CRJ Windshield Heat Fx
 

Just curious, and not at all a complaint, but does a windshield heat fx on a CRJ require an air return?

Was on an OO flight that air returned due to the FO windshield heat fx shortly after TO.

Better to lose three hours to change the heat control module than to lose 28 hours to replace a cracked windshield?

CRJ Windshield Heat Fx
 

Also depends if the flight was going into icing conditions, availability for parts, MX, etc.

Not sure about air return, but I do know that the QRH says that you have to exit icing conditions.
We had a Left Window Heat fail a few weeks back, QRH didn't fix it, but we continued on because it was CAVU all the way to destination.
Interestingly enough, the left window(not windshield) is the only piece of plexi on the flight deck who's heat cannot be MEL'd. All of the other can be MEL'd inop.
I suppose one would have to take into consideration the WX conditions when deciding to do an air return.

If you were on the DEN to CPR flight yesterday, then yes, it returned to DEN due to icing conditions enroute and at the destination.