DIY Heaters – 11 Homemade Heating Systems That Actually Work!

With the temperature plummeting, you must be thinking about ways to not only keep your house warm but also save a few bucks on heating bills. Beyond saving energy, there’s also a looming threat of winter power outages when alternative heating sources become an absolute necessity. Sometimes, you also get in a heating emergency when your heating system stops working all of a sudden, and you have to switch to other options. In any case, DIY heaters really come in handy

A homemade heater won’t heat up your entire house, but it will help with spot heating, which is beneficial when you don’t have any other means to keep yourself warm. Also, they are easy to create – you can assemble most of them from the materials you already have on hand. Safety is a concern with DIY heaters, but you can use them with extra precautions.

To prepare you for the chilliest months, we have compiled a list of 11 DIY heater ideas to keep your house warm and cozy. But first, let’s look at a few safety points.

Key Safety Points to Remember

Here are some main points to take into account before you start creating your heater:

• A DIY heater should be kept away from walls, drapes, beds, and any other flammable materials.
• The heaters should be in a location where they won’t be knocked over. For example, placing them on a floor isn’t a good idea as kids, pets, or even adults can accidentally knock them down, posing a fire hazard.
• You should always use DIY heaters in a well-ventilated space.
• You should also develop a good insulating layer between the base of your heater and the surface it is sitting on, especially a wood surface. For example, you can use brick, tiles, or a layer of stones underneath the heater. You can even create a double layer of these materials to provide better insulation.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are working properly.
• Keep your DIY heaters well out of the reach of kids and pets.
• Do not use homemade heaters in your kids’ room.
• Don’t sleep with the heaters turned on, as there is a fire risk.

Now let’s jump right into some easy homemade heater ideas:

1. DIY Space Heater from Terracotta Pots

DIY terracotta pot heater is perfect for small bedrooms or bathrooms. You can place it on a table or hang it with a chain; it’s totally up to you! However, by suspending it in the air, the heater doesn’t come in contact with the furniture, and there’s less risk of fire damage. You can even decorate it with paint to match the interior of your room.

It will take about 20-30 minutes for you to feel the heat radiating from this DIY candle heater. If there is ever a power outage in your area, you can try this technique to keep yourself warm.

Things You Will Require

• 5-10 tea lights
• 6-inch terracotta pot with a base
• 1 5-inch pot
• Steel chain
• 14 half-inch nuts
• 11 half-inch washers
• 1 half-inch threaded rod

How to DIY a Space Heater

1. Take the rod and put two nuts on it. Twisting two nuts in opposite directions makes them tightly locked together.
2. Then, place the last link of the chain at the end of the rod. Next, place another link in the rod to create a loop. Finally, add one more nut to secure the chain. (You only need to put on a chain if you plan on hanging the heater).
3. Now, you have to assemble the pot. First, take a washer and slide it over the rod, then stick it in the hole.
4. Secure the rod with a washer and a nut near the hole.
5. Slide another washer on the metal rod, followed by the small pot.
6. Then, another washer followed by two more nuts. Repeat it six more times. You want all these nuts to capture as much heat as you can. The metal will store heat from the candle and radiate it to the pots.
7. After this process, drill the hole in the pot base, as they don’t usually come with holes.
8. Slide the base on the rod and secure the end with washers and nuts.
9. Hang the arrangement or place it on a tabletop.
10. Place the candles on the base and light them up.
11. Close the door of your room and check after 15-20 minutes. You will feel the warmth radiating from your candle heater DIY. 

2. Stoneware DIY Heater

Make this easy heater using decorative ceramic pieces or crockery. The warm air will collect under the ceramic bowl, and the fan will help push it out into the living area.

Things You Will Require

• Small fan
• Ceramic pot
• Tray
• Small candles
• 4 bricks

How to Make a Stoneware Heater

1. Put 3-4 candles on a tray and light them up.
2. Position two bricks on either side of the tray and two behind the tray.
3. Take the ceramic bowl and put it upside down on the tray. It should be covering all the candles.
4. Place the small fan on the bricks behind the tray.
5. Turn on the fan, and your setup is complete!

