Step 1
Measure the length of the pipe you would like to heat with the tape. Add to this the distance from the pipe to the nearest wall outlet.
Step 2
Buy a length of heat tape that corresponds roughly to the combined length that you measured. Some types of heat tape run along the pipe; others wrap around it. Consult the manufacturer's guidelines to determine how much tape you will need.
Step 3
Cut the tape to the precise length. Cutting can be a delicate process. Often the tape consists of heating stripes grouped at intervals. To avoid a fire hazard, be sure not to cut through a heating stripe but rather through the space between groups.
Step 4
Seal any exposed bus bar with electrical tape. The bus bar is the conductive strip of metal running along either side of the tape.