Quick answer
A quiet, compact 1200W ceramic heater with a thermostat is ideal for a home office. It warms a study of up to 20 m² in minutes, sits on the floor or under the desk, and costs around 16p an hour in typical use, which is far less than heating the whole house all day.
Quick checklist
- Quiet enough for video calls
- Compact for under or beside a desk
- Thermostat to avoid a stuffy room
- Cool-touch casing near legs and cables
- Fast warm-up for early starts
Why a separate office heater saves money
If you work 8 hours a day at home, heating only your office instead of the house can make a big difference. Turn the central heating down during work hours and let a small heater keep you comfortable.
What to look for
- Quiet operation for video calls
- Compact footprint
- Thermostat for steady temperature
- Safety cut-offs if left near papers or bags
- Remote, so you don't have to leave your chair
Working-day cost example
8 hours × about 16p = about £1.26 a day in typical thermostat use at 26.32p per kWh. Your figure will vary with insulation and tariff.
What it costs to run (current UK prices)
At the Ofgem price cap of 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026), a 1200W heater like the K1 costs about 32p an hour at full power. Once the room is warm the thermostat switches the heater on and off, so in normal use it averages about 16p an hour.
| How long | Typical cost per day | Over 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 16p | £4.74 |
| An evening (4 hours) | 63p | £18.95 |
| A working day (8 hours) | £1.26 | £37.90 |
Your own price may be a little higher or lower depending on your region and tariff. See how we calculate running costs or try the running cost calculator with your own unit rate.
Heating a home office without heating the whole house
If you work from home, running central heating all day just for one room can be costly. Turning the boiler down and using a small heater in the office is a common way to stay warm at your desk.
Close the office door, use a draught excluder and point the heater towards your legs rather than at the window.
Is a home-office heater tax-deductible?
If you're self-employed, a share of heating costs for a room used for work may be claimable. Employees can sometimes claim a flat working-from-home allowance. Rules change, so check GOV.UK or ask an accountant before relying on this.
Placing a heater near a desk
- Keep it 1 metre from paper, bins and curtains
- Don't run the cable under a rug
- Keep the air outlet away from your computer's vents
- Use the thermostat so it doesn't get stuffy and make you sleepy
How the K1 compares with other heaters
| Heater type | Warm in | Running cost | Safety and comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofenwerk K1 (ceramic) | About 2 seconds | About 16p/hour typical | Tip-over and overheat cut-off, cool-touch case, no glowing coil |
| Coil fan heater (2–3kW) | Seconds | 53–79p/hour at full power | Hot coil, can smell of burnt dust, often noisy |
| Oil-filled radiator (1.5–2.5kW) | 20–30 minutes | 39–66p/hour at full power | Surfaces get hot, heavy to move |
| Convector (2kW) | 10–15 minutes | About 53p/hour at full power | Heat rises to the ceiling first |
| Electric blanket (100W) | 10–20 minutes | About 3p/hour | Warms the bed only, not the room |
Full-power costs worked out at 26.32p per kWh. Thermostats lower all of these in real use.
Using any electric heater safely
These tips follow UK fire-service and Electrical Safety First advice and apply to any portable heater, including ours:
- Plug the heater straight into a wall socket. Don't use an extension lead or adaptor; they can overheat.
- Keep it at least 1 metre from curtains, bedding, clothes and furniture.
- Stand it on a flat, hard, stable surface where it can't be knocked over.
- Never cover it or dry clothes on it.
- Switch it off at the wall when you go out.
- Check the plug and cable now and then. Stop using it if either is damaged or feels hot.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor. Many UK fire services fit them free for older residents.
When the K1 is not the right choice
We'd rather you buy the right heater than return ours. The K1 is probably not for you if:
- You need total silence. The K1 has a gentle fan sound, a bit like a quiet laptop.
- You work in a large shared office. Check with your employer and building manager first.
- You want to heat a large open-plan space over about 20 m² with one heater. Two K1s, or a bigger heater, will do a better job.
Our pick: the Ofenwerk K1 Heater
- Warm air in about 2 seconds (PTC ceramic)
- 1200W, heats rooms up to 20 m²
- Tip-over and overheat cut-offs, cool-touch casing
- Thermostat + remote, about 16p an hour typical
- Free UK delivery, 30-day money back, 24-month warranty
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim a heater for working from home?
Tax rules on working-from-home expenses vary. Check GOV.UK or ask an accountant.
Will it be loud on calls?
The K1 is designed to run quietly, with a gentle fan and no ticking.
Is a ceramic heater quiet enough for Zoom calls?
Most people find the K1's fan sound fine for calls. If your microphone is very sensitive, turn it down to the low setting during calls.
How much does it cost to heat a home office for a day?
At today's UK price cap, about £1.26 for an 8-hour day of typical thermostat use with a 1200W heater.
Can I use a heater under my desk?
Yes, if there's clear space around it and nothing touching the air outlet. Don't block it with bags or paperwork.
What temperature should a home office be?
Many people are comfortable at 18–21°C. Use the thermostat to hold your preferred temperature.
Sources and how we checked this guide
- Electricity price: Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, checked 25 October 2026.
- Heater safety: UK fire and rescue service advice and Electrical Safety First guidance on portable heaters.
- K1 figures (1200W, about 2-second warm-up, room size up to 20 m², safety cut-offs) come from the product specification.
- Costs are worked out with the method on how we calculate running costs.