Heat lights? Useful or not?

I just wanted to know what everyone's opinion is of using a heat light. Since some people use one, some people don't, I figured there must be several different opinions.

I'm going to be getting my first ball tomorrow. (not my first reptile or snake, just never had a ball python) For all snakes I've always just used a UTH, no lights. It seems that for balls there are a lot of people that use a heat lamp but then probably equally as many that don't. Is it necessary and/or beneficial to the animal? Why or why not?

People use heat lamps because BPs require an ambient temperature of around 80 degrees, and a UTH doesn't heat the ambient air (it only warms the ground of your basking spot). For one tank or tub, it's easier to heat the air inside the tub with a heat lamp compared to heating the entire room to 80 degrees.

Heat lamps drain humidity and require a dimmer to regulate. They aren't ideal by any means. People with PVC enclosures use Radiant Heat Panels, which provide some ambient heat without sapping humidity. Breeders with racks and large-scale operations just heat their entire snake room and don't use lamps.

Hope that makes sense!

Overall, thejennabird nailed it. As long as your abient temps are correct, (75-82F) you should be fine with just a UTH providing belly heat or a "hot spot". But if it's lower than 75 that's when people get heat lamps to boost the ambient temps.

I just want to add that if you don't want to use a heat lamp, you can always use a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) bulb which just produces heat with no light and will last a lot longer than the heat lamp bulbs which have a tendency to burn out. However, like thejemmabird already mentioned, any bulb type heating devices will suck out humidity out of your tank. I personally think it's better to provide proper heat and then worry about humidity.

In regards to humidity you can always get sphagnum moss, dampen it and put it in the snake's hide so they get the humidity they need.

Yes, thejennabird, that completely makes sense. I don't know why I didn't think of that! Thank you!

Yes, I agree with you Mr. Misha that it is important to get the temps right and then figure out how to maintain the proper humidity. I will definitely be providing a moist moss hide and will be putting the water bowl on/near the UTH. I don't think I will need a light, the room should be warm enough to keep up the ambient temp without one.