Heated fresh water hose

I had friends show me how to make my own using a good quality water hose, heat tape, tubular pipe insulation and a lot of Gorilla tape. Now I can make my own when this one fails. I also carry a Reflectix bag that I flip over the above ground pipe stands after looping a few turns of the hose heat tape around the water pipe. The heated hose setup I have has about 2 foot of pipe heat tape hanging past the end of the hose to wrap around the water supply. I thought that was too much but it seems to be the perfect amount. I also carry a flat piece of Reflectix to stuff into the inground water hookup along with a heavy duty short extension cord. I have discovered the electric often tends to be too far away to directly connect the heat tape to the electric outlet. The friends who taught me how to build a heated hose have a waterproof electric outlet in the bay where the hose hooks to the water supply. I didn't think that was necessary but have since changed my mind. I also would take their suggestion of using the more expensive neoprene as well. It is far more flexible than the other stuff. I didn't think the expense was worth it for a hose I thought would last one year. But this will be my third winter on the same hose. I use only the insulated hose. The insulation helps keep the water hose from getting hot during the summer. I think it keeps the sun from rotting the vinyl hose too. I've never had a fresh water hose last this long.