What's the cheapest form of heating?

There's a good reason why many houses have gas central heating installed – it's the cheapest option. Radiators are generally energy-efficient and produce plenty of heat with minimal wastage. If you're looking to heat a room for minimal cost, then crank the radiator right up.

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Are you fed up with people telling you to put on a jumper when it’s cold? Well, that’s not the only way to stay warm on a chilly day. Take a look at some of the cheapest ways to heat a room and the improvements you can make to keep it warm. Some of the articles on this blog contain affiliate links. If you click on them, it may mean that I earn a small commission to help cover my running costs. As an Amazon Associate, I will earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect my reviews.

If 2020 wasn’t bad enough, 2021 decided to give us a kick in the teeth with inflation and rising energy bills. And although there are plenty of steps we can take to reduce our heating costs, sometimes we may need to take more drastic measures such as heating only one room. But what is the cheapest way you can go about it?

The cheapest way to heat a room

So, which is the most cost-efficient way to go about heating a room?

Gas central heating

There’s a good reason why many houses have gas central heating installed – it’s the cheapest option. Radiators are generally energy-efficient and produce plenty of heat with minimal wastage. If you’re looking to heat a room for minimal cost, then crank the radiator right up. Now, turning your heating up across your whole home isn’t always what you want and is likely to cost you far more. If you can, you’ll need to turn the thermostats down in all of the rooms that you don’t use and turn it up for the one that you do. If your radiators don’t have thermostat valves, then you can buy them for around £13 each. But the more you buy, the cheaper they are. A competent DIYer could fit them, but failing that, you will need to call a plumber to come and fit. Although this will of course cost you, it should save you a lot of money in the long term. If you wanted to be fancy, then you could opt for a smart radiator thermostat. These can be controlled by your phone and are better for choosing precise temperatures in each room. But these aren’t for everyone as they are far more expensive compared to a standard thermostat.

Also worth reading – Is it cheaper to leave your heating on constant or should you switch it on and off when needed?

Oil-filled heaters

If you don’t have central heating, an oil-filled heater could be a suitable alternative. Although they are generally a little more expensive to buy than an electric heater, they are also far better at retaining heat. So once they reach the desired temperature, they can continue to release warmth cheaper than their electric counterpart. However… they will be more costly to heat up in the first place. Oil-filled heaters are suitable for large rooms and quiet to run, making them ideal for bedrooms. They can be pretty heavy, though, so aren’t always convenient to be moved around.

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Electric heaters

If you have a small room that you want to heat quickly, then an electric heater should do the job. These are generally light and portable, so can be moved from room to room if needed. But the cost of electricity isn’t cheap, so it shouldn’t be used for prolonged periods. You may see some more expensive electric heaters on the market that promise that they are more efficient and cheaper to run. But this isn’t the case. A 2300W heater will produce the same amount of heat and cost the same to run if it costs £20 or £200. Remember – energy can’t be created or destroyed, only converted from one source to another.

Change your energy supplier or tariff

Many of us assume that switching energy providers or tariffs is too much of a hassle and not worth the effort. But the fact is, it’s very simple to do and can take just a few minutes. And in some cases, you could save £100’s every year. How else could you save so much from doing very little?

If you’re not sure how the process works, then take a look at my guide to switching energy providers. *Please note that with the current state of the UK energy market, this probably won’t save you much.

Also worth reading – Why not look at cheap ways to reduce condensation on your windows?

Keeping a room warm

Now you know your options when it comes to heating a room, how do you get it to stay warm? There’s no point in spending a fortune on warming a room up if you’re going to let it all escape.

Reflect the heat

Although radiators tend to be an efficient way of warming a room, some of the heat can be lost, especially if they’re attached to an external wall. Installing reflective foil is a cheap way to bounce the heat right back into the room. If you take care when fitting, you’ll hardly notice it’s there. You can usually buy 5 meters for under £20. You could also hang a shelf above a radiator. This will stop heat from rising into the ceiling and spread it out into the room.

Fit thermal curtains

Curtains are another cheap option to help keep a room warm. Windows tend to let lots of heat escape, even if they are double-glazed. Curtains are great for slowing down heat loss, but thermal curtains are even better. And the good news is, you can often find them for the same price as regular curtains. There are plenty of styles available, so you don’t need to compromise on looks. But don’t forget to open them when the sun is shining. You don’t want to keep the heat out on a sunny day!

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Or to go a step further…

Bubble wrap on your windows

Yes, that’s right. The mix of polythene and air is an excellent insulator and will help to keep warmth in, especially if you have single-glazed windows. You can fix bubble wrap to a window by using a small amount of water and it should stay up for long periods. You can buy bubble wrap cheaply from Amazon or look at my post about fixing bubble wrap to windows to find out more.

Insulate your attic

Like windows, your roof is another culprit for allowing heat out of a room. But some well-placed loft insulation can drastically cut down heat loss. It’s cheap to do and almost anyone can fit it.

Carpet the floor

If you’re not looking up, then look down. Bare floors or tiles can be very cold. If you want to retain heat better, then a carpet will certainly help. But carpets aren’t always cheap, then some large rugs can also do a job.

Fit a draught excluder

Even if you have all of the above fitted, the gaps around door frames are another way for a room to lose heat. Draught excluders cost just a few pounds and can be installed in just a few minutes.

Warm yourself

If the above options aren’t possible, or you still feel the cold, then your last option is to heat yourself. Apart from wearing more clothes, what else can you do?

Hot water bottle

Placed under a blanket, a hot water bottle is a great way to warm yourself. Some can be heated by adding boiling water, whilst others can be put in the microwave.

Electric blanket

To take it one step further, why not heat a whole blanket? An electric blanket will be far cheaper to run than compared to heating a room. Most blankets will cost around 5 pence per hour to heat. Or take a look at my post in more detail about the cost of using an electric blanket.

So, what is the cheapest way to heat a room?

Once you have made sure that heat loss from a room is kept to a minimum, gas central heating is generally your cheapest option. If that’s not possible, then consider using an oil-filled heater for larger rooms or an electric heater for small areas if you’re willing to use it in short bursts.

What's the cheapest form of heating?

Does insulating a shed make a difference?

Do rocks attract spiders?

The cheapest way to heat a room

So, which is the most cost-efficient way to go about heating a room?

Gas central heating

Also worth reading – Is it cheaper to leave your heating on constant or should you switch it on and off when needed?

Oil-filled heaters

Do pallets get termites?

Do rocks help keep water away from foundation?

Electric heaters

Change your energy supplier or tariff

Many of us assume that switching energy providers or tariffs is too much of a hassle and not worth the effort. But the fact is, it’s very simple to do and can take just a few minutes. And in some cases, you could save £100’s every year. How else could you save so much from doing very little?

Also worth reading – Why not look at cheap ways to reduce condensation on your windows?

Keeping a room warm

Reflect the heat

Fit thermal curtains

Is a potting shed warmer than a greenhouse?

How much does it cost to move a big shed?

Or to go a step further…

Bubble wrap on your windows

Insulate your attic

Carpet the floor

Fit a draught excluder

Warm yourself

If the above options aren’t possible, or you still feel the cold, then your last option is to heat yourself. Apart from wearing more clothes, what else can you do?

Hot water bottle

Electric blanket

So, what is the cheapest way to heat a room?

Further reading:

Have a look through some of the best energy saving gadgets.

Why are old garages so small?

Should you insulate a storage shed?

Do I need permission to put a shed in my garden?

Does a porch add value to a house?