Heating bills are going to be high this winter, so we've asked the Which? experts to answer your burning questions on how to keep warm for less.
Is an electric heater cheaper than central heating? - Joel Bates, heating expert, Which?
It’s unikely that an electric heater will be cheaper than gas central heating for heating up your home. Although central heating can be pricey, it spreads warmth evenly around your property. Electric heaters cost more to run for the amount of heat you’ll get, but they can be useful for a short, concentrated burst of heat in a small area.
Most of the electric heaters we’ve tested cost around 50p per hour to run. If your central heating isn't on, the warmth from the heater will quickly dissipate when it’s turned off in a cold home.
If your home is small – a studio flat, for example – and is well insulated, an electric heater might cost less than central heating. In a larger property, you’re better off with central heating for day-to-day warmth.
How can I stay warm without turning on the heating? - Joel Bates and Sam Morris, heating experts, Which?
If you're keen to keep away from the thermostat, it's important to make sure your body stays warm by wrapping up as much as you can. We tested thermals in winter 2022, and found that expensive brands didn't keep you any warmer than cheaper options, so we'd advise not paying out more than you need to.
However, our testing did reveal that it's worth investing in dedicated thermals, as the ones we tested kept you warmer than just putting on an extra t-shirt.
Our testing also showed that there's no need to pay extra for a pricey hot water bottle. However, a thicker cover will provide more benefit from one kettle-load, keeping you warm for longer.
Do electric blankets use a lot of electricity? - Sam Morris, heating expert, Which?
One of the cheapest ways we've found to keep yourself cosy is to wrap up in an electric blanket.
Our tests have found they typically cost between 2p to 6p an hour to run on their highest setting – much cheaper than the average fan heater.
This means that if you used an electric blanket for three hours a night, every night, for half the year, the cheapest-to-run options would only cost about £11 in total, versus £33 for the most expensive.
You can reduce the cost further by setting the blanket to a lower setting, or turning it off sooner. The blanket will still remain warm for a couple of hours after turning the power off, so you feel the benefit without the cost ticking up.
What are the cheapest DIY ways to lower heating costs? - Adam Snook, home improvements expert, Which?
Lowering heating costs with DIY jobs around your home can be a really worthwhile way to spend a weekend, and you'll save money and reduce energy consumption in the long run.
These are some of the affordable DIY ways to lower heating costs we think are worth doing:
- Identify and seal any draughts in your home. On a windy day, go around your home looking for draughts and cold spots. Use foam strips or caulk to seal gaps around windows, doors and any other openings.
- Install door sweeps and draught excluders at the base of external doors to prevent cold air from seeping into your home. We've recently tested draught excluders for how well they work, and found the most effective option is a free hack you can do at home.
- Place rugs or carpets on cold hard floors for quick insulation and warmth.
- Apply window film or use thermal curtains to insulate windows, or try making your own draught-stopping window snakes by sewing fabric tubes filled with rice or dried beans.
- Lag exposed hot-water pipes and wrap your water storage tank in an insulating jacket, if you have one.
- Use a chimney draught excluder in open chimneys (that you're not using for lighting fires, of course!).
The effectiveness of these methods can vary depending on your home's size, layout and existing insulation. It's best to start with the most cost-effective measures and then consider more significant investments – such as additional insulation or a new heating system – if needed. Good DIY and hardware shops should have plenty of cheap materials to get you started.