How to keep warm without turning the heating on
The cheapest ways to keep warm at home without the central heating, with what each one costs at the Ofgem price cap.
The cheapest ways to keep warm, with what they cost
| Idea | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Heated throw on the sofa | 3.9p an hour | |
| Electric blanket before bed | about 1.6p an hour | |
| Heated foot mat at your desk | 1.4p an hour | |
| Hot water bottle (boil 1 litre) | about 2.9p | |
| Layers, thick socks and slippers | free | |
| Close doors, draught excluders, curtains at dusk | free or a few pounds |
At the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Electric blanket figure is typical (about 60 W); boiling 1 litre takes roughly 0.11 kWh.
Keep the heat you already have
- Stop draughts: draught excluders on doors, letterbox brushes, sealing gaps around windows.
- Curtains: close them at dusk; open them on sunny days to let the sun in.
- Heat one room and spend the evening in it with the door shut.
- Keep damp down: damp air feels colder. Dry washing with a heated airer or a dehumidifier, not on radiators.
Warm yourself, not the house
Heating a whole house for an evening can cost a few pounds; warming yourself costs pennies. A heated throw over your legs while you watch TV costs about 3.9p an hour.
Silentnight Comfort Control Heated Throw 120x160cm
- Heated throw · 90 W
- Fleece heated throw with 9 heat settings, fast heat-up and safety shut-off: keeps you warm on the sofa for a few pence an hour.
- Costs 2.4p an hour at full power.
OLYDON Heated Floor Mat Under Desk 55W
- Under-desk heater · 55 W
- A 55 W heated mat to rest your feet on under the desk, with 7 temperature settings and a 3-hour auto-off: a full working day costs a few pence.
- Costs 1.4p an hour at full power.
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket, Double
- Electric blanket
- Heated underblanket with several heat settings, overheat protection, easy-fit straps and machine washable: warms the bed for a fraction of the cost of heating the bedroom.
- Costs 1.6p an hour (typical) at full power.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to keep warm at home?
Heat yourself rather than the house: a heated throw (about 3.9p an hour), an electric blanket before bed, layers and a hot water bottle, plus stopping draughts.
Is it cheaper to use a heated throw than central heating?
Yes, by far, because it warms only you. Use it with the heating turned down or off in the rooms you are not using.
What temperature should my home be?
The UK Health Security Agency advises at least 18 °C in the rooms you use if you are older or have a health condition. Healthy adults may be comfortable a little lower, with warm clothes.
Running costs use the Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: average unit rate for electricity paid by Direct Debit (26.32p/kWh, standing charge 54.83p/day) and gas (7.97p/kWh). National averages; your region and tariff may differ. Prices on Amazon change: check the live price before you buy.