An UTH by itself will burn your snakes. You will definetely need a thermostat. Most people (me included) recommend a Herpstat. Your temps should be 89-92 on the hot side and 82 on the cool side. I live in Texas and my air condition is set at 76. I have my vent almost all the way closed off. My snakes are in my office so the temp stays about 81 in the room and 82-83 in the tubs (ambient temp) and 92 on the hot side. My humidity is about 45% in the room itself and about 53-60% in the tubs. In the winter, we set our heat at 70 so I will have to provide an extra heat source for my BP's in the room to keep the ambient temps closer to 82.

It's great you are preparing yourself before you get your BP. You may want to consider (if you have not already) a tub. Many people spend $50+ on a tank when they could buy a tub for $10 and good thermostat. Just make sure you get the proper size enclosure depending on how big of a BP you are aquiring. Good luck.