Most ventilation needs to be between the mat and the tank. You shouldn't have to worry about your entertainment center. It does need to be on a thermostat. You could also get a dimmer to draw that ceramic light down just a little. Some gave me instructions on a homemade one in a thread. You could try and do a search. I am confused thought, do you have a UTH? They really need belly heat to disperse heat throughout their body. I would definitely invest in one.