Review on 🐢 Adjustable Temperature Reptile Heating Pad, 110V Non-Adhesive Heat Mat for Tortoise Snakes Lizard Gecko Hermit Crab Turtle Amphibians - 7W Removable Under Tank Heat Pad by PeSandy by Travis Varner

I measured power consumption with a sophisticated tester (HIOKI PW3390 Power Analyzer); Consumption equal to the heat (watts) radiated by the heating element and varying from about one watt to fifty-one watts; the dial has a fairly smooth setting; So in a constant temperature environment, you can set it and forget it. If the environment changes a lot, you may need a thermostat. However, I have no plans to add a thermostat; and with 51 watts it is very warm and yet I can hold my hand on it "forever", it doesn't burn me; it is evenly warm; So it reminds me of a heating pad that can be used for back or shoulder strain. I plan to use it to extend the breeding season for queens (western honey bees). In this case, it is stored in a watertight environment. I really like this device, and it's electronically controlled: the variable adjustment isn't a simple rheostat, it's an SCR (or TRIAC) phase controlled circuit, so it's a solid state device; this may indeed be the best result, but can be an Achilles' heel in a lightning-prone region; So I would consider a "cube" type surge protector that incorporates a MOV (metal oxide varistor) to protect the solid state part of this heater. the element is very comfortable and has a resistance that perfectly distributes the heat; so it's a very thoughtful design;