European Natural Gas Prices Have Soared. How To Heat Up Economically During The Winter?

The price of natural gas in Europe has skyrocketed. The most economical and effective measures include prioritizing heating, implementing local heating, promoting behavioral energy conservation, and adjusting electricity usage during off-peak hours.
Ⅰ. First, lock the heat (zero cost / low cost, saves 10% - 30%)
- Door and window sealing: Apply sealing strips, use old towels or door underlays to fill the gaps, preventing cold air from entering.
- Thick curtains + aluminum foil: Open them during the day to let in sunlight, close them at night; attach aluminum foil behind the radiator to reflect heat back into the room.
- Close unused rooms + centralized heating: Close unused rooms, and have the whole family stay in 1-2 rooms to reduce the heating area.
- Carpet/floor mat: Place thick mats under tiles/wood floors, increasing the body sensation temperature by 4-6℃.
II. How to Save on Gas/Heating (The Most Important Point)
- A 1℃ drop in temperature = 6%-10% energy savings: The most economical temperature setting is 18-20℃. At night, it can be lowered to 16℃.
- Avoid frequent power on/off: If you leave for less than 6 hours, do not turn off the device. Set it to run at a low temperature of 15℃. This is more energy-efficient than cooling down completely and then turning it on.
- Floor heating/central heating panels: The water temperature for floor heating is 40-45℃, and for heating panels, it's 60-70℃. Running at a lower temperature for a longer period saves more energy.
- Regular maintenance: Cleaning the filter and releasing air can increase efficiency by 10% or more.
III. How to Choose Electric Heating (Safer and More Energy-Efficient than Whole-House Gas Heating)
- Electric blanket (preferred): Approximately 100W of power. Preheat for 10 minutes before going to bed, then turn off. It keeps you warm throughout the night, consuming only 0.1-0.2 kWh of electricity per night.
- Low-power heater/kickline (500-800W): Localized heating (around the feet). It saves 70% compared to a whole-house air conditioner.
- Oil lamp/Graphene： Suitable for long-term use. Turn on during off-peak hours (22：00 - 6：00 the next day), and enjoy a 5-6% discount on electricity costs.
- Hot water bag/Hand warmer： Zero electricity consumption. Fill with hot water and use for one night. The cost is almost zero.
4. Behavior + Attire (No cost, body sensation + 3-5℃)
- Onion-style dressing: thermal underwear + fleece + pajama set. The air between layers retains heat, making it warmer than wearing thick clothes alone.
- Drinking hot beverages + soaking feet: ginger and jujube tea, soaking feet in hot water for 10 minutes to increase core temperature.
- Less opening windows, shorter ventilation: ventilate 1-2 times a day, for 5-10 minutes each time.
V. Long-term and Medium-term Saving Plan (Suitable for the Long Term)
- Wood/pebble bed boilers: The lowest unit price (0.04 - 0.08 €/kWh), but pay attention to ventilation and safety.
- Heat pumps: After government subsidies, they can save 50% + compared to gas in the long term, suitable for new houses/renovations.
- Solar power + energy storage: By taking advantage of peak and off-peak electricity prices, it can reduce electricity costs by 60% in the long run.
VI. European Family Real-Test Comparison (2026)
- Whole house gas heating: £16 per night
- Electric blanket + local heater: £0.5 per night (saves 97%)
- Hot water bag + thick curtains: £0 per night (zero cost)