Intelligent Heat Tape for Water Pipe Freeze Protection - with GlowCap™, Built-in Thermostat, Tape Included, 10-yr Warranty, Heavy-Duty, Self-Regulating, 120V (40 Ft)

I did a lot of researching of heat tracer cables and of the products from different companies that produce these, prior to buying from Radiant Solutions. One factor that influenced my decision is that I was able to call and talk to someone from the company to answer some technical questions I had prior to buying. This made a huge difference. This gave me more trust in the product. Heat tracer cable is not an easy product to quickly test and describe its efficacy -- because you have to wait for super-cold outdoor conditions and see if it works after an entire winter has gone buy -- so I can't attest to how well it will work in my particular application until next spring. But... I DID lay it all out, and plug it in leaving for an hour at 40 degree temperature (Fahrenheit) ambient conditions and I could feel the level of warmth generated by the cable. I wanted to make sure I could feel warmth, but also that it didn't get too hot either (this can be a concern because if small stretches of the cable are exposed to air [instead of being firmly affixed to piping], a concern is over-heating and damage to the cable or insulation.) Intuitively, the temp of the cable felt right (neither to hot nor not warm enough). So I then installed it to 24 feet of PVC exposed drain pipe running underneath a cabin -- in the crawl space on the way to the septic system -- and the cabin is NY where winter can bring bitter cold temps for many weeks of the winter. Of course, there are mild stretches of weather too, and so that's when you count on the self-regulating current to do its job properly. The cable also strikes me as very durably constructed and well-made. It is a bit thicker than most competitors' cables. Radiant Solutions is a U.S. company in MN and this review is completely independent (i.e., I don't work with them... just a one-time customer, so far).

I like this product and the installation instructions except for the general lack of operation instructions of the thermostat. Paragraph 1.7.4 says plug in cable and it should warm up to touch. This won't work unless you hold an ice cube against the thermostat for a few minutes. Also paragraph 2.1 last sentence says after installation and turning the breaker ON the pipe should feel warm but again won't work without cooling the thermostat below 37 F. Para 1.4.16 says don't expose thermostat or cold lead to moisture so how do you propose doing that check. You need a paragraph showing the thermostat and more about how it operates and how to check it out so people know how to treat it. While you are at it why don't you make the cold lead longer, say 10 ft., for applications where the heater plug doesn't end up right by an outlet and keep the thermostat near the plug so it could be checked out if one suspects that it may not be working This would help people like me avoid using an extension cord or hiring an electrician to crawl under my house and adding an extra outlet at considerable expense. Like the product but you need to inform the installer with better thermostat instructions. A small sticker on box saying that this cable won't work if not below 37 degree isn't enough. Customer service was needed to clear this up and I appreciated that, especially from someone that was courteous and speaks ENGLISH!

I bought this product to keep my gutter drainpipe flowing during the cold snowy months. I had one significant snowfall where it covered my gutter but I could see that the heating cable was doing the job because although the gutters was filled with snow the drain opening was free of snow. it will be interesting to see how it works as the Winter progresses.

Every test I tried worked for me including using an ice cube to activate the thermostat when I was finished attaching it to the split drain pipe. I was pleased that I actually talked to the president of this company when I called to ask if their product would work in a sewer drain for me and how versatile it was. We live in Western Kansas and the drain pictured actually is dug into soft sandstone. When it gets down to 15º it will start freezing and fully plug this drain. After visiting with Steve (president of the company), I McGyvered (sp?) this setup to slide into the existing drain. Although I first thought I would have liked a longer cord, the 2' cord was long enough to go through the wall of the "wind guard" which sort of helps with the cold wind. It actually has a cover that encloses the front which was removed to install the heat tape apparatus and to take the installed photo. Cold weather is coming in this week. I will update afterwards.

I bought the heat tape as a 3 tier solution to help keep water lines in my RV from freezing. Plan was to lay heat tape around critical water line areas, bag up Rockwool insulation in plastic bags & pack around under insulated areas and then encase in Reflections to maximize insulation. Major concern was if the tape might melt the plastic bags.. I tested the heat tape with an infrared temperature tester.. I discovered it does not get any hotter than about 100° so it will not melt the plastic bags so this heat tape should work just fine in the RV. Nice heavy duty product that works very well!!

The cable is of excelent quality, but the thermostat is crap.I tested one this summer using an ice-pack, and the thermostat worked: only heating when below 5 celciusSo Installed the wire.Now, with snow everywhere, I still get ice dams, so I investigated to find out that it dosn't click anymore (doesn't heat).It's too late to get a refund and replace it with a new one... now that my pipes are all clogged with ice.So I had to open the thermostat and pop the cap to force a connection.Bottom line:Now that I know how it's made, if yours stop working, before openning it, I recommend you hit the top of the thermostat with a spatule, to help it toggle and click where it should.

Installed under an elevated cottage with exposed PEX plumbing to survive the winter. Installation was straightforward - planning ahead of time is key - i ended up with 20ft of extra cable that i wrapped around a drain. I used standard cheap foam pipe insulation (in 6' sections) from my local homedepot, with weatherproof tape. Plugged into a new outlet installed under the cottage, with a small skirt wrapped around the cottage (mostly a vapour barrier). Outdoor temperatures reached -20C, under cottage temperatures reached -2C, no issues with the plumbing.The fact that this line can be submerged and wrapped over itself shows the quality - it's great and inexpensive. Would buy it again.The 16' of tape that comes with the kit isn't enough.

This is a really high quality heat cable, well packed, full instructions and data sheet and just a breeze to connect up. It has been executed by the parties in a drainage pipe in front of my garage for about a month now and we have had sub zero conditions and rain. No ice in the pipe. It feels substantial and is well made. I have nothing but good things to say- well worth paying more for something that will do the job

wont know how it works till it gets cold enough to come on

I had high hopes but unfortunately after 2 months this heat line failed and resulted in a burst pipe under my cottage.Do NOT waste your money.