The only problem I have with CHEs (ceramic heat emitters) is that they tend to suck the humidity out of the air. And if it is cold in your house in the winter, the humidity is probably low already.

You could get another UTH and hook it up to a dimmer and then into a thermostat that controls the hotside. The best thermostat I can suggest for maintaining one tank is the reptitemp 500r. It gets the job done and is only about $25.

Another option is a small space heater for the room where the snake is.

A reptitemp (and probably most cheaper thermostats) can only support two identical heating devices (example: 2 of the same sized UTHs). If you plan on getting more ball pythons then a Ranco or Johnsons controls might be worth your while.

Lizards have different temp requirements so you can't really use the same thermostat unless you get a super expensive one that can maintain two separate temperatures (has two temp probes).

Hope this helps!

also... !!