Space heaters this winter: types, costs and safer choices

Energy bills keep seesawing, the weather keeps turning colder, and more households are looking for extra warmth that doesn’t blow the monthly budget.

Across the UK and the US, plenty of people are treating space heaters as a fallback this winter, using them instead of pushing the central heating higher for the whole house. Choose well and you can take the edge off a cold room quickly; choose badly and you may pay more than expected and increase the safety risks.

Why space heaters are back in the spotlight

Central heating remains the main source of warmth in most homes, but it doesn’t always fit modern routines. People now work from spare rooms, children revise in box bedrooms, and older relatives may spend much of the day in one spot. Warming every room just to make one occupied space comfortable often isn’t cost-effective.

That’s why space heaters have become popular again. They tend to make sense in three familiar scenarios:

• Bringing up the temperature in rooms that are under-heated or poorly insulated, such as converted lofts or garages.
• Giving your main heating a boost during a cold snap without changing the thermostat for the entire property.
• Delivering fast warmth for short spells, such as a home office or bathroom first thing.

Less households using targeted space heating in one or two rooms often cut their gas or electric bills compared to whole‑house heating at high temperatures.

Energy regulators around Europe continue to flag how unpredictable prices can be. That uncertainty is leading people to think not only about how much they heat, but where and when they do it.

Key types of space heaters this winter

Fan heaters: small, hot and hungry

Fan heaters are tucked away in countless cupboards because they’re inexpensive, lightweight and can warm a small area within minutes. A resistance element heats the air, then a fan pushes that hot air into the room.

• Ideal for very small spaces, such as bathrooms or compact home offices.
• Handy when you only need heat for a brief period.
• Simple to carry from room to room.

The drawback is that they’re typically high wattage and draw power continuously while running. That quick burst of comfort can be costly, particularly with older units that lack thermostats or timers. If you run one for several hours a day, it can wipe out the savings you were aiming for.

Oil‑filled radiators: slow start, steady comfort

Oil‑filled radiators warm a sealed internal fluid, which then releases heat gradually through metal fins. In feel, they’re closer to a miniature version of central heating radiators than a blast heater.

• Strong thermal inertia: they keep giving off heat even after you switch them off.
• Quiet operation, making them suitable for bedrooms and living rooms.
• Often cheaper to run for regular, multi-hour sessions.

They’re not instant. Compared with a fan heater, a cold room takes longer to feel cosy. Many models are also large and heavy, although wheels usually make them easier to position. If you intend to heat one main living space for most of the evening, an oil‑filled radiator often balances comfort and running cost better than a fan heater.

Paraffin and kerosene heaters: powerful, but controversial

Liquid-fuel options, including paraffin and kerosene heaters, still interest people in areas with unreliable electricity or in older, draughty homes. They produce strong radiant heat and can cope with larger spaces.

• Capable of warming large rooms or open-plan areas quickly.
• Not dependent on mains electricity, which is useful during power cuts.

However, they come with more safety concerns than electric alternatives. Burning fuel produces gases and fine particles, so constant ventilation is essential. In practice that means keeping a window or vent slightly open, which can also let some of the heat you’ve generated escape.

Using a fuel‑burning heater in a closed room without fresh air can lead to carbon monoxide build‑up, which can be deadly.

In some countries, insurers already discourage indoor use. Where these heaters are permitted, you’ll need dependable carbon monoxide alarms, routine servicing, and strict fuel storage practices.

Infrared heaters: heating people, not air

Infrared heaters don’t work like typical convectors. Instead of primarily warming the air, they emit radiant heat that warms surfaces, furniture and skin directly. The effect is noticeable quickly, particularly when you’re sitting within the beam.

• Helpful for defined spots such as a desk, workshop bench or balcony.
• Provide near-instant warmth without needing to pre-heat the whole room.

They are particularly effective in semi-open or draughty spaces where warmed air would otherwise disappear fast. Even so, they don’t usually warm an entire living room evenly-anyone outside the direct line of heat may still feel chilly. They’re generally best used alongside other heating rather than as the only source for a room.

