How to keep warm without the heating on
Heating a whole house to warm one person is the expensive way to stay warm. Heat yourself first, then the room you're in, then stop the heat escaping.
Quick picks
Cheapest warmth per hour at 26.3p/kWh: electric blanket (1–3p), heated throw (3–4p), hot water bottle (about 4p per kettle boil). Cheapest fixes: draught tape and a door brush strip.
Warm yourself, then the room, then the house
A heated throw uses about 100–160W, which is 3–4p an hour at 26.3p/kWh. A 2kW heater costs about 53p an hour, and gas central heating for a whole home costs far more. So a throw on the sofa or a pre-warmed bed is the cheapest comfort there is. Then stop heat escaping: draught-proof doors, close thermal curtains at dusk and put foil behind radiators on outside walls. Full numbers are on our heating costs per hour page.
Please don't under-heat your home if you're vulnerable. The NHS advises heating the rooms you use to at least 18°C, especially for older people, babies and anyone with a health condition. If you're struggling to pay, contact your supplier or Citizens Advice.
Silentnight Comfort Control heated throw
A soft fleece heated throw with multiple heat settings and auto shut-off, costing a few pence an hour.
£44.99
Silentnight Comfort Control electric blanket (double)
An under-blanket that pre-warms the bed, then drops to a low setting. One of the cheapest ways to a warm bedroom.
£40
YuYu long hot water bottle
The long hot water bottle with a strap that wraps around your middle or back. A cult cosy gift.
£39.57
Exitex aluminium door brush strip
A screw-fixed brush strip for the bottom of a door. It stops the draught you can feel at your ankles.
£11.70£10.29–£11.99 since 7 Sep
SOL draught excluder tape (2-pack)
Self-adhesive foam tape for gaps around doors and windows. The cheapest draught-proofing there is.
£3.99↓ Lowest price we’ve tracked£3.99–£4.89 since 7 Sep
Deconovo thermal insulated curtains
Thick thermal-lined curtains that cut heat loss through windows at night and block light for sleep.
£32.99
Haltons radiator reflector foil (5m)
Foil for behind radiators on outside walls, so more heat reflects back into the room instead of into the wall. The roll covers several radiators.
£9.99
tesa insulating window film
A clear film you tension over single-glazed or draughty windows with a hairdryer, creating a secondary-glazing air gap for the winter.
£12.95Prices update hourly from Amazon UK.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to keep warm in the UK?
Heat yourself rather than the house. An electric blanket costs 1–3p an hour and a heated throw 3–4p at 26.3p/kWh. A hot water bottle costs about 4p per kettle boil.
Is it cheaper to use an electric blanket than the heating?
Much cheaper for staying warm in bed. It uses a fraction of the energy of heating the bedroom. But keep rooms at a safe temperature if you're vulnerable.
Does radiator foil work?
On radiators fixed to uninsulated outside walls, reflector foil reflects some heat back into the room. It makes little difference on internal walls.
What temperature should I keep my home?
The NHS advises heating rooms you regularly use to at least 18°C, especially if you're older or have a health condition.
More winter guides
How we choose: we don’t lab-test products. Picks are based on published specifications, wattage and running-cost maths, brand track record and UK availability. Running costs use the Ofgem price cap for October–December 2026 (26.3p/kWh, electricity VAT removed). Prices on the buttons update hourly from Amazon UK. About Winter Ready.
Related: Best hot water bottles · Should I fix my energy deal?