Good Inexpensive Thermostat?

Just out of curiosity, how do dimmer switches work on their own? Any good or not worth it? For clarification, the reason I can't just move the main enclosure to a different room is because it's an enclosure with a divider and there's currently a snake occupying half of it.

I'm liking the idea of using a lamp dimmer between the t-stat and the heat source. It seems like a good idea, in theory.

I appreciate the feedback! :)

Helix, Herpstat, and Vivarium Electonics are all well respected thermostats, and often you can get one for $100 sometimes less

Dimmers are better than nothing, They work ok but if the room you keep your reptiles in fluctuates a lot, then your temps in the cages will too as it wont auto adjust like a thermostat. Although I guess some people like the slight fluctuations as it mimics nature. For me personally, dimmers work ok as my reptile room stays pretty constant so their cages only fluctuate about 2 degrees from day to night and back.