i know it can be done if u know anything about electrical hook up. i also have been wondering the same. i dont have the money to fork out what they want for a thermostat ether. i asked the same question on here a month ago and seems as though most people dont wanta be bothered with figuring it out, and for the price at around 40$, i dont see why its not a good idea. i also dont see why a home tstat will be less reliagle than a reptile tstat. its the same princaple.