E-Z Heat Inc.

E-Z Heat Inc., at 779 Lakeview Drive in Chetek, Wisconsin, calls itself the originator of the flexible heating-pad engine preheater; owner Todd Kirkman built the first one for his own Piper Cherokee 180 and founded the company in 1984. It reports more than 60,000 units installed worldwide, a three-year warranty, CSA and UL listing, and products proudly made in the USA.

The pads bond to the oil sump (and on some engines to oil tanks and coolers) and are organized by engine family — Continental, Lycoming, Rotax 912/914 and others including Franklin, Jabiru, Yak and RV — with model numbers such as 270, 360, 440, 470, 540, 154, 156, 912 and 9.U, 220-volt versions of several, and list prices from $119 to $219.95; most models hold oil between 120 and 165 °F on a thermostat. All units are FAA-accepted with no STC or Form 337, just a logbook entry. Sales are direct online or by phone; there is no turbine, cylinder, cabin or app-controlled product.