A deicing system for an aircraft may supply heat to an aircraft component in pulses. A first series of pulses may melt ice built up on the aircraft component. A second series of pulses may prevent ice from forming on the aircraft component. The length of each of the pulses in the first series of pulses may be longer than the length of each of the pulses in the second series of pulses. The pulses may be supplied by a pneumatic deicing system or an electrical deicing system.