Water does not get too hot to drink. Water evaporates much quicker than people think. I have a seven inch water bowl 2 inches deep not even on the heat pad and am maintaining 55%. My uth extends beyond the warm side hide and helps heat the tank to recommended ambient, and gives me room for that extra water bowl if I choose to raise humidity. Tonight, when I was working with tank, in taking the towel off, the humidity in tank on hygrometer dropped to 35 % within seconds. After putting the towel back on it was at 55% within 2 hours. It works.......try it. Happy New Year from Kentucky!