Don't know which Company this was, but Lufttransport's "Before taxi Checklist", item #8-a states that the windshield heat be Checked - not turned on...
The "Before take-off" check states:
ICE PROTECTION - SET
It does not mention anything about the W/S heat.
The "Climb checklist", on the other hand, requires that you check the windshield heat to be "Normal" or "High".