An SF340 First Officer reported a right engine intake heat malfunction at 10000 feet. Crew elects to return to departure airport and does so uneventfully.

Narrative

About thirty min after takeoff we experienced a failure of the right engine intake heat. We were approximately 10;000 feet and climbing with the Captain as pilot flying. He transferred the controls to me and ran the emergency/non-normal checklist while the right intake continued to cycle on and off. After completing the checklist; the Captain coordinated with dispatch while I assumed the duties of PF and also communication with ATC. We were in icing conditions and picking up ice but I could visibly see that there was no ice formation on the right engine intake. The Captain informed me that we were returning so I said to ATC we are NOT declaring an emergency; but we need to return. I was given a clearance direct to the field and turned that way. We asked for a lower altitude and were given 6000 feet which was still IMC but we were no longer picking up any ice. The Captain said that I would continue to fly while he monitored the situation and continued to coordinate with operations. We landed uneventfully and completed the flight with another aircraft. A mechanical failure caused the air return which was the safest course of action.