Best Way To Heat A Room

Are you tired of shivering while you get ready in the cold room? Extreme cold weather can even lead to health problems such as asthma, blood pressure, and mental health problems.

You can keep your room warmer no matter how chilly the weather is outside. Nowadays, there are different ways to heat a room to keep you warm, cozy, and comfortable.

Many people choose to install an electric heater, but that’s not the only way, and sometimes may not even be the best way to heat a room. In this article, I will discuss the best ways to heat a room and keep you comfortable.

Ways To Heat A Room

1. Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are designed for smaller rooms and cozy corners that need heating. If your room size is not very large a space heater might be just what the doctor ordered.

These heaters are available for all room sizes. Most of them have safety features nowadays that reduce the risk of fire, but nonetheless, make sure to always keep them away from the bed.

Electric space heaters are portable and they are relatively affordable compared to other electric heaters. Space heaters are typically either electric powered or else are radiant heaters.

There are different types of electric heaters based on the heating method that they use. Let’s take a closer look.

Fan Heaters

Fan heaters, also known as blow heaters, use a fan and a heating element to blow hot air from the heating source. The heat gets distributed inside the room because of the flow of air.

Fan heaters warm up the room effectively and the heat will remain for a while even after you switch off the heater. Many fan heaters are portable, making it easy to move to other rooms.

Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters, also known as radiant heaters, use infrared light to generate heat. These heaters warm up objects and bodies, not the air inside the room. This type of heater is more energy-efficient and environment-friendly compared to other electric heaters.

Related article: Infrared vs Ceramic Space Heaters.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are one of the best heating options that warm up the room faster than any standard electric heaters. Heat pumps generate heat from the outside air and transfer it inside the room or house.

They also help reduce the use of electricity as compared to other electric heaters.

Floor Heaters

Another way to warm up the room is to install floor heaters. Usually, a floor heater uses heating cables or wires that get fixed inside the room floorings and uses both convection and conduction heating systems.

These heaters are normally installed in buildings under construction and are less expensive to install.

Halogen Heaters

Halogen heaters are easy to install, safe, and environment-friendly. Halogen heaters are ideal for installing in a compact room.

These heaters include a heating lamp and a halogen bulb. The bulb consists of halogen gas that helps heat the space when connected to power and distributes heat evenly inside a compact space.

Nowadays, halogen heaters come in different varieties and sizes. You can choose one that can generate enough BTUs to heat your room size.

Oil Heaters

Oil heaters are one of the best ways to heat the air inside the room. Oil-filled heaters are good to use for large rooms as they use radiant heat and quickly warm up the room.

Moreover, oil heaters do not have any “hot” parts like a bulb, which makes them very safe, especially if you have kids in the house.

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters are designed to store heat (thermal energy) by electricity, usually overnight, since electric costs are typically lower at this time.

This heat then gets released during the day to warm up the room. Storage heaters are usually wall mounted. They are suitable for homes where the daytime costs of electricity are too high..

Storage heaters consist of ceramic bricks that get heated up and can be released when you need to warm up the room.

For people who need to work from home, storage heaters are the best option because they are powerful enough to heat up your entire home quickly.

Convection Heaters

Convection heaters are one of the best options to heat up the room quickly and quietly. A convection heater sucks air from the room, heats it, and blows the air back.

They keep the room temperature constant. Convection heaters are available in various designs and with varying safety features and heating options for you to choose from.

2. Central Heating

Most people in the US use central heating. Central heating is one of the most affordable options for complete home heating.

A central heating system typically uses a boiler and is placed somewhere in the basement. It distributes heat inside the house by pushing hot air through the air ducts, or it circulates hot water through pipes to the radiators in the room.

Central heating heats up the entire house and not just a room or particular space. So if you want to heat up only a particular room, central heating is neither efficient nor necessary.

3. Gas Heaters

Gas heaters are the best option to have in rooms that do not have electricity. Usually, gas heaters are installed in garages and basements where there are no power outlets.

One of the best parts about gas heaters is that it does not depend on the central heating system to generate energy. You can produce heat quickly by firing up a gas heater.

Related article: Best Non-Electric Space Heaters

4. Ceiling Fans

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of heating is by reversing the ceiling fans. When the fan rotates counterclockwise, it circulates cold air.

But during cold weather, you can try reversing the fan rotation clockwise. Cold air is sucked upwards, and warm air from higher up in the room is forced downwards. This helps keep you comfortable and warm during winters.

