Thanks for the input.
I fly a Caravan in the north so I know about not having excess power... So, basically it's an economical choice in the design phase and I guess you could have heated wings if you throw 1000hp on the nose and use the 325 excess for anti-ice. Not exactly what management would like I suppose.
The thing that bothers me is that we're expected to use good judgement and fly in most icing conditions without killing ourselves, yet, there is no interest in providing decent protection. The boots generally work but don't provide any extra margin. As for TKS, the system may work when there's fluid but once you run out your in barney.
I read something about Boeing installing electric heating on the slats instead of pumping warm air on the 787. Supposedly this would cut energy consumption for anti/de-ice by 40-50%.
Would that be a better option?