1. Overview
This case comes from a homeowner in central Maryland, where winter temperatures can fluctuate but still pose a serious freezing risk in unheated spaces.
To protect a long water supply line running through an unfinished area, the customer installed a YeloDeer Self-Regulating In-Pipe Heating Cable (130 ft) and paired it with a Temperature Controller to manage when the system operates.
2. Customer Background
Customer Type: Homeowner
Location: Rural area near Adamstown, Maryland
Typical Winter Temperatures: -5°C to -15°C (23°F to 5°F), with occasional colder nights
Existing Issues:
The home’s water supply pipe runs through an unfinished basement and partially along an exterior wall. During cold snaps, this long pipe section was exposed to cold air, leading to recurring freeze-ups.
3. The Problem
Each winter, the homeowner faced frozen water pipes during extended cold periods. The issue was most severe along the longer pipe run in the unfinished space, where insulation alone could not maintain safe temperatures.
When freezing occurred, water service was interrupted, and there was growing concern about potential pipe damage and emergency repair costs.
4. The Solution
The customer selected a YeloDeer Self-Regulating In-Pipe Heating Cable (130 ft) along with a separate YeloDeer Pipe Heat Tape Thermostat to control operation.
Product details:
Product name: YeloDeer Self-Regulating In-Pipe Heating Cable
Length: 130 ft
Heating type: Self-regulating (automatically adjusts heat output based on pipe temperature)
Safety feature: Built-in GFCI on the power cord of the heating cable
Control method: External thermostat
Installation type: In-pipe (direct installation inside the water pipe)
The self-regulating design ensures the cable produces more heat in colder areas and less heat where temperatures are higher, making it well suited for long pipe runs.
5. Installation Highlights
1. Installation took about 30 minutes
2. The heating cable was inserted directly into the water pipe using a recommended pipe adapter
3. The thermostat was programmed shortly after installation
4. The cable was powered using a standard (non-GFCI) outlet
5. Existing pipe insulation was left in place for additional protection
6. Fully DIY installation, completed with guidance from YeloDeer customer support
Important installation note for other customers:
This in-pipe heating cable includes a built-in GFCI in the power cord. For proper operation, it must not be connected to a GFCI-protected outlet.
Using two GFCI devices in series may cause nuisance tripping or prevent the heating cable from operating correctly.
6. Results
The system began working almost immediately.
1. The heating cable started producing heat within minutes of programming
2. Pipe temperature stabilized quickly across the entire 130 ft run
3. No freezing issues reported after installation
4. The self-regulating feature helped avoid overheating and unnecessary power use
5. The homeowner eliminated the need for emergency thawing services and reduced winter maintenance concerns
The combination of a long self-regulating in-pipe cable and thermostat proved especially effective for protecting water pipes in unfinished spaces.
7. Customer Feedback (Quote)
December 16, 2025
“I had an extremely positive experience with this product. Installation took about 30 minutes and it was producing heat and regulating the pipe temperature within minutes of programming. Manufacturer provided excellent customer service and recommendation of pipe adapter and thermostat for the heater. I would recommend to others needing to prevent pipes freezing in an unfinished space.”
