Working from home: staying warm without the fan heater bill
A 2,000W fan heater left on for an 8-hour working day costs about £4.16. A heated desk mat does the same day for about 15p.
Our Experience
I work from home with a fan heater. It gets the room too hot, so I end up switching it off, then back on when I cool down — all day long. And the running cost is always on my mind. Putting the whole house heating on just to warm one room isn't the answer either: it's heating bedrooms and hallways nobody is using.
A working day, side by side
| Option | Per day | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| Fan heater, on all day2,000W | £4.16 | £20.80 |
| Heated throw over your lap100W | 21p | £1.04 |
| Heated desk mat70W | 15p | 73p |
8 hours a day, 5 days a week, at 26p per kWh.
Recommended heated throw: Check Price on AmazonA small commission may be earned on Amazon links.
More ways to stay comfortable
Switch heated mats and throws off when you step away from your desk.
- Use it for a short warm-up first thing, then turn it off.
- Shut the door so the warmth stays in your room.
- If it has a thermostat, set it low so it holds the room rather than cooking it.
- Keep it clear of papers, curtains and bags, and never leave it on when you leave the room.
- Turn other radiators down so only your work room is heated.
- Pair a lower thermostat setting with a throw or desk mat.
- Warm socks or slippers — cold feet make the whole body feel cold.
- A rug under the desk if the floor is hard.
- Get up and move about every hour.
See your own winter savings in the Smart Swap Finder.
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