Electric heating can be easy to control. So, use it when and where you need it, choose a comfortable temperature and avoid heating empty rooms.
Know Your Heating
First, make sure you know what type of electric heating you have.
Direct electric heaters, storage heaters and heat pumps work in different ways. So, they should not all be used in the same way.
If you are unsure, start here:
Learn more: Electric Heating Explained →
If you have storage heaters, use our separate guide:
Learn more: Storage Heaters Explained →
Heat the Rooms You Use
You do not always need every room at the same temperature.
For example, if you spend most of the evening in your living room, you may not need to heat an empty spare room to the same level.
So, where your heating allows it, match each room to the way you use it.
However, avoid letting unused parts of the home become very cold. This can increase the risk of damp and condensation.
The aim is simple: avoid heating rooms more than you need to.
Use Your Thermostat
A thermostat helps control the room temperature.
Once the room reaches the set temperature, the heater can reduce or stop heating. Then, it starts heating again when needed.
So, choose a temperature that keeps you comfortable.
Also, don’t turn the thermostat to its highest setting just because the room feels cold.
A higher setting does not normally make a standard electric heater warm the room faster. Instead, it tells the heater to keep heating until the room reaches a higher temperature.
Use Timers and Schedules
Next, think about when you need heat.
Heating an empty room for hours wastes energy.
So, set your heating around your normal day where possible.
For example:
Bedroom → morning and evening
Home office → working hours
Living room → evening
Your own times will be different. However, the idea is the same.
Heat the room when you need it.
Don’t Start Too Early
Your home needs time to warm up. However, the heating may not need to start hours before you use a room.
So, learn how long each room takes to become comfortable.
Then, adjust the timer.
For example, if a room is warm enough after 30 minutes, starting the heater two hours early may waste energy.
However, another room or home may take longer.
Therefore, use your own home as the guide.
Should Heating Stay On?
You may hear that leaving heating on low all day is cheaper than switching it on when needed.
However, this is not a rule you should rely on.
A warm home loses heat to the colder air outside. So, keeping an empty home warm all day can mean replacing that lost heat for many hours.
Instead, match the heating to when you need it.
However, the best approach also depends on your home, heating system and how quickly it cools.
Storage heaters work differently because they store heat earlier for use later.
Keep Heaters Clear
Give your heaters room to work.
For example, furniture or curtains can stop heat spreading properly around a room.
So:
- keep furniture away from heaters where needed
- don’t cover heaters
- keep vents and grilles clear
- follow the maker’s safety instructions
Also, don’t dry clothes directly on a heater unless it is designed for that use.
Reduce Draughts and Heat Loss
Your heating has to replace the heat your home loses.
So, reducing heat loss can help you stay warm while using less energy.
For example, you may be able to:
- stop unwanted draughts
- close curtains or blinds after dark
- keep outside doors closed
- improve loft or wall insulation
- improve windows, doors or floors
However, homes still need the right ventilation.
So, don’t block vents that are needed for fresh air or safety.
Learn more: Insulation and Heat Loss →
Check Your Electricity Tariff
If electricity heats your home, the price you pay can make a big difference.
So, check:
- your unit rate
- whether you have more than one rate
- when each rate applies
- your standing charge
This is especially important if you have storage heaters or another system that uses electricity at set times.
Learn more: Energy Charges Explained →
Use Cheaper Times Wisely
Some tariffs have cheaper electricity at certain times.
However, a cheap rate only helps if you can use electricity at those times.
For example, an off-peak rate may work well with storage heaters that charge overnight.
However, it may be less useful for direct heaters if you mainly need them when electricity costs more.
So, don’t choose a tariff because one rate looks cheap.
Instead, check when you use electricity and what you pay at those times.
Check What Heating Costs
Electric heaters can use a lot of electricity.
So, it can help to know what your heater may cost to run.
You do not need to work this out by hand.
Enter the heater’s power, how long you use it and your electricity unit rate into our calculator.
Use the Appliance Cost Calculator →
Remember, a heater with a thermostat may switch its heating element on and off. Therefore, the result is an estimate rather than a promise of the exact cost.
Use Your Smart Meter
If you have a smart meter, your in-home display can help you see when your electricity use rises.
So, look at your use before, during and after the heating is on.
Then, try small changes.
For example, you could change a timer or temperature and see what happens to your energy use.
However, weather also affects heating needs. So, compare similar days where possible.
Learn more: Smart Meters Explained →
Don’t Forget Hot Water
If your home uses electricity for heating, it may also use electricity for hot water.
For example, you may have an immersion heater.
So, if your electricity use seems high, don’t look only at your room heaters.
Also, check how and when your water is heated.
Learn more: Immersion Heaters Explained →
Start With Five Questions
If you want to use your electric heating better, start here:
- What heating do I have?
- Which rooms need heat?
- When do I need them warm?
- What temperature is comfortable?
- What do I pay for electricity?
Once you know those answers, it becomes much easier to spot wasted energy.
Key Points
First, heat the rooms you use.
Then, match the heating times to your day.
Also, use thermostats to control the temperature.
Next, reduce draughts and heat loss where you can.
Finally, check your tariff and use your smart-meter data to see what is happening.
The aim is not to make your home cold. Instead, it is to stay comfortable without using electricity you do not need.
Next: Storage Heaters Explained →