We recommend that a controller or thermostat be used with a heating system. Most homes have a switch built-in on their heat cable system so they can manually turn it on and off. This may consist of a lighted switch or a standard toggle switch that looks like everything else in your home. Time after time we hear of homeowners stressing to turn their heat cable on before a storm comes or to not forget to turn it off when it’s not running anymore. This is the problem with using manual systems. We’ve even seen homeowners with cable left on through the heat of the Summer. This can cost a lot of money. A controller can alleviate most of these manual system problems.