RedyTemp hot water optimizer is worth looking at if you need to prevent pipes from freezing. Intermittent circulation of warm water throughout a homes hot and cold water pipes prevents freezing from the inside and uses far less energy than the 7 watts per foot consumed by heat tape. Wasting energy heating empty rooms throughout a home is no longer required with a Redytemp installed. Redytemp has been successfully protecting pipes in commercial and residential properties for years. http://www.redytemp.com/heat-tape-freezing-pipes-prevent-frozen-pipes.htm