Ceramic heaters: the middle path

Ceramic space heaters use a ceramic element that holds and releases heat more gradually than a bare metal coil. Many include a small fan, aiming to combine speed with more even comfort.

• Warm up fairly quickly and retain heat a little longer.
• Often more compact and quieter than oil‑filled radiators.

They tend to cost more upfront than basic fan heaters, but improved controls-such as thermostats, oscillation and eco modes-can help reduce running costs. For small to medium rooms that need heat every day, they often look like a practical compromise.

How to choose a space heater that works for your life

Choosing a heater isn’t just about the wattage on the packaging. Three down-to-earth checks can help you decide:

• Room size: A small bathroom or study may be fine with a fan or ceramic heater, whereas a larger living room often suits an oil‑filled radiator or a higher-output unit.
• Usage pattern: For occasional 15‑minute bursts, fan heaters and infrared models fit well. For long evening use, oil‑filled radiators or efficient ceramic heaters usually work better.
• Energy budget: A low-cost heater with weak controls can end up being the priciest option over winter once the bills land.

Rule of thumb: many homes need around 100 watts per square metre for short‑term heating, but insulation quality can raise or reduce that number significantly.

A simple cost check helps: estimate how many hours per day you’ll use the heater, multiply by its power (in kilowatts), then multiply by your electricity unit rate. This quickly highlights the difference between a 2,000‑watt fan heater running flat out and a 1,200‑watt oil‑filled radiator that cycles on and off under thermostat control.

Quick comparison of common options

Type	Upfront price (approx.)	Typical energy use	Best room size	Main use case
Fan heater	£15–£40 / $20–$50	High, continuous draw	Small rooms	Short, intense heating
Oil‑filled radiator	£40–£120 / $50–$150	Moderate over long periods	Medium rooms	Evening or all‑day comfort
Liquid‑fuel heater	£90–£250 / $100–$300	Depends on fuel price	Large, ventilated spaces	Cold snaps, power cuts
Infrared heater	£40–£160 / $50–$200	Low for targeted areas	Zones, not full rooms	Desks, patios, workshops
Ceramic heater	£40–£120 / $50–$150	Moderate with better control	Small to medium rooms	Daily, controlled heating

Safety features that really matter

With demand rising, fire and rescue services repeatedly caution against unsafe use of space heaters. Before buying, many shoppers look for:

• Tip-over cut-out protection that switches the unit off if it falls.
• Overheat protection that shuts the heater down if components get too hot.
• Robust cables and plugs rated for the full electrical load.
• Timers or thermostats to prevent accidental all-night running.

Specialists also recommend keeping heaters at least 1 metre away from curtains, bedding and furniture, and avoiding multi-plug adapters for high-wattage appliances. These may sound like common sense, yet a significant number of winter house fires still begin with a heater pushed up against a sofa.

Small habits that lower bills further

The appliance matters, but everyday routines can also reduce what you spend:

• Close internal doors to keep heat in the room you’re using.
• Fit draught excluders and use thick curtains to reduce heat loss.
• Wear layers-especially thermal base layers-so you can set the heater slightly lower.
• Run central heating at a lower temperature and use a space heater in the main living room, rather than heating the entire home to a high level.

Individually, these changes can seem minor, but across several cold months they can blunt the impact of higher tariffs.

Thinking beyond this winter

Space heaters address an immediate need, but they also draw attention to longer-standing problems in older housing: weak insulation, single glazing, damp walls and poorly sealed floors. In homes that leak heat quickly, even efficient heaters have to work harder than they should.

Over the longer term, many households will benefit more from pairing modest insulation improvements with a smaller, smarter space heater. Straightforward measures-such as topping up loft insulation, adding radiator reflector panels, or sealing gaps around windows-can reduce the power demand of any heater you buy today. By next winter, you may find the same heater achieves comfort on a lower setting, and the bills reflect that change.