Many ceiling fans have a reverse rotation option setting. It also helps in saving up to 10% of the heating cost.

5. Using Thermal Curtains

Using thermal curtains is one of the affordable ways to keep your room warm and cozy. Windows lets a lot of heat out, even if it is double glazed. Fitting up curtains helps reduce heat loss, and thermal curtains work even better.

Thermal curtains cost the same as the standard curtains and are available in different designs and color options. Don’t forget to open the curtains when there is sunlight in the daytime and make use of the heat.

6. Placing Your Sofa Away From The Radiator

Even though you might feel good sitting near the radiator, it’s not the best thing to do. Radiators absorb heat and then circulate it in the house. It is better to place your sofa at a distance so the hot air can be transferred into the room evenly.

7. Use Electric Blankets

Electric blankets are affordable and help keep you warm and cozy. Electric blankets consist of heating elements that generate heat and keep you warm.

An electric blanket does not heat the entire room but keeps you in a warm and sound sleep. Turn the electric blanket on a few minutes before you get in your bed and turn it off before you sleep to save energy.

8. Insulate Your House

A lot of heat gets lost if your house is not well insulated. You can reduce the heat from escaping by installing at least 25cm insulation in your attic. If your house is old, insulate your walls and windows. It is the most affordable option and easy to do. Below are different types of insulation that you may like to install at your house:

Window insulation (protective films or double-paned windows)
Wall insulation (fiberglass)
Door insulation (draft guards)

9. Change Your Boiler

If you have an old boiler, it might be time to upgrade to a new and efficient model. Depending on the boiler type, you can choose a better model that is energy efficient and generates enough heat to warm up the space.

10. Heat Your Room With Sunlight

One of the best ways to warm up the room is through sunlight. During the daytime, keep the curtains on and let sunlight enter your room when the sun is shining.

Make sure to keep the windows closed when you leave for work. Close down the curtains at night and absorb the heat inside the room.

11. Electric Thermostat

You can use a smart thermostat that controls the temperature of your house. A programmable thermostat helps decrease the room temperature when you are not at home and warms up the room when you get inside. You can customize the setting of a thermostat as you need.

12. Check For Draughts

One of the ways heat gets lost in the room is due to gaps in your windows and doors. So you need to look where the cold air is coming from inside the room.

You can feel with your hand for draughts or use a burning incense stick and find the movement of the air. If it moves near the window crack or gap, you have a draught. You can install draught excluders or rubber seals to close the gap.

Keep Yourself Warm

Sometimes heating the whole room may be hard, but one thing that you can always do is to keep yourself comfortable.

Wear Knitted Hat And Socks

If you feel cold at night, you need to warm yourself up. Wear socks and knitted hats before sleeping. You will be able to sleep when you feel warm and comfortable.

Wear Jackets And Coats

Many environment-conscious people choose to keep themselves warm and not in a room. Wearing a coat, jacket, and thermals helps keep you warm, and comfortable without the use of a heater.

This saves energy and reduces your cost of heating. If your room is cold during winters, you can wear a few layers that keep you warm and comfortable.

Place Hot Water Bottle In the Bed

One of the oldest ways to keep yourself warm is by placing a hot water bottle. You need to fill it with hot water and close the cap tightly. Place the water bottle in the bed for a few minutes before you get in your bed.

Heating Pads

To keep your bed warmer, you can use heating pads. You will find heating pads easily and are pretty affordable as well.

Get Extra Blankets

Even after wearing multiple layers, you can get more blankets if you feel cold. The more layer of blanket you use, the more heat gets trapped inside the bed, and it will make you feel comfortable in your bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Cheapest Way To Heat A Room?

For smaller rooms, infrared radiators are typically the cheapest option. They will heat up quickly and use up a lot less energy. For larger rooms, oil heaters do the trick much better and at a lower cost to boot.

How Can I Heat A Room With No Heat Source?

If you have a fireplace in your room, you can light a fire and heat the room. Make sure to keep the doors and windows closed at all times, open up the curtains and windows when the sun is shining and let the heat get inside.

One of the most important things to do is to check for insulation – you can improve the heating of the room by quite a few notches by simply insulating the doors, windows, and walls.

Conclusion

Being in a cold room for a long time is very uncomfortable. I have discussed some of the best ways to heat up your room. Make sure to keep the doors and windows closed at all times to prevent the cold air from getting inside. Even a little air inside can decrease the temperature.

Related article: Propane vs Kerosene Garage Heater