On Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 10:48:40 AM UTC-4, HerHusband wrote:
It takes at least 1200 BTU to melt ice to 1 gallon of water.

Does snow melt quicker than a block of ice?

I would tend to think so since it's mostly air space. Just like a bag of
crushed ice melts faster than a solid block of ice. Increased surface area.

Also, since it takes roughly 10 inches of snow to equal 1 inch of water
(melted down), it seems like the run off would be minimal. Certainly no
more than a typical rain shower.


That't the important issue, that 1 gallon of water will make a lot
of snow. Also, somehow Mark segued into using costs for electric.
OP has a boiler, IDK if it's gas or oil, but either would be
significantly less to operate.