The problem with it being right by the heat is it will end up being much hotter in the tank (ambient temp) then it feels to your hand. What is the temp in the room the snake is in? If its 75 or more then its fine. The glass is always going to feel cold even when its 80* in the tank. Simply raising the humidity in the tank will make it a couple degrees warmer. RI is not an instant thing but its good to try to prevent it. You also have no idea how long the snake has actually been without heat if the heat pad was not working for you.