Equipment identity
- Heater type and wattage recorded
- Thermostat control mode is compatible with the heater
- UVB lamp, fitting and reflector are identified
- Manufacturer instructions and replacement date are retained
Physical installation
- Animal cannot contact unsafe hot surfaces or electrical parts
- Fittings are mechanically secure
- Cables are protected and not pinched by doors or décor
- Heat and UV distances account for the highest accessible animal position
Control and monitoring
- Thermostat probe is fixed where displacement is unlikely
- Independent digital thermometer checks the controlled zone
- Cool retreat and relevant humidity zones are also measured
- Temperature gun is used only for surface readings
Empty-enclosure test
- Enclosure has run through representative day and night cycles
- Warm and cool readings are logged, not guessed
- Door opening, misting and room temperature effects are understood
- A safe response to sensor or heater failure is planned
After any change
- Substrate depth and décor have not altered safe distances
- Probe and guards remain secure
- Timers and thermostat set-points are rechecked
- Animal behaviour and conditions are observed more closely
Save a dated copy with the enclosure records.
Common questions
Is a thermostat enough without a thermometer?
No. The thermostat controls equipment; independent measurement helps verify what the enclosure is actually doing.
Can a temperature gun replace probes?
No. It reads surfaces at a moment in time and does not continuously measure air or control equipment.
Do I need to retest after moving one decoration?
Retest whenever the change affects access, distance to heat or UVB, airflow, probe position or the thermal behaviour of a surface.