December 2023

The cheapest 21 ways to heat a room In December 2023

In this article, we look at 21 different ways that you can cheaply keep a room warm.  This is through how you heat the room and also how you heat yourself. 

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Keeping a room warm

Below you will find a list of ways that you can keep a room warm.

1 – Gas central heating

This is the most popular form of heating system in the UK, and for good reason. It’s relatively cheap to run and can be very effective in heating your home. Gas central heating works by using a boiler to heat water, which is then circulated around the house through a system of pipes and radiators. 

The pros and cons are:

Pros

Gas is usually cheaper than electricity, so your bills should be lower. It’s also easy to control, so you can have your home as warm or as cool as you like it. 

Cons

If you don’t have mains gas in your area, you’ll need to install a gas tank, which can be expensive. Gas central heating also needs to be serviced regularly to keep it running efficiently, and you’ll need to have your boiler checked every year.

2 – Oil-filled heaters

These are electric heaters that have a reservoir of oil that is heated by an element. The heat is then distributed around the room by convection. An oil-filled heater is very efficient and can be a cheaper option to run than other electric heaters. Note that these are different o an oil filled radiator.

The pros and cons are: 

Pros

Oil-filled heaters are very efficient and will save you money on your bills. They are also very safe to use, as there is no open flame.

Cons 

Oil-filled heaters can be expensive to buy, and they take a while to heat up the room. 

3 – Electric heaters

There are a variety of different types of electric heaters, including convection heaters, fan heaters and infrared heaters. An electric heater is relatively cheap to buy and easy to use, but they can be expensive to run. 

A fan heater is another option. These are small, portable heaters that use electricity to generate heat. They can be used to heat a small area, and some models come with a built-in fan to help circulate the air. They are very cheap and can be used to heat a small area. 

The disadvantage of fan heaters is that they are not very environmentally friendly, as they use a lot of electricity. They can also be noisy.

The pros and cons of electric heating are: 

Pros

Electric heaters are very convenient as they can be plugged in and turned on quickly. They are also safe to use as there is no open flame.

Cons

Electric heaters can be expensive to run, as they use a lot of electricity. They are also not very efficient at heating a room, as most of the heat is lost through the walls. 

Thus, the cheapest ways to heat a room are through gas central heating, oil-filled heaters, and electric heaters. Each type has its pros and cons, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs.

It’s also worth considering storage heaters. These are electric heaters that store heat during the day (when electricity is cheaper) and release it at night. They can be used to heat a whole room or just a small area. 

Pros

Storage heaters are very cheap and can be used to heat a whole room, or just a small area. 

Cons

The disadvantage is that they are not very environmentally friendly, as they use a lot of electricity.

Watch the video below that compares some of the options that are available to you.

4 – Halogen heaters

Halogen heaters work by using a filament and a halogen gas. The halogen gas allows the filament to get hotter than it would in a regular incandescent light bulb. 

Pros

They are very cheap to buy and run. They are also quite small and portable.

Cons

They can be a fire hazard if they are not used properly. 

5 – Convection Heaters

A convection heater works by circulating warm air around the room. They can help warm a room evenly and can be used to target specific areas.

Pros

Convection heaters are very efficient and can help save on heating costs.

Cons

They can be expensive to buy and they can take up a lot of space. 

6 – Change your energy supplier or tariff

If you’re on a standard variable tariff, you’re probably paying too much for your gas and electricity. Check your energy bill to see what tariffs you are on.

The best way to reduce your energy bills is to switch to a cheaper tariff. There are a few things to consider when choosing a new energy supplier or tariff, such as:

  • The price of the gas and electricity
  • The amount of energy you use
  • The type of tariff you want (fixed or variable)
  • The length of the contract

Once you’ve compared tariffs and found the best deal for you, switching is quick and easy. You can do it online or over the phone, and there’s no need to change your gas or electricity meter.

However, due to the energy price cap in place for most people there will be no benefit to changing suppliers. 

7 – Buy a smart thermostat to cost-effectively control the heat in your home

A smart thermostat is a device that you can use to control the temperature in your home. It’s typically controlled via a smartphone app, and it can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times of the day. 

