heat tape

I grew up in cold country and all of our heat tapes had t-stats on them. They cost a bit more but my father, more likely mom was worried that we would forget about them in the non cold months.

Yes when the tapes are in direct contact with the pipes the water will get quite warm. Once you start using the water the pipes will cool down quickly.

Did you wrap the heat tape around the pipes. That is a no no in most areas. Fifteen feet of heat tape is usually for 15 feet of pipe. Even with that much insulation it shouldn't heat the water that much.

I was suprised by how much electricity a pipe heater uses. They are about 500 watts. That is about $22 per month if the temp is below the thermostat setting.

Good catch!

later,

tom @

We get minus 30 here and I have 3 ft of semi exposed water pipe. I removed the heat tape 5 years ago to reinstall it correctly and never put it back. It's costs me nothing to crack open the laundry room sink tap. No water shortage here so I feel this is my best solution. Heat tapes not connected to a GFI have a nasty habit of lighting on fire as well.