if you get the right size RHP you won't need UTH.
and buy a quality thermostat and you shouldn't have issues with it dying, sure theres always going to be some, but try a helix or spyder robotics (aka herpstat), shouldn't have any issues. I have 3x DBS-1000 (helix), a herpstat and a herpstat II. they are all working fine, never had an issue with them dying. personally I like the helixs better.