Martin Lewis has shared his advice on whether it is more cost-effective to plug in an electric heater or rely on radiators this winter.
While some Brits have yet to switch their heating on, others have had theirs running for weeks as cold weather takes hold. With energy prices continuing to climb, a growing number of households are enduring chilly conditions to prevent bills from spiralling out of control.
Heat the human, not the home
In previous years, Lewis has encouraged homeowners to "heat the human, not the home", explaining it is preferable to focus on keeping yourself warm rather than heating your entire property when only occupying one or two rooms.
For those who work from home or spend most evenings in a single room, he recommends it could prove cheaper to use an electric heater rather than firing up the central heating. This is because electric heaters can be a more economical choice when you only need to warm a limited space for a brief period, rather than paying to heat several rooms that remain unoccupied.
What you need to consider
A statement on MoneySavingExpert reads: "Electric heaters are efficient at converting energy into heat, and can be a cost-effective solution if you're heating just one room for a short period of time. They give off heat immediately, but equally, as soon as you switch them off, the heat disappears."
"If you're heating a larger space and want it to remain warm for longer, you'll likely be far better off using central heating. There are lots of different types of electric heater, including convector, halogen and fan heaters, but a typical one uses around 2,000 watts."
"At October Price Cap rates, it would cost about 53p to run for an hour. In comparison, a typical 24-kilowatt gas boiler and radiator system would cost about £1.91 an hour in gas if operating continuously at full output."
However, the dimensions of the room can play a crucial role in determining which heating method proves most suitable, as electric heaters may find it challenging to warm larger areas adequately. If you are attempting to heat multiple rooms, or wish to maintain warmth across a more substantial space for a prolonged duration, central heating is probably the more economical option.
Efficiency and insulation
Lewis added: "Yet while electric heaters are cheaper, they don't tend to heat the space inside your home as efficiently. So if you're just heating yourself for an hour or two, an electric heater can be a more cost-effective way to warm up, compared with firing up your whole central heating system."
"But if you want to heat multiple rooms, or one room for longer periods of time, your central heating is likely to be more efficient. You also need to factor in how well insulated your home is. One that's poorly insulated will let heat escape easily, so you'll be throwing money out the window. Turn draught detective and add extra insulation in your loft to prevent heat loss."
