Cheapest way to warm a room wfh

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I work from home in an office which has a radiator that doesn’t kick out enough heat for me. The boiler is new and I can’t put in a radiator that is much wider and I don’t want to add a second as the pipes would have to be on display.

The room has patio doors into the garden and curtains which I can draw when it is dark.

But I’m cold. I want some type of heater that isn’t going to cost a fortune. I wear heat holder socks, thermals and wrist warmers but my fingertips go numb and I have to be able to type.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Electric throw.... pennies to run and you can adjust immediately. Highly recommend - I pretty much have one in every room (cold draughty house!)

If you haven’t done so already, it might be worth getting a health check to see whether anything can be done so that you feel warmer in yourself. I apologise if you already have a medical condition.

Have you tried bleeding the radiator? If it’s full of air it won’t heat up. You need to get rid of the air that builds up, if your radiators gurgle a lot when you fire up the boiler for the first time it’s air.

What insulation or draft proofing do you have on the patio doors? Add plastic film to the windows to keep heat in if they are single glazed.

General rule is to warm the person not the room. So slippers, jumper, heated blanket, fingerless gloves. There will be a combo that works.

We installed this electric heater in our downstairs bathroom and are really happy with it
It's really slim so sits on the wall behind the door which was the only space we could put something!

https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/mylek-ultra-slim-electric-panel-heater?power=0.5&variant=263591&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzJjm1qY-gIVArDtCh2KRgJ7EAQYDCABEgLq3D_BwE

Electric blanket. Complete game changer.

Thanks everyone.

I am not unwell I just get really cold. I’m quite thin and have always felt the cold. My finger tips do go numb but I don’t believe that can be fixed anyway (so even if they diagnosed reynauds I don’t think there is a cure). Some people hate the heat I really hate being cold - I’m suited to warmer climates 😁 but moving isn’t an option.

Patio doors are brand new and double glazed.

Rad was installed last year - I trusted the plumber in installing a decent BTU rating but with hindsight should have done my own research - regardless it’s behind a door (which I keep shut) and it couldn’t be any deeper. Plus I don’t really want to heat the whole house when I’m in all day alone so I keep it on low when we m in by myself.

i will try the heated throw and I will check out the heater. Thanks

Hot water bottle works for me.
Wear a hat - a hat warms your whole body.

I saw a post the other day about how people heat small rooms and camper vans using a candle under a terracotta flower pot raised up on bricks, apparently it’s very effective but I’ve not tried it!

Also agree with health check. I have chronic anaemia (hereditary) my feet and hands are always cold.

I use fingerless gloves when travelling and have a little heat pad that I wrap around my feet, was £20 on amazon and I love it!

Infra red heater. Warmth wise it’s like sitting in direct sunlight. Back in the office now but I loved mines when wfh.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CURVED-STANDING-INFRARED-HEATING-PANEL/dp/B08LNRJBS4/ref=asc_df_B08LNRJBS4/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=477380152465&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1733502911732440938&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046984&hvtargid=pla-1013791730289&psc=1

Also electric foot warmer, like a giant bootie.

I am not a cold person when I’m moving around but if I’m sat typing I get really cold fingers and it affects my typing. I’m loathe to put the heating on yet so I wear thick socks, have my feet on a hot water bottle, work in the smallest room in the house with the door closed and the odd fan heater blast.

Agree it's best to heat the person.

I have a large heated throw, draped around my shoulders and clipped at the front with large bulldog clips (avoiding the internal wires).

Also have an electric heat pad which I put at my back, when I don't use the throw, which feels cosy.

Slippers and socks are a good combo.

A heated footrest and cashmere wrist warmers saved me last winter. As well as the usual thermals.

An heated warming hoody or heated padded body warmer.

They are powered by a power pack in the pocket which can be charged up. Game changer.

And not restrictive to movement.

Available on Amazon. They also have other heated clothing items.

Also recommend the Heat Tech underwear from Uniqlo.

Hot water Bottle and Blanket over the knee but sometimes that feels all wrong for work mode I know!

Switch out the radiator for a tall one? Whole wall height?

Look at shutters for the windows so you get daylight but reduced heat loss. I use a daylight / SAD lamp in my dark room.

Electric throw - I've just bought one for my north facing WFH office.

I wear fingerless gloves with copper through them as needed as I've started to get Reynauds symptoms in the last few years which is probably linked to my chronic migraine and triptan use.

Ugg boots are amazing for WFH and sitting still. I also have a sheepskin rug under the desk for my feet, keeps the chill off even with a carpet.

Agree with the othrrs recommending heated throw -or just a electric blanket which are usually cheaper. I put mine over the seat and then sat on it, barely put the heating on all winter last year.

Also -you said you're wearing gloves etc but have you got something on your head? That made a huge difference to me, whether it's a hat or just a hoody pulled up - makes sense really, otherwise you have 80 percent of your body covered in multiple layers and 20% completely bare!

Do you move about much - stand up and walk every half hour ?

And agree warm yourself not the room

Heated foot rest/pad, wool socks and a Oodie.

Also heated throws are a game changer!

If you use a mouse a lot you can get a heated mouse and also heated/covered mouse mat - game changer if you do a lot of excel work!

We run a dehumidifier. Damp air feels colder. Helps with drying laundry too.

Plus the dehumidifier releases a bit of heat. Does take the edge off!

I have a pair of knock off Ugg boots which I keep just for wearing in the house during the winter and they make a huge difference to keeping warm (my office is over the garage and it strikes up cold). Way more than any socks as the thick sole insulates you - a small foam mat will also help insulate your feet.
If you are going to buy a heated thing, can I recommend the Warm Daddy - its really warm in its own right, but the heated panels are incredible.

An oil filled radiator will heat just your room, but I think they aren't that effective esp if you are a cold person

Another vote for an electric throw - total game changer. I bought mine from Lakeland last Autumn and had it wrapped round me (just under the boobs so you couldn't see it on work Teams calls!) every day all winter - was amazing. I almost can't wait for it to get colder so I can start using it again...!

The cheapest booster, which is in fact free, is to go for a walk 3 times a day. Before work, at lunch and mid-afternoon. 10-15 minutes will do it if you march briskly.

I always encourage my staff to do it. Stimulates the brain and mood as well as the circulation. And get up and walk around during calls.