What is the cheapest heat option?

Author: Prof. Garett Little  |  Last update: Friday, November 21, 2025

The cheapest way to heat a home is with a natural gas furnace, which typically costs $30 to $60 per month to operate. If natural gas is not available, the next cheapest way to heat a house is with an electric heat pump, with monthly running costs between $40 to $160. *For an average 4- to 6-month winter season.

What type of heating is the cheapest?

“Natural gas is still the least costly form of energy in most of the country,” David says. “Plus, furnaces will cost less than a central heating system and should last many years longer.”

What is the cheapest heat setting?

Set the thermostat at 68 degrees or the lowest temperature you find comfortable. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you can gain as much as a three percent savings in energy costs. Clean your system's filters periodically.

What is the cheapest way to have heating on?

The absolute cheapest way is to turn your heating off completely and just use an electric space heater. They are close to 100% efficient turning almost all the energy into heat. I know it sounds mad using electric heat but it's the best way to do a small single space.

What heater uses less electricity?

Infrared heaters are the most efficient type of heater available. They use very little electricity to generate heat, and they provide a lot of heat for their size. Infrared heaters are also very safe to use, as they do not emit any harmful radiation. Oil-filled heaters are another type of heater that is very efficient.

What's the Cheapest Heater? (7 Watts only!)

How do I heat my house cheaply?

Cheapest Ways to Heat Your Home with Different Energy Sources
  1. Natural Gas Heating Systems. ...
  2. Electric Heating Systems. ...
  3. Solar Heating Systems. ...
  4. Supplementing Your Main Heating System. ...
  5. Schedule furnace/boiler maintenance once a year. ...
  6. Install smart thermostats. ...
  7. Insulate and weatherize your home.

How can I keep my heat bill low?

No Cost Ways to Save
  1. Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. ...
  2. Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. ...
  3. Reduce hot water temperature. ...
  4. Use cold water when washing clothes. ...
  5. Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath. ...
  6. Let the sun in. ...
  7. Remove window air conditioning units for the winter. ...
  8. Close your flue.

How do you keep warm when you can't afford heating?

Open your curtains during the day - the sun still provides warmth even in the winter months. Make sure you close them as soon as the sun sets to keep the warm air in. Investing in thicker curtains, or thermal curtain liners, will help keep the cold air out and prevent heat loss.

Is 65 too cold for a house?

The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.

What type of heat is most expensive?

This shows natural gas is the cheapest type of heating to run and heating oil is the most expensive way to heat a home.

What temperature to keep a house in winter to save money?

To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.

What is the cheapest heating option?

Cheapest ways to heat your house this winter
  1. Air conditioning. ...
  2. Oil filled heaters. ...
  3. Infrared heaters. ...
  4. Soapstone warmers. ...
  5. Add carpet and rugs to your rooms. ...
  6. Reverse mode on ceiling fan. ...
  7. Draught sealing. ...
  8. Insulating blinds and blackout curtains.

Is it cheaper to keep heating on all day?

The Energy Saving Trust , an independent organisation that provides advice on energy use, is unequivocal on this point. It says that keeping your heating on all day uses more fuel and so is more costly.

What is the most economical heat system?

While geothermal and air-source heat pumps often rank highest in efficiency, other options like high-efficiency furnaces and wood pellet stoves can also provide significant energy savings. As previously covered, proper insulation goes a very long way in reducing costs and increasing overall efficiency.

What is the cheapest setting for heating?

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.

Why is my heat bill so high?

Energy inefficiency fuels high energy bills, as it causes your heating, cooling, and electrical systems to work way harder than they need to. Older or poorly insulated homes lose cold air quickly, meaning your HVAC system consumes more energy making up the difference.

What temperature keeps your bill low?

According to the DOE, setting your thermostat back 7°F to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting can help you save up to 10% in energy costs. This means keeping your thermostat around 78°F in the summer (higher when you're asleep or away) or around 68°F to 70°F in the winter (lower when you're asleep or away).

What is the cheapest heating system to run?

Cheapest ways to heat your home
  • Ceramic Heaters. ...
  • Oil-Filled Heaters. ...
  • Fan Heaters. ...
  • Convector Heaters. ...
  • Panel Heaters. ...
  • Storage Heaters. ...
  • Space Heaters. ...
  • Heated clothes airers.

How can I heat my house with no heat?

How to Keep a House Warm Without Central Heat: 10 Solutions
  1. Install a Wood Burning Stove. ...
  2. Utilize Fire in Fireplace and Block Chimney When Not in Use. ...
  3. Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Properly Sealed. ...
  4. Cook Often. ...
  5. Install Insulated Curtain Liners to Trap Heat. ...
  6. Allow as Much Sunlight to Hit Home as Possible via Landscaping.

Can candles heat a room?

Candles are, of course, a burning flame and like all flames they produce heat. So yes, candles do heat up a room.... but only very, very slightly! To get any sort of meaningful heat from candles, so many would be needed that they would become a fire hazard - so no, we do not suggest that you try it!

How much does it cost to run a washing machine for 1 hour?

If you have a 2100W (2.1 kW) washing machine and you run it for an hour, it'll use 2.1kWh of electricity in that hour. If electricity costs 34p per unit, multiply 2.1kWh by 34p and you get a grand total of 71p.

How many square feet will a 1500 watt heater heat?

So the 1500 watt will usually heat up to 150 square feet. Heating question - trying to understand what size heater to ...

Are ceramic heaters cheap to run?

Are ceramic heaters cheap to run? Ceramic heaters are cheaper to run than traditional gas based, or oil filled systems. Ceramic heaters contain heating elements that offer far greater resistance than traditional metal units, this allows for the radiator to generate more heat per watt.

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