First, the green carpet isn't working (odor) and I want to switch substrate. I've read that newspaper is not that absorbent and doesn't help with odors.

So, best choice for odor control and humidity:
Aspen, Coconut Bark, Desert Snow, Cypress

Second, the green carpet suppresses the temp. For example, the UTH temp is 108 and the surface temp of the green carpet (temp gun) is 92. The snakes can't get under the carpet so there's no concern.

If I switch to a substrate that they can burrow under the temp will be much hotter on the glass than on top of the substrate. How do you compensate? The UTH has to be hotter to get the surface temp where you want it, even with a t-stat. What's the solution?

Thanks.
JohnNJ