3. Alcohol Heater

Learning how to make an alcohol DIY heater can be a lifesaver during a winter power outage. It can provide you with heat to cook while simultaneously keeping you warm. You only need common house supplies, making it an inexpensive option to heat your house.

In this technique, toilet paper acts as a wick, while alcohol is the fuel. Due to the burning fire, you will have to keep a constant eye on it. As long as it’s dealt with care, it’s safe to operate.

Things You Will Need

• Rubbing alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol
• Metal cans
• Toilet paper rolls

Alcohol Heater Assembly

1. Put the toilet paper roll in the metal can.
2. Pour the rubbing alcohol on top until the tissue roll is entirely drenched.
3. Light a fire on alcohol, and that’s it!

4. Soda Can Burner

This lightweight, portable can burner could be a lifesaver in your survival kit, especially during a power blackout. 

Things You Will Require

• Empty soda cans
• Rubbing alcohol
• Permanent marker
• Pushpins
• Hammer

How to Create

1. Take a can and place it upside down. Then, use a nail and drive it through the center of the can.
2. Use push pins to make four holes around the nail hole. Then, drive the pins in the can with a hammer.
3. Make 16 holes around the ridge at the bottom using the same push pins.
4. Now, place the can horizontally on a flat surface and draw an even line using a permanent marker around the circumference.
5. Make a cut along that line using a razor knife. You now have two parts. The one with the holes drilled earlier would go on top, while the other one would be your bottom section.
6. Roll the pipe wrap insulation and fix it inside the bottom part of the can.
7. Put the drilled part of the can over the insulation-filled base and put it together.
8. Pour the rubbing alcohol into the can to fill it. Light the fuel on top of the heater.
9. When all the holes are flaming, place a coin to cover the center hole in the can.
10. Tada! Your soda can heater is ready to warm up your place.

5. Table Top Fire Pit

Want a personal heater on your table while working or reading? Try a tabletop fire pit.

It will not only warm up your personal space but also add a fireplace-like ambiance to your room. Moreover, with Sterno s’mores heat fuel, you can even roast your marshmallows!

For this homemade heater, use fire-resistant rocks and keep them dry. When rocks absorb water and then get heated, the water expands, putting pressure on the rocks. As a result, the rocks may break apart, and when combined with fire, this can also lead to an explosion.

Required Materials

• 1 fire-resistant ceramic container 
• An old glass candle holder
• Fire-safe rocks (granite, marble, slate, lava glass, lava rocks, etc.)
• Bioethanol for fuel 

Table Top Fire Pit Assembly

1. Take your fire-resistant container and layer the rocks inside.
2. Try not to pack the rocks too tightly. The reason is that airflow is needed around the fuel, allowing the hot air to escape outside the container.
3. Position the glass candle holder in the center and surround it with additional stones, filling the space around it and within it as well.
4. Next, add bioethanol.
5. Then, layer more rocks around the can.
6. That’s it! Go ahead, light the bioethanol, and enjoy your tabletop fireplace!

6. Rocket Stove

If you require a simple heater, you can create a rocket stove from a small coffee can. However, if you also want to use it for cooking, you will need something bigger such as a propane tank.

Rocket stoves are quite efficient for heating and even cooking and can be fueled with just about anything you have lying around that is flammable, such as leaves, twigs, or even newspaper.

Things You Will Need

• 3 different-sized cans; large, medium, and small
• Metal cutting saw
• Leaves or twigs for fire
• Matchstick
• Sand and gravel
• Permanent marker
• Screwdriver

DIY a Rocket Stove

1. Place the small can outside the large can (your main can) at the bottom and trace the outline with a marker. Then, cut the hole with a metal cutting saw.
2. After the cutout, you will notice sharp edges. Use a screwdriver to bend the hole’s edges to give it a smooth look.
3. Take the small can cut out its bottom, and fit it inside the hole.
4. Take another medium-sized can and cut out an arch on its front.
5. After that, place it vertically inside the main can, with the arch in front of the small can you have fitted inside.
6. Fill the large can with gravel and sand. They act as an insulator.
7. Then, push twigs or papers through the hole created earlier and light a fire. You will feel the heat rising up and smoke coming from the top.

