Energy Expert Shares 3 Cheapest Ways To Heat A Room – Without Touching The Thermostat
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Winter heating bills can feel like a financial gut punch, especially when you’re trying to keep every room in your house comfortable. With energy costs climbing, homeowners across the country will be looking for ways to stay warm without cranking up the thermostat and watching their monthly bills skyrocket.
The good news? You don’t need to bundle up in blankets or resign yourself to shivering through the season. According to Corey Gilgan, Owner of Oregon Generators, a company specializing in residential and commercial generator installation and electrical solutions, there are smart, cost-effective ways to heat individual rooms that can slash your energy expenses.
“People tend to think their only option is turning up the central heating, but that’s actually the most expensive approach,” says Gilgan. “When you heat your entire home to warm just the rooms you’re using, you’re essentially throwing money out the window.”
Below, Gilgan shares three proven methods that target specific areas where you spend the most time, to help you stay comfortable while keeping more cash in your pocket.
The 3 Cheapest Ways To Heat A Room This Winter
1. Strategic Space Heater Placement
Space heaters get a bad reputation for being energy hogs, but when used correctly, they’re actually money-savers. It’s all about understanding when and where to deploy them for maximum efficiency.
“A quality space heater uses about 750 to 1,500 watts of electricity, which sounds like a lot until you compare it to heating your entire house,” explains Gilgan. “If you’re only using your living room for three hours in the evening, why heat the whole house all day?”
The best approach is choosing the right type and positioning it properly. Look for ceramic or oil-filled radiator heaters, which distribute heat more evenly than basic coil models. Place the heater away from windows and doors where cold air enters, and close off the room you’re heating to trap warm air inside.
“I always tell my customers to think about their daily routine,” says Gilgan. “Heat the bedroom for an hour before bedtime, then switch to heating the kitchen while you’re making breakfast. You’re following your own movement patterns instead of heating empty rooms.”
For safety and efficiency, never use extension cords with space heaters, and always plug them directly into wall outlets. This prevents overheating and ensures you’re getting full power output.
2. Thermal Curtains That Actually Work
Windows are notorious heat thieves, as they let warm air escape and cold air seep in. Thermal curtains act like insulation for your windows, by creating a barrier that can reduce heat loss by up to 20%.
The investment pays off quickly. A good set of thermal curtains costs between $30-$60 per window, but they can cut your heating costs by 25% throughout the winter season.
“People hang regular curtains and then wonder why their rooms still feel drafty,” notes Gilgan. “Thermal curtains have multiple layers (sometimes three or four) with insulating materials sandwiched between decorative fabric.”
For maximum effectiveness, hang thermal curtains as close to the window as possible and extend them beyond the window frame on all sides. During sunny winter days, open them to let natural solar heat warm the room, then close them before sunset to trap that warmth inside.
Don’t overlook smaller windows either. Even bathroom and bedroom windows benefit from thermal treatments, especially if they face north or are frequently hit by winter winds.
3. Rug Layering And Floor Insulation
Cold floors can make an entire room feel chilly, forcing you to turn up the heat just to feel comfortable. Layering rugs and adding insulation underfoot is one of the most overlooked heating hacks.
“Hard floors like tile, hardwood, or laminate act like giant heat sinks,” explains Gilgan. “They pull warmth right out of your body and make the whole room feel colder than it actually is.”
Start with a large area rug as your base layer, then add smaller accent rugs in high-traffic areas. The key is creating continuous coverage so your feet never touch cold flooring. Thick, dense rugs work better than thin decorative ones. Think Persian or wool rugs rather than flat weaves.
For extra insulation, place rug pads underneath your rugs. These create an additional air barrier between your feet and the cold floor while preventing rugs from sliding around.
“In rooms with concrete foundations or basements below, floor insulation can make a 5-10 degree difference in how warm the space feels,” says Gilgan. “That means you can keep your thermostat lower while staying just as comfortable.”
Pay special attention to entryways and areas near exterior doors, where cold drafts typically enter. A thick runner rug along these zones prevents cold air from spreading throughout the room.
Corey Gilgan, Owner of Oregon Generators, commented:
“The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is heating their entire house to make one or two rooms comfortable. The three methods I’ve listed let you target exactly where you need warmth, which can cut your heating bills by 20-30% without sacrificing comfort.
“A space heater running for four hours costs about $2 in electricity, while heating your whole house for the same period can cost $8-12. When you add thermal curtains and proper floor insulation, you’re creating a more efficient heating envelope that holds warmth longer.
“The upfront costs are minimal, maybe $200-300 total for all three solutions, but the savings compound every month throughout the heating season. Most of my customers see their investment pay for itself within the first winter.”
Reviewed October 2025