The 9 Cheapest Ways to Heat a Room Without Central Heating

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Different modern electric heaters on floor in room

If you’re like most people, you love a warm, toasty apartment. But when winter comes around and you come face to face with alarmingly high electricity bills, you might start to ask yourself whether comfort is really that necessary.

The answer is yes. Comfort is something you don’t want to compromise on.

You can still have your cozy apartment while saving on energy and money by making a few minor adjustments. Here are some ideas that are easy to try at home. 

1. Make use of an energy-efficient space heater.

Energy-efficient space heaters offer a more cost-effective way to heat your apartment. Look for low-wattage space heaters. These heaters are much less expensive than central heating alternatives.

Bear in mind that unless you live in a studio apartment, you might need more than one heater. Space heaters tend to heat only the immediate space around them.  

Luckily for you, space heaters are inexpensive and portable, which makes them relatively easy to move from one apartment space to another. Just make sure you choose a safe space heater.

Electric heater with thermostat

Dreo Space Heaters for Indoor Use, Atom One Portable Heater with 70°Oscillation, 1500W PTC Electric Heater with Thermostat, Fast Safety Heat, Remote, 1-12h Timer, Upgraded Small Heater for Office Home

Our Pick: Dreo Space Heater for Indoor Use

This portable electric heater is extremely energy-efficient. It has a convenient eco mode and thermostat that adjusts the heat level automatically.

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Radiator heater

De'Longhi Comfort Temp Full Room Radiant Thermostat, 3 Heat Settings, Energy Saving, Safety Features, Nice for Home with Pets/Kids, 27" x 6.5" x 15.5", Light Gray

Our Pick: De’Longhi Comfort Temp Full Room Radiant Thermostat

Although a touch more expensive and heavier to move, radiator heaters retain heat exceptionally well and save you energy and money.

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2. Insulation

If your attic has no insulation, there’s no point in generating all that warm rising air.

Several suppliers can install insulation in your attic for you within a day or two. DIY options are also relatively simple and will cut out any installation costs.  

Installing insulation will reduce the amount you need to heat your home. A properly insulated attic can save you 10% to 50% of your heating bill, depending on how well it has been installed. 

INSULATION MARKETPLACE SmartSHIELD -3mm 16inx10Ft ReflectiveINSULATION roll, Foam Core Radiant Barrier, ThermalINSULATION Shield - Engineered Foil

Our Pick: INSULATION MARKETPLACE SmartSHIELD

An excellent non-toxic DIY insulation option that comes in several sizes.

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3. Double-glaze your windows

Glazing your windows can be costly, but fortunately, DIY options can be considerably cheaper. Glazing your windows works as a heat insulator and traps the heat in your space.

KESPEN Window Privacy Film One Way Daytime Privacy Static Cling Sun Blocking Anti UV Reflective Window Tint for Home and Office, Black-Silver, 17.5 Inch X 6.5 Feet

Our Pick: KESPEN Window Film One Way

This DIY window tinting film will help to retain the heat in your apartment and save on high energy bills. 

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4. Solar panels

This option is a no-brainer if you live in a sunny country. Solar energy works exceptionally well for heating homes and apartments. 

Installing solar panels can be expensive, but in the long run, they will save you money and heat your home without the high electricity costs you are accustomed to. 

5. Invest in a smart thermostat

Investing in a smart thermostat can help reduce your energy consumption tenfold. 

A thermostat will adjust your room temperature automatically, matching it to your heat requirements. Some thermostats turn on and off when you leave or enter a room.  

This dramatically reduces your energy consumption as well as energy wastage. 

There are several options available depending on your preferences.

Google Nest Thermostat - Smart Thermostat for Home - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Snow

Our Pick: Google Nest Thermostat

I love this easy-to-install thermostat that can be controlled by your Android or iPhone device. 

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6. Heat only the rooms you use

This may seem obvious, but countless people forget to do this. Heat only the rooms you use and live in the most. When you’re not using a room, keep the door closed.

These two tips will significantly save costs and reduce the time it takes to heat the rooms you use. 

7. Draft stoppers

This is the most straightforward and undemanding solution to your heat problems. 

Those nasty cold currents of air that flow under doors and through little gaps and spaces around your home are the main culprits. Draft stoppers won’t heat your home, but they can keep cold air out, which saves you energy and money.

Insulate those gaps

Look for gaps or holes in your window frames or doors and use weather-sealing tape or putty to insulate them. 

You’ll be amazed how much cold air even a tiny hole can let into your apartment. 

Weather sealing tape

This 3M Interior Transparent Weather Sealing Tape for Windows and Doors from Amazon is perfect for windows and doors. 

The tape is transparent, so you shouldn’t even notice it. 

Door plugs and covers 

There are loads of various-sized door plugs. You can get fancy-looking door plugs if you prefer something more aesthetically pleasing. 

A standard plug option comes in various colors and sizes: Mardatt 630 Pcs 5/6/8/10/14mm Plastic Hole Plug Button Top.  

Door draft stopper 

Keep the air from flowing under your door with this handy Holikme Twin Door Draft Stopper Door Draft Guard Noise Blocker. Making your own is also simple – loads of DIY tutorials are available online. 

Dog and cat flaps

A cat or dog flap can let in loads of cold air, especially on a windy day. Invest in a weatherproof cat or dog door with a locking panel or magnetic flap design. 

I own this dog flap from Amazon: PetSafe Large Wall Entry Pet Door with Telescoping Frame, and I can vouch for its slide-in closing panel effectiveness. 

8. Hang thick thermal curtains

You can substantially reduce any room’s heat loss by installing thermal curtains in front of your windows. Thermal curtains can also be successfully installed on the front of your doors (if you are desperate). 

You can have them custom-made or choose one of the many online options. These NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains are highly rated and comes in various sizes and colors to suit your space. If you’re worried about how they look, read our article discussing why grommet curtains are not tacky.

NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains for Bedroom (2 Panels, W42 x L63 -Inch, Grey)

9. Add some carpeting

Keep the cold away from your floors and help conserve some of the heat you save.  

Carpets won’t heat your home, but they keep a space warmer for longer. Rugs and carpets don’t need to be expensive, but by placing them all around your home, you should notice a difference. 

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