UTH vs. Heat Tape: Why ever use the former?

[Heeltoeclutch]

Hi guys/girls,

In the research I have been doing, I do not see any advantages to using a UTH as opposed to heat tape. I'd like to see if I'm missing something. Lots of people use them, and so surely they must have merit. Below I've outlined what I have seen regarding the two methods. I'd appreciate your input and either confirmation or disproval of below claims! Flexwatt tape and ZooMed products were used mainly for comparison.


Cost for a single (Ball Python) enclosure:

UTH
1 undertank heater: $15-20

Tape
1 foot of ~3 in or 11 in tape: $3-5
Wiring supplies needed: $6-10
Total Cost: $9-15


Reusability/Repositionability:

UTH
-Possibly difficult to remove and reapply, unless made to do so initially using stickied method in "Husbandry"

Heat Tape
-Attach with Foil Tape and remove as you jolly well please


Power Output:

UTH: 4-30 Watts

Heat Tape: 6-20 Watts/ft



Feedback System:

UTH: Use a Thermostat

Heat Tape: Use a Thermostat




The potential pros I see of UTH over tape

-Easy and simple, buy at pet store
-Depending on brand of tape, UTH connections potentially more secure than copper clips



The potential pros I see of tape over UTH

-Cheaper
-More readily reusable/repositioned
-Any size surface area readily covered
-Thinner


Floating Questions - So is heat tape really better or:

-Is it possible that UTHs are better-insulated on the bottom (non-contacting side), resulting in more energy-efficient heating of a reptile enclosure?

-Follow-up: perhaps it is worth investigating a fireproof method of insulating heat tape so that minimal heat is lost to atmosphere... has this been done?

- Could a UTH have a longer lifespan/greater resilience to abuse? Everything I've read says that UTHs should last "years" or that, when treated properly, no one has had one crap out yet, and that tape should last pretty much forever.

- I have read one account of Flexwatt overheating, burning a hole through a tub and injuring a snake; it was one of many taped tubs in the rack; a thermostat was used on one of the taped tubs in the rack controlling the entire system and the burning one was not the one statted. Apparently there can be manufacturing errors at Flexwatt where the resistance of the wire is not within the normal tolerances and this occurs. This is the only heavily negative thing I have read regarding either.

Any input is aprpeciated Thanks!