Many smart thermostats also have built-in sensors that can detect when someone is home, so they can automatically adjust the temperature accordingly. Also, if you use underfloor heating then these can be effective in managing the costs as you can control the temperature.

Pros

The main advantage of using a smart thermostat is that it’s very energy-efficient. By programming it to turn on and off at specific times, you can save a lot of money on your heating bill. 

Cons

The disadvantage is that it’s relatively expensive, so you’ll need to weigh up whether the cost savings are worth the initial investment.

8 – Insulate your attic and walls

One of the best ways to keep your home warm is to make sure it’s well-insulated. This means sealing up any gaps or cracks where heat can escape, and adding insulation to your attic and walls. There are a variety of different insulation materials available, so you’ll need to choose the one that’s best suited to your home.

Pros

The main advantage of insulating your home is that it’s a very effective way to keep heat in. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to do, so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget. 

Cons

The disadvantage is that it can be time-consuming, and it might not be possible to do it yourself if you’re not handy around the house.

"One of the best ways to keep your home warm is to make sure it's well-insulated. This means sealing up any gaps or cracks where heat can escape, and adding insulation to your attic and walls."

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9 – Reflect the heat

Another way to reduce your energy bills is to reflect the heat back into the room. You can do this by: 

 

  • Using a radiator reflector – This is a sheet of material that reflects heat back into the room.
  • Painting your radiators You can paint your radiators with a special reflective paint, which will help to reflect the heat back into the room.
  • Covering bare floors – If you have hardwood or tile floors, consider covering them with a rug. This will help to keep the heat in and the cold out.
  • Use curtains or smart blinds – Closing your curtains or blinds at night will help to keep the heat in.

10 – Fit thermal curtains

Thermal curtains are a great way to keep a room warm, as they help to insulate the room and keep the heat in. They are made from a thick, heavy fabric that doesn’t allow heat to escape. 

You can also make your own thermal curtains by sewing a lining into a pair of regular curtains. This is a great way to save money and still get the benefits of thermal curtains.

Pros

Thermal curtains are very effective at keeping the heat in, and they’re relatively cheap to buy. 

Cons

The main disadvantage is that they can be heavy and difficult to hang.

11 – Insulate your attic

If you have an attic, it’s important to make sure it is properly insulated. This will help to keep the heat in and the cold out. You can do this by: 

  • Adding insulation to the floor -This will help to keep the heat from escaping through the floorboards.
  • Adding insulation to the walls -This will help to keep the heat from escaping through the walls.
  • Adding insulation to the ceiling – This will help to keep the heat from escaping through the ceiling.

Pros

Insulating your attic is a very effective way to keep the heat in and the cold out. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to do, so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

Cons

The disadvantage is that it can be time-consuming, and it might not be possible to do it yourself if you’re not handy around the house.

12 – Carpet the floor

If you have hardwood or tile floors, consider carpeting the floor. The carpet is a great insulator and will help to keep the heat in and the cold out. 

You can also add a rug to your hardwood or tile floors. This will help to keep the heat in and the cold out. 

Pros

Carpeting the floor is a great way to keep the heat in and the cold out. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to do, so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

Cons

The disadvantage is that carpet can be difficult to clean, and it might not be the best option if you have allergies.

13 – Fit a draught excluder

A draught excluder is a strip of material that you put along the bottom of your door to stop draughts from coming in. 

You can also make your own draught excluder by filling a sock with rice and tying it to the bottom of your door.

Pros

Draught excluders are very effective at keeping the heat in and the cold out. They’re also relatively cheap to buy or make, so they’re a great option if you’re on a budget. 

Cons

The disadvantage is that they can be difficult to install, and they might not be the best option if you have pets because they can chew on them.

14 – Fill any gaps

If you have gaps in your windows or doors, it’s important to fill them. This will help to keep the heat in and the cold out. You can use caulk or weatherstripping to fill the gaps.

You can also use a door draft stopper to fill the gap under your door. 