7. Solar Can Heater

If you are looking to use natural energy to heat your space and have many aluminum cans lying around, this method is definitely for you.

This solar heater sucks the cold air from your home through a tube installed at the bottom. When the sun shines directly on the dark aluminum cans, they are heated pretty quickly, warming the cold air. The hot air then returns through the tube on the upper part of the frame.

Things You Will Need

• 240-300 aluminum cans
• 4 ft. x 8 ft. inch sheet of plywood
• 4 ft. x 8 ft. Plexiglas
• Plastic tube
• Black spray paint
• Wood for frame
• Air blower
• High-temperature silicon

How to Make a Solar Heater

1. Build a 4 ft. x 8 ft. x 3.5-inch wooden frame.
2. Take the plywood and nail it to the back of the frame.
3. Drill two holes, one at the top and one at the bottom of the frame.
4. Drill holes on both the upper and lower sides of all the aluminum cans. Only drill the top hole for the cans that’ll be placed in the bottom rows (around 16).
5. Make 16 columns by placing the cans on top of each other.
6. Seal the joint area with silicone caulk.
7. Allow the silicon to dry, and then spray the black paint.
8. Place the can bottle column you have just created into the wooden frame and cover the structure with Plexiglas.
9. Cut two holes in the room where you want to place this heater: one near the top of the wall and one near the floor.
10. Connect the holes of the wooden frame with the holes in the room with the help of plastic pipes.
11. Install the blower at the top pipe or bottom pipe.
12. Voila! Your DIY solar heater is ready.

8. DIY Electric Heater

An electric DIY heater is a safer option, considering that it does not involve open flames like other homemade heaters. As a result, it is a perfect option to use in areas such as a garage or shed. On the downside, its preparation takes several steps, requiring you to purchase numerous items.

The coil can take up to 10 minutes to warm up. The fan takes the cold air from your room and passes it through the coil to heat it and radiate it around.

Things You Will Require

• Plaster of Paris
• Metal can
• Nichrome wire
• Syringe
• Tin opener

How You Can Make it

1. Take a nichrome wire and coil it around the syringe.
2. After you have made a coil, remove the syringe.
3. Take some plaster of Paris, mix it with water, and fill your syringe with it.
4. Let it dry and form a solid shape.
5. After the plaster of Paris has solidified, cut the syringe with a welding machine to remove the solid plaster.
6. Then, put the plaster in the coil made earlier, and use a thin steel rod to slide it inside the solid plaster.
7. Now, connect both ends of the coil with an electric wire. Cover the setup with tapes.
8. Take the metal can and drill two holes on the sides. Fix the coil inside the holes.
9. Drill a few more holes in the can to make space for the switch and electric cord.
10. Put the switch in a hole and wire it with the electrical cords connected to the coil.
11. Cut a hole in the center of the can lid to make room for fan placement. Fix the fan inside with screws.
12. Take the metal grill and install it to the side closest to the coil.
13. In the end, connect the fan’s power line to the switch and put the electric power cord out through the hole.
14. Plug in the power cord to start the heater.

9. DIY Patio Heater

A DIY patio heater is a great way to enjoy your time outside without freezing in the colder months. When creating this heater, care should be taken to wash and dry the cylinders thoroughly. Moreover, creating this heater requires some welding skills, so keep that in mind.

