Ice melting bars in new house steps - good idea?

[JoeM]

Thanks for the input, everyone. It will add around $1600. to the job mostly for a licensed electrician but if it works well and doesn't break down (which the contractor claims isn't a problem with them. He says there's nothing to break) it seems to be worth it so we and our mailman don't fall, which has happened to both myself and my wife. I'm having a portico built over the landing to alleviate the ice as well as redoing the roof so I'm hoping this will be the last year of ice dams leaking freezing water over the stoop.

Any other insight or suggestions greatly appreciated!