What is a Heated Windscreen?
Melts ice and fog away in seconds without a scraper
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
A heated windscreen has a network of ultra-thin electrical wires or a transparent conductive coating embedded in the glass itself. When you press the heated screen button, electricity flows through these elements and warms the glass from the inside — rapidly melting frost, ice and condensation so you can see clearly and drive safely.
"Think of it like an electric blanket woven into your windscreen. Just as an under-blanket warms your bed from beneath the sheet, the heated screen warms the glass from inside so ice disappears as if by magic."
How it works
The windscreen is manufactured with hundreds of hair-thin tungsten wires sandwiched between two layers of glass, or a transparent conductive film is applied to the inner surface. When current passes through these elements, they heat up like the wire in a toaster — but far more gently and evenly. The warmth radiates through the glass, raising its surface temperature enough to melt ice and evaporate condensation. The system typically draws a large current for a short burst, then reduces power to maintain warmth.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Heated screen button pressed but no defrosting after several minutes
- ⚠Visible broken wire lines in the glass or dark streaks
- ⚠Blowing fuses when the heated screen is activated
- ⚠Screen heating only in patches or unevenly
- ⚠Warning light on the dashboard or button not illuminating
£280 to £800 total; often more economical to fit aftermarket on older cars
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.