Things You Will Need

• 2 gas cylinders
• Steel tube
• Steel knob
• Hinges
• Nuts and bolts
• Electric cutting saw
• Drill machine
• Black paint
• Wood pieces
• Match stick

How to DIY a Patio Heater

1. Take two propane gas cylinders, remove their values, and wash them thoroughly.
2. Leave the cylinders to dry in the air for a day or two.
3. Cut both cylinders in half using a cutting saw, keeping their top part for use.
4. Use wood sticks to create a fire and burn the paint off the cylinders.
5. Then, use tack welding to join the top parts of both cylinders. Next, join at the valve area.
6. Mark the area for the door cutting on the top cylinder. Before cutting out that part, drill small holes on the left side for the hinge installation. On the other side, drill a hole in the doorknob.
7. After installing the hinge and knob, cut a hole on top of the first cylinder for the steel rod. The rod will act as a chimney.
8. Insert the rod in the cylinder and then weld it all the way around.
9. After that, drill some intake air holes around the bottom of the top cylinder. This is to ensure that the fire has enough oxygen when lit. 
10. The last step involves painting the whole setup black. This is because the black color retains heat for a longer time.
11. Open the door, place wooden blocks inside, and light the fire. That’s it! Your DIY patio heater is ready to use!

10. 100 W Mini DIY Heater

If you are looking for a heater to keep your hands and feet warm, this mini room heater can be a great option. You can even use it to warm your food items.

Things You Will Require

• 2 coil wires of resistance 3-3.5 ohms, 1 small and 1 medium size
• Black clay
• Tin box or can
• Insulator
• Screws
• Cardboard piece
• Power source 12v to 15v, 10A

How to Create

1. Take a small tin box or can and drill holes for the insulator.
2. Install the insulators and secure them using screws. 
3. Then, take black clay and thoroughly wet it with water.
4. Place a piece of cardboard in front of the insulator in the tin and then add black clay.
5. Fill the tin with the wet clay, leaving the insulator section.
6. Place both the coils on the wet clay and outline.
7. Remove the coils and leave the clay to dry for 24 hours.
8. After the clay has dried, add both coils on top and connect them with the insulator.
9. Take the power source and connect it with the insulator.
10. The coils will start heating up, and voila, it’s that simple!

11. Solar Hot Air Collector

Solar hot air collectors can be used anywhere: greenhouse, garden shed, or even garage to heat the area on a budget. It is an eco-friendly product that harnesses sunrays to deliver hot air to your house. Solar radiation reaches the solar panel and heats the collector. The air passing through the collector takes up the heat, which is then delivered to your house via a small fan.

Place the collector on the south or west side, as these sides get most of the sunlight. Installing the hot air collector on a vertical surface is recommended to get the best angle between the panel and the sun.

Required Materials

• Light fixture
• Caulk
• Black paint
• Solar panel
• Aluminum tape
• Plexiglass
• Meta sliding
• ABS pipe
• Pipe cutter
• Vinyl tape

How to DIY a Solar Heater

1. Take the light fixture and remove all the lights and wires.
2. Seal the small holes with caulk and cover the large holes with aluminum tape.
3. Let the caulk dry overnight, and then paint the entire fixture black. This helps absorb sunlight.
4. Use a foam board and cut it to fit around the corners of the fixture. Glue all the sides to the light fixture.
5. Use a screwdriver to punch a hole (2 ½ inches) at the top and bottom of the fixture’s backside. These holes will be used to insert ABS pipe vent holes.
6. For the vent holes, take an ABS pipe, measure 2 ½ inches on it, and make a cut. Cut 6 pieces like that. 3 will be stacked on top of each other for the upper part and 3 for the bottom part. Use ABS glue to combine the pieces together.
7. Put the ABS pipe cuttings in the vent holes in the fixture.
8. Take your metal sliding and place it on the fixture. 
9. After that, place the Plexiglass on the metal slide.
10. Clean the glass thoroughly. Put caulk on the edges to make the glass stick.
11. Also, use vinyl tape at the edges.
12. After your solar air collector is ready, it’s time to connect it with your south-facing window.
13. Drill the holes on the top and lower part of the window frame to align with the two holes drilled in the fixture.
14. Make as many collector plates as you want and place them around the south-facing area to generate heat.

As the temperature starts to dip, making a homemade heater is one of the best ways to cut back on energy costs and keep your house warm. While you are all set to create your own heating system, make sure you have read all the precautions and that your smoke detectors are in working order for safety.