Livestock and Pet Heating Mats
All sizes run on a standard 120V outlet. The amp draw per mat is +/- 10%, and watts are approximate (amps x 120).

How many mats per circuit? Keep each circuit at 13 amps or less. Add up the amps of the mats you plug into outlets on the same circuit. For example, three 30" x 60" mats (3.5 amps each) add up to 10.5 amps, so they can share one circuit. A fourth would take it to 14.0 amps, so plug it into an outlet on another circuit. The order summary on this page works this out for you.

Narrow and standard mats can also be connected together, up to 13 amps per power unit. See how to connect mats.

Warranty

It's very unlikely that you will have any issues, but if you do, rest assured the heating mats come with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty from the date of shipment. We reserve the right to repair or replace any potentially defective product. The warranty does not cover damage caused by improper use, installation or abuse.

Returns

ALCO has a 30-day return policy for heating mats from the date of shipping. The mats must be in the same new condition as when you received them. If they are not in new condition, a 25% restocking fee along with return shipping fees will be deducted from the refunded amount.