Pros

Filling gaps is a very effective way to keep the heat in and the cold out. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to do, so it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

Cons

The disadvantage is that it can be time-consuming, and you might need to redo it every few years.

15. Install a hot water storage tank on your roof

This will heat up during the day as the sun shines on it. You can then use this hot water to heat your room at night. 

Pros

This is a very cheap way to heat a room, as you are simply using the sun’s energy to heat up the water. 

Cons

You will need to have a good insulation system in place to prevent the water from cooling down too quickly. 

16 – Heat only rooms you use

This is a great way to save money on your heating bill. If you have a room that you don’t use very often, there is no need to heat it. 

Pros

You will save money on your heating bill as you are only heating the rooms you use. 

Cons

You may not be able to heat the room evenly, as the heat will only be concentrated in the rooms you are using.

17. Use a space heater

Space heaters are a great way to heat a small area. They are usually very cheap to buy and run. 

Pros

Space heaters are very cheap and can be used to heat a small area. 

Cons

They can be dangerous if they are not used correctly. Make sure you read the safety instructions before using one. 

Keep yourself warm

In this section of the article, we are going to specifically focus on ways that you can keep yourself warm

18 – Hot water bottle

Heating a room with a hot water bottle is one of the oldest and cheapest methods around. All you need is a kettle and a thick bottle sock (or something similar to act as a buffer between your skin and the hot water). 

Fill the hot water bottle up two-thirds full, screw the top on tightly, and then pop it into the bottle sock. Place the hot water bottle in your bed an hour before you plan on going to sleep, and voila – a warm bed awaits.

Pros

The main advantage of using a hot water bottle to heat a room is that it’s very cheap. All you need is a kettle and a sock, and you’re good to go. 

Cons

The main disadvantage is that it’s not very practical. You have to heat the water up every time you want to use it, and you can only use it for a limited amount of time before the water starts to cool down.

19 – Electric blanket

An electric blanket is a thin, electrically powered heating pad. You can use it to heat up your bed before you go to sleep, or you can use it to keep yourself warm while you’re in bed. Electric blankets are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so you can find one that fits your bed perfectly.

Pros

The main advantage of using an electric blanket is that it’s very convenient. You can turn it on and off as you please, and it will keep you warm for as long as you need it to. 

Cons

The main disadvantage is that it’s not very environmentally friendly, as it uses a lot of electricity.

20 – Wear Slippers

This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. Wearing slippers is a great way to keep your feet warm, and it doesn’t cost anything. Just make sure you don’t wear them outside, as they won’t do much to protect you from the cold weather.

Pros

The main advantage of wearing slippers is that they’re very cheap and easy to find. You can usually find them for under £20, and they’ll last you for years. 

Cons

The disadvantage is that they might not be suitable for everyone. If you have wide feet, for example, you might find that your slippers are too tight and uncomfortable.

21 – Wear warm clothing

Another obvious one, but worth mentioning nonetheless. Wearing warm clothing is a great way to keep yourself warm, and it doesn’t cost anything. Just make sure you don’t wear too many layers, as you might start to feel overheated.

Pros

The main advantage of wearing warm clothing is that it’s very cheap and easy to find. You can usually find clothes for under £20, and they’ll last you for years. 

Cons

The disadvantage is that they might not be suitable for everyone.

The Energy Saving Trust

For more help, you can speak to the energy saving trust for free, impartial advice on the best way to heat your home. They can also give you advice on how to save money on your energy bills. 

To speak to someone from the energy saving trust, call 0300 123 1234 or visit their website.

That concludes our list of the cheapest ways to heat a room. Remember, there is no need to heat a room if you’re not using it, so only heat the rooms you need to. And if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, try wearing slippers or clothing made of natural fibres like wool. Good luck with your attempts to keep warm.

We hope that you found the tips in this article useful. If you have any other tips on how to stay warm in winter, please share them with us. Thank you for reading.

Meet the author

Rob Atherton

Rob Atherton

Rob writes and edits the content produced by the rest of the team. He has a degree in History from Leeds University and has producing, reviewing and editing the site since 2016

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