Heat the Person, Not the House: What It Actually Costs
Hourly running costs for common heaters at 2026 UK and US rates, and who should keep the heating on.
Last updated: 15 October 2026. Rates checked against Ofgem's cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 and the US Energy Information Administration's 2026 outlook.
"Heat the person, not the house" became the money-saving line of the energy crisis, and the principle is sound. Heating a room means heating its air, which leaks out, and its walls and windows, which pull the heat away. Warming a person means keeping in the heat a body already makes. This page puts the arithmetic in one place so you can make the call for your own home, plus the important part most articles skip: when you should not do it.
The rates used here
- UK: electricity 26.32p per kWh, gas 7.97p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, October to December 2026, direct debit, national average; your region and tariff will differ).
- US: electricity about 18.2 cents per kWh (EIA forecast average residential price for 2026; state prices range from roughly half that to well over double).
Running cost per hour is simply the appliance's power in kilowatts multiplied by your unit rate. A 2 kW heater on full for one hour uses 2 kWh.
Hourly running costs
| What | Typical power | UK per hour | US per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan or convector heater, full | 2 kW | 52.6p | 36.4¢ |
| Space heater, full | 1.5 kW | 39.5p | 27.3¢ |
| Halogen heater, one bar | 0.4 kW | 10.5p | 7.3¢ |
| Heated throw | ~100 W | 2.6p | 1.8¢ |
| Electric under-blanket | ~60 W | 1.6p | 1.1¢ |
| Wearable blanket, hot water bottle, wool | 0 W | 0p | 0¢ |
Thermostatic heaters cycle on and off once a room reaches temperature, so real costs are usually lower than the full-power figure. Check the wattage on your own appliance's label and multiply by your own tariff for an exact number.
Why central heating is harder to put a number on
Gas is cheaper per kWh than electricity, but a central heating system heats every room on the circuit, including the ones nobody is in, and the amount it uses depends on the house: insulation, size, boiler efficiency, how cold it is outside. That is why we do not quote an hourly figure for it, and why you should be suspicious of anyone who quotes a precise annual saving for turning it down without knowing your home. Your smart meter or your bills are the only honest source.
How to heat the person well
- Cover the legs and feet. Cold air pools at floor level, and sitting still with your feet on a cold floor is where most people feel it. Length beats thickness.
- Trap a still layer of air. Deep-pile fabrics and loose layers hold warm air against you; tight thin layers do not.
- Close the gaps. A throw that slides off loses its warmth every time. Something worn stays put.
- Cover your head and neck when sitting still. They are uncovered most of the day and lose heat steadily.
- Use small, targeted electric heat for the last bit. A heated throw or under-blanket costs a few pence an hour.
We make Enfold for exactly this: a hooded, ankle-length wearable with plush faux fur inside, open sides so your hands are free, worn on the sofa or at a desk. It uses no energy. We will not tell you what it saves you, because that depends on your house, not on us.
When not to turn the heating down
This part matters more than the savings. The UK Health Security Agency advises heating the rooms you use to at least 18°C if you are over 65 or have a long-term health condition. Babies are different again: the Lullaby Trust advises keeping the room a baby sleeps in between 16 and 20°C. Cold homes raise blood pressure and the risk of chest infections, and older people may not notice they are getting cold. Leaving rooms very cold for long stretches also encourages condensation and mould.
So: heat the person for the evening on the sofa, by all means. Do not let the rooms someone vulnerable lives in drop below 18°C to save money; if cost is the barrier, contact your energy supplier and local council about help with bills.
Related guides
- How to stay warm working from home
- Why you feel cold at home when the thermostat says it is warm
- How to stay warm in a house without heat overnight
Common questions
What does heat the person, not the house mean?
Warming yourself with clothing, blankets and small personal heaters instead of heating whole rooms. It works because heating a room also heats its air, walls and windows, while warming a person only means keeping in heat the body already makes.
How much does a 2kW heater cost to run per hour?
About 52.6p an hour on full at the UK cap rate of 26.32p per kWh for October to December 2026, and about 36 cents an hour at the 2026 US average of around 18.2 cents per kWh. Thermostatic models cost less once the room warms up.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than central heating?
Per hour, almost always: a typical electric under-blanket draws around 60 W, which is under 2p an hour at UK rates. It only warms the bed, though, so it replaces bedroom heating rather than whole-house heating.
What temperature should my home be?
UK health guidance is at least 18°C in the rooms you use if you are over 65 or have a long-term health condition, and 16 to 20°C for a room where a baby sleeps. Healthy adults may be comfortable lower with warm clothing.