How to Keep a House Warm Without Central Heat

1. Leverage the Power of Sunlight

One of the simplest ways to warm your home naturally is by maximizing sunlight exposure. Open blinds and curtains during the day to allow sunlight to flood your rooms.

Pro Tips:

• Follow the sun: Track its position throughout the day for optimal light and heat.
• Understand window placement:
  • South-facing windows provide consistent sunlight all day.
  • East-facing windows warm your home in the morning.
  • West-facing windows deliver afternoon heat.

2. Insulate Windows and Doors

Unfortunately, taking advantage of sunlight coming through the windows is ineffective if the windows aren’t properly insulated.

Insulation throughout your home—whether in the walls, around windows and doors, or in attics, which we'll get to below—ensures that your home stays cool and warm, depending on the season.

In warmer months, insulation helps keep outside warm air from entering the home. When temps are chilly, well-insulated windows and doors prevent cold from penetrating your home’s interior.

Effective Insulation Techniques:

• Install cellular shades. These accordion-like shades are typically made from fabric, which forms air pockets that trap cold air coming in through the window the shades are on.
• Apply a rubber weather stripping. Very thin openings in windows and doors are more common than you think, and cold air slipping through the cracks can quickly cool down a room. Stripping, which is applied around the edges of doors and windows, seals out any cold air that might be trying to enter your home. 
• Cover them with vinyl sheets. Vinyl is a great insulator, which is why so many homes have vinyl siding exteriors. Vinyl is a flexible material that collects cold air, shrinks in the winter (and expands with warm air in the summer), and comes in rolls. This is an especially good solution for storm doors and windows.

3. Light Up the Fire

If you’re fortunate enough to have a working fireplace, make it your go-to solution for fighting off the chill! Whether you have a gas or wood-burning fireplace, it’s a simple way to add both cozy ambiance and a burst of warmth to your home.

Keep in mind, though, that while a fireplace adds charm and heats the immediate area, much of the warmth escapes through the chimney. Still, it’s a great way to make your favorite spaces more comfortable during colder days.

Wood stoves are another fantastic option. Often found in older homes, these timeless heaters do more than just warm the room they’re in—they can help circulate warm air throughout the house, making them a practical choice.

If a traditional fireplace isn’t an option, consider an electric fireplace. These versatile units double as stylish decor and are an affordable alternative to installing a full-fledged fireplace or wood stove. Whether mounted on the wall or freestanding, they’ll add both warmth and aesthetic charm to your home.

4. Close Doors

Close doors to any unused rooms to create an even further barrier between you and the outdoors.

Air is likely coming in through a room’s windows, and by shutting off the path, you’re helping prevent the cold air from making its way to other areas and rooms you’re using to stay warm.

5. Add Insulation in the Attic and Crawl Spaces

Since warm air rises, a lot of heat escapes a home through its attic and crawl spaces. Be sure that these areas of your home are properly insulated to keep the heat inside.

We recommend calling in a professional to insulate your home’s attic or crawlspace, as they’ll be able to scope out the area and determine the best type of insulation material to keep heat in and how much will be needed.

6. Use a Space Heater

One of the easiest, most effective, and immediate ways to warm a room without central heat is with a space heater. Look for a high-quality, energy-efficient option.

An electric wall-mounted heater is another great option if you don’t have central heat. It provides the same benefits as a portable heater without taking up floor space. 

7. Try Heat Panels

Heat panels provide warmth to a room via infrared heating. Typically, heat panels are secured to a wall or ceiling of the room, and they’re great for allergy sufferers since no potentially dusty air is being blown out of the machine (as with space heaters).

8. Use a Radiator 

If you live in a four-season climate but don’t have central heat, a radiator may likely already be installed in your home. Check its efficiency by removing any furniture that’s blocking the radiator from pushing heat throughout the room. 

If your radiator doesn't seem to be working to its full potential, it might need cleaning—over time, a radiator can get filled with condensation and dirt and result in sludge, which can block air from coming out.

If you find that there are any cold spots on the radiator (be very careful when checking so you don't burn yourself), call in a radiator service professional to clean it.

9. Reverse Ceiling Fans

Did you know you can change the direction of your ceiling fan? It's a small adjustment that can make a big difference in how cozy your home feels!

Here’s how it works: When your fan spins counterclockwise, it creates a downdraft, circulating cool air throughout the room—perfect for summer. But in the winter, switching the fan to spin clockwise helps draw up warm air that’s risen to the ceiling and redistributes it evenly across the room.

A good rule of thumb? Reverse your ceiling fan to clockwise in November, when daylight savings ends, so it’s ready to keep you warm as the temperatures drop. Then switch it back to counterclockwise in March to prepare for spring!

10. Utilize Body Heat

Ever notice how being in a packed conference room or a crowded concert can make you start to sweat? That’s because our bodies naturally emit heat, and when you gather enough 98-degree bodies in one space, the temperature is bound to rise.

While one person alone won’t heat up a room, it’s a great excuse to invite some friends over. Not only will the company warm your heart, but their body heat will help warm your home, too!

Looking for more ways to generate warmth? Engage in heat-inducing activities! Kick things off with a home workout—turn on your favorite YouTube fitness video and get moving. It’s a double win: you’ll warm up your body and stay active at the same time.

Another simple solution? Head to the kitchen! Cooking or baking warms you up as you move around, and the heat from your oven and stove will cozy up the room. Crank up some music and dance while you prep dinner—you’ll be having fun and staying warm, all in one go.

And if your living room feels chilly, it’s the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch with a loved one or your furry friend. Sometimes, the best warmth comes from the ones closest to you!

Keeping your home warm without central heating isn’t just about staying comfortable—it’s about finding clever, resourceful ways to make the most of what you have.

Do you have additional advice on how to keep a house warm without central heat? Share below!