Home Bargains is selling the Pifco 1.2kW Halogen Heater for £14.99, with running costs of roughly 10p per hour on its lowest setting. The device offers a cheaper alternative to gas central heating, which typically costs between 75p and £1.20 per hour for a standard three-bedroom property.
The retailer describes the heater as featuring three heat settings for customisable comfort and a wide 70-degree oscillation to evenly distribute heat throughout your space. It calls the product the "perfect addition to any room during those chilly days and nights", adding that it is "ideal for medium sized rooms".
The device can be purchased in-store and through the Home Bargains website.
Why heaters can be cheaper than central heating
Per energy unit, electricity costs over three times as much as mains gas. Central heating warms your entire home by circulating warm air through every room, whereas a halogen heater provides "radiant heat", delivering direct, instant warmth to whatever is positioned in front of it rather than heating the surrounding air.
With three adjustable bars, hourly costs vary by setting: the low setting (400W) costs roughly 10.5p per hour, the medium setting (800W) roughly 21p per hour, and the high setting (1200W) roughly 31.6p per hour.
For those working from home, or anyone spending an evening in a single room, the potential savings are considerable. Sitting directly in front of the heater on its lowest setting costs approximately 10p per hour, while the highest setting reaches 32p. Opting for this method rather than switching on the central heating could save households up to £1.00 for every hour the main boiler stays off.
Other options and warnings
Home Bargains is also selling a Pifco Upright Fan Heater 2000w for £9.99, described as a "sleek, 2-in-1 powerhouse" that lets you switch from powerful heating to cool air, keeping you comfortable all year round.
Energy experts caution, however, that portable heaters can quickly become costly if used incorrectly. As halogen heaters don't warm the surrounding air, the moment you switch the unit off or move out of its direct line of sight, the cold will immediately return.
Should several family members simultaneously run separate electric heaters in different rooms, the combined electricity costs will rapidly surpass the expense of simply running the gas central heating.
