Cheap ways to heat a home UK: what “cheapest” really depends on

The cheapest way to heat a home in the UK isn’t one universal answer, because “cheap” depends on your home, your insulation, your heating system, your tariff, and how you use heat day to day.

What is consistent is this: most households can cut costs by reducing heat loss and improving control, before they make big system changes.

1) Cheapest heating starts with reducing heat loss

If your home leaks heat, any heating method becomes more expensive.

The biggest “value” improvements often include

• loft insulation and sealing the loft hatch

• draught-proofing external doors

• addressing obvious window gaps

• improving how you use curtains and internal doors in winter

These changes reduce the amount of heat your home needs, which reduces running costs regardless of whether you heat with gas or electricity.

2) Cheapest depends on whether you heat the whole house or just what you use

Many households heat the whole home to the same temperature, even when only a couple of rooms are being used. That’s often where costs creep up.

A cost-effective strategy for many homes

• heat the rooms you use most

• use schedules so you’re not heating “just in case”

• keep spare rooms cooler (while still ventilating sensibly)

This is where controls (thermostats, timers, TRVs, zoning) can matter as much as the heat source.

3) Be careful with blanket statements about gas vs electric

You’ll often see simple claims like “gas is always cheaper than electric” or the reverse. In reality:

• energy prices change over time

• tariffs vary

• system efficiency varies by technology

• your home’s heat demand changes the outcome

So rather than chasing a single “cheapest” answer, focus on what you can control: heat loss, timing, and room-by-room use.

4) Tariffs and timing can matter (for some households)

Some households can reduce costs by shifting usage to cheaper periods, but only if it suits their routine and heating setup.

If you’re considering a time-of-use tariff, it’s worth checking:

• what the off-peak hours actually are

• what the peak rate is

• whether you can realistically shift enough usage

5) Habits that reduce heating costs without making life miserable

• review schedules each season

• don’t block radiators with furniture/curtains

• reduce draughts so rooms feel warmer at lower settings

• manage humidity so the home feels more comfortable

Conclusion: “cheapest” is usually a plan, not a product

For most UK homes, the cheapest way to heat a home is a combination of:

• reducing heat loss,

• heating the right rooms at the right times,

• and using controls properly.

If you want help planning a practical, controllable heating setup for your home, Trust Electric Heating can provide a free quote and honest guidance based on your property.

Call 0800 5999 109 or email [email protected] for more information or a free quote.

Scott Conor

Chief Technical Officer

In 2012, Scott founded Trust and invented the NEOS electric radiator after finding a gap for a more innovative and cost-effective electric radiator within the industry. He’s the driving force behind Trust’s research and development, using market-leading strategies to keep customers warm.

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Tags